Traveling doesn’t have to become an incredible expense. Sure, it will always cost a bit of money, but there are plenty of tips and tricks out there to help you get the most out of your dollar along the way. Before your next big adventure, do a little research into how to get the biggest bang for your buck.
Start here, with these 6 tips for traveling on a budget!
1. Travel Off Season.
Accommodations, flights, and tourist activities are typically always more expensive during peak travel seasons. If you’re looking to save money, be open to the idea of traveling during what might be considered the area’s shoulder or off season. You’ll enjoy fewer crowds and reduced prices.
After all, there are plenty of unforgettable sights to see, even in the winter! Discover these 5 incredible winter road trips in America.
2. Take a Road Trip.
Travel doesn’t always mean leaving on a jetplane. Consider a road trip for your next adventure to enjoy significant cost savings. Road trips are great for family travel, giving everyone the opportunity to bond, learn, and experience new people and places along the way. There’s just something about a road trip that says “quality time.”
We have plenty of resources to help you make the most of your road trip, including:
- 10 Travel apps for your next road trip
- The 10 best road trip songs of all time
- A pre-road trip checklist
- 7 Ways to keep children entertained on the road
3. Use Extended Stay Accommodations
Instead of paying per night as you would at a regular hotel, when you book a room at an extended stay property you pay by the week with rates comparable to just a night or two at an average hotel.
Extended stay rooms are great options for stays of a week or more, and if you know you’ll be staying for 30 days or more, at many locations you’ll have the option of taking advantage of savings by prepaying for the month.
Many properties also offer Stow and Go promotions where if you need to leave town for a few days, you can keep your room and all of your belongings for a low nightly rate – along with being cost efficient, it saves the hassle of packing and unpacking!
4. Look for Free Activities.
Do some research before you go to find out what’s available at your destination in the way of free entertainment. From free walking, biking, and history tours, to Free Days or discounted days at local museums and galleries, you’ll be able to find a few great activities for little to no cost. Be sure to also make a list of locations with free WiFi!
5. Cook Your Own Meals.
Dining out adds to the whole travel experience, and can be a really enjoyable part of your adventure. But there are certain meals (think breakfast, and snacks) that make sense to prepare on your own to keep your budget in check. Look for accommodations with some form of kitchen facility (like our extended stay accommodation options!).
6. Use Public Transportation.
Really get to know your destination by traveling as the locals do. Ditch the expensive cab rides, and instead, hop on the bus or subway! You’ll enjoy discovering routes through the area and taking in the sights along the way. Consider buying a pass instead of paying for single tickets.
A small budget doesn’t mean you’ll have less fun on your travels. Get creative and do your research, you’ll be surprised at how many ways there are to save along the way! Find InTown Suites’ extended stay properties on the road; your home away from home during your next great adventure.