Planning a trip can be tricky. Before you know it, prices can add up and spill over your planned budget. However, there are budget travel ideas you can use when vacationing to save money here and there. These saved dollars will add up and enable you to feel more financially comfortable with your trip.
Go For the Bundle
Bundling your flight, lodgings and car rental is one way to save money while planning. The more business you conduct with the company, whether it's an airline or booking agency, the more likely they are to knock down your overall price. Even if your plans don't include a car rental, you'll likely still get a discount for booking a flight and hotel together. Shop around on different sites and with different airlines to find the best price for the longest stay time or the most convenient flight.
Flexible Booking
There are many factors that go into whether a particular flight is expensive or not. While scheduling and buying in advance will always help you save, there could be local events or holidays that increase popularity and tourism. For example, the Fourth of July could be a very popular event at your destination, which will drive up the price of flights significantly. When you're comparing prices, try to keep your dates as flexible as possible. Being able to fly during the week, or at a time that's not as popular, will save you a bundle.
Lodgings - Home Swap Sites
While hotels are the traditional choice for vacation lodgings, home swap sites are gaining more traction and becoming an affordable safe option among travel ideas. Many websites offer in-depth information about local available houses, ratings and direct contact information with the owner. Choosing to stay in a home rented out by a local instead of a hotel can save you big bucks. Plus, you'll increase your chances of staying close to a downtown area without paying extra.
Meals - Home Cooking and Picnics
Meals can absorb a large part of your budget. Although you may not feel like cooking on your vacation, it can be a great way to save money. If you happen to stay in lodgings that have a fully functional kitchen, don't be averse to using it. Additionally, visit the local grocery store for supplies like water and snacks. You'll find lower prices at local places rather than on the tourist boardwalks and hot spots. Instead of dining out, opt for a picnic with prepared food from a local mart. Another trick to saving is to make lunch your biggest meal of the day. Since lunch prices are typically lower than dinner prices, you can fill up earlier for a cheaper price and reduce your evening meal.
By utilizing budget travel ideas, you can save money that can be repurposed elsewhere during your trip. Don't be anxious about seeing the world on a tighter budget. From staying in a local home to comparing rates online, persistence can go a long way in saving.
Author: Antoinette Ayana
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