Vacations are expensive, but using these savvy tips can shave hundreds of dollars off travel costs, leaving more money for longer, more frequent getaways.
Vacations are expensive. Many people must save for months, even years, before enjoying a relaxing getaway. If money continues to be a concern throughout the vacation, it will be far less relaxing. With some careful planning and savvy shopping, however, it is easy to reign in costs and spend vacations enjoying the experience rather than fretting over the budget.
Cheap Travel Tips
1. Travel on holidays or during off-peak periods: Choosing when to vacation has a major effect on price. Holidays and peak season prices are higher for hotels, rental cars, flights, cruises, and other major expenses. By vacationing during an off-peak period, significant discounts are easy to locate. If holidays cannot be avoided, traveling on the actual holiday rather than before or after can lower the price. Different destinations have different peak periods: for example, cruises are more expensive during May and June, when a large number of honeymoons occur, while beach vacations are more expensive during the spring break period of March and April. June, July, and August are most popular for family destinations like amusement parks, and ski resorts are in high demand during November, December, and January. A quick search or short phone call can determine a destination's peak season, and the savings can add up simply by changing the vacation date.
2. Book early for the best rates: If travel dates are inflexible, such as holidays, weddings, or other scheduled events, booking early offers the greatest choice in rates and types of service. For example, airlines may offer a limited number of budget seats on different flights, but after those seats are booked the price is significantly higher for remaining seats. Making reservations early insures the greatest selection and best prices.
3. Use multiple resources to compare prices: Online searches, travel agencies, and direct bookings often feature different prices. By using a variety of sources, you can choose the best rate from the widest range of possibilities. Always take into account commissions, taxes, and added fees before making reservations, however, since many "great deal" bookings cannot be cancelled or changed without significant penalties. Hotel rates, rental cars, flights, cruises, and vacation packages can all benefit from comparison shopping.
4. Visit friends and family: By visiting friends and family during a vacation, it may be possible to share hospitality and reduce expenses. For example, even though visiting a friend may require an extra hour's drive, it could save hotel or dinner expenses for a night. Be sure to reciprocate hospitality to continue the circle of friendship that insures everyone not only keeps in touch, but also saves money.
5. Choose smaller airports and cities: The most expensive flights and accommodations are in the largest, most popular cities and near well-known attractions. By flying into a nearby city or staying in a hotel a few extra miles away, you can take advantage of significantly reduced rates as well as a more relaxing atmosphere removed from the hub of activity.
6. Decline travel insurance: While travel insurance does safeguard against loss, damage, or cancellation depending on the policy, by taking precautions with how you pack, travel, and protect yourself and your possessions you can decline this additional expense. Carry valuables with you rather than packing them in checked luggage, be sure to arrive early for flights, and take care with allergies or unhealthy situations and you avoid the necessity for travel insurance.
7. Pack well to avoid expensive replacements: Use a thorough checklist to remember essentials such as toothpaste, shampoo, sunblock, and medication. Forgetting these items could necessitate a trip to a convenience store where the prices may be significantly higher than what you pay at home.
8. Leave space in luggage to avoid overweight charges: It's natural to buy souvenirs on vacation, but adding a lot of weight to your luggage can add a hefty expense to your budget if you are traveling by air. By leaving extra room in your luggage, or packing an extra, empty bag, you avoid weight-associated penalty charges.
9. Enjoy free attractions: Many national monuments, museums, parks, beaches, and other public attractions are free or offer discounts on certain days of the week. Adding these attractions to your itinerary lengthens your vacation for minimal cost, and varies the experiences you enjoy. A city's chamber of commerce, website, or tourism guide can provide information about these types of attractions, including operating hours, locations, and other details.
10. Gas up in out-of-the-way locations: Gas stations near airports and major attractions inevitably have higher prices. Rather than waiting until filling up is a necessity, begin looking for lower prices when the tank is half-full. Frequent fuel stops also provide opportunities for stretching, restroom breaks, and in general improving the mood of all passengers.
11. Consider public transportation: If you are vacationing in order to visit one attraction or several located within walking distance of each other, using a bus, subway, shuttle service, or even a taxi can be a more economical choice than renting a car and paying for the gas. Using public transportation also gives you the opportunity to interact with locals and enjoy a more well-rounded experience.
12. Check local merchants for discount opportunities: Many large, popular attractions partner with local merchants to offer discounts to area residents. Chips, soft drinks, and candy are the most common items that may offer discounted admission by presenting a wrapper or can when you purchase tickets. Fast food restaurants and hotels may also offer discounted tickets or coupons. A quick stop to browse grocery store aisles can result in savings of five to fifty dollars or more depending on the number of tickets needed.
13. Purchase a local coupon book: Extensive coupon books are available for most major cities, and for an initial price of twenty to fifty dollars, they offer dozens of two-for-one, fifty percent off, and other significant savings for restaurants, movies, souvenirs, local attractions, and general shopping locations. While the initial purchase price may not be worthwhile for a short stay, many discount books also include deals on nationwide services that can be used in many locations.
14. Network with friends and coworkers to swap deals: State or local residents are often offered discounts on attraction tickets or area hotels. Communicating with friends, coworkers, or family members in states where you plan to vacation can result in an abundance of deals, provided you are willing to offer your services in return when they come to visit. If each of you has a local coupon book, you can swap different deals so everyone benefits from the savings. Teachers, military personnel, and emergency workers may also have access to additional discounts.
15. Research before you travel to avoid expensive delays: By learning as much as possible about an area before you visit, you become familiar with street names, shortcuts, and local merchants. This can help you avoid getting lost and driving further or wasting time that may result in higher expenses from extra gas, an additional meal, extra road tolls, or parking fees.
16. Visit grocery stores for snacks and light meals: Instead of raiding the hotel's vending machine, stop at a grocery store to purchase the same snacks and treats in more economical packages. Candy, chips, and soft drinks are cheaper at stores than through machines, and vending machines don't often offer healthier alternatives like fruit or juice. Large stores have bakeries and deli counters that can provide breakfast and lunch as an alternative to more expensive restaurants and fast food joints.
17. Sample local cuisine for lunch instead of dinner: Dinner prices are invariably higher than lunch selections, though menu items are often similar. Crowds are lighter in the middle of the day, and smaller lunch portions are healthier than generous dinner servings. By choosing to visit expensive restaurants for lunch rather than dinner, you save time, money, and calories all at once. Another option is to eat dinner at a less expensive restaurant and splurge only for a decadent dessert.
18. Adjust tipping habits: Many consumers tip generously for fear of appearing uneducated or cheap. Instead of tipping indiscriminately, consider the level of service, bill total, and party size before deciding on a tip. If all the server needed to do was refill drinks once, a lower tip may be more appropriate than if they had served multiple courses and poured wine as well as other drinks. In addition to a smaller tip, consider speaking with a manager or filling out a comment card to praise good service. That type of tip is free, but will be remembered far longer than an extra dollar on the table.
19. Skip expensive impulse souvenirs: Many attractions make hefty profits from impulse souvenirs such as photographs or personalized items. Instead of spending the extra cash for their pictures, ask an employee to use your camera. Refillable bottles are frequent souvenirs at zoos and amusement parks, but the lure of reduced-price refills isn't as attractive when you consider it takes dozens of refills to produce a noticeable savings after the cup is purchased. Instead, bring a sport bottle from home and fill it with ice water - usually free from food stands - throughout the day.
20. Be patient when developing photos: One-hour photo developing is a great convenience, but it is nearly twice as expensive as traditional developing. The quality of the photographs is no different, but the cost can put a dent in your budget if you have several rolls of film. Airport x-ray machines are not likely to damage undeveloped film unless you travel through many airports, so instead of rushing developing, wait until you've returned home. Film canisters are smaller and easier to pack than dozens of prints, and family members can relive vacation fun by reviewing all the photos together several days after the trip has ended.
Whether your vacation is across the country, across the state, or just across town, these money-saving tips will help everyone enjoy the getaway without worrying about the cost. Those extra dollars can be used for additional indulgences, longer vacations, or more frequent escapes to enjoy even more time with family and friends.
