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Traveling is enriching, exciting, and can even be humbling. Many people would love to travel more however, it can also be expensive. There are ways to lower travel costs and this article is about sharing the best tips for traveling on a budget. Let’s jump right in.
Tips for traveling on a budget
Accommodation choices
1. Select a hotel with breakfast included.
Breakfast food is cheap to make but way overpriced in restaurants. A family of 4 can quickly drop $40-$50 for breakfast daily during vacation. If you are staying in a hotel, make sure breakfast is included. Not only will it save you money, but it’s also highly convenient as you can often get out to explore quicker by avoiding going to an actual restaurant.
2. Book a room with a kitchen and/or microwave and mini-fridge
Having the ability to make meals in your room is convenient and cheap. If breakfast isn’t included, this option allows you to still skip the restaurants in the morning. Additionally, it offers you the possibility to keep cold drinks and snacks in your room.
3. Book an apartment rental
This is one of our favorite options when traveling as a family. Booking an apartment rather than a hotel offers you and your family more space and the ability to eat your meals at “home”. You will also be surprised that this option is often cheaper than a hotel room. With growing children/teenagers, we also love having more than 1 bathroom to get ready. Check out VRBO or Airbnb which are our two go-to’s for apartment/house rental.
Flights & Transportation
4. Consider unpopular flights
We all want a direct flight that is not too early and not too late. In reality, if you are looking to save money, you will need to be flexible. If you are willing to consider unpopular flights such as overnight flights or flights with long connections, for example, you will likely save on your plane tickets.
5. Fly mid-week
Many travelers plan Saturday to Saturday vacations while business people often travel on Sunday, Monday, or Friday. If you can plan a trip that leaves and return mid-week, your plane ticket is likely going to be cheaper.
6. Pack light or carry-on
Many airlines charge you to check your luggage. For a family of 4, if everyone checks a bag, this can easily add $100 or more to your total flight expenses. When booking your flight, consider the baggage fee when comparing prices to make an informed decision. Additionally, depending on the length of your trip and your packing ability, you could only use a carry-on suitcase and save on the checked luggage fees altogether.
7. Plan your transportation
When selecting your destination, determine how you will get around? Will you rent a car, use a shared ride, or public transportation. Understanding your options in the city you are visiting can even help you decide where to stay. Often, staying in a busy downtown area can be more expensive on the lodging side however, you might be able to walk everywhere you go. Also, if renting a car, look at the parking cost in the city you are staying in, you might be surprised at the added cost!
Tip: When doing a trip where we go to multiple cities/locations we have sometimes waited to rent a car until leaving the city Therefore, we saved on the parking cost and also saved by not paying for a car on days where we could easily get around by foot.
Eating and drinking
8. Bring a reusable water bottle
If you are going to a country where the tap water is safe, I highly recommend packing a water bottle. This will save you from buying drinks throughout the day while you are visiting.
9. Eat where locals eat
This advance was given to me many years ago and I wish I remembered who gave it. This was the best advice. Local resident know what restaurant have the best food. Following their advice will offer you the best cultural experience. In addition, this is one of the best tips for traveling on a budget. You will save money. Because locals don’t eat at the touristy places that are overpriced with mediocre food. Trust me on this one. Research where locals eat before your trip or ask local people when you get there. You won’t regret it!
General advice
10. Set a budget
That’s right. Set a vacation budget AND stick to it. You can make a memorable vacation at any price point. It’s about preparing well and then enjoying the experience you created for yourself and your family.
11. Book in advance
The first thing I book is usually accommodation, especially if you are going with the house/apartment rental. Good options can go fast, and you will get a better value if you research and book early. I also recommend booking your flights in advance. You will often pay more for last-minute flights, not to mention it might be hard to get seats for your entire family together on the plane.
12. Don’t pick the obvious
Being willing to pick a vacation destination less popular or less popular for a specific time a year is likely going to save you money. For example, I live in the mid-west of the United States and “everybody” goes to Florida for spring break. Therefore, the prices for everything are extremely high. Choosing to go visit Boston at that time might just be an advantageous option. Look around and find an option that works for your budget and will give you the best bank for your buck.
13. Shop around
Shop around for flights, cars, and accommodations. Unless you get points with a specific airline, airline royalty is not always worth it financially. Don’t hesitate to shop around.
Tip: if you have a membership to a wholesaler company such as Costco, you can get great discounts on travel packages and car rentals.
14. Plan and book activities ahead
I agree it can be fun to be a little spontaneous on vacation. However, you will often end up overpaying for excursions and activities if you wait until the last minute. We’ve even had instances where something was sold out and we went for a backup option which was often disappointing. Travel staff know that tourists are excited and often tend to spend more loosely. By doing your research in advance and even booking early if you can, you avoid these traps once you get to your destination,
Tip: Look for free activities and things to see at your destination. Often you can even visit things on your own without a guide. But you won’t know until you do your research ahead of time.
In conclusion..
Don’t let budget constraints prevent you from traveling. There are ways to visit the world while being money conscious. I hope this article, which focused on tips for traveling on a budget was helpful and you.
Thanks for reading and let me know what are some of your tips for traveling on a budget.
Bon voyage!
Cat xx