Believe it or not, you can travel without spending a fortune. And you should! If you are anything like me, you would go crazy if you went more than a year without traveling. You probably should not take a luxurious, long-term trip across the world, but you also should not restrict your traveling. I highly recommend taking some small, close to home trips to keep your wanderlust in check. Here are the best ways to save money when planning a trip!
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Utilize Free Resources Online
I have a whole list of my favorite travel resources that will help you find the cheapest flights, the best hotels, the most fun things to do, and places to visit everywhere you go.
Transportation should be cheap
Stay close, or find very cheap flights. Driving is usually the cheapest option to take a trip, but if you want to go somewhere farther, find a cheap, cheap flight. Taking a bus or a train might even be your cheapest option if you do not want to drive.
Fly if it saves you time
I also recommend flying if you are going farther away, so you don’t spend too much time in the car. You will spend too many days in the car instead of exploring your destination if you go too far. Also, you may be tempted to make your trip longer if you have too many “car days”. This could cost you in overnight accommodations or force you to use unpaid vacation days.
Use vacation time wisely
If you get paid vacation time, use it! But not more than you have! If you start taking unpaid days off, you will lose income and your budget will be affected. A lot of Americans only receive ten to fifteen vacation days per year, but that is enough for these small trips. Take a full week off to take a trip or take a couple long weekend trips. Holidays off work are also great times to travel since you will not have to use your PTO.
Travel in off-peak season
Nearly everything is cheaper when you are not traveling during the busy season. This is when the weather is nicest and kids are out of school. Summer is always popular, especially on weekends, and around the holidays. Going somewhere warm during spring break time (usually March) will easily double your cost.
Minimize money spent on meals
Try only eating out once per day. Try cooking in your Airbnb, Hostel, or Hotel. Or you can pack picnics and enjoy the local parks if the weather is nice. ALWAYS take advantage of the free breakfast during your stay. This will keep you full until lunchtime and you can usually even take a piece of fruit or a muffin for a snack later.
Stay with family and friends
Having a free place to stay could save you up to $200 per night. You will be able to have meals at home (cook for them as a thank you!) and get personalized recommendations for things to do. Locals always know the best restaurants and places to see, even the ones that you don’t see on travel sites.
Find free or cheap activities
Unless you are traveling for a specific event such as sporting events or concerts, try to keep your activity costs down. Many museums have one night a week where they offer free entry. State parks, historic sites, and nature centers have cheap entry as well or will just charge for parking. If there is a shopping area around, wander around for an afternoon through the stores.
Don’t stress over using all of these tips at once!
There are so many ways to save money when planning your trip, but using all of them is unrealistic. You can travel in the busy season when your kids are not in school. Then, you can still save money by driving, eating out less often, and finding free activities! Have a nice dinner out one night, but then have a few cheap meals so it balances out. Saving money here and there does add up even if you need to spend more somewhere else.
Don’t forget to find and book the cheapest flights using Skyscanner!
All information is current as of publication. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect travel, and all destinations have different rules and restrictions in place. The pandemic may also affect the opening times of the attractions and establishments listed. Please do independent research before traveling anywhere, and consider the risks involved.