How to Travel on a Budget
When it comes to traveling, budgeting ahead of time is key to a cost-effective and relaxing trip. Planning before you travel will give you peace of mind, knowing you have covered your bases so you can truly enjoy your travel adventures. We have put together a few key points on how you can prepare on a budget and still have a great time!
Create a Travel Plan
Preparing your travel plans ahead of time will alleviate unnecessary stress so you can focus on having a great trip. Find time to sit down prior to your trip to plan out some essential details such as where you will be staying, sites you’d like to visit and meals you’ll be eating. To save on your budget, consider making a trip to the grocery store upon arrival so you can prepare meals rather than eating out for every meal. You can create a meal plan before arriving, so you know exactly what you need rather than buying access items. Also, take some time to do research on various sites around the area and make a list of places you’d like to visit. Getting to know the area before you arrive will help to put your mind at ease and allow you to create a plan of when you’d like to visit each destination.
One of the best plans you can create when preparing for your trip is a budget. This will help to set realistic expectations for what your trip will look like. A great way to plan and track your spending while on vacation is to download an app. There are several to choose from including the EveryDollar app. This app is an easy, user-friendly way to track your spending and get a quick look at what you have left to spend according to categories that you set.
Travel Out of Season
Consider taking your trip outside of major holidays or school breaks. This is a popular time to travel and prices will be higher during these times. Look at your schedule and consider going on a trip during an off season. Generally, prices will be lower during the off season which will give you more flexibility in areas such as travel and/or places to stay.
Book Places to Stay
With the popularity of vacation rental homes through apps such as AirBNB or VRBO, you have more accommodation options than ever. Consider a price comparison of hotels versus renting a house through those popular apps. You may find that you can find a better deal which will help when planning your budget as well as a wider variety of options in terms of housing locations and availability.
Book Flights Early
Keep an eye on flights early and often. Plane ticket pricing can vary on a day by day basis so be sure to stay updated to ensure you get the best price. Try booking on a Tuesday as this is predicted to be when prices are at their lowest. Utilize travel apps, such as Hopper, that help to predict when prices will rise or drop. You may also want to use travel fare website to compare various airlines according to set dates.
Plan for Transportation
If you will not have a car with you on your trip, consider using public transportation rather than car services. This is a more cost-efficient way to get where you need to go. Most areas have public buses, but you may be visiting a city with a subway or train system so be sure to do your research. Many cities have bikes that you can rent throughout the city which is a great way to site see the area, in an eco-friendly way!
Planning a trip on a budget is certainly doable and will help to alleviate unnecessary stress. Use these tips to coordinate a trip that you’ll enjoy! You can also utilize these tips and tricks while on your travel assignment! Accepting a travel assignment presents you with the opportunity to site see and visit new places. Apply these tips to make sure you make the most of your assignment!
Ready to take your travel career to the next level? Get in touch with our team and let us help you discover your next adventure!