When you head out for summer travel, saving money is always going to be top of mind. It costs a fortune to travel these days and every dime you can save certainly helps out. Fortunately, you can save a ton of cash if you are willing to be flexible. Here are several budget travel ideas that can keep you from going broke this summer:
Consider non-tourist destinations
Tourist destinations are automatically going to be more expensive simply because the community depends on those tourists for their livelihood. If you pick a place to go that is less touristy, you will spend less by default. There are plenty of places like this that are well worth your time. If you must go to a certain destination, then consider at least staying on the outskirts for some decent savings.
Travel at the edge of the off-season
If you book your trip right in the middle of the summer, then you can just about guarantee to be paying a premium. Why not consider early in the summer or later? Prices in May or during the month of September are usually a good bit cheaper and the weather is often much nicer as well.
Do your research
Everyone has access to a computer these days so you need to take the time to do some investigating. Look into discount flights, discount lodging and discount packages that might be available online. Take precautions before simply booking something you find online. Not all of them are on the up and up.
Skip on the luxury hotels
Staying someplace nice is entirely possible without having to pay for gold plated bed posts. You can find a great hotel room for a reasonable price if you are willing to give up the frills. Some of these places that offer budget rooms do a decent job of providing frills as well.
If you pay attention to what you are paying for and you are willing to be flexible in your vacation, you can save a ton of money during the summer months. There is so much competition that a great deal is a virtual certainty. Do the legwork and you will have a trip to remember!
Written by Rodney Southern, who has been writing and editing sports and nature articles for going on 10 years. His articles have appeared in “Nicean” magazine, “The Sporting News” website and countless other online venues. Southern was the 2008 Ultimate Call for Content National Award Winner.
Great tips! I love to go on vacation but I hate the crowds and ridiculous prices "in season!'
So true – I prefer late September. . .still nice out but less crowded/cheaper
Great tips! I sign up for rewards programs for hotels I like so this year we got 1 night free plus a discount on another night because of points earned. Also check out coupons for destinations or prepaying for attractions.
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Thank you, Laura – that's great that you are able to get free nights!
I love the tip of looking for non tourist destinations. Or even if you do plan to hit a tourist destination, visit when it's off season. Everything is SO MUCH more affordable then! Oh and if you stay in a hotel try and stay in a place that offers complimentary breakfast or has a kitchenette.
Great tips – saving money one breakfast would be great. A kitchenette would be even better!
We travel a lot and signed up for a credit card that we earn points to Choice Hotels for. We charge everything possible on it and then pay it off at the end of the month. We earn a ton of hotel points by doing this and I don't think we have payed for a hotel in 5 years.
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I like the tip about traveling at the edge of the off season… you can save a good amount of money!
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