When you’re on a budget, there are ways to have a fun and relaxing time without breaking the bank. There’s no need to limit your adventures to the local park or backyard barbecue. You can travel far and wide while still sticking to your budget. Here are some tips for enjoying budget-friendly vacations:
- Plan ahead
If you’re planning a vacation with your family, start planning early! It’s best to book as far in advance as possible, especially if you’re traveling during peak season. You may also want to consider booking a package deal that includes airfare and hotel, or even signing up for an annual membership with an airline miles program so you can save some money on flights.
- Use apps
There are plenty of apps out there that can help you find cheap hotels or flights — but only if you know where to look. Google Flights and Kayak are great places to start looking for flights, while Hotel Tonight and Airbnb are great options for finding cheap hotels or apartments near your destination. These services make it easy for users to see what’s available in their area and book directly through them instead of going through an airline or hotel chain website — which often results in higher prices!
- Choose an off-peak travel date
If you’re heading out of town during peak season (like July or August), expect to pay higher prices — especially if you want to stay at a nice hotel or eat at expensive restaurants.
- Look for deals
Always check out all the travel websites’ deals pages before booking anything — airlines, hotels and rental car companies all offer promotions regularly, so you may be able to save money by booking through them directly instead of through an aggregator like Expedia or Travelocity (which often charge extra fees). You can also find discount codes posted at sites such as RetailMeNot if you’re willing to do a little digging on your own.
