The world of budget travel is one of the most exciting and interesting, and in today’s world traveling on a budget is becoming more and more a necessity for all would-be tourists. Keeping costs low while traveling is important, whether you’re traveling alone and seeing the world for the first time or a family with a car full of kids heading to the beach or theme park.
When it comes to creating a travel budget, the first step should be deciding what’s important to you and where you can cut back. For example, some travelers are comfortable spending a little more on a higher-end hotel, while others prefer to save money by using budget accommodations and spending the money saved on sightseeing or a special meal for the family. Again, it all depends on your tastes.
As with other aspects of finances, it’s a good idea to create a travel budget before you start your trip. Determine a budget for the various aspects of your vacation, such as hotel, plane tickets, car rental, sightseeing, gasoline, etc. Once you have a good idea of what each vacation item should cost, it’s time to start looking for the best deals.
Once you’ve determined what’s most important to you, it’s time to start determining how to get the best deals. Admission deals at area attractions are often the easiest to come by, as many theme parks, museums, and other destinations have specials to attract out-of-town visitors.
For deep discounts on area attractions, the best place to start is with the attraction’s website. Be sure to check the website for special offers such as two-for-one deals, free admission for children, special reduced-admission days, etc.
If you’re a member of the military, a senior, or a member of an organization like AAA, additional discounts are often available. Most AAA offices sell discount admission tickets to popular theme parks, museums, and other attractions within a short drive, and most AAA offices also sell discount tickets to popular attractions like Walt Disney World. The key to further stretching your travel budget is to ask and take advantage of any discounts that may be available.
If you’re driving to your destination, a great way to make your travel budget go further is to make sure your car is in tip-top condition before you embark on your trip. Little things like flat tires or worn spark plugs can really hurt your gas mileage and end up costing you a lot of money, especially on a long road trip.
A good map can also save you money by keeping you from going around in circles and wasting gas. Finding your way to and from the hotel and its surroundings will make your vacation more pleasant and less expensive.
No matter how you save money on your next vacation, having a budget and sticking to it will help you enjoy your vacation more and worry less about paying for it.