Top 20+ Ways To Plan A Vacation On Any Budget

Travel Hacks Worth Bragging About

In today’s tough economy, a vacation may sound like an out-of-touch dream. But it doesn’t have to be this way! If you plan smart and take advantage of hacks like off-season booking and public transport, you’ll find you can save a lot more than expected. With that in mind, here are traveling tips that will have you packing your suitcase in no time.

1. Avoid Peak Times

It’s a given that traveling is at its most expensive during holidays and school vacations. Both flights and hotels jump in price during this time, so it’s better to plan your vacation around the off-season. Usually, this encompasses late September till early May and can save you money at hotels, the airport, and at attractions themselves.

2. Cook at the Hotel

Lots of hotels and Airbnb’s come equipped with a kitchen or kitchenette. This means you can take advantage of the stoves and cupboards to cook at home. You’ll have to buy the ingredients ahead of time, but after that, you’ll be saving up as you won’t have to spend on every meal. If you want to get some of the local flavor in, perhaps only cook breakfast or dinner.

3. Plan Early

Early planning can definitely help you save money. In the long run, you can lay out exactly what you need to save for, and this can make for a longer opportunity to save up. This also gives you time to compare various prices and options to ensure you’re getting the best deal.

4. Avoid Tourist Traps

Every country has its tourist traps, which are attractions that are often expensive and unauthentic. They’re usually commercialized as attractions for tourists in particular and are hence overpriced. Skip the restaurants around the Colosseum, for instance, and find a local trattoria instead.

5. Use Public Transportation

Using public transport is a clever way to save yourself from Uber and taxi costs. Alternatively, you could rent a vehicle for your trip, but if the place you’re going to has solid transit infrastructure, take advantage of it. Besides, this is a great way to experience the local culture.

6. Eat Local

When it comes to eating, go for local and low-key options. Instead of hitting up the high-end restaurants in your hotel, find the mom-and-pop hidden gems. This way, you’re both supporting businesses and taking advantage of cheap prices. For instance, in Vietnam, you could get banh mi for $2 at local stops.

7. Pick a Walkable Hotel

One way to eliminate the costs of transit and taxis altogether is by staying in a walkable area. Find a hotel or Airbnb that has access to city streets and is close to the attractions you plan on seeing. This lets you get in some exercise while saving on transport costs.

8. Book in Advance

Another benefit of planning in advance is the ability to book in advance. You can take advantage of early bird discounts on everything from your plane tickets to tour prices. This also means you won’t fall victim to surge pricing at peak times.

9. Split Costs With Family

Another perk of going on vacation with your family is the ability to split costs. A four-bedroom chalet is much cheaper when split across several people and will allow you to get close and enjoy their company with the added benefit of more money in your pocket. Plus, you can also split costs for transportation and meals.

10. Pack Lightly

One clever way to skip luggage fees is by packing lightly. If you can fit all your stuff into a carry-on, then you’re good to go. This also means you’ll be lighter on the clothes you bring, so that’ll be less laundry to worry about.

11. Find Free Activities

Lots of countries and cities offer free activities if you know where to look. For instance, treat yourself to a hike in Asia, or visit a historic museum on its free day. For example, the British Museum in London even has free admission.

12. Book Longer Stays

When you are planning a hotel stay, booking longer at the same hotel can significantly reduce the nightly rate. For instance, Airbnb offers staggering discounts for stays over seven days. Of course, you’ll be paying more than you might expect as it’s a longer stay, but if you’re saving for a vacation, you might as well save for a week’s worth and take advantage of the deals.

13. Explore Nature

Usually, access to nature is free. So, if you’re going to a skiing village or a national park, make a day of visiting the sites and getting familiar with the woods. A lot of these views are breathtaking, and you can save more money by throwing in a day or two of camping.

14. Travel Midweek

When planning your vacation, strive to travel during the midweek. This is because everything from airfare to hotels costs less during the middle of the week, with Tuesday and Wednesday often being the cheapest days. This way, you’re vacationing on the off-days of the off-season, ensuring even more savings.

15. Create a Spending Plan

When you’re planning your vacation, you should be planning your budget alongside it. If you set daily limits and allocate money ahead of time, you can prevent yourself from overspending. Plus, it’s easy to lose track of money when you’re using a card, so opt for cash instead.

16. Find Last Minute Deals

A lot of hotels and airports offer last-minute deals. You can even book a cruise at a good price if you’re spontaneous. Technically, you’re better off saving money if you plan, but just to be safe, keep an eye out for these deals.

17. Pick Cheaper Countries

When it comes to traveling, you save a lot of money just by selecting a more attainable destination. Some countries are far more expensive than others. For instance, Southeast Asia and South America are beautiful and affordable, while somewhere like Paris or Rome will certainly be pricey.

18. Spend Traveler Points

Remember those travel points you’ve been stocking away for ages? Well, now is your time to use them! Lots of credit cards come with these sorts of points, and you can apply them to reduce costs upfront. In fact, some airports offer free domestic round-trip flights with enough points.

19. Pack Snacks

Another way to limit how much you spend on food is by bringing some snacks along. It’s better to grab them at a cheap grocery store or the dollar store. Just be sure to get things with a good shelf life, like granola bars or nuts.

20. Travel Credit Card

If you’re a frequent traveler or plan on becoming one, getting a travel rewards credit card is a good move. This way, you can save up points and take advantage of the often generous sign-up bonuses they come with. You’ll also earn more points the more you travel, so it’s a win-win.