Let’s face the facts. Not many of us can travel the country on a bottomless budget. The average traveler is most likely going to want to find the best deals and ways to save money. Here are a few tips to help you scratch your travel itch without breaking the bank.
The Smart Traveller: How To Save Money On All Parts Of Your Vacation
1. Make major purchases during the off-season
Whether you’re buying plane tickets or an all-inclusive vacation, making travel purchases during off-season is always cheaper than peak season or holidays. If buying your vacation during the slow months is not an option, plan ahead and make major vacation purchases a few months in advance. Buying tickets for a summer vacations six months prior as opposed to a week before can save you hundreds of dollars in the long run.
2. Be food smart
Before you hand over your hard-earned cash for a five-dollar bag of pretzels and a seven-dollar cone of ice cream, stop and think: Do I really need this purchase? Instead of making it a point to purchase snacks on-the-go or to eat out for every single meal, stock up on some grocery store food to feed yourself before the day starts. Of course, you should definitely try the local foods and specialty dishes, but remember to plan ahead, because it’s easy to become sidetracked by the small indulgences that will chip away at your budget.
3. Bring travel-appropriate clothes (and avoid over packing)
It’s not quite practical to bring five pairs of designer jeans if you’re planning on hitting the beach, and why would you pack multiple kitten heels for a hiking excursion out West? Pack smart -- packing light can not only save you money in luggage and transportation costs, but will also save you a lot of time and hassle. All that time spent packing and unpacking could be better spent. After all, time is money.
4. Research for your trip
This piece of advice sounds a tad obvious, but doing a little bit of research can do you loads of good. Are there any good deals or coupons on tours? What are some of the locally-known hotspots? Which restaurants in the area are known for their amazing pasta dishes? Knowledge is power, and doing prior research can help you estimate how much of your budget will be allocated for things like entertainment and food and will save you more money in the long run.
5. Don’t forget key items
Forgetting to bring essential items such as toothbrushes, phone chargers, or your own shampoo may lead to a hit in your wallet that you never planned. In addition, packing emergency supplies such as Band-Aids, stomach and headache medicine is always a good idea. Bringing your own from home will save you money and effort, and you won’t end up having to scramble and spend well-deserved vacation time searching for travel essentials that you could easily have brought yourself.