Unfortunately, we all can’t travel like the rich and famous. Then again, there’s nothing unfortunate about it! Budget holidays can be fun, exciting and relaxing. Whatever your budget, the follwing tips should allow you to stretch that budget & get the most out of it, while still having a great time!
The most important piece of advice I can give you if you want to save money is ‘Plan Ahead’! With a little planning, you can save a huge amount of money, allowing you to either re-invest that money into your holiday, or simply save it for another time.
If you have a particular destination in mind, it pays to book early. Also, research the local attractions and facilities. Look out for any special discounts that may be available. A little time can go a long way. It can also be cost-effective to plan your holiday at an off-peak time. Generally, plane fares, hotels, car rentals and many other things are cheaper during off-peak periods & you are more likely to find great deals.
It may be worthwhile planning your vacation in a place where you have friends or family. If you could stay with them, that can be a huge money saver – and you also get a free tour guide! Of course, you should still offer to pay towards any expenses, but your trip should still be much cheaper this way.
One of the big expenses when on holiday is food. Eating out at restaurants can cost a fortune, so you can save some money by packing food for your trip. Taking food to the beach, instead of forking out for lunch at a burger bar can be a real money saver when multiplied by 14 days. Another great tip is to avoid the restaurants that cater only to tourists. The prices will always be inflated in these areas. If you can ask around & find our where the locals eat, you will likely find that the food is cheaper and better. It may not be as near as the tourist places on your doorstep, but the small journey can be well worth it.
If you are planning on staying in a hotel, you will likely find that the closer you are to a major attraction/city centre, the more expensive they get. It may be worthwhile trying to find somewhere with a good balance between the distance & price. Also, don’t just book your hotel based on the rating. It may be that the 4 star you are looking at has facilities that you just wont use. The 3 star on the other page might have everything you need – including a cheaper price!
Before you go, get familiar with the local bus/tram routes. You will save a lot of money on taxi fares.
Be sure to plan plenty of activites that don’t cost a lot of money. Walking around the local scenery, trips to the beach & swimming are all things that are lots of fun & don’t cost much, if anything at all.
Most important of all, have a good time!