Going on vacation, even a weekend trip, can be expensive. From transportation to accommodations to dining to activities to souvenirs, the price gets higher and higher with every phase of the journey. However, that shouldn’t stop you from traveling; it should prompt you to become more creative in your spending and saving. To get you on the right track, we have compiled a list of our favorite tips for cutting costs when traveling.
Travel During Off-Peak Times
This travel tip is a two-fold idea. Looking at the bigger picture, you can save tremendous amounts of money by traveling to destinations in their off-season time. For example, you could travel to Orlando, Florida, in the winter rather than during spring or summer break when tourists are swarming in mass. Alternatively, you could hit a hot place like Mexico in the summer, when most are unwilling to take on the heat. By avoiding the peak times of the year, you will save on flights, accommodations, and activities.
On a smaller level, you can literally travel during the off-peak time of the day and on an off-peak day of the week. While it may not always be the most glamorous experience to catch a red-eye flight at midnight and arrive at your destination the following day, it can save you quite a lot of money on a flight.
Plus, if you can sleep on a plane, you essentially save a whole day of your trip and can arrive bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for your adventure. Even if you can’t, a small nap will help! We also recommend not trying to travel on the weekends, because those trips tend to be the most expensive.
Schedule Everything in Advance
As they say, “the early bird gets the worm.” In most cases, booking your travel plans well in advance will save you money in the long run. We are talking flights, accommodations, transportation, and events. It is reasonably common for last-minute bookings to skyrocket in price.
Therefore, we recommend booking the transportation and accommodations portion of your vacation between 90 days and three months in advance and booking your events about 60 to 90 days in advance.
Book a Chauffeur Service
Driving or using rideshares can be confusing, time-consuming, and expensive when traveling. If you have ever rented a car in the US, you know that it isn’t cheap. Not only can the average weekly rental range anywhere from $490 to $743 per week, depending on the city where you are traveling, but that doesn’t even include gas, insurance, or vehicle upgrade costs. While many rely on rideshares for short-distance rides when they travel, the price can skyrocket if you have to go anywhere over 30 minutes away.
By booking a chauffeur service, you can cut costs in your travel budget. Not only will it save you time, hassle, and heartache, but you’ll save money if you are traveling with two or more people. Whether you need a private car for your family of three or a minibus for the 30 people joining your family reunion, the transportation costs will be way down. Plus, you’ll know how much it costs in advance, rather than being surprised the day of!
Hit the Local Spots
When traveling to a beautiful destination, there are always going to be the “tourist trap” spots that cost way more than everywhere else. Of course, you will likely want to visit local landmarks, and we aren’t saying to skip them. Instead, we suggest buying souvenirs and eating at local spots a little further off the main strip.
Even going a block or two away can significantly drop the price of a coffee, t-shirt, or lunch simply because it isn’t a tourist trap. Plus, you will get a more authentic experience and support the local community more in doing so.
Don’t Buy Useless Souvenirs
We understand that bringing home little reminders of beautiful memories is always tempting, but we caution travelers to avoid useless gifts. For example, how many keychains or thimbles do you really need? Instead, we suggest getting functional items that you can use on a regular basis, such as a pair of earrings, a plant pot, a scarf, artwork, or even a Christmas ornament.
Plus, if you are buying for others, don’t get them junk that will clutter their house or end up in a drawer! We recommend getting edible gifts such as spices, teas, candy, or snacks; it is an excellent way for them to actually experience a bit of your vacation, and eventually, it will all be used up.
