Tip #1 How to travel cheap
When one thinks of the concept of cheap travel, it often conjures nightmares of dodgy package tours and cowboy hoteliers. For the unwary, nightmares can come true, but for the savviest traveler, this need not be the case.
The truth of the matter is that with a little advance planning, you’ll find that less can be more in the world of cheap travel and a few extra bucks in your pocket can mean an extra week or two of touring.
Rule #1 for cheap travel is to do your homework and plan ahead. The biggest costs incurred by the traveler will probably be transport and accommodation, and this is where the biggest savings can be made. Booking early with budget airlines can save you big bucks, and be sure to check which days around your travel time are the cheapest: airlines can adjust prices based on demand, and those willing to be flexible with their schedule can reap the rewards.
Hosting prices can also be subject to a lot of variation and your first consideration here should always be who you buy from. Hostelbookers has some of the best options for those looking for budget travel and they don’t charge booking fees. Using the service also means you can compare many hostel prices quickly. Remember that hostels and hotels can change their advertised prices at any time, so be a smart shopper and arrive early, especially for high-season accommodation. Conversely, prices can drop at the last minute, but keep in mind that price drops like this usually only happen in the off-season. The general rule of thumb here is to get a good price when you see it.
For budget fans, the challenge doesn’t end at home, and once on foreign soil, you’ll find that you can soon catch up on local secrets if you ask, secrets that can have real cash value. Don’t be afraid to pick the brains of other travelers and you’ll soon discover the best places to eat and drink, at a price your credit card will thank you for!
Cheap travel doesn’t have to get in the way of your journey, rather it can be your advantage. There’s fun in the opportunities that living on a budget creates, and who knows, it pays to be lazy and you might miss out on half the fun!
Author: HostelBookers
Tip #2 How to travel cheap (2)
How many times have you wanted to get away from it all and visit a new place, but couldn’t afford it? Why should you collect your vacation now and pay for it later?
You should not! Over the course of a year, many families spend hundreds to thousands of dollars on unnecessary little extra “wishes,” instead of using that money wisely at a later time.
Let’s say every 2 days you get a bottle of soda and a candy bar at a convenience store, just a few of those many impulse purchases we’re all tempted to make. 55 cents for the candy bar and 99 cents for the soda is $1.54. Multiply that by approximately 182 days and you could have saved $280.28. Now $228 won’t pay for the vacation itself, but it’s a start.
A stingy vacation doesn’t mean you have to be stingy. No, you don’t have to go camping in your backyard or hike to the local grocery store. There are plenty of cost-effective ways to travel and tips to help you along the way.
Don’t fly unless you can get really cheap fares, or you’re traveling out of the country. Traveling by train or bus can be cheap, but it depends on where you are traveling.
However, driving to your destination may not be the cheapest way to get there. Think about the impulse purchases you make along the way… snacks, drinks, souvenirs, tourist attractions, etc., and the gas to get there can cost more than a rail or bus pass would have. Plan a few months in advance to consider whether you want to spend a lot of time doing activities at your destination or just have fun getting there.
1) Do not travel during the holidays or in the height of summer. Prices are always high in hotel rooms, restaurants, and tourist attractions in most major cities. Instead, travel during the fall, when school starts again, or early winter, when prices will return to normal, if not cheaper than usual.
2) Bring your own food and drink. Pack a large cooler with sandwiches, fruit, drinks, vegetable sticks, etc. Also bring many kinds of food that won’t spoil if you don’t eat them in the first few days. Crackers, cookies, dried fruit, trail mixes, and nuts are always good for snacks.
3) Check the local online newspaper of the place you are visiting and look for special money-saving coupons, discounts and any special offers you can find and take advantage of.
4) Take lots of extra clothes. You don’t want to have to buy new clothes just because you don’t have anything else to wear.
5) If you’re traveling with young children, pack a small bag filled with travel games, activity pads, small stuffed animals, crayons, and a coloring book to keep them busy. Even if you want the kids to look around instead of playing in the back seat, it’s much better to have them, “just in case.”
6) Write down all the expenses you make during this trip and be sure to save those receipts. By keeping track of how much you spent on this vacation, it will be easier to estimate how much you need for the upcoming vacation and keep your family motivated to make those small, unnecessary purchases all year long.
Author: Assortment
Tip #3 for cheap family vacations
Taking the whole family on vacation can really drain your wallet and when you’re worried about money, it takes some of the fun out of your trip. One of the keys to saving money on a trip is to have everything planned before leaving home. There are many things you can do to ensure you don’t break the bank and be left wondering ‘where did it all go?’
Try and pick a destination you can drive to. Traveling by car is still one of the cheapest ways to go, you can take all your luggage with you, access it at any time and set your own schedule. When you drive, you can stop anywhere you want along the way and see things you would have missed if you were flying at ten thousand feet. You can bring your own snacks and drinks in the car in a cooler and you don’t have to worry about the food being gross. Mom and Dad can take turns driving so they can get some rest and the kids can play without disturbing anyone but the family.
When choosing a destination, try to avoid tourist traps. Tours to landmarks and natural wonders are best, as they usually cost nothing to see. Things like Disney World are fun, but not when you’re looking for a budget trip. Amusement parks and the like are going to drain money out of your wallet like a sieve. Look for state parks, especially when you go to the beach. State parks have the best deals and the lowest admission prices. If you’re going to an amusement park, bring your own lunch.
Amusement park food usually costs twice as much as food in the real world. Most parks allow you to have a picnic and also have designated areas for it. Even if you have to leave the park to drive down the highway to a local fast food restaurant, you can save yourself a good amount of money and still return to the park afterwards.
You may want to consider camping as an alternative to getting a hotel room. Camping is always cheaper than a hotel and campgrounds often have many activities and attractions for their clients to enjoy, such as swimming, fishing, hiking, and even bike rentals. There are usually campsites next to the main attractions and reservations are recommended.
A family vacation doesn’t have to break the bank and if you give the kids a budget before you go, they’ll be wise with their money and probably spend a lot less than if you went for nothing. Planning your trip carefully will save you a lot of money in the long run.
Author: Assortment
