Spending in euros can be limiting especially if you’re travelling on a tight budget! Luckily there are ways to cut corners and spend judiciously. Due to the rise of the sharing economy, there has been a surge in new budget airlines and bus options. Now it looks like the new trend is to get around Europe using these efficient transport services.

Here are new 7 affordable ways to travel through the continent:

Megabus

Megabus is the ‘IT’ bus to travel through the United Kingdom as well as Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam. The ticket prices can vary from 1-20 pound sterling and is considerably cheap and efficient.

Busabout

Are you familiar with the hop on/hop off bus service? It’s a popular transport among the backpackers who get to meet other people with the same itinerary and can get on and off on any set routes while travelling with Busabout. Their unlimited passes for $1,499 for six months of travel is the best deal for a long-term period.

Flixbus

Here’s another additional bus transport that’s as user-friendly as Megabus but with even better perks (Wifi, electrical outlets, up to three free bags) at a reasonably good price. German-based FlixBus has routes in 20 European countries and thousands of cities, with prices starting as low as 5 euros.

Budget Airline

With budget airlines, you get to travel at ease with trips as cheap as 1 euro! Disclaimer: You might have to read the rules again before booking any ticket. They are known to be very strict about baggage limits or if you forget to print out your boarding pass. You will otherwise have to pay for extra fees. Skyscanner and Momondo are the go-to’s for anyone who wants to save up yet still travel through an airline!

Eurail Pass

If travelling in a plane or on a bus in Europe is not your cup of tea then you can always try the Eurail Pass out. It’s a much more comfortable option, plus the European rail system is known to be the best and most extensive rail system in the world.

If your goal is to travel around Europe across long distances for longer journeys, the Eurail Pass is the more appropriate choice of transport. Your cost per trip will be a lot more economical than if you were to buy the tickets separately.

BlaBlaCar

BlablaCar is the definition of a car-pool, except cooler! It lets you rideshare with people who have extra space in their car with the same destination as yours and who agree to give you a lift. The rides can cost as little as 5 euros. If you’re a fan of the countryside and you don’t mind the social aspect of BlablaCar, then get riding!

Source Article: https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/cheap-ways-to-travel-across-europe-2/

 

B4i.travel simplifies your communication needs when travelling and takes the risk out of high international roaming costs. We offer a range of pre-loaded, pre-activated and pre-registered world travel SIM cards so you’ll be connected when you arrive in the country you are visiting. Tourists, students and businessmen have been talking like a local in South Africa, USA, Europe with B4I.travel since 2010. It’s time to ‘Explore your world’.

Here are 7 pointers to keep in mind to maximise your experience when visiting America for work or that long-awaited holiday:

1. The Tipping culture

Tipping your waiter is always required whether you’re in a taxi, at a bar or in a restaurant. It’s regarded as a token of appreciation if the service you received was hospitable.

2. The price on the label is not the final price!

Most things you’ll buy will exclude sales tax which is generally 10% extra in addition to the total cost. When in doubt, just take your phone out to calculate the exact amount you need to pay.  

3. Don’t underestimate the national parks

Forget the concrete jungle that you always see on TV. Make time and go visit the national parks scattered all across America. Some of them such as Yellow Stone National Park, The Grand Canyon National Park, Yosemite National Park & Zion National Park are the ones that you cannot miss.

4. Your ESTA Application

Don’t we all love some paperwork! If you’re arriving from a country under the Visa Waiver Program, you are subject to apply for an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) and obtain approval before coming to the USA.

5. Not everywhere is safe!

Like every country, there are some places that are unsecured and not guarded at all times. Try and get as much advice as you can from the friendly locals and assess your situation regularly. Wander often but wander safe.

6. Make sure to have your travel and health insurance sorted before you travel.

This is pretty much a step that’s imperative before you go to any country especially where its currency is the American dollar. Invest wisely and keep a printed document of your ID, Health insurance and your plane ticket with you at all times.

7. Turning right on a red light is rule-worthy.

Across the 50 states, drivers can take a right turn on a red light when it’s safe and if there’s no sign that forbids a right turn. So watch out when you’re driving or crossing the road.

Source article: https://www.travelanddestinations.com/things-to-know-before-visiting-the-usa/

 

B4i.travel simplifies your communication needs when travelling and takes the risk out of high international roaming costs. We offer a range of pre-loaded, pre-activated and pre-registered world travel SIM cards so you’ll be connected when you arrive in the country you are visiting. Tourists, students and businessmen have been talking like a local in South Africa, USA, Europe with B4I.travel since 2010. It’s time to ‘Explore your world’.

Take a card from your Hotel in case you get lost.

If you are unfamiliar with a city or perhaps you are  a first time traveller the travel tip is to take a hotel business card from Reception when checking in, which has the address and telephone number of your hotel so in the event you should get lost or forget the name of hotel you are able to get back without too much trouble.

This tip is particularly useful in countries where English is not that widely spoken and communication is often difficult with a cab driver like in places like  Korea or Japan. Just show the hotel card to the cab driver, the card will inevitably have the hotel address printed in English and the local language.

If there are no hotel business cards record the address as a pin on Google Maps and save the hotels telephone number.

Our Top Ten Must do’s in Cape Town

1.      Go up Table Mountain on the Cableway – Table Mountain sits majestically in the heart of the city and gives a panoramic view of The City, Table bay, Clifton and Camps Bay. Bring something warm to wear, the weather can change fast at the top and it is always cooler at the top of the mountain which is just over a 1000m above sea level.

2.      Cape Point – Cape Point is located in the Cape Point Reserve (about 80km from the city)where you will find several species of antelope, Zebra and baboons.  Absolutely worth the walk to the Point with its amazing views of False Bay and the Atlantic. There is a funicular up the hill (The Flying Dutchman) if you do not feel like the short hike.

3.      Robben Island – The prison made famous by Mandela’s incarceration, Trips by boats leave from the Waterfront at the Clock Tower.

4.      Seal Island – Boats leave from Hout Bay Harbour and travel around the Sentinel to the Island which is covered in Cape fur seals.

5.      Penguins at Boulders Beach – In summer enjoy the opportunity to swim safely at Boulders just past Simonstown with a colony Jackass penguins.

6.      Kirstenbosch – The Botanical Gardens at Kirstenbosch is the best in the world and absolutely worth a visit. In summer book for one of the many open-air concerts on the lawn, it will be unforgettable.

7.      The Castle of Good Hope – located in the centre of the city, one of the oldest buildings in South Africa built by the Dutch settlers.

8.      Visit Groot Constantia wine farm – built in 1685 and the oldest wine producing estate in South Africa.

9.      The Waterfront – South Africa’s top tourist destination with all its restaurants and shops located in a working harbour and also home to Cape Town’s eye a revolving pod letting you see the city and beyond.

10.   Lions Head by night – take a walk up to the top of Lion’s head with a torch on a full moon but expect crowds of people, the reward is a unique 360-degree breathtaking view, so worth it.