Are you interested in traveling, but unsure if it will fit in your budget? Do you feel the need to explore and adventure, but have a large family that makes it harder to afford a getaway? If so, then you need to learn all that you can about traveling on a budget.
It really is as easy as it sounds! With a bit of preparation and planning, you’ll find more wiggle room to travel, and to do so more often!
See below for several tips on how to travel on a budget and organize a getaway that your entire family will enjoy!
1. Figure Out Travel Plans
People are quick to look at flights for their travels, but what if flying doesn’t make sense for your situation?
Maybe you have four or more kids. That mean’s you’d be paying for the airfare of 5 to 6 people! Even if flights are only $100 round trip, that’s $500 or $600 for traveling alone. It isn’t always practical.
Most people would see those costs and hang their heads. But there’s another option! We encourage you to consider driving to your destination instead.
Yes, it can be a haul when the destination is 8, 10, or 14 hours away. But think about this: you will be able to save on travel costs and you won’t have to rent a car!
Those 14-hour and 16-hour drives are a lot more doable than you’d think! Simply pack up all of the kids and drive through the night. That way, the kids (no matter what age) will be asleep a majority of the time. You can stop at a hotel to split up the drive if need be.
If you’re married, then you and your spouse can take turns at the wheel. If you’re single, then invite your best friend or closest family member to travel with you! If you can find airfare in your budget, great! If not, then driving is the way to go.
2. Explore All Options for Hotel Rooms
Sometimes the best hotel room option isn’t a hotel room. Let us explain! These days, there are also many credible options for finding places to stay on your travels. It’d be a crime not to at least look at them all when planning your trip.
You can always go the traditional hotel or resort route, but you can also use vacation rental sites such as Airbnb or VRBO. Be sure to look into both!
For those of you that haven’t used Airbnb or VRBO, it may change the way that you travel from this day forward! You can find great deals for lodging that meets your exact specifications.
For example, let’s say that you’re a single mom who will be traveling with three kids and your best friend. You’ve decided that you want to visit the Outer Banks in North Carolina for a week.
Airbnb and VRBO give you access to several rental properties that are available, some of which are right on the water! You can search by rooms, price, ratings, and so much more to find the best fit for your needs.
3. Don’t Go for the Cliche Spots
Deals are always available to those that search for them! By just following a few steps, you can get access to cheaper deals on your travels.
First, we recommend that you choose a less popular destination. What’s the first place you can think of? Don’t go there! At least not yet. If the destination you’re thinking of is the first place on everyone’s mind, you can bet that it will cost you.
The higher the demand is for a travel destination, the higher the price will be. Instead, travel to less popular places. For example, we recommend places like Colorado Springs, Bear Lake (Idaho), North Port (Florida), and so on.
Those cliche spots are within your grasp as well! Simply start budgeting for them a year or two in advance. It will be worth the wait!
4. Go for Experiences, Not KnickKnacks
You know how the old saying goes, “My kid needs another toy like I need a hole in my head!” Yet so many families spend their vacation shopping around for touristy knickknacks that they’ll never pick up again when they get home.
We recommend focusing on the experience, not loading up on items. The experiences are what will last forever in your memories. Suddenly, if you stop paying for touristy products, those helicopter tours, hiking groups, and deep-sea fishing classes become affordable!
It’s all about adventure, and you can’t have an adventure without experiences! Do a little research before your trip. What experiences do previous travelers recommend? Do them for yourself!
5. Book Further in Advance
Lower prices come to those who plan their vacations. We’re all for a spontaneous getaway, but doing those too frequently will waste money that you could be using on your trip!
We recommend booking your travel and lodging several months out from your trip. In fact, if you book a spot a year out, you can save hundreds of dollars!
Save, book, then save some more. Once you get to your vacation destination, you’ll have a wad full of cash to use during your stay!
Use These Tips for Traveling on a Budget
Now that you have seen several key tips for traveling on a budget, it’s time that you use these tips to your advantage!
Be sure to read this article for more information on how to travel for cheap no matter what time of year you’re looking to book your next adventure.
For more inquiries, please be sure to reach out via our contact us page and we will be happy to assist you further!
