Traveling can be really expensive. The time of year and method of travel are the major factors that determine how expensive or inexpensive your trip can be. Nevertheless, between method of travel, lodging, food, and activities you are bound to spend a couple hundred dollars, or more. But what if you didn’t have to spend that much? There are ways to travel, that won’t cost you a grip. Some of these suggestions will require some flexibility as far as your schedule, and stepping outside of your comfort zone. Plan accordingly, and make decisions that you will be satisfied with.
40 Ways to Save While You Are Traveling
To Save on Airfare:
- Be flexible
- Fly standby
- Take the redeye (earliest) flight
- Fly midweek (Tuesday or Wednesday)
- Purchase in advance
- Buy roundtrip
- Join an airlines rewards program (frequent flyer)
- Opt for the connecting flight/layover
- Spend your points/miles
To Save on a Road Trip:
- Only purchase regular gas
- Rent the smallest car-if you are not driving your own
- Always get rental insurance (It can come in handy if something happens).
- Take the fastest route, with less miles to your destination
To Save on Lodging:
- Don’t book the best hotel room
- Try a hostel or camp ground
- Ask for a free room upgrade
- Bundle with your airfare
- Stay at a bed and breakfast
- Use your age (most places have senior citizen discounts)
- Couch surf (vacation in places where your friends/family live)
- Airbnb
- Contact the hotel directly
- Take advantage of the hotels rewards program
- Credit card rewards points
- Family discounts
- Go to a timeshare presentation (you usually get a free stay)
To Save on Transit While at Your Destination:
- Walk052
- Public transportation
- Rent a bike
- Car pool (in a taxi, uber, etc.)
- Check the specials
- Rent the smallest car if possible
To Save on Food:
- Eat where the locals eat
- Avoid eating in tourist areas (prices are usually high)
- Stay at places where there is complimentary breakfast everyday
- Eat a big lunch (most places have great lunch specials)
To Save on Activities:
- Mini tours
- Discounts: membership, senior citizen, student, group
- Do the FREE stuff: parks, beaches, fairs, sight seeing
- Purchase a tourism card
There are so many travel sites out there that can aid you in your quest to travel cheaper. Each travel destination may also have additional discounts and deals for tourists depending on the season in which you’re traveling. Be sure to check out your travel destination’s website for their exclusive offers. Their site should also fill you in on popular things to do and see while in the city.
Before leaving on your trip it is also important to make sure that your finances are in order. Saving money while on your trip, is equally as important as your budget. Before going on any trip, no matter how inexpensive, you should be sure to budget yourself. Of course you do not know the exact dollar amount of what food will cost, but say that in your weekend trip, you are only allowing yourself to spend $100 or less on food. That is a good starting place. It is always good to have a spending plan. Not having one will make it seem as if you have all of the money in the world to spend, and before you know it you will have spent too much.
If all of this sounds a little too overwhelming, one last tip is to just cancel the trip altogether. There is nothing wrong with planning a staycation. That’s where you plan to stay at home or grab a hotel in your own/town or city and make a weekend of it. It doesn’t have to be anything extravagant just a little getaway, without actually getting away. And since you are not actually leaving the place you know best, you don’t need to worry about travel expenses. You already know all of the local hot spots to go to and when your city’s museums are having free days. This can be really fun, if you plan to have every member of your family pick an event or place to go on your staycation, that way everyone has their input and can try new things. This will also present the perfect opportunity for you to try that new restaurant you’ve always wanted to. However, just because you live there, doesn’t mean that you’ve seen and done everything your city has to offer: new events, restaurants, and bars arise every day. You may have to do some research on the new things going on, to add to your fulfilled staycation.
