You’re planning to go to Tokyo but you have been told that it’s pretty expensive place. You don’t want to spend an excessive amount of money. Follow these tips to help you keep within your budget and have a great vacation!
- Trains - Rail fares on local trains are not expensive in Japan. My train route to work costs me 250 yen. This is just over 1 British pound or 2 US dollars. The same distance in the UK on London transport would cost me around 5 pounds. When you get here use the local train system as much as you can to reduce your travel costs.
- Rail Pass - Planning on traveling across country from Tokyo to Kyoto, Osaka or other major destinations? Consider buying a Rail Pass. Note that the Pass can only be bought from your home country before landing in Japan. The great advantage of a Rail Pass is that it can be used on the shinkansen/bullet train along with all other JR lines including local. Pay one price and have access to unlimited travel for 1, 2 or 3 weeks.
- 100 Yen Stores - The 100 yen store is the equivalent of a dollar or pound store. You can buy a multitude of items here. Pick up your souvenir gifts and also stock up on any treats such as crisps or chocolate.
- Izekayas - If you want a good night out without spending a fortune, an izekaya is the best and most entertaining way to go. On top of that you’ll get a taste of real Japanese culture in action and see the locals really let their hair down as they socialize outside the rigidity of their normal business lives.
- Capsule Hotel - Capsule hotels are a great way to save money - particularly if you’re a guy. Why guys? Many hotels are still men only, although there are some that now allow women too. Average cost in Tokyo is around 3,000 to 5,000 yen per night. This is approximately 15 - 25 pounds or 28 - 47 US dollars.
- Business Hotel - Some hotels are known as business hotels as they do not have the same luxury of space as some of the bigger chains. If you don’t fancy staying in a capsule hotel you should consider the business hotel alternative. Prices usually start from around 7,000 yen and go to 15,000 yen per night.
- Museums - It’s worth including some museums on your itinerary as they are not expensive in Japan compared to many other countries. Some are even free! Choose from science, history, art or technology museums and more.
- Kaiten-Zushi - Sit at a revolving conveyor belt and eat to your hearts content. Notice that there are normally 4 or 5 different colours of plate. The reason is that each colour is a different price. Check how much they are and pick the ones that match your budget. Keep each plate after eating and then add them up for your bill.
- Noodles and Ramen - Stand up with the locals and enjoy a delicious bowl of noodles or ramen at one of the many restaurants dotted around. Find them either inside, or in close proximity to, both subway and overland train stations.
- Lunch - At lunchtimes take advantage of the range of set menus that are available, both Japanese and international. Many places in the center of Tokyo offer an all you can eat option for 1,000 yen - 5 pounds or 10 US dollars
In continuation to our drive to save money on hotel reservations, there are few more tips to save the cost on hotel reservations before you travel.
- A number of hotels have additional prices and surcharges that are not declared in room tariffs and afterwards, these rates suddenly come up during departure. Confirm with the hotel that the room charges are the only thing you are paying for. Prior to your booking, do make it clear, and if at the time of checking-out you suddenly find the final cash memo with prices that you were not informed of, refuse to pay them.
- If you possess an expiring frequent Fliers miles card, or you would just want to dispose of one, request the hotel if they can exchange the miles with any of their booking schemes. It is a wise idea to redeem frequent Flier miles for hotel accommodation.
- Every so often, hotels offer free airport pick-up which you can use as haggling device. request for a free pickup when bargaining so you will get a little more even though you pay the full charge.
- Charges have a tendency to get high as the best time of the year approaches. So if you are thinking of traveling during the peak season, every time call in early.
- At times, regular fees are lower than weekend rates, or the contrary. Inquire the hotel by hand or ask a travel agent, if they offer these, accordingly you can plan your tour during these periods and will be able to benefit from these concessions.
- All the time ask for an authentication number when you book a room, so that the hotel cannot say that they did not get your booking.
I know you always wanted to go to your favorite destination in holidays but the expensive traveling break you down. There are still ways to save money on traveling cost, specially reservation and I would like to share few of them with you.
- On slack seasons due to lesser demand, airline fares, hotel tariff, even car hire charges are comparatively lower during this time; chalk out your vacations at this time. It is possible for you to get almost 50% discount if you reserve a room during slag season, hence call and ask the hotel if they provide off season concessions and inquire when will the reduction be in force.
- A number of hotels offer discounts to specific individuals like honeymooners students, Senior citizens, military officials, etc. To save you money do inquire about these special cut rates and their particulars.
- On occasions hotels and resorts permit up to 2 children for a double-bed room given that the children are inside the age limit allowed by the hotel. If you are holidaying with your folks do not forget to ask whether your children can live in free of cost.
- You can browse budget holiday websites for hotel bookings and car hire if you are not very finicky with hotel settings. They will do the bargain on your behalf and it is quite certain that you wont over-spend.
- If one make use of certain facilities for more than a week several inns and guest houses and also car-at-call companies offer free days. Inquire about this kind of extra services if you are preparing for a long holiday.
We will soon publish few more ways to save money while you travel and enjoy your holidays.
