Vacations are a wonderful way to recuperate from the daily grind of daily life. They can help us relax, renew creativity and fuel excitement. All good things to have. They can also be a big drain on the wallet. A huge drain if you’re hoping for something luxurious. If you’re like me, you’re conscious of your spending and desire to get the most bang for your buck. With so much going into vacation planning, it actually helps the situation, because then there are just as many opportunities to save.
Pick A Location
Image via Flickr by Mark Doliner
This is the fun part! You’ll want to consider some places off the beaten path. You can still get time on the beach without visiting Miami Beach with the other thousands of tourists. Seriously, there is the whole East coast to choose from, the Gulf of Mexico AND the West coast. You could also consider multiple locations and make a road trip of it. Some budget road trips we’ve done in the past:
Northern New England
NY/NJ/DC/PA
If you end up being really set on a big destination and can’t see vacationing anywhere else, then opt to stay in the suburbs. You’ll notice cheaper rates on hotels and parking. Plus it will be a bit on the quiet side.
Pick A Time
Image via Flickr by Alex The Shutter
The time of your vacation can be just as important to sticking to budget as picking a location. Most destinations are popular (meaning lots and lots of people!) during peak times of the year. The hotel pricing will also be higher during peak season too. And are you hoping to travel during the holidays? Yeah, don’t. That’s peak season everywhere.
Consider A Package Deal
Just like all those bundles that cable companies offer, hotels offer vacation packages as well. Look for packages offered by sites like Groupon or Living Social. They will combine the hotel, a rental car and even a flight for better rates than purchasing A La Carte. We recently booked with a budget air line (American Airlines) and snagged a rental car for the week for $80. Much cheaper than paying for a week at the airport.
Don’t Leave At All
One huge tip to planning a budget friendly vacation is to not leave. *gasp* Yep, I said it. Stay home. Ever heard of a staycation? Be a tourist in your own town or take a day trip somewhere within a fair distance. You’ll avoid paying for a flight and a hotel in one fell swoop. We do this often. Sometimes you just need to get out, am I right?
Here are some travel tips from bloggers all over the world. Check out what they have to share! Every week I will be sharing a Travel Tip Tuesday post and allowing my blogging friends to share their travel tips as well.
Crystal@WhatTreasuresAwait
February 15, 2016 at 10:08 pmThanks so much for linking up at Welcome Home Wednesdays. I am always looking for budget friendly trips for our family and these are some really great tips!
Urvi
February 13, 2016 at 12:25 pmI love traveling and exploring new places but budget is always a concern. Planning trip ahead and saving bucks is important. Thanks for sharing.
Rosey
February 12, 2016 at 4:55 amStaying home can be nice. There are so many things to see if you approach your area from a tourist point of view. :
Colette S
February 12, 2016 at 3:19 amThese are very helpful!
one day I will save up for a very enjoyable vacation!
Amber
February 12, 2016 at 2:45 amWonderful tips! I love the idea of a staycation or even a little vacation in areas that are close to you or around where you live. That way you can experience a little vacation without having to spend too much money on travel expenses.
Yonca
February 12, 2016 at 2:17 amThose are great tips to enjoy travelling in a small budget. Helpful post!
Dogvills
February 11, 2016 at 10:09 pmI like looking for package deals when we travel. These are great tips.
Heather
February 11, 2016 at 4:32 pmWe would love to experience other parts of the world. I’m hoping we’ll get a chance to do that real soon. Staycations are nice too and sometimes very needed!
Top5life
February 11, 2016 at 3:15 pmsome great way to enjoy travelling in a small budget. your tips are so helpful
Amy Jones
February 11, 2016 at 3:09 pmGreat recommendations the best way of saving money on a trip is organizing everything with time that way you’ll always get the best deals
michelle
February 11, 2016 at 2:58 pmi always try to avoid traveling at peak times because it is cheaper during non peak and more enjoyable because there are less people
Jenna
February 11, 2016 at 2:53 pmI love all the tips and your entire blog! I’m big on vacation and am always trying to find cheap ways to go. I’ll have to check out Groupon for deals now!
Mardene Carr
February 11, 2016 at 11:23 amOh yeah…travel and budget in the same sentence sounds like a good idea to me
Tonya
February 11, 2016 at 11:17 amWhat’s the saying, leave half as many clothes and take twice as much money!
Tamason Gamble
February 11, 2016 at 10:23 amSome great tips. I am so glad that you mention package deals. So many people today are against these but they can still be the cheapest way to see parts of the world.
Liz Mays
February 11, 2016 at 8:22 amI like to budget for travel and then splurge on certain aspects of the trip. These are super ideas!
Lexie Lane
February 11, 2016 at 6:52 amThis is so helpful especially for travellers. I will share this to a friend.
nicole escat
February 11, 2016 at 4:36 amThanks for the great tips. We are planning to have a vacation and i will apply this tips
Katarzyna
February 11, 2016 at 3:23 amI’m lucky enough to be living in a tourist country – Greece, so it’s staycation for me usually 😉 We’re planning for a few days vacation though, to change enviroment and detach ourselves from work this year, so I will use your tips!
rika
February 11, 2016 at 3:22 amI love the last suggestion : Stay at Home ! It’s so much cheaper and very relaxing.
april grant
February 11, 2016 at 1:55 amYes its so important to know the time and the place. We are planning to get a vacation next week
Edwin Lao
February 11, 2016 at 1:53 amThank you so much for this low budget traveling tip. Definitely going to discuss this with my girlfriend. I would love to travel with her this coming Valentines day.
Healing Tomato
February 11, 2016 at 12:29 amI like the idea of picking a time and a place. I am a huge fan of staycations!
Claudette Esterine
February 10, 2016 at 11:21 pmI am definitely doing a staycation this year!
Elizabeth O.
February 10, 2016 at 9:59 pmThere are discounts offered on certain seasons. There are all very effective tips if you’re on a budget but would love to go on vacation.
Matt @ Plating Pixels
February 10, 2016 at 8:49 pmI’m finally traveling more but still want to do it on the cheap, thanks for tips!
Ana De Jesus
February 10, 2016 at 6:48 pmThis is fantastic bookmarking for when I travel can’t wait!
Joely Smith
February 10, 2016 at 6:35 pmWhat a fun link up! I love it! I really want to travel to Oregon this year and I do want to stay in a less traveled / tourist like area and really see what life is like there.
Olivia Kaye
February 10, 2016 at 4:26 pmFirst of all, love the name of your blog. It’s genius. Second of all, this is so helpful! I’m currently planning a trip with my roommates!
Robin Rue (@massholemommy)
February 10, 2016 at 3:34 pmWhen we vacation, money is no object 🙂
Jenna
February 10, 2016 at 1:35 pmWhat a terrific idea, Jenn! I’m in the process of deciding if we’re going to chuck everything and travel for a year and, of course, there will be a website/blog if we do. (#oversharing) Thanks for hosting another link party with such an inspiring theme!
Marlynn @ UrbanBlissLife
February 10, 2016 at 1:05 pmStaycations can be so great – you’re right! And, I love that you have a travel linkup. These are great! Adding one of mine soon. Thanks! 🙂
Nicole
February 9, 2016 at 8:37 pmGreat idea to host a travel related link party! Travelling is one of my absolute favourite things to do and it’s so much fun to see everyone’s tips.
Jenn
February 9, 2016 at 8:38 pmI know right! I’m looking through the shares now 🙂 I’m traveling vicariously 😉