Summer is peak travel season, and with it fast approaching, now is a great time to start to think about how you can minimize travel expenses while maximizing opportunity. Here are five tips that will help you save money while on the road.
Go directly to airline websites
Websites such as Kayak, Expedia, or even Google flights are a good place to start to get an idea of what your price will be, but don’t stop your search there. Many airlines have lower fares that you can only get when you book online at their site.
Look for free activities
Doing research before your trip to find free activities can relieve the headache of “What should we do?” once you arrive and help put ease on the pocketbook. If you do a little research, you will see what is going on in that town while you are there. If you don’t do research ahead of time, try doing a self-guided walking tour to help familiarize yourself with your destination.
Book a room that has a refrigerator/microwave or kitchen area
Although cooking is sometimes the last thing you want to do while on vacation, try eating one meal a day in your room so that you are not breaking the bank just by eating out. You can also try shopping at the local farmers market but then make dinner back in your room. A microwave and fridge will also be helpful for reheating leftovers.
Use Public Transportation
Do as the locals do and use public transportation. Not only is public transportation a great way to save money, but it is also the best way to see the city/country. It also allows you to interact with the locals so that you get the full culture experience.
Create a budget and stick to it
The key is knowing when to save and when to splurge. Try making it a routine to splurge on dinner on your last night of vacation, instead of every night. Also, limit your souvenirs to one and instead use pictures from your vacation as your souvenirs. Having a budget is a good way to keep yourself on track.
