Work for your Vacation
A penny saved is a penny earned, right? It’s time to put that adage to work. Saving money on vacation is hard work, but it is work that puts dollars back in your bank account. If you think you can simply ask your travel agent for the best deal, you are missing a big part of the picture. Spend some time planning your trip and exhaust your resources. This will help you save your resources once you get to your destination.
Consider Many Types of Transit
Most people think a flight from point A to point B is the only way to go. Have you looked into surrounding airports? Have you considered buses and trains? Dividing your trip up into legs including planes, shuttles and buses can save you a lot of money in the long run. For example, if flights to Las Vegas are high for Memorial Day, consider a flight to St. George Utah. If you save $200, this will easily cover the cost of a rental car to get to Las Vegas. You’ll save on cab fare to and from the airport. If you have $50 left over in the end, this can be spent on a dinner or drinks for the night. You can also save this money, stay at a thrifty off-the-strip hotel, and drive yourself into town each night. The money you will save on cab fares and hotel will more than compensate for the rental fees.
Play with Your Travel Dates
If you have flexible travel dates, play around to see when the best times are to travel. Often, leaving and returning mid-week is cheaper than leaving on a Friday and returning on a Sunday. You will also find seasonal deals on travel to a number of locations. Choosing to travel to Chicago during the summer when the Cubs are playing, for example, can be expensive. Opt for the fall or holiday time when the whether is not as desirable. When you are travelling during the offseason, though, make sure you know what to expect in the weather. Even Caribbean destinations have an offseason when there is too much rain to enjoy the outdoors.
Use Guidebooks
The Internet is a great tool for booking travel. When it comes to reading reviews, learning about the destinations, and getting real information about the trip, a guide book can be preferable. Browse the travel section in your local book store to find one that is small enough to pack along for the trip. You will not regret having it when you need to know a good restaurant to dine at for under $10. Guidebooks offer great money-saving tips both before and after you reach your destination.
Don’t Pay a Penny More than You Want
If you get a quote that is too high, keep looking! Starting the hunt early gives you plenty of time to wait for the best option to come along. The hotel you want may be too expensive now, but if you wait 3 months, things may change. Sign up for emails or alerts on pricing for flights and rooms at your destinations of choice.
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