The Most Affordable Places to Travel to in January

Did you know that January is the cheapest month of the book a holiday?

Pack your bags, hop on the plane and check out these five affordable places to travel to in January!

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA

The Gold Coast is often left in the shadows compared to other places in Australia, such as Sydney. But this beautiful place is filled with chilled beaches, tropical rain forests and sunny days all year round.

NICARAGUA

This Central American Country draws in people for its natural beauty, unique culture and ideal weather. In January the climate is just perfect for exploring the forests, beaches and even volcanoes!

WEST COAST, THAILAND

Who wouldn't want to visit a tropical paradise? Visit the west coast of Thailand and you will be pleasantly surprised. Plus, the great part is the cost of living is cheap since prices drop dramatically after the Christmas season.

BARBADOS

January is the perfect time to visit Barbados. It is also the time when the island isn't affected by hurricanes, so you can spend your days on the sunny beaches and explore the sea caves.

COSTA RICA

This beach paradise seems to have it all - rain forests, warm sand, waterfalls and hot springs. Luckily, when January comes around, all the tourists have disappeared, leaving you to take full advantage and go on a few adventures. Some of the activities you may be interested in is - zip-lining, hiking and white-water rafting.

Looking to visit the beautiful city of Cape Town? Book your shuttle now from Airport Shuttle so you have cheap, convenient transport to or from the airport. 

The 6 Best Travel Hacks We Know

Use these 6 handy hacks brought to you by Airport Shuttle to take some of the stress out of jet-setting.

Goodbye Cookies

Did you know that your flight will get more expensive with every window refresh? In order to beat this all your need to do is clear your cookies. If you're using Google Chrome - click the three little dots in the top right corner - go down to more tools - click on Clear browsing data.

One-Way Flights

It is not always the most affordable option to buy a round-trip. Look out for cheap one-way flights and hidden specials.

Do the Travel Math

We've seen a lot of posts about certain days of the week which are cheaper, but apparently they're all false. However, there is a special formula - buy your ticket 54 days before the day you want to leave and that will be the cheapest flight.

Use Google Maps
When you have landed and notice you have access to Wi-Fi, load Google Maps. After you've marked off your points of interest, turn off your data. As you move around, the GPS will still track your movement!

A Carry-On for Comfort

Sitting in a plane for 12 hours can be painful. Make sure you bring your comfy clothing like slippers and a poncho that can also be a blanket for later. 

Use the Left Line

Nine out of every ten people are right-handed, which means most of our brains instinctively tell us to turn right. Go against the grain: Choose the leftmost line at the airline check-in. It’s almost always quicker.

Don't know the Foreign Language? Use these Tips!

Travelling is one of the greatest experiences in the world, but it can be scary especially if you're going to a country where you don't know the language. Luckily, there are a few ways to prepare for such trips so you don’t have a panic attack in the middle of a Sunday food market in Japan.

LEARN THE BASICS

If is impossible to be fluent in French in one month, so just learn a few helpful words and phrases. The most popular ones being - "Please", "Thank You" and "Do you speak English"?

DOWNLOAD A TRANSLATION APP

What would we do without technology, well we'd have to lug around a silly dictionary!Apps like Google Translate might make it obvious you’re using a translator, but it'll help out and get the job done.

THE POWER OF POINTING

At maps, at places on your phone at pictures - whatever you want! Pointing or gesturing is often easier than trying to understand what someone is saying. However, make sure to do your research before hand because some gestures may mean something offensive in a different country.

PLAN, PLAN, PLAN

If you're someone who is uncomfortable in a place you've never been before, then it is best to plan out your trip before you leave home. 

Are you looking for a reliable, affordable Shuttle service in Cape Town or Durban? Contact Airport Shuttle today and we can get you where you need to be comfortably and on time!

7 ways you’re paying too much for your travels

It happens to all of us when we decide to go on holiday - we end up spending way too much then we need to! 

So, how can we stop spending so much money on traveling? Here is a helpful list of ways to save some serious cash...

1. You always travel on the weekend

It is more convenient to travel over the weekend, but it is also very expensive. Try to make a plan to fly mid-week and you'll see some huge savings.

2. You use your credit card to withdraw money

Using your everyday credit card to withdraw money is not the best option, because foreign transactions and fees can cost you an arm and a leg. It's best to take cash with you and use your credit card as a backup.

3. You exchange currency at the airport

It's best to take cash with you when you travel, but avoid exchanging your money at the airport as you probably won't get the best exchange rate. 

4. You eat out for every meal
Going to restaurants to eat breakfast, lunch and supper every day can be fun, but it will cost you a small fortune! Try to book accommodation that includes breakfast and find a cheap shop where you can buy fruits, snacks and drinks. 

5. You travel during the high season

Yes, we know, it’s really tempting to book a holiday during the summer. The weather is lovely and it feels like everyone else is jetting off somewhere exotic. However, you could save loads by travelling off-peak. 

6. You buy food at the airport or on the plane

Food at the airport can be really expensive. Check out our tasty pre-flight and in-flight meal ideas that you can prepare at home for a fraction of the cost of airline prices.

7. You hire a car at the airport

Hiring a car at the airport can cost you a small fortune. By booking it all before you go, you can pay significantly less for the hire of the vehicle. Book a shuttle with Airport Shuttle in Cape Town, Durban or Gauteng and it’ll save you cash for your trip!

5 travel safety tips you probably ignore (but shouldn’t)

Have you ever read a safety tip for travelers and then just totally forgotten about it or ignored it next time you took a trip?

We all have! It's time to start using the good advice and follow these rules to stay safe when travelling...

Leave an itinerary
The stupidest thing you can do is go somewhere without telling anyone where you're going! Anything can happen, even if you think it'll never happen to you. Think 127 hours - he would've been saved if he had just told someone where he was going!Always leave your itinerary with someone, especially if you have a family member that worries a lot. 

Make a copy of your passport
It may seem like a hassle, but you'll be grateful if your passport gets lost or stolen. If you think you'll lose the copy, scan it and email it to yourself for easy access anywhere!

Don’t have your phone out

Everyone does it, you take out your phone when you're bored on the bus or train. But, having your phone out can make you an easy target for thieves, so put it away until you get to a safe area.

Choose your transportation wisely

Just because you're on holiday doesn't mean you shouldn't be careful - always use a taxi that has seat belts (Airport Shuttle) and if you're not comfortable with the roads in a foreign place, don't drive yourself! 

Learn the local emergency number

We've been taught since we were small children to dial one number in case of an emergency, but if you dial the same one while abroad, you're not likely to get any help. Learn the local emergency numbers for police/fire/EMS and save them to your phone.

Looking for an affordable shuttle service to or from the airport? Airport Shuttle in Cape Town, Durban and Gauteng can get you where you need to be comfortably and on time! Book your shuttle today!

8 Genius In-Flight Dining Hacks

If you want to save money, don't go for the food they sell in the airports or on the plane. Not only is it expensive, but it may not taste as good as it looks. Your best bet is to make and bring your own fuel for the long trip ahead...

Make your own cereal mix.

Get a Tupperware or Ziploc bag and fill it up with a healthy cereal brand, muesli and mixed nuts. From there you can add extra bits as you see fit. Dried fruits, like figs, raisins, cranberries and apples all go well together! Bring a little plastic spoon and then ask for milk, and there you go!

Pack a fruit salad that won’t turn to mush.

Mix a bit of firm fruits together - fruits like peaches, plums, apples and cherries.

Prepare a portable breakfast ahead of time.

There is nothing better than homemade breakfast good. Try making blueberry muffins, rosemary scones or even breakfast burritos. They're yummy and easy to devour!

Go with the grain salad.

A grain salad is healthy, filling and it won't wilt like a fresh green salad. Try dressing the salad with olive oil to add a bit of flavour and then shake it up in a container before eating. Add chopped cucumber, tomato, dried cherries, carrots, red onions, cheese. 

Veg out.

You don't want to sit in a plane for 12 hours after eating a stodgy meal filled with salt. Try something fresh! Pack a few chopped up veggies, such as celery, carrots, cucumbers, baby corns and broccoli. Pack hummus for a yummy dip.

Get popping.

Pop a bit of popcorn on the stove before you leave and you won't be disappointed. It is a healthy way to fill up and a great source of energy. 

Stow an edible souvenir.

When you leave, you'll probably want to take something delicious back with you —and sandwiches are a great portable way to do so, since almost every region has its own signature version. Headed back from South Africa? Pick up a Gatsby. Memphis? A pulled pork slider. 

Sweat the small stuff.

Stash some little staples, like plastic utensils and salt and pepper packets, in an easy to reach bag. Other must haves: wet wipes to clean hands and disinfect arm rests and tray tables, as well as a small garbage bag to make passing off refuse to the stewardess quick and easy. And finally, don’t leave home without some common sense: Out of courtesy to your fellow travellers, don’t pack or eat smelly food such as tuna fish, cabbage and boiled eggs.

For a reliable shuttle service in Cape Town, Lanseria or Durban, contact Airport Shuttle today!

4 Ways to Avoid Being the Annoying Tourist

A holiday is all about learning about new cultures and trying new things, it's definitely not about being the annoying tourist everyone hates.

Here's how to avoid being that annoying tourist...

PACK THE RIGHT CLOTHING

When you are packing your bag, make sure you know  about any traditional clothing rules, especially in countries where religion and gender customs are extremely important. Visiting a church in Europe? Don't wear a strapless mini dress! A temple in Asia? Opt for shoes that can be easily taken off.

LEARN IMPORTANT PHRASES IN THE NATIVE LANGUAGE

Learning a bit of the native language is a good way to fit in, but make sure you actually use them! Memorize the important words and phrases, like "thank you".

PLAN HOW TO GET AROUND BEFORE YOU LEAVE

No, we don't mean Uber. You have to be aware of your surroundings, like where your hotel is compared to the rest of the city. So be sure to have Google Maps ready, you can even use it offline - here's how!

TRY TO BLEND IN

The best way to avoid looking like an annoying tourist is to do what the locals do. Study the country's ways and mannerisms. If everyone eats fried lambs brains and drinks beer for supper, then you'd better toughen up!

Airport Shuttle in Cape Town and Durban is a reliable, affordable way to get to and from the airport - contact Airport Shuttle today and book your ride!