Traveling is a great way to enjoy new experiences, learn about the world, bond with your family, and take a break from the monotony of daily living. But the cost of travel can be prohibitive. So many families don’t get away as frequently as they’d like or miss out on places they’ve dreamed of visiting. Fortunately, there are lots of ways to travel and explore the world without breaking the bank.
Visit with family or friends
When thinking about where to travel on a small budget, visiting places near family or friends can help keep the costs down. Depending on the situation, it could reduce or eliminate the need for a hotel, rental car, or eating out every meal. Traveling to an area near family or friends can also reduce your entertainment cost since spending time visiting and catching up will serve as part of your entertainment. It’s also an excellent opportunity to have your own local tour guide since your family or friends there will know all the hot spots, attractions, and not-to-be-missed sightseeing.
Compare costs
With so many airlines, hotels, and tours to choose from, planning a trip can be overwhelming. Fortunately, many websites simplify this by allowing you to enter your travel dates and preferences to compare prices and features from different companies. These websites are particularly helpful for comparing costs in a single place and keeping track of your findings. Some of the most popular include Booking.com, Priceline, Expedia, Kayak, and Trivago.
When searching online for travel deals, there are a few tricks to know in order to get the best deals. Many websites use cookies and can see when you’ve been searching for specific hotels or flights. There is some evidence, according to William McGee, aviation advisor for Consumer Reports, that pricing may be based in part on your search history. An easy fix is to clear the cookies in your browser before visiting the same travel website again, so the site can’t track you following specific companies, destinations, or deals.
There are also many theories about the best time to book your flight, with the most common being on a Tuesday afternoon, six weeks before your trip. While this exact date is subject to debate, it does seem that airline fare sales tend to start on Tuesdays. Your best bet is to start checking fares early and pay attention to any patterns. Some airlines also have better deals if you book at least two weeks before your trip.
Road trip
If you’re traveling as a family, the cost of airline tickets for everyone adds up quickly. Depending on how far you plan to travel, a road trip might be a good option. Your journey can become part of your vacation. Gas for one car which can hold everyone will likely cost much less than airline tickets for multiple people. It can also be better for the planet.
Discounts and deals
Websites like Groupon and LivingSocial offer significant discounts on specific travel deals. Because they only offer deals to particular places within a range of dates, this is a good option if you want to travel but don’t have a specific destination or dates in mind. Depending on your age and interests, some companies host trips and tours with lodging, attractions, and travel costs included. Traveling with a tour group can result in deeper discounts than traveling alone. Topdeck and Contiki are popular group tour hosts that cater mainly to young adults and offer specific budget travel options. For all ages, Flash Pack and Austin Adventures are excellent choices.
Companies such as Costco or AAA also offer travel packages at discounted prices. By signing up for a free membership on certain websites, such as Hotels.com, you can earn free hotel-stay nights and get exclusive discounts on hotels.
Another way to reduce your travel cost is to save up money for travel with a travel rewards credit card that caters to your travel interests. Many airlines offer credit cards on which you can earn miles to redeem for future travel. Some specific travel destinations, like Disney, also have credit cards you can use to earn rewards toward future vacation costs. Capital One and many other credit card companies also offer similar travel reward credit cards that provide greater travel flexibility.
Travel locally
It’s easy to overlook fascinating or exciting attractions, sightseeing, and activities that are close to home. If you have the travel bug but lack the time or money for a big trip, do some research to see what opportunities and adventures you can find nearby for a weekend or day trip. “One-tank” trips from the Monterey Bay include family-friendly cities located in the counties of San Luis Obispo, Sonoma, and Marin. A short visit to Paso Robles (so many fun child-centered attractions!) or a visit to Sausalito with its awesome children’s museum and numerous hiking options could be the perfect answer. It’s easier to pack food for a short journey, which can also save you money instead of eating every meal out. You might be surprised at what exciting new things you’ve been missing out on locally or nearby.
Realize that with a little creativity and effort, traveling doesn’t need to be out of reach just because of a small budget. If you plan ahead and travel smart, you can find lots of opportunities to explore the world around you.
Kimberly Blaker is a freelance parenting and lifestyle writer.