Vacations can be expensive. While it’s common knowledge that you’re going to be spending money, there are many tips and tricks that can save you some cash.
Use these six great ways to travel on a budget during your next vacation.
Travel In The Off-Season
Destinations in different parts of the world have “on” and “off” seasons for traveling. Before deciding when your next vacation will be, research where you want to go, and learn when it will be the cheapest.
Off-season travel is usually identified by lower-priced airline and travel tickets, cheaper hotel costs and, in general, a lower number of tourists visiting the area.
Many places in North America (Canada, the U.S. and Mexico) and parts of the Caribbean have off-seasons that occur in the fall, especially in September.
If you’re planning on traveling to Europe from the U.S., aim for the off-season months around January and February.
May and October are great times to visit South America.
Be Flexible In The Destination
Even if you choose to travel in the off-season, specific destinations can be expensive for unknown reasons.
If you and your traveling partner(s) are flexible, a great way to save money is to be flexible on where you’re going. This can be useful by altering your method of travel. Choose to drive to a closer destination instead of flying.
Many airlines have tools that allow you to select a specific set of dates and compare different ticket prices to multiple destinations.
By traveling to a location that is half the price of somewhere else you might have wanted to go, you’ll be able to save money and explore a new destination all at the same time.
Rent A House Instead Of A Hotel: Stay With The Locals
A rising trend in the travel business, renting a house instead of a hotel room can be an exciting and fun way to save an immense amount of money.
Popular websites such as Airbnb, FlipKey and HomeAway are all ways to find full houses or apartments, private rooms or even a room to share. U.S. hotels have an average price of $137 per night — and often come at a much higher price — while these alternatives usually come in much lower.
Instead of paying for one or two beds and multiple rooms for your family, find a great house for rent. Available in almost any destination you can imagine, this alternative allows you to interact with the locals, and the owners are usually friendly, helpful and quick to offer tips and suggestions you wouldn’t receive at a concierge desk.
One study looked at the comparison of prices between staying at an Airbnb and hotel in popular U.S. cities. Users saved, on average, 21.2 percent while renting an entire apartment on Airbnb, and a whopping 49.5 percent while renting their own private room on Airbnb.
Don’t Go Over On Your Baggage Limit
Know before you go. What is the size and weight limit for your airline baggage? Ensuring you’re not over the weight limit before you get to the airport will save you money by not paying for over packed bags.
Pick a bag to pack that is lightweight. Bago Travel Bags travel duffle is lightweight enough to keep you under your weight limit, but strong and durable enough to support your personal items inside. This is a great way to keep your budget low while traveling.
Use Public Transit
Renting a car while on vacation can be expensive. Unless you drove to your destination and already have your own car, consider taking public transit.
Most major cities have some form of subway, bus or tramlines. Make sure you look up if they have an app before you leave for your trip. This will save you money as to not make mistakes, have to buy another ticket and backtrack to get to the correct destination.
The average cost of renting a car through the cheapest option offered, economy, is around $45 to $65 a day. After a few days, this price can add up fast. Opt for local public transit to easily save some money and get you where you need to go.
Use Cash And Wear A Money Belt
One of the easiest ways to stop yourself from buying items you don’t need on your trip is to carry cash. Aim to keep your credit and debit cards stashed away, and use cash for the transactions you make most, such as food, souvenirs and sightseeing tours.
Keeping your cash on you in a neck stash or passport travel belt can make you aware of how much you’ve spent and how much you’ve got left. This will also keep your money, identification and other personal belongings safe so they won’t get stolen and you will not need to pay to replace them.
Traveling on a budget doesn’t have to ruin your trip. By using these simple tips, you can save money, get to where you need to go and take the trip you’ve been dreaming of.
