Maximize your travel budget

Traveling on a budget doesn’t mean you have to compromise on comfortable accommodations and decent flight times. In fact, experienced travelers already know how to maximize their travel budget and take advantage of low prices on travel packages, airline tickets and other travel-related expenses. Planning ahead will usually give you the upper hand when it comes to playing the vacation-booking game, and there are several tricks and tactics you can use to slash those costs even further.
按照预算旅行并不意味着舒适的住宿和理想的航班时间就必须让步。实际上，有经验的旅行者已经知道充分利用旅行套餐、机票和其他旅行花费来最大化的利用自己的旅行预算。提前计划往往能让你做好一手准备，以应对假日预订，下面有一些能让你狠狠削减开支的小诀窍和小方法。

1.Fly to alternate airports

1.Fly to alternate airports
飞去备选机场

When you are heading to a major city or other hub with multiple airports, consider all your options. Flights to alternate airports can be slightly less expensive than flying into a larger, international airport in the same city. In some cases, you might also be closer to your final destination and can skirt traffic. Just make sure to calculate taxi fares from all airports before.
当你要前往某个大城市或是去有多个机场的城市中心时，你要考虑选择所有可选择的目的机场。同城的大型国际机场，通常比备选机场要稍微贵一点。有时候，飞备选机场可能离你的终点站会近一点，还能避开交通堵塞。只是在到达前要算一下从备选机场到你目的地的打的费。

2. Book and fly on the right day of the week

2. Book and fly on the right day of the week.
在每周对的日子里订票和起飞

Shop for airfare on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, suggests Travelzoo’s Senior Editor Gabe Saglie. Most airlines publish their sale fares on Tuesday, which is when competition to match those fares begins each week. You’re also likely to find a better deal when you fly on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday.
来自Travelzoo’s期刊的高级旅游编辑Gabe Saglie建议，在周二和周三购买飞机票。大部分的航线在周二会发布折扣，就是在这个时间段开始每周的价格竞争。当你选周二、周三或周六有飞行的时候，你就可能有一个好的折扣价。

3.Book group travel with a rewards card

3.Book group travel with a rewards card.
用积分信用卡预订团体游

Earn bonus miles when booking a group trip by paying for travel expenses using a travel rewards credit card. The best travel rewards card program will allow you to earn extra miles under your own account, and group members can pay you in cash for their portion of the trip.Buying airline tickets with a rewards credit card is a smart move, especially if you travel frequently and are planning to take another trip in the near future.
支付预订团队游的旅行费用时，刷旅行积分信用卡，就可以积攒消费积分换里程。 最棒的旅行奖励积分卡项目这样操作：团体游的其他成员用现金支付给你代刷的旅行费用，而你自己的积分卡账户下可以获得额外的奖励里程。用高额旅游信用卡购买飞机票是非常聪明的举动，尤其是如果你出行很频繁而且计划在不远的将来开始另一端旅程。

4. Plan ahead for holiday weekends.

4. Plan ahead for holiday weekends.
提早计划节假日的周末游

Holiday weekends are among the priciest times to fly, so unless you’re heading to a destination specifically to celebrate the holiday, steer clear of those long weekend trips. The weekend before or after a major holiday usually commands lower rates and fares.
节假日的周末机票往往是最贵的。除非你要去的地方是有特别庆祝节日安排，如果不是则避开那些有公休假的周末旅行。在主要节假日前后一周，一般机票价格都会低些。

5. Seek out off-peak deals

5. Seek out off-peak deals.
寻找淡季折扣

Do your homework to find out which destinations are currently in their off-peak season. You’ll discover that many destinations around Europe have attractive package deals during the spring and early summer months. Traveling during the off-peak season could save you up to 50 percent or more on your entire vacation package.
仔细做旅游的攻略寻找出目前处在淡季的旅行景点。你会发现许多欧洲旅游点在春天和夏初几个月都有很吸引人的旅游套餐价。淡季旅游能让你节约50%的钱，甚至让你的整个旅游套餐花费更少。

6. Keep your passport updated.

6. Keep your passport updated.
保持护照更新

Don’t wait until the last minute to update your passport information if it’s expired. The application process can take up to six weeks, and you’ll pay a set of fees for the service. If you’re an avid traveler, make sure your passport never gets too close to the expiry date before you request a renewal.
不要等到护照过期的最后时刻才去更新护照。护照更新的申请需要6周左右的时间，你需要为此付费。如果你是一个热爱旅游的人，在你需要更新护照前，永远都要确保离过期的时限不是太远。

7. Subscribe to deal sites

7.Subscribe to deal sites.
折扣网站上订购

Groupon Getaways, Travelzoo and LivingSocial Escapes are three major travel deal sites that will keep you in the know about the latest deals and discounts. You can also sign up for free, membership-only sites like Jetsetter to get exclusive, prenegotiated rates for many luxury hotels and travel packages throughout the country.
Groupon Getaways, Travelzoo 和 LivingSocial Escapes是三个主要的旅游折扣网站，它们会让你知道最新的交易动态和折扣。你也能免费注册，不过一些会员制的网站类似于Jetsetter（耶特塞特），能够提供全美范围的奢华酒店和旅行套餐的高级别议价。

8. Learn to pack properly.

8. Learn to pack properly.
学会打包行李

Overpacking can lead to extra checked baggage fees, so make sure you’re packing only what you need. If you’re planning an extended stay trip, get quotes from shipping service providers that will ship and pick up your items to your destination. In some cases, shipping your belongings instead of carrying them in a suitcase will be less expensive.
过多的行李会导致在检查的时候收取行李费，因此要保证你带的物品仅仅都是你需要的。如果你计划一段很长久的旅行，从航运服务供应商那里搜集些航运报价，把你的东西航运到目的地。有时候，海运你的物品比把它们用旅行箱随身携带要便宜一些。

9. Negotiate hotel rates.

9. Negotiate hotel rates.
洽淡酒店价格

If you can’t find a great deal on a hotel and flight package through a third-party travel site, call the hotel or resort directly and inquire about the best available deals. Sometimes the rates extended by the hotel are lower than those published online. Hotels may need to fill rooms at the last minute, and some will be open to negotiating a rate or package deal.
如果你通过第三方旅游网站没有找到好价位的酒店和折扣多的机票套餐，你可以直接打电话给酒店或者旅游景点，询问最优惠的价格。有时候酒店的实际价格要比在网上公布的价格要低。酒店在最后时刻可能需要让游客满员入住，这时有飞酒店就会同意议价或者提供协议优惠。

10. Research ground transportation options.[

10. Research ground transportation options.
研究地面交通方式

Don’t wait until you arrive at the airport to figure out how you are going to get to your hotel or resort. Research taxi service providers and rental car companies before you leave so you can negotiate a rate or book a great deal.
不要等到到了机场再去分辨如何坐车去酒店或者旅游景点。在你出发之前研究一下的士服务提供和租车公司，这样你能同他们协商一下价格或者预定优惠价格。

11. Look for freebies and deals at your final destination.

11. Look for freebies and deals at your final destination.
在你的目的地找免费消费和赠品

Search for free attractions, events and guided tours at venues throughout the town or city you’re visiting. Keeping activity costs low means you can spend more on a great meal and splurge on other travel expenses. You could also check the daily deal sites at the city you’re visiting to see what types of discounts are available for local activities, events and dining destinations. Consider buying a city pass or similar activity card that lets you visit several attractions for one low price.
在你旅游的镇或城市，寻找免费的景点、活动和导游。保持日常活动低消费意味着你能有更多的钱吃大餐和在其他旅游花费上挥霍。你也可以在当地的日常交易网址找找有什么当地的优惠活动或者折扣餐厅。考虑买一张城市景点通行卡或者类似的优惠卡，这能让你用低价格参观好多景点。