We all want to travel as much as we can, but the high cost of traveling can and does deter the best of us. With gas prices continuously on the rise and higher demands for various accommodations making rooms more expensive to rent, it’s easy to spend way more money than you meant to.
Luckily, it doesn’t have to be that way if you know how to cut corners. When you want to save money while you travel, check out the four tips we’ve put together for you below.
Pack your own food
You can save a considerable amount of money if you pack your own food and snacks for a vacation, especially for a road trip. Buying drinks and snacks in bulk at your local discount grocery store will allow you to cut costs from your trip every day. If you are planning to be in your vehicle for a good portion of your vacation, consider splurging on a plug-in cooler. This allows you to keep fresh foods and drinks cold the entire time.
Don’t overpack
It’s easy to want to bring extra everything when you pack for a trip. Just in case, right? However, checked bag fees can really add to your travel fees, especially when you are traveling with family. It’s also much easier to navigate when you pack light. If you are traveling alone, it will be more comfortable to take the less expensive route, such as a bus instead of a cab, when you only have a backpack or small suitcase to carry.
Take advantage of off-season travel
If you are traveling for pleasure, look for dates that cost less. Summer is always a hard time to get a deal on hotels and airfare, so consider the dates that are available in the early spring or fall. Hotels and other accommodations will always charge more for weekends, so try to travel from Sunday through Thursday if possible. Additionally, many tourist attractions charge a surcharge for busy weekends, giving you another excuse to avoid those days and opt for a less-crowded Monday.
Skip the tourist traps
Prioritize any free attractions that the area has over the ones that cost money. Look for free walking tours, free museums and galleries, and free local festivals and fairs. Once you have enjoyed everything there is to do, free of charge, then maybe you can splurge on that attraction your kids are SO desperate to see.