10 Tips to Save Money on a Vacation
All work and no play can burn out even the hardest-working person; we all need a vacation from time to time. But the cost of transportation, lodging, and meals can quickly add up, and even a short getaway can break the bank if you're not careful.
But that doesn't mean you should deny yourself some much-needed R&R every year—you just need to learn how to vacation "smarter." Read our list of ten suggestions on how to vacation on the cheap.
1. Rent instead of staying in a hotel
If you will be staying in a location for more than a few days, it may be less expensive to rent an apartment or room rather than paying for a hotel room. Check out VRBO (Vacation Rental by Owner) or Airbnb for information on vacation rentals.
If you are traveling alone or are open to staying in a room that is less luxurious than a hotel, towns with a college and/or university may rent dorm rooms during their summer vacation season.
Hostels offer accommodations for travelers of all ages and often include a common kitchen for cooking meals. See hostels.com for information.
2. Consider home swapping
Resources like HomeExchange.com facilitate this type of arrangement, in which two parties mutually agree to swap homes for vacation purposes. The exchange often takes place at the same time. A membership fee may be charged to become part of this community, but savings are usually more than recouped with the savings in lodging on your trip.
3. Pack food on a road trip or during air travel
Stopping at roadside restaurants can max out your food budget on a road trip. Consider packing snacks and meals for the road in order to save money for a special meal when you reach your destination. Pack beverages as well.
If you are flying, try to avoid the extraordinary cost of airport food by packing snacks. If your airline charges for meals, bring your own food. Check airport guidelines about what is allowed in carry-on baggage; many airports don’t allow any food or beverage in your carry-on baggage unless it is purchased after going through security.
4. Play tourist in your own locale
If vacation is not in the budget this year, consider treating your own home and locale as if you were seeing it for the first time. Ways to look at your town and surrounding areas in a completely new way include:
- Collecting travel literature or online information about your area. It may give you ideas you have never thought of before.
- Inviting relatives or friends from out of town to stay with you and showing them around. They may give you a surprising new perspective about what is exciting and interesting in your area.
- Doing one new thing you have never done in your location, such as visiting a local historical museum or other attraction.
5. Use online resources to quickly find the best fares
Travel websites such as Kayak and Travelocity search many providers instantaneously to find the lowest fare for when you want to travel. They also provide a defined time period when you might get a better fare to the same destination.
Many of these sites can identify lower fares if your travel dates are flexible. Some also suggest routing options to an alternative nearby airport (close to your destination) if it results in a better price for you.
Kayak, Travelocity, and other travel sites also find the best deals for hotels and cars. Remember to check if you carry any memberships that give discounts for fares, hotels, and cars. These memberships might include:
- Insurance companies
- Credit cards
- Professional organizations
6. Go where the exchange rate works in your favor
If you travel to a foreign country and the exchange rate works against you, perhaps a trip to a different area of the world is a better idea. Factor current exchange rates into your travel plans if you are flexible about your travel destination, and not set on one particular country. See x-rates.com for information on world exchange rates, and for online currency conversion calculators.
7. Consider alternative vacation experiences
If you cannot afford to travel in the traditional way, revising your travel experience may save money and give you the trip of a lifetime. You may be interested in taking a volunteer vacation through an organization such as GlobalVolunteers.org. While these vacations still cost money, the expenses of airfare and trip are tax deductible. Consider this option if volunteering nationally or internationally inspires you.
World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) is another type of volunteer vacation opportunity if you are interested in taking part in organic farming around the world. Participants sign up to work on farms in a location of their choice. The WWOOF website lists other low-cost travel opportunities besides organic farming.
8. Enjoy the great outdoors
Camping is always cheaper than traditional travel. Check out the national parks, state parks, or regional natural resources for overnight camping, or day-trip activities like hiking, boating, or skiing.
9. Travel during off-peak seasons to get lower rates
Check with local tourism offices to research when off-peak seasons occur at the destination of your choice. Off-peak pricing may be determined by weather, national and international holidays, and other variables.
10. Prioritize spending ahead of time
Decide ahead of time how you want to get the most for your money. If you want a phenomenal seat at the opera in Italy, perhaps allocate less for food that day. If driving cross country and planning to have a gourmet meal out in San Francisco, pack food so you do not fritter away your eating money at unexceptional highway road stops.
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