Just because you’re traveling on a budget doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice the trip of your dreams. All it takes is a little creativity and some savvy spending to stretch your dollar further.
So why not travel off-season, or at least try to avoid peak season. Think the Caribbean or Mexico in late spring and early summer, or Europe in September or October.
Start looking at flights and start comparing prices about 45 to 60 days before you’d like to travel. Airline systems are set up to look at supply and demand of flights. Although you can never fully rely on what flight prices will do, you likely won’t see any sales before this period.
Speaking of researching, be sure you look at a few different booking methods. Look at a consolidator site that can book your flight and hotel as a package or look at booking them separately and see what’s cheaper. Don’t forget to look at options through a travel agent. Sometimes agencies get special rates that are not available to the general public.
Also, think about where you eat when travelling. Well, we all know just how expensive dining out can be in general, but dining out at tourist traps three meals a day can put a serious dent in your bank account. To save money, eat where the locals eat.
Another way to save money is by travelling to a destination where your dollar takes you farther. If high exchange rates are putting a damper on your travel plans, try going somewhere that our dollar has higher purchasing power.
Finally, if you’re in the midst of planning for the winter holidays, book before Sept. 25. According to Hipmunks’ recent study, booking prices are on a steady incline throughout the second half of the year, however, they really begin to steepen end of September. So get your holidays sorted out and booked, the sooner the better!
There are so many different destinations and activities available, there should always be a trip to fit your budget – no matter what it is! Happy travels!
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