There are many things you can do to stretch your vacation budget significantly if you are planning a vacation and want to save money. The key to a budget vacation is to plan as many details as possible ahead of time so you don’t have to deal with unexpected expenses, which can quickly and drastically deplete a budget. To begin, figure out how much money you have available for spending. Is it exactly what you imagined? More? Less? After you’ve determined your true budget, use the following guidelines to plan your vacation.
If you don’t mind planning your vacation on the spur of the moment, Internet discount sites frequently offer last-minute deals that can save you up to 50% on airfare to specific destinations. If this isn’t an option, consider long-distance buses, which frequently travel between hundreds of cities for a set price. Use a car for short trips, especially if you’re traveling with a group and can split gas and toll costs. Even renting a car can be a cost-effective option if done online or with a coupon.
While hotels may appear to be the obvious choice for vacation lodging, they are frequently overpriced and consume up to half of the budget. If you’re comfortable opening your home to strangers, a home exchange club can connect you with people in other cities who are willing to swap houses with you for a set period of time. If that sounds too risqué, renting a vacation apartment is the cheapest way to get close to a hotel. Apartments also allow you to prepare your own meals, saving you hundreds of dollars on restaurant meals. Consider camping if you’re staying close to home for your vacation. Sleeping under the stars is romantic, adventurous, and even comfortable, thanks to the fact that most campgrounds now provide everything from showers to electrical outlets.
When it comes to food, stay as far away from restaurants as possible. If at all possible, prepare your own meals, or eat at local diners or take-out restaurants. If you’re traveling with kids, look for a restaurant that offers a children’s menu at a reduced price. Whenever possible, buy snacks at the local supermarket and stay away from stands near tourist attractions.
Finally, keep your options open. If you can, travel during the off-season to save money, and avoid the temptation to buy souvenirs everywhere you go; you’ll end up spending a small fortune on trinkets you’ll probably never look at again once you’ve returned home.