Save Money Travel Cheap
Traveling can get expensive, especially when we take the whole family. The plane tickets, every meal, every excursion, and every time you fill up the gas tank have you questioning why you didn’t just stay at home to relax for the next 7 days. Don’t let money problems stop you from traveling. How many months has it been since you last took time off of work? Just as I thought, you’re overdue for a vacation. Here are a few ways to travel cheaply that can help you see the world on a budget.
1. Pay with points
If you are smart using your credit cards you can be earning some serious credit card points and miles to help you travel for free or at a discounted fare. Figure out how much money you regularly spend, and consider making those purchases on a travel card of your choice. Talk to your bank or do a quick search online for the best card, so that you have the potential to be rewarded with points and miles every time you swipe. You can redeem these rewards for airfare, hotels, and other qualifying expenses.
2. Fly with a Budget Airline
If you’re prepared to sacrifice a little comfort, some budget airlines are a great way to save money on regional flights. Be ready to pack lightly and squeeze into the middle seat of a cramped row, because if you’re looking for better perks, budget airlines may hit you with a bunch of unexpected fees. The secret is to take advantage of flying carry-on only and take some time to strategize and learn how to pack for weeks at a time with just one carry-on suitcase per person.
The savings are incredible because some of these airlines charge $30 per bag or more. If you are traveling with your little ones, you are welcome to bring your stroller or a car set free of charge. Talk to your airline to find out more details. The key is to be flexible about where you fly, even if it means venturing away from your home airport a bit. Just make sure you factor in the cost of getting to and from the airport!
3. Plan your Travel
You will find cheap flights when your travel schedule is flexible. Many times, you’ll find the best deals when you travel in the middle of the week or take a red-eye flight overnight. If you’re prepared to face less-than-idyllic weather, you could save even more money on airfare and hotels by traveling during off-peak seasons. By doing these, you can sometimes save up to 40%-50% on your vacation
4. Accommodations
You don’t have to pay a lot of money for comfort and safety. Many family hotels offer free breakfasts, pools, hot tubs, and other amenities. We have stayed in many different Airbnb’s under $100 per night and it works better when traveling with other family members or friends when it comes to splitting the bill. Does that mean sometimes staying in places that don’t have the fanciest décor or are on the outskirts of our desired neighborhood? Sure. But we’d much rather spend that money saved on more adventures plus we aren’t buying the place so who cares if the decorations aren’t what we like?
5. Join Free Activities
Every city or town of interest has a few free activities and walking tours to enjoy. We love going to places with beaches where we can just relax and have a good time by the water. Many other attractions such as national parks, museums, playgrounds, etc. are fun to visit especially if the little ones are coming along.
6. Eat Where Locals Eat
You probably want to stay away from the popular touristy restaurants when choosing a place to eat. Locals usually know where the best food is. And they won’t go to the touristy places where you get charged more because you’re near a tourist attraction. Restaurants near major attractions and in the main square are always more expensive than places a little further away. Plus, the food isn’t always the best either. Ask the locals for recommendations and enjoy your meal!
7. Book Your Flight, Car Rental and Hotel Together
Another great way to save even more money is by booking your plane tickets, car rental, and hotel stay in a package. Packages will usually save you far more than securing them separately, I have seen savings of up to 25% or more! Most travel websites offer packages with many different options and pricing.
Save money by planning ahead – yes, it’s that easy. I know this is common sense but planning ahead really does wonders. Every month I put a small chunk (or however much I decided to budget for) of money into our vacation fund “savings account.” You don’t have to add much each month for this technique to pay off. Anything is better than nothing and it makes a big difference. By planning ahead we strive to have enough money in our savings for one big trip each year and two smaller trips “closer to home” in the summer.
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