All winter long, it seems like it’s too cold or dark or dreary to want to do anything. Once the sunshine sets in and the summer months begin, so does the wanderlust. Time to travel! They call it travel season for a reason. Families are on the move because school’s out. The sunnier weather leads a yearning for time away from work. Plus, with three-day holiday weekends, it can make it easier to plan some time away.
So, the questions remain: Where to go? And, how much will it cost?
1 – Set a budget upfront
When you travel and go on vacation, it’s easy to let the budget get out of hand. By having a number in the beginning that you’d like to stay within, it’s easier to look for ways to save.
The first thing to consider is transportation. Is it cheaper to travel by plane, train, or automobile? Research coupons and deals before booking your transportation. Compare rates and look in advance versus waiting until last minute.
If you decide to fly, sometimes it’s fun to have a drink or two on your flight. Since mini bottles are under TSA’s regulation size for liquids, bring your own along. Get some little champagne bottles and make your own mimosas instead of paying an arm and a leg while you’re in the air. Everything is up-charged from the plane to the hotel mini bar, so by bringing your own spirits, you’ll already be right on track with your budget.
Accommodations are next. Check online reviews and explore the options of budget hotels, Airbnb, VRBO (vacation rentals by owner), and even hostels. If your travel plans involve being out and about exploring most of the day, then maybe the extra amenities that more expensive hotels bring aren’t necessary for a trip where you’re trying to save money.
Find a place that’s all- or partially-inclusive. By working with a travel agent, you may be able to find a cruise deal or boutique hotel that offers some add-ons such as meals, drinks, and/or activities. When these types of costs are already built into your budget, then it’s easier to track your expenses when you’re traveling.
2 – Get a city pass.
Once you get to where you’re going, search for options of a city pass that can either be used for local transportation, local entertainment, or both. These can be especially valuable if you are going to be taking the bus or subway multiple times or want discounts to many different popular attractions.
3 – Plan meals in advance.
The easiest way to spend extra money is on food when you’ve not planned ahead and are hungry and in the moment. If you’ve chosen a hotel with a free breakfast, take full advantage and snag an extra piece of fruit or bagel as a snack for later in the day. If there is a type of cuisine or particular restaurant you’d like to try, opt to visit at lunch. Many restaurants have some of the same dishes on both their lunch and dinner menus with the only difference being portion size and cost. Also, think about packing sandwiches for a couple of meals, especially if it’s a long day on the go.
4 – Cut back on souvenirs.
There’s no need to bring back T-shirts or tchotchkes from every city for every person in your circle. Make your photos and memories your souvenirs and if you do want to bring something special back, make it something native to the area you’re visiting.
One of the best things to do before planning your summer travel is to save as much as you can. Don’t waste money by mindlessly buying coffees multiple times a week or eating out too much. Think of every dollar you save as extra money you can spend on exploring a new city and enjoying your vacation. It’ll be worth it to pinch pennies for a while.
5 – Get an international SIM card
Avoid exorbitant roaming charges that can reach up to $100 or more per day (something I know from experience) by grabbing an international SIM card.
Alternatively, you can pick up a local SIM card in the country you’ll be traveling to, but be sure to do your research beforehand so you know exactly how you’re going to get that SIM once you land. Some airports sell SIM cards directly in the airport and while some are a great deal, others are vastly overpriced to take advantage of ignorant tourists.
Unfortunately, I once landed in an airport with the intention of buying a SIM card there, only to find BOTH stands that were selling SIM cards had already shut down for the day. This put me in a bit of a bind, considering I couldn’t use my foreign SIM and the airport’s WiFi was terrible.
In the end, I had to chase down a store about 50 minutes away in order to pick up a SIM for my phone. Lesson learned! Always have a back-up plan, or just go with the international SIM card so you can worry about other things.
6 – Be creative!
The more you travel, the better you will get at saving.
Signing up for free rewards programs can add up to a free or discounted part of your future travels. Also, continue to look up deals leading up to vacation on sites like Groupon or LivingSocial for things to do in the area. Get travel advice from those around you and do your research because there are plenty of free things to do.
Money should not get in the way of your summer travel fun. 🙂
