Embrace the New Chic: Budget Your Holiday and Save
When traveling, there are a number of ways to save, which given the economic climate today, are more welcomed than ever. Here are a just a few that you might want to keep in mind when planning your next trip. From booking hotels and flights to getting around when you arrive, remember that research goes a long way to paying the right price(s)!
1. Low airfares: These days, comparing prices is a fun challenge for the traveler. In fact, it’s become somewhat chic to brag over what you paid for a particular flight or overall trip. Being able to stretch the dollar is a definite virtue. To start, your first thought is likely to visit popular booking sites, like Orbitz, Travelocity, and Expedia.
By comparing the rates of similar flights at each site (note: they’re not all the same), you’ll be on your way to familiarizing yourself as to what the general fare might be. Also, with the demand for affordable travel, it’s not surprising to find that there are actual search engines dedicated to price-comparison. Visit sites like Kayak, SideStep, or Farecast and make note of when the best deals are available. Being flexible as far as travel dates is also helpful.
2. Look into packages. As Travelocity and similar sites will explain, booking a package may very well save you a “good deal” in the end. Instead of booking a flight, hotel, or car rental separately, you could save hundreds by choosing a package that takes care of all three. While there will likely be some restrictions, such as time of arrival/departure, these are minor adjustments when the reward is extra spending money or simply, the ability to visit your destination of choice.
3. Attractions cards. These passes typically cover a number of the most popular attractions and/or venues for a particular city. For instance, you might look into investing in a CityPass or Go Card. Each of these offers discounts or free admission to certain attractions. What you’ll want to look closely at when making your choice is: 1) the length of your stay, 2) the attractions covered, and 3) the overall cost.
In most cases, you’ll find that the longer your stay, the better the value of a card. If you are only staying in town for a day, then an attractions pass might not be the best investment, as you’ll need to visit a number of places to justify the price. However, if you are staying in town for several days, a 3-day or 5-day pass will likely result in savings. It’s also a matter of convenience, as you’ll have the ability to change your itinerary at a moment’s notice (and not wait in line).
4. Public transportation. With gas prices reaching new highs, it’s definitely a wise choice to look into a city’s public-transportation system. Single- and multiple-day passes can be purchased that will enable you to ride a city’s rail, bus, or metro for free. This will help you avoid paying for parking, as well as wasting time looking for a space.
It’s true that in some cities, like Los Angeles, it’s not very easy to get around without a car. However, for many other cities, such as San Francisco and New York, public transportation is truly the best option. What’s more, you’ll be helping the environment by reducing emissions and your carbon footprint.
5. Sticking to a budget when dining out. While dining out is an essential part to a vacation, spending a bundle doesn’t have to be. Most cities have the hidden, value gem that the locals simply love. When you arrive in a new city, ask for the inside scoop. Also, do research ahead of time by visiting review sites, such as TripAdvisor, Yelp, or ChowHound. Search by price and rating and see which restaurants are getting a “thumbs up” for a consensus.
Once you start, you’ll find that budgeting will flow into everything related to your vacation. From your flight to your hotel to your restaurant of choice. It’ll become your goal to holiday without breaking the bank. And then, upon your return home, you’ll have a great story to share with friends, starting with how much you saved.