A MoneySavingIdiot abroad: How I saved £123 on my trip to Prague

Well done with all your efforts. It’s great fun researching and booking a trip and even the most disorganised person can get the most out of travelling with a bit of support. Some of the comments below are a bit harsh? Yes, most of the article is common sense to seasoned travellers, but not everyone reading it will be. On a positive note, I’ve a few more tips to help: 1. Prepaid travel cards are essential to prevent carrying stashes of cash around, but my experience for the best rates of exchange has been to get a specific Euro card for the euro zone countries, a US Dollar one for the USA and a Multi-currency card for elsewhere. Always compare fees and rates of exchange before committing to any card. I top up online before and then during a trip, if necessary, with amounts I need at any time to save having too much of a balance at the end of a trip. Multi-currency cards are loaded in £ Sterling. FairFX multi-currency card can now be used for normal spending in the UK with cashback. Also when overseas, use the card for restaurants, shops, etc, in the same way you’d use a credit/debit card as the fees/exchange rates are usually better than withdrawing cash plus ALWAYS elect to pay in the local currency, not in £ sterling! When getting cash out of an ATM, there is usually a fixed charge, so get a lump out rather than lots of small amounts. 2. I only get the bare minimum of currency here and use my loaded travel card at a local ATM wherever I am. 3. Set up a check list of things to take and things to do, which will evolve for every trip. That way, you won’t forget medication, EHIC card, or turn off your central heating no matter how disorganised you are. 4. Sign up to newsletters for airlines, like Easyjet, so you’ll get advanced warning on discounted and new fares. 5. If you travel frequently (UK/overseas), my lifeline has been Tripit.com. It’s free for the basic Tripit and you can forward booking confirmation emails, so it adds them to your itinerary, plus you can add your own notes, excursions, etc. I subscribe $49\year for Tripit Pro and it’s worth every cent! I know at a glance what trips (UK and overseas) I have pending, what I’ve booked or need to book and I can check past trips for costings or places we stayed, etc. 6. Airport restaurants/cafes will fill up your water bottle for free, if you can’t find a water fountain or, as in the case at Bristol Airport recently, the water dribbled out of their water fountain! This is just a snippet of tips, but hope it helps. I’m sure other seasoned travellers have other great tips, which I’d like to hear? Btw, I’m retired, so have no vested interest in promoting any company, but I have spent my life travelling for work and pleasure and still get a kick waiting for my next trip - Eastbourne (tennis) coming up.