Ways to Save Money on a Vacation

ElitePersonalFinance
Last Update: February 5, 2021 Save Money

With peak holiday and travel season upon us, it is perhaps time to begin thinking about money-saving opportunities that will give you more money to splurge at your destination.

The major part of a holiday’s price tag is always related to travel and accommodation costs. It makes no difference whether you fly or go by car. Travel costs can be steep, especially if you add transportation or car rentals.

No matter where you are going, there are simple ways to save on travel costs if you plan ahead. Accommodation is another area where you can save money by being proactive and planning in advance.

By being smarter about how and where you can save, you will have more funds available to spend on things that really matter when you are on holiday.

How to Save Money on a Vacation?

Here are some of the best ways to save money on a summer vacation without comprising on the fun and enjoyment of the experience.

  • If you are traveling by air, book early to get the best prices. As the planes fill up, the prices also go up.
  • Be flexible with your travel dates, as flying midweek is much cheaper than flying on weekends.
  • If you take a road trip, you can get 15% better fuel mileage if you use cruise control when traveling on the highways. Also, pack snack meals and drinks so that you don’t have to waste money buying fast foods along the way.
  • Do some research and book accommodation well in advance. A vacation rental house or apartment is much cheaper than a hotel and affords you the opportunity to self-cater, enabling you to save money by not having to go to restaurants for all your meals.
  • If you prefer to stay in a hotel, try and get a room with basic kitchen facilities like a microwave, kettle, and a small fridge to prepare simple, quick meals if need be. This can be a big money-saver for families.
  • Should you be in the market for a car rental, check the agencies in the area where you will be located for the best deals. Book in advance, and take your own GPS (if you have one) as you will have to pay extra at the rental company for a car with a built-in GPS – or pay for the hire of one.
  • Plan your own trips to cultural areas and tourist attractions. Joining up with a guided tour group seems attractive, but it is costly, so wherever possible, plan your own trips, unless it is a specific destination that would be better to go in a group.
  • Don’t be tempted to buy expensive souvenirs, which will be a nine-day wonder. Although you may be in a US holiday destination, you will find that many of the mementos are in any case made in the Far East rather than locally manufactured. With the digital phones and cameras you have today. It is cheaper and more fun to take plenty of photos, which will provide more lasting memories.

Search the Web before You Leave

Sites tend to list only the main attractions, but by searching for places of interest in your holiday destination, you may come across quaint, out-of-the-way places that are rich in history and culture. Most of these places do not charge admission fees and are only too happy to welcome visitors.

If you are heading for a beach holiday, you may find coves and beaches in the area when surfing the web, which you would like to visit. This will prevent you from wasting fuel driving around to discover places you may like.

You could also find a deal at a water park for a 50% discount on certain days. Searching the web in your area will allow you to see when specific deals are available in your holiday spot that you can take advantage of.

It doesn’t matter where you are going. There are many ways to save on costs and still enjoy the quality holiday you desire, without totally breaking the bank.

What Saving Costs on a Holiday is All About?

Saving costs on vacation is not about trying to have a holiday on a shoestring or take a whole lot of unspent cash home with you. It is more about cutting expenses on the major parts of your holiday budget like travel and accommodation, and freeing up more of the budget for spending and entertainment, as well as a meal or two in a posh restaurant.

You are on vacation after all, and you deserve to splurge now and then!

Planning and saving for a holiday can sometimes take a whole year, and you need almost to be a seasoned accountant before you actually decide on a budget! Ensure that you allow something in the budget for emergencies that may crop up.

Doing the groundwork, finding out costs, and looking for good deals, may seem like a lot of hard work at times. But when your holiday comes around, and things on the financial side are running smoothly, you will be glad that you put in the hours to plan ahead.

One last tip.

Always keep some cash handy. If you lose your wallet, or if your card stops working, and you have to pay for something, it will be a relief to have some cash available.

MEET THE AUTHOR

ElitePersonalFinance

Recommended Articles

AS SEEN ON