Orble - Independent Travel Tips

Independent Travel Tips - Is It Cheaper to Take a Tour?

I travel independently because its cheaper and it gives me more freedom. That's not always the case - but almost always is. The only times I can think that it may be cheaper to take tour is when you need local guides and/or specialized equipment - for example outback camping trips in Australia, or cruises in the Arctic.

Photo: John Kanningberg via Flickr.com

If you are thinking about booking a tour in Europe, Asia or the Americas - because its cheaper - think again. First off the the tour price is not the total price - there is all the stuff not included - do you really want to go to Paris and not climb the Eiffel Tower - well you can - but that's an extra tour ... Most tours will include breakfast - but not all the other meals - but they will probably stop somewhere for lunch - somewhere which is not so much cheap, or good value, or even good food - but good commission...

And they have you captured - many groups in Europe save money on staying on the outskirts of Paris - if you want to wander off and do your own thing - its going to cost more money and be a lot more difficult than if you were staying in the centre of town or near the local transport system.

The main reason to go on a tour is because you are scared to travel interdependently - that's not very sexy - but it just happens to be true.

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October 14th 2010 @ 03:29

Posted By: Lis Sowerbutts - Category: No Category

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Independent Travel Tips - What If I can't finda hotel?

I once spent several, very, very frustrating and tiring hours walking around central Buenos Aires, Argentina with the a guidebook in hand - at the time Argentina was expensive and I was on a budget. I tried to find around 10 cheap hotels - walked for 3 hours and never found them.

Photo: Porphyria via flickr.com

Later talking to another traveller we figured out that the map had some of the street names swapped! Lonely Planet used to be notorious for inaccurate maps and lack of scale (when their maps were hand drawn!).

I never bother with maps anymore - and no I don't carry a smartphone that direct me to the nearest Lonely Planet hotel either!

If I am arriving late and night and/or after a long-haul flight which will leave me tired and jet-lagged a book a hotel- print out the address - figure out the public transport directions and if I get lost I hop in a taxi.

The rest of the time I head to the cheap hotel part of the city - in Asia I wait 2 milliseconds before a tout finds me and then let him do the hard work. In Europe I knock on a few doors and find a decent place and negotiate a rate.

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October 13th 2010 @ 01:40

Posted By: Lis Sowerbutts - Category: No Category

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How the Internet Has Changed Independent Travel

When I first started travelling I used to write away to the youth hostel at my destination with a international money order to confirm my accommodation. This was expensive and time consuming. But it was my only option other than having a travel agent book me into a very comfortable 4 star hotel - and very uncomfortable price.

Independent Travel is DIY thanks to the Internet

So much has changed! I thought once about becoming a travel agent - now I am one, for me and my family

. I can book cars, ferries, planes, speed boats in Thailand and opera tickets in Germany as well as those ellusive hotels!

OK so its not quite the same thrill as going down to the agent and picking up the big fat wallet of vouchers and airline tickets - rather I have to replace my own paper and printer ink and provide my own wallet!

But its an awful lot cheaper! And I never have to book blind - there are heaps of sites which offer detailed reviews of hotels and other travel services - TripAdvisor.com - is a big one - although you need to read between the lines with some reviews!

Finally, just recently, I found it cheaper to book long-haul airfares to the UK from New Zealand myself - than via an agent - things really have improved - and for the better.

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October 12th 2010 @ 00:03

Posted By: Lis Sowerbutts - Category: No Category

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Welcome to Independent Travel Tips

I have been travelling for a long time. I used to think that I would get rich and then be able to do the fancy tours. I guess I can afford them now - but I don't really have any desire to be whisked around in air conditioned comfort from one tourist site.