With Valentine's Day fast approaching, many loved-up Brits will be considering a trip to Paris.
Thankfully, you don't have to spend a fortune to have fun in the city of love.
Check out this infographic from House Trip to find out how to enjoy Paris on a budget.
You'll even have spare cash for a card...
8 Things Every Budget Traveler Knows
Travel Off-Season(01 of08)
In sports, the off-season is a time for athletes to relax. When it comes to vacations, the best time for you to relax is also the off-season. Imagine going anywhere you want for less money and avoiding the crowds.Peter Greenberg says he's a big fan of the Caribbean or Colorado in the summer, not the winter. Similarly, he suggests Alaska in the winter, not the summer. When you travel off-season, says Greenberg, you can avoid long lines, crowds and higher prices. (credit:Thinkstock)
Don't Book Your Flight Too Far In Advance(02 of08)
The early bird certainly catches the worm, but not always the best airfare. Self-proclaimed "travel detective" Peter Greenberg has sleuthed out the prime time to book your flight.The best time to start comparison shopping for flights is 45 to 60 days before you'd like to travel. Airline computers are intentionally set up not to give you a deal outside that time frame because they are looking at the law of supply and demand, Greenberg says. (credit:Thinkstock)
Know The Rule(03 of08)
If your plane is delayed for any reason other than weather, says Peter Greenberg, you need to invoke Rule 240. "It is the one rule airlines never want you to know about," he says. "If you invoke Rule 240, that means the airline has to take the ticket and endorse it over to the next available flight." The next available flight can be on any major airline, he says. Almost all the big domestic airlines participate in Rule 240, he says.If you still face a delay or cancellations, Greenberg recommends keeping a written record of every person you speak with. Having records to refer to will help you get a refund or a voucher for your trouble. (credit:Thinkstock)
Stay Flexible(04 of08)
If you have some leeway in your vacation days, Fiona Lake Waslander warns against locking yourself into a calendar. The best thing to do is thoroughly research your options online. The more flexible you can be with your dates and flight times, the more you can save.You don't always have to book everything yourself, either. If you're traveling with other people, Pauline Frommer recommends using online consolidators to purchase a hotel and airline package in one. (credit:Thinkstock)
Avoid Hotels(05 of08)
Sure, you have to stay somewhere, but hotels aren't always the best value for your money, Pauline Frommer says.Try renting a room in an apartment, or even the entire place. Also, if you live near a tourist attraction or big city, take advantage of apartment swapping. You can trade up through companies that can be found online. Frommer says to go with a larger company for the widest array of options. (credit:Thinkstock)
Get A Guarantee(06 of08)
If you do choose to stay in a hotel overseas, Peter Greenberg says to get your hotel to guarantee your rate in U.S. dollars so you are not affected by a further slide of the dollar against a foreign currency. (credit:Thinkstock)
Live Like A Local(07 of08)
Pauline Frommer recommends avoiding tourist traps by eating at neighborhood restaurants where the locals eat. Here's how to find them:
Never ask a hotel for recommendations. They are often paid to drive customers to certain restaurants.Go up to someone on the street and ask where they would eat.When in a country that speaks another language, avoid places with menus in English.(credit:Thinkstock)
Go Where The Dollar Takes You Further (08 of08)
Is the exchange rate of the dollar dashing your dreams of traveling overseas this summer? It doesn't have to. If you're traveling internationally, Pauline Frommer says to try to go where the dollar still has purchasing power -- South and Central America and Canada are great options.Peter Greenberg says destinations like Turkey, Switzerland and Croatia haven't switched over to the Euro yet and are more budget-friendly.And don't rule out Portugal, El Salvador and the Philippines, says Fiona Lake Waslander. These affordable destinations are rich in culture, history and natural beauty, she says. (credit:Thinkstock)