When you’re travelling, it can feel as though you have to forgo some luxuries that you might have indulged in on a shorter holiday. You choose lager over spirits when you’re out with your friends and you have been wearing the same clothes since you started travelling around Europe. You might have budgeted for small excursions, but not events which may seem out of reach, such as a day out at the Grand National or Cheltenham Festival. If you happen to be around when the Grand National is going on, you’ll want to get yourself there. What if the races didn’t have to be so hard on your wallet? Here’s how you can enjoy the Grand National and Cheltenham on a traveller’s budget.
Watch where you stand
Everyone always thinks of the races as a haughty champagne affair. However, there are usually several stands with different ticket prices. If you go for the cheaper ticket, you’re not likely to be in the most glamorous of quarters. However, you’ve been travelling for a while, so you’re probably used to that by now. Whilst you may not be in the land of champagne and top hats, you’ll get away with other things such as not wearing a collar and drinking warm lager. If you want a little slither of the high life, walk around giving people tips on the horses, then demand a share of their winnings. Although, it might be worth getting some practice in first by visiting Cheltenham Festival. Take a look at the latest Cheltenham odds and point grateful fellow gamblers in the direction of 7/2 favourite Might Bite. You might earn yourself another drink.
Thrifty Shopping
You’ve got three changes of clothes in your backpack; two for during the day, and one set of ‘going out’ clothes for when you fancy a big night out. It’s likely that you don’t have anything suitable for a day out at the races, and if you did, it would have been ditched long ago because you never wear it. Here is where charity shops come in handy. You can get something unique (on the cheap) and you don’t have to wear it again. You can give it to someone else in your hostel or donate it back to the charity shop from which you bought it. Better still, choose a stand which allows fancy dress and you can really go to town.
Book Your Transport in Advance
Everyone is always saying it. Book your train in advance and you’ll save yourself some money. Unfortunately it’s true, and on race day it is especially important that you’re prepared. On race day, most people will be travelling by public transport so that they can take advantage of a boozy day out. If you’ve got cash to splash and you’re planning on travelling from the station to the racecourse by taxi, don’t count on there being any spare cabs when you get to the station. The last thing you want to do is walk three miles in second hand heels.
The races are about having a great day and enjoying a new experience with your mates, which is probably the same reason why you decided to go travelling. Just remember, it doesn’t really matter what you wear, so long as you’ve got your friends around you and you’ve booked your cab for later. Oh, and swot up on those horse tips!
