1. Plan your trip. Even if you are on a go-with-the-flow vacation,put down what you want to do and see. Get information on the schedule, fees and directions beforehand.Sure,you want to be relaxed but if that one place you have to see is closed for some reason, all relaxation flies out the window.
  2. Buy transportation passes. If you are staying in one place for a week, buy the bus pass or rail pass and save a ton on taxis while you sightsee at your own pace.
  3. Check out local no-frills flights. You can get great bargains by checking out the budget airlines in that locale (book online). I have flown from London to Paris for 1 Sterling Pound via Ryanair and from Kuala Lumpur to Bali for $60 (R/T) via AirAsia. If your travel time is flexible, you can score some ridiculously cheap air tickets.
  4. Use taxi drivers for tour guides. In third world countries, food and transportation are fairly cheap. Book a taxi for a day ($120 in China and $70 in Bali) and the driver can become an impromptu guide as he takes you to local attractions and great local restaurants. If you are leery of unscrupulous taxi drivers, have the hotel concierge arrange it for you.
  5. Make use of ATMs. In this day and age, you no longer need to travel with rolls of dollar bills and books of traveler’s checks. Unless you are visiting a small village or town, ATMs are everywhere. True, you have to pay a transaction fee, but it’s still better than losing a wad of cash.
  6. Be aware of pickpockets. These scoundrels are everywhere from urban cities to rural townships. If there is a reason for tourists to gather, you bet they’ll be there. Keep a tight grip on your purse, camera gear, backpacks and waist pouches while you gawk at the scenery.
  7. Don’t take a walk on the wild side. You’ve heard that certain cities are dangerous and that you should absolutely avoid them. Newsflash! Every city has its dark side. Just make sure you don’t wander into those shady areas, especially at night.
  8. Watch what you drink. There are many countries where tap water is not safe to drink. In those cases, always use bottled water for brushing your teeth. The last thing you want is to fall sick in a foreign country.
  9. Get your shots. Before you travel, make sure you have taken the required shots depending on your destination. Prevention is always better than cure.
  10. Use mileage points to upgrade your seat. This way, you get a much higher dollar value than if you used the points to redeem air tickets.