Lonely Planet's credit crunch travel tips

Tightening your budget doesn't have to mean squeezing your holiday right out of the picture.

By Korina Miller

With a little planning and some hints from the experts, you can still grab some vacation time this year. Lonely Planet guidebooks are packed with ideas on where to go when, and how to save money along the way.

Save before...

Vacation daydreams don't usually include waiting for seats on the bus or spending a fortune to escape the tourist hubbub. Planning your itinerary and then booking transport and hotels ahead of time ensures you get the best prices, saving you both time and money. Booking online can fetch amazing deals. Also try flying with a low-cost airline to a nearby city (like Girona instead of Barcelona). You'll save a bundle and see somewhere new.

Think about when you're going to arrive. School holidays, major festivals or national football matches can double your costs and leave you in a scrum over hotel rooms, restaurant tables and tickets to sights. It's worth researching the busiest times in each destination, along with advice on quieter (aka cheaper) times to visit. Travelling midweek will also set you apart from the big spenders.

Local taxes can sneak up on your budget like a pickpocket. You can often get refunds on some of it if you're prepared and hang onto the necessary receipts.

Heavy luggage can weigh on your shoulders and your budget. Find out what's readily available at your holiday destination and leave those things at home. Travelling light will avoid extra charges for flights, buses, taxis and left luggage storage and mean less time spent in the lost luggage department at the airport.

Save while you're there...

Soaking up the city sights doesn't always come cheap and entrance fees can leave you wondering if you're paying to see the exhibits or to take them home. Thankfully, many offer free entry at particular times, generally in the evening midweek.

In some cities, free or very cheap local transport can also give you an impromptu tour - hop on the Staten Island Ferry in New York to get up great views of the Statue of Liberty or catch a river ferry in Bangkok to get a real taste of the city.

You can also avoid paying for a tour or guide by heading out on an independent walking tour where you can take in the top sights and hidden gems of major cities at your own pace - and for free.

Getting the best deals on local transport can take some local know-how. Rather than jumping on the often overpriced tourist bus into town or hailing a cab, check out local buses, metros or free city-wide bikes. You'll have a more authentic experience and keep your wallet happy.

Travelling with kids? Family and student discounts are often available for transport and sights and many destinations have parks, beaches and museums that are absolutely free. Family-friendly accommodation doesn't have to cost big bucks - look for child-friendly guesthouse and family-run hotels instead of the big chains. Better yet, consider camping. Campfires under a starry sky can be unforgettable and save you money. And camping doesn't have to be tough - just check out some of the resort-like sites in France!

Save the world...

Construct walking tracks, help out in a school, join a wildlife conservation expedition or rebuild communities struck by natural disasters. Whether you're looking for a year-long placement or a two-week stint, there are a profusion of diverse volunteering opportunities around the world that allow you to experience a destination AND make a difference.

Want to support local industry? Drink local. Whether you're visiting a micro-brewery or an independent coffee shop, lingering over local beverages lets you rub shoulders with the community. You can raise your glass and do your bit for sustainability all in one go!

Scenic car-free routes, coastal roads and gloriously flat plains can make cycling an enticing way to explore many regions. Whether you're looking for an epic peddling trip, a gentle meander or a city excursion, jumping on a bike lets you travel in truly eco-friendly fashion.

Like to shop? You can do your bit for sustainability and get some retail therapy at the same time. Avoid overpriced tourist haunts and head for local stores, outlets and markets. Knowing numbers and a few key phrases in the local language will go a long way in bargaining as well.

Save to splurge...

Some things are worth splashing out on once in your lifetime. Imagine diving with sharks in Australia; hot air ballooning in Austria; haute cuisine cooking courses in English mansions; and dog mushing under the Arctic's Northern Lights.

Maybe you fancy a little pampering. Many destinations like Madrid and Bangkok have phenomenal day spas where you can indulge in utter relaxation. Think massage, aromatherapy, Arab baths and plush robes. Or better yet, don't think at all - just chill.

Tired of staying in budget rooms? Your accommodation can become your destination if you choose wisely. Book a themed room in a luxurious Brighton boutique guesthouse, or a one-of-a-kind room decorated by a renowned Copenhagen artist. Spend the night in a New England lighthouse or a French treetop bungalow. Sleeping never felt so adventuresome.

It's unlikely that you'll want to turn in early every night, especially if you're within shimmying distance of Berlin or Rio's clubs and bars. Dress to the nines and take in swanky cocktail bars or hip watering holes where you can 'chin-chin' with local celebrities.

Before you head home, you may just have to have that Chinese side table or that Persian rug. Shipping can be pricey but there are often services that take a little longer but come much cheaper. And remember, that oversized silver-inlaid Russian chess set probably would cost you four times as much at home.