The summer holidays are around the corner. Here are some tips to enjoy them without breaking your bank account.

Prepare how you want to get there

- You can opt for first minute or last minute reservation for reduced prices. In addition, if you choose to fly on Tuesday or Thursday or at night, prices normally are lower as well.
- You can share the transport cost(s) by car sharing. It is cheap (half the cost of the train) and it works for many destinations. A perfect way to go on vacation and to meet new acquaintances. Some open-mindedness is needed though. The cheapest solution for transport is the bus. If you are not running out of time, you can go on holidays by bus for both long distances and low prices.

Activities on the spot

- Set yourself a daily budget: make it realistic, keep in mind that you will go out for dinner often, have more cocktails and ice creams than usual. That’s how holidays work.
- Pre-book tickets online for major touristic attractions. Sometimes cheaper, always faster, and we all know that time equals money.
- Rent your car online in advance. Like this you have all the time to search for the best solutions and you avoid the queue at the airport (or the train station).
- When you don’t know a country it is easy to fall into tourist traps. These are usually located in touristic places and you pay quite a lot for a low quality meal/services. Check out the best places on the Internet or in a travel guide before leaving the hotel.
- Think twice before buying souvenirs or food or drink to take home. An ouzo in the Greek sunset is just not the same as an ouzo in Gasperich - the same goes for other souvenirs.

Accommodation

- Hotels are expensive and can rapidly become a money pit. But there are alternatives. Some people offer to stay in their home for free or for a tiny price to share their culture, their way of life with you. Once again the Internet will help you to find this kind of deals.
- For a friendly solution, youth hostels are also a nice alternative. You get to meet people and share commonplaces with them for a low price.
- For an accommodation that costs nothing you can choose house sharing. You live in the house or flat of someone else who lives in yours. Sometimes you even exchange cars.

… and don’t forget

- Check if your credit cards are activated for the country you are visiting and make sure your credit card limits are ok for you. You should also take with you the emergency numbers of your bank… just in case. www.ing.lu/web/ING/EN/Personal/Topay/haveanicetrip/index.htm

Whatever your wishes or your budget, these tips should help you to enjoy your long-awaited holidays as well as to keep your bank account safe.