A vacation provides an invaluable chance to escape from everyday life and pursue nothing but relaxation.
However, the thought of planning a trip can seem daunting if you’re worrying about your bank balance.
Thankfully, there are ways to ensure that spend less at every step of the way, from choosing your destination to organizing your days once you arrive.
Here are ten great tips that will help you save money.
1. Be Open-Minded About Where You Go
If you are open to a wide range of possible destinations then you can let value for money determine where you end up. In fact, this flexible approach can lead you to explore wonderful places you might otherwise never have selected.
Alternatively, you can make a list of your top five destinations and then fully explore each option in order to determine which would enable you to have the most fun for the least amount of money.
2. Be Mindful Of Plane Ticket Fluctuations
There tends to be an ebb and flow to airfares, so look into all the airlines that fly to your potential destinations and be sure to check how the prices change depending on the travel dates. Time of departure and arrival can also be significant.
Although this process might sound tiresome, a methodical approach to airfare research can yield surprisingly low ticket prices.
3. Avoid Peak Times
Instead of taking your vacation at the height of summer or trying to travel right around Christmas, consider a less conventional time of year. You can still enjoy very pleasant weather during mid to late spring or autumn.
As a bonus, popular tourist destinations are less likely to be crowded if you travel outside of peak times, creating better photograph opportunities and giving you space to enjoy your surroundings.
4. Don’t Forget About Hidden Charges
It’s especially important to be aware of extra fees when you’re about to book a ticket with a budget airline. While the basic prices may look enticingly low, you might fail to notice that you will need to shell out extra cash just for the privilege of taking baggage on your vacation, or you might miss the fact that there are no complementary snacks or drinks.
Be sure to give all policies are careful read to make sure you’re getting a good deal.
5. Look At Local Destinations
Depending on where you live, you may be able to access some lovely vacation spots without going very far or spending much on travel. If you live in a busy city then a short drive to the countryside could give you much-needed peace and quiet, and if you’re not far from a coast then it may be easy to reach a gorgeous beach for your vacation.
While most people prefer the idea of jetting off to foreign lands, it’s at least worth considering places closer to home.
6. Scour The Internet For Discounts
Search for sites that provide voucher codes and discounts for activities, and search for any that are relevant to your destination.
If you plan your meals and daily activities around these discounts, you could end up saving hundreds of dollars over the course of your vacation.
7. Remember That Couch Surfing Is An Option
The practice of couch surfing involves staying with people who regularly open their homes to visitors. Some sites regulate couch surfing very well, featuring detailed reviews from previous guests so that you know what you’re getting into.
You can save a huge amount of cash on accommodation by spending at least some of your vacation couch surfing, though if you are going alone or traveling with young children then it might be safer to choose more private accommodation.
8. Take Your Time Choosing Insurance
Travel insurance offers invaluable peace of mind when it comes to delays, cancellations and medical treatment.
However, it’s wise to use a comparison website to compare policies until you find out that offers you the best deal with the lowest price. Read all policies carefully to make sure you’re not paying for more than you need.
9. Look Into Train Passes
If you’re going to reach your destination by train or are planning to go somewhere with a good rail network (such as central Europe), it might be worth buying a train pass that cuts your expenses.
10. Don’t Eat Out Every Night
Finally, think about how restaurant bills add up during a vacation. You can spend a great deal less if you pack some of your favorite non-perishable foods in your suitcase and also shop at local stores once you reach your destination.
This plan works particularly well in conjunction with renting an apartment with a kitchen instead of going to a hotel.
