Outlook Money Outlook Money, April 2018 | страница 30

Cover Story Cost-savers for foreign travel Group holidays are a great option if you are a budget traveller. You can save at least 20-25 per cent of your travel costs. Book your holiday at least 2-3 months in advance. Travel during off season – from mid-January to the end of March, or from mid- July to early November. You are more likely to nail the best prices on airfare and hotel accommodation at such times. If you still want to travel during summer, choose a hotel away from the city centre. Prices will be at least 30-40 per cent cheaper. Opt for flights that have a stopover. For example, a direct flight from Mumbai to London will usually be more expensive than a flight via Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or Doha. The price difference can be as much as 10-15 per cent. If you book early, check all airline deals anyway; you just might land a sweet deal on a direct flight. notes of higher denominations. “In France, most people swipe cards or resort to digital payments, and I found it very difficult to get change for a €500 note. It’s advisable to carry currency of smaller denominations,” says Kumar. Narang, on the other hand, used foreign currency cards on her Europe trip, and had no problem using cash in Bhutan. Budget Planning As Narang goes on at least two trips every year, and spends `50,000 to `60,000 on each, she makes sure that she saves up for her travels. “While planning the trip, I get to know how much it would cost,” she says. “I’ve never taken a loan for a holiday so far. I don’t understand the logic of taking a loan.” On a similar note, Kumar staggers her payments to reduce the strain on her finances – she books air tickets one month, accommodation next, and for visas the following month. For those like Kumar and Narang who plan their travels in advance, there are many interesting schemes to help them with their budgets. One such scheme is Cox & Kings’ ‘Save-Now- Travel-Later’. Through this, a consumer can schedule his or her trip a year in advance and pay the tour costs in 11 instalments leading up to the holiday. The 13th instalment is contributed 28 by Cox & Kings. “This helps people who would like to travel a year later, keeping their budget in mind,” says Anand. Destination Matters Some popular domestic destinations for summer travel in India are Ladakh, Shimla, Kashmir, and Meghalaya. While destinations like Munnar and Kochi in Kerala and Goa are also popular, they are fast becoming year- round favourites. Popular hill stations include Mahabaleshwar, Matheran, and Lonavala for people in Mumbai and Pune; Coorg and Ooty in the south; and Mount Abu and Kashmir for those living in Delhi. Hampi is another popular destination for those interested in heritage. “Over the last few years, due to excellent flight connectivity, the Andamans too has become popular, especially for water sports. Neighbouring countries such as Nepal and Bhutan are also getting good numbers during summer,” Anand adds. For Indian travellers looking to travel abroad, the UK, Switzerland, France, Germany, and Italy continue to be among the most visited destinations during summer. New destinations such as Iceland and Scandinavia are also gaining popularity. Outlook Money April 2018 www.outlookmoney.com [email protected] Vietnam Best time to visit October to April How to get there Take a flight to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City from Mumbai or Delhi. You can cover Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Phu Quoc, a popular island destination. Places to see In Hanoi, visit the Ho Chi Minh museum, Temple of Literature, and the Women’s Museum. Shopping, particularly at the Friday flea market in the city centre, is a must, as is an overnight cruise to Ha Long Bay. Ho Chi Minh City will primarily interest history buffs, while Phu Quoc is a huge draw for honeymooning couples and others seeking luxury. Accommodation Choose a hotel near the city centre; you can also look up homestays or Airbnb facilities depending on your budget. Hotels in Vietnam are considered easy on the pocket. Precautions While Vietnam is safe, it is best to be back in your hotel by 10 pm, unless you are fond of nightlife. Carry a paper map, especially if you do not intend to use data while on roam