Vacation without a Plane Ticket

Travel and tourism is one of the industries that hurts the most in a recession. It is no secret that people who are looking to save money do not take trips. Instead of ditching the family trip altogether, though, consider the cheaper option of renting an RV. The RV industry has taken off in the recent months with the promise that families will save money on their RV rental over flying, renting cars and staying in hotels.

Cost Savings with an RV

Essentially, with an RV, you are paying one flat rate for the entire family inclusive of all travel and all lodging. The rate you pay for your RV will depend on a number of factors include size, amenities and the location where you rent it. On average, though, RV vacations rank considerably lower than the cost of taking air travel. With fuel prices high, people have been questioning whether RVs continue to be a cheaper alternative. Studies show that fuel prices would need to soar much higher than they are now to make an RV trip more expensive than airfare. Additionally, the cost of fuel is often built into a plane ticket cost. As RV costs go up, so do the cost of plane tickets, hotel rooms and rental cars. Another significant factor that will save you money in travelling in an RV is the on-board dinette. You will be able to keep groceries on your RV to prepare simple meals. Rather than eating out at restaurants every day, your family can eat together around camp fires or grills, saving money on tips and hefty drink prices.

RV Destinations

Depending on where you live and how long you intend on vacationing, you can explore any number of destinations. Most state and national parks have RV camp sites. Go RVing, a consortium of RV dealers and renters, has a website with complete listings of possible trips. With a comprehensive list of scenic byways, the site offers opportunities to explore and vacation without even having a destination in mind. If you want to travel across the country but do not have enough time for the drive, it may even be possible to fly to your destination then drive an RV to the camp site. For example, if you are from New York City and want to see Yellowstone, fly to a nearby airport. Rent an RV, explore the park, drive the Wyoming landscape and explore.

Downsides to Renting an RV

While renting an RV is cost-effective, it’s not for everyone. You have to consider what you are compromising in order to save money. First, there is little privacy in an RV. If your kids are young and do not value privacy, this may not be troublesome. However, teenage children do not typically enjoy sharing bunks and rooms with their other siblings or parents. You will not be pampered on an RV vacation. Rather, you will be required to provide for yourself in most instances. If you are willing to make these concessions, though, you stand to gain a lot in experiences, adventures and cost savings.

Tags: RV destinations, RV rental, Travel alternatives