When funds are tight, you may have a hard time justifying the cost of a vacation. There are a few things you can do to lower the cost of a vacation enough to make it fit into your financial situation, however. Knowing when and how to find the best travel and hotel deals can help significantly. Planning out low-cost entertainment and looking for ways to save on the price of food can also make a huge dent. Here are some tips which u can follow to have a trip on your planned budget..!!!
Create a specific budget plan. At minimum, you should know the maximum amount of money you can afford to spend on your vacation. In order to manage your money even better, however, you should calculate how much you can afford to spend on each aspect of your vacation, including transportation, shelter, food, and entertainment. You should also set aside extra funds in case of an emergency.
Plan early. You can often lock in the lowest prices on airfare by booking six months or so in advance, and you do not need to worry about ticket prices increasing if the price of fuel continues to climb. Moreover, hotels are more likely to have vacancies the earlier you schedule your stay, which allows you to choose from your pick of the most inexpensive hotels.
Look for last minute deals. If you cannot plan ahead but don’t mind keeping your options open, taking advantage of last minute deals can save you on travel costs. As a date approaches, airlines are more likely to drop ticket prices to fill empty seats and hotels are more likely to offer deals to rid themselves of vacancies.
Travel during an off season. It may be difficult to have an off season vacation if you have kids who are still in school, but travel prices are usually their lowest when it is the most inconvenient simply because the demand drops. Holiday vacations and summer are the most costly time to travel. Winter tends to be the least expensive, followed by fall and spring.
Pack light, especially if you plan on flying. The majority of airlines charge you to check baggage. The fees may not seem like a big deal, but they can build up and really eat into a tight budget. The fewer bags you pack, the less it will cost.
Stay with friends or family instead of paying for a hotel stay. If you know someone who lives near your vacation destination, ask if they would consider allowing you to sleep at their house. Your odds of getting a “yes” are better if you ask someone you get along with well but have not seen in a while.
Consider low cost vacation options. Go camping, visit the beach, or tour a variety of history museums. Many of these activities are either free or only require minimal costs. They may lack the glamour of major tourist destinations, but they can often prove just as interesting and relaxing.
Go in groups. Some travel agencies and major destinations offer discounts for large groups. Everyone in the group can split the cost, and the amount of money spent for your stay will likely be notably less per person than it would be if you vacationed alone.
Try a “staycation.” Instead of traveling to a distant location, take some time off work and explore your local area. Visit attractions you rarely take the time to enjoy and treat yourself to a meal in a restaurant you’ve heard about but haven’t gotten around to visiting. You can keep yourself relaxed and entertained while saving the money you would otherwise spend on fuel, airfare, and a hotel stay.
Look for package deals and all-inclusive vacation destinations.
You can often save money by booking a flight and hotel together through various travel search websites.
Look for all-inclusive destinations like cruises and certain theme parks. These vacation packages often include the cost of your stay, meals, and entertainment, which may save you money in the long run.
Cut the cost of eating out. Pack the majority of your meals and beverages, and reserve a hotel room with a microwave and refrigerator to store and warm your food. Eating out can take a big bite out of your vacation budget, so eating in allow you to spend more money on other aspects of your trip.
Eat bigger meals early on. When you do dine out, do so in the morning or around lunch. The lunch menu at a standard sit-down restaurant tends to have cheaper prices than the dinner menu since more people eat out at dinnertime. Eat your biggest meals while the prices are low.
Bring coupons. Before you leave home, check online for coupons and discounts being offered by national chain restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, and manufacturers. Many coupons work nationally, not just locally, especially when you find them online.
Walk or take public transportation instead of driving. The cost of gas can eat into your vacation budget just as rapidly as it eats into your everyday budget. If your dining and entertainment are within walking distance of your hotel, then walk. Otherwise, consider using public transportation instead of spending the money on renting a car or driving your own.
Hotel selections are really important and are a major contributor to overall costs in the journey. You can check various websites for room rate comparison or even travel sites for hotel ratings and costs. Then logon to the hotel website for offers, some of them have excellent promotional offers if you are staying 3 or more days. Better to go for with breakfast offers as these are often very economical. If you are going in a big group better to call up the hotel and request a better deal