We could all use a good vacation every now and then. It’s a great way to break the routine, and there are countless famous monuments, beaches, and lands to explore around the globe. Unfortunately, travel expenses can turn you off from an otherwise exciting adventure when you’re the kind of person who likes to save money. However, you don’t have to go all out and spend a dozen paychecks to have fun. If you’re interested in taking a vacation from your daily life, here are a few tips that can help you avoid overkill while traveling.
1. Apply for a Travel Credit Card
A credit card isn’t necessarily for everyone, and it may not be an immediate money-saver, either. However, if you’re taking a trip, applying for a travel card can have some great benefits. By using it and building up miles on your card, you can eventually get money back for airfare, hotels, and other travel expenses.
2. Book Ahead of Time
The price of an air flight tends to go up the longer you wait to book, so if you have to take a plane to your destination, it’s usually cheapest to make arrangements six months ahead of time. This may seem like a long time in advance to make plans at first, but it could save you hundreds of dollars.
3. Eat in
Another way to save money on vacation is having a food budget. Taking a visit or two to a nice restaurant during your trip won’t kill you, but there are cheaper ways to keep your stomach full while traveling. If you can, try packing food that will last you on the road. Or, instead of eating out, buying food to cook can be a money saver as well.
4. Find an Affordable Place to Stay
Few vacation expenses take up more money than days spent at a hotel. Especially near hot spots for tourists, hotel prices can skyrocket to over $200 a night. There are plenty of more affordable ways to find sleeping arrangements if you look for them — and you don’t have to rough it. Many hotels with prices under $100 a night can be perfectly suited to your living needs.
These are just a few ideas to help you avoid going over the top on your trip, but with a little care and extra planning, there are many ways to keep money in your bank. Once you’ve made your finances secure, you can stop feeling guilty about spending and start enjoying your well-deserved vacation.