Trip Tips to Stay on Budget While on Vacation

July 18, 2024 / By

How to Stay on Budget While on Vacation

Vacations are a great way to relax and have fun! If you don’t plan ahead, it can quickly turn into a financial strain.

With travel choices ranging from destinations, transportation, food, drinks, activities, timing and prices, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.

We have some budget-saving tips to help you save money while on vacation and get more out of your travels for less.

So, how can you save money before and during your vacation?

Saving money while on vacation tips
Saving in key areas can help you travel more!

Creating an effective budget for your trip or finding ways that can save you money will make a huge difference in booking a memorable vacation that you will thoroughly enjoy!

Don’t let uncertainty or budget constraints totally stop you from traveling!

Use our tips to help save money and travel more when planning your trip and embark on your dream journey tomorrow.

Most of these tips can also be applied to staycations, road trips, flying trips, and more.

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budget tips and ideas to save on trips
Savings are possible in key vacation areas!

Budget-Friendly Travel Tips

Below are some tips our team compiled on how to stay on budget or spend less while on vacation.

We’ve grouped them into things you can do to save money during the planning process before the trip and budget-saving ideas to help you save money during the trip.

We also have an Easy Travel Budget Calculator to help you find out how much you’ll need for your trip!

Following some of these can help you have more money to travel more frequently. It can also reduce the budget stress level when traveling.

Table of contents

Budget Tips for Before the Trip (Saving during the planning process)

1. Set a realistic budget

  • Before planning your vacation, set a realistic budget that covers travel expenses, food, lodging, entertainment, and any other expenses that may come up on your trip.
  • To help with budget planning look up restaurants and hotels in the destination that you want to travel to get an idea of costs. It helps to look at the actual menus of restaurants as well to see what is available and what food/drinks will cost if you eat out on vacation.
  • You can still find many areas to save, but having a realistic budget ahead of time alleviates the stress if you stay in budget.

Here are some typical travel costs to keep in mind:

  • Airfare: the price of a domestic ticket is approximately $314 on average. International flights can be up to several hundred dollars more expensive. Additionally, don’t forget that airlines may charge fees for your journey; baggage handling costs start at around $30 and could reach hundreds–depending on how many items you check in!

We are huge fans of setting up a flight search alert at Skyscanner so they can alert you when the price is the lowest!

  • Hotels: When traveling within the US, you can expect to pay an average of $133 per night for a hotel room.
  • Food: Eating out will set the average adult back at approximately $60 per day per person. However, if you are blessed with access to a refrigerator or kitchenette, there is potential for savings through purchasing groceries from a local grocery store.
  • We have our own Travel Makes Me Happy free and useful Easy Travel Budget Calculator that can help with planning.

2. Be flexible on your selected vacation days

  • If your departure and arrival dates are malleable, you can save money on airfare and accommodations. Additionally, research peak travel seasons for your target destinations to plan trips just before or after those times.
  • Traveling in peak season can be quite costly. What is sometimes overlooked, however, is the satisfaction of exploring during low or shoulder season – when prices are lower and crowds fewer!
  • However, what qualifies as off-peak varies by geographic location. For example, the fall season (September – December) may be a low-cost time for Florida travel, it would fall within the National Parks high season during this period. People want to see the fall foliage in the Smoky Mountains so cabins will cost top dollar!
  • To benefit from bargain rates, save yourself some money and research beforehand to determine the best possible timing for your destination getaway!

3. Leverage Hotel or Airline Credit Card Points to Save

“Points Hacking” or “travel hacking” are trendy buzzwords, but you can actually save a ton if you have points and miles to use for your vacation instead of money.

You can also use points to afford a more posh hotel and even use them for activities on many card rewards.

To get a fantastic intro into using points and ideas on what credit cards have the biggest current bonuses visit this beginner’s guide to points and miles from The Points Guy.

4. Research the Trip and Look for deals and discounts

  • If your vacation plans include a cruise seek out resources that offer discounts and perks to save money. Check out Cruise Critic’s “Top 15 Deals,” Ranked by the Cruise Critic Deal Score. A cruise is also budget friendly because food and entertainment is included in the price so it can save money.
  • Cut costs on your next getaway without compromising the fun with Groupon, LivingSocial and other coupon sites. Enjoy substantial discounts from restaurant bookings to local attractions such as laser tag or wine tastings – all within your allotted budget!
  • If you’re going to a specific city, you can purchase a USA Sightseeing Pass 1 Ticket to over 250 Attractions in 10 USA Destinations to access that city’s top attractions. For example, if you’re visiting New York City, one ticket will give you access to the Empire State Building, the American Museum of Natural History, and 9/11 Memorial & Museum. We used this in New York City with the hop on hop off bus addition and it really saved on getting around and seeing everything in our time there. I would look at each city’s attractions and make sure you will visit them because it doesn’t save money unless you visit a few of the included attractions on your trip.
  • Visit tour booking websites like Viator and Get Your Guide to see available tours in the destination. You can read reviews from others who have taken the tours or done the activities and see all that there is to do in the area that you are visiting.

Tip: To ensure you don’t miss out on the cheapest prices, it is important to clear your browser cookies and use a private or incognito window while searching for flights. Websites have an insidious practice of tracking what prices you’ve seen in the past. So if you want to maintain competition and remain thrifty, remember to be discreet when browsing!

Hotel Imperial room Vienna Amazing stay
Using hotel points can be a budget saving way to an amazing room on your trip.

4. Consider an all-inclusive package

  • An all-inclusive vacation package can be a great way to stay on budget if you know what’s included in the price. Be sure to check for hidden fees and read reviews before booking any package. We have had good experiences with Sandals Resorts .
  • If you’re traveling to a location with resort hotels, many of them provide all-inclusive packages. And so do cruise lines! These usually include meals, drinks, and activities so you won’t have to worry about going over budget. (Find Your Perfect Cruise Ship Vacation on Cruise Critic)
  • These can be great options for families who want to stay within their budget and still enjoy a hassle-free vacation.

4. Weigh Your Trip Transportation Options

Research your options on getting to and from your destination to see if it will be better to take an epic road trip, fly in, take a train, or other option.

Sometimes it will save more money to drive. A benefit is that you may get to see more than if you just fly in and out of your destination

Consider an RV rental to make road trips easier and have enough room for your whole group. It is not as expensive as booking several hotel rooms if you have a large group. Find the Best RV Rental Specials

5. Plan ahead for meals

  • Research restaurants in advance and look for deals and discounts. Many restaurants have happy hours for cocktails and appetizers or a lunch menu that is typically less expensive than the dinner menu. Some even have “early bird” specials on dinner menus before certain times.
  • You can also buy groceries in advance or plan to cook your own meals to save money on food while you’re away. Make sure you stock up on snacks before your journey. Fruits, energy bars, and canned food are ideal for travel as they require no refrigeration – perfect for a road trip!

6. Create an itinerary before your trip

  • As you save up for your amazing trip, start planning the memorable activities that await. What tours will you take? Which attractions should be reserved in advance? Like previously mentioned, visit websites like Viator and Get Your Guide to see available tours or visit local tourism websites.
  • Look for free things to do at your vacation destination to add to your daily list.
  • Creating an itinerary before your trip will help organize each day and give you an idea of what you are spending potentially each day so you can assess where there are opportunities to save money.
  • Consider dedicating a day to relaxation if there is an action-packed schedule on another. I find comfort in prebooking and paying ahead of time; it allows me to check things off my list easily! Just make sure there is a good cancellation policy no matter what you book in case things change.

7. Travel insurance

  • Life can be unpredictible sometimes and trips are no different. Be prepared and protect all of your planning and investment. Don’t be left in a situation where the only payment method available is an expensive cash advance. Odds are that your trip will go as planned, but having travel insurance adds that extra layer of protection that can save your bank account.
  • Set up some emergency funds to provide relief when times get tough. Purchase travel insurance to ensure compensation if any of your plans go awry. It will usually cover lost luggage, trip delay, and other unexpenced issues (Some credit cards also have lost luggage and trip delay protection so make sure to check before you book). Travel insurance also can cover if unforseen issues come up that you need medical care. Find the Perfect Insurance Plan for Your Trip

Budget-saving tips During your vacation

breakfast dish with juice at Hotel Imperial Vienna budget tips
Taking advantage of Free hotel breakfasts can save money on a trip.

1. Tips to save on food and drink during your trip

  • Research restaurants in advance and look for deals and discounts. Many restaurants have happy hours or a lunch menu that is typically less expensive than the dinner menu.
  • You can also buy groceries in advance or plan to cook your own meals to save money on food while you’re away. Make sure you stock up on snacks before your journey. Fruits, energy bars, and canned food are ideal for travel as they require no refrigeration – perfect for a road trip!
  • When traveling abroad, packing your own food for the duration of your trip may not be realistic. However, you can still bring along reusable water bottles to reduce spending on drinks while away!
  • Choose a hotel that offers free breakfast! This will save you money daily if you take advantage of it! Some hotels such as Embassy Suites also offer an evening reception with free cocktails and snacks.
  • If you have status with a hotel chain that includes lounge access, you can save on meals by eating in the executive lounge of the hotel (if there is one). It is a great way to save on food and cocktails.
  • Most cruise lines allow adult passengers to bring aboard a bottle of wine or champagne in their carry-on. So, take advantage of this to lower your cocktail bill at the end of a cruise. Just make sure to bring a wine bottle with a screw top or bring a corkscrew (if allowed) to avoid corkage fees.
City park in new orleans is amazing and free
New Orleans’ City Park is amazing and there are many FREE things to see and do

2. Visit parks, city parks and other natural attractions during your trip

  • Seeking out parks and natural elements on your vacation can help keep things in budget and save money. Many natural attractions are free or if there is a fee it is minimal. For national parks purchasing a membership may save additional entry fees if you will visit a few during your trip.
  • If you are into geocaching this is another fun way to get outdoors and save money on a trip.
  • A beach day (if one is near) is always a good idea and free!
  • Make sure to check out what city parks are close to your destination. If they have a website check to see if there are any activities that you can do during your trip dates.
  • Visiting a local farmer’s market or grocery and packing a picnic to eat in a local park is a rewarding way to spend the afternoon and save money making memories on your vacation.
Vienna orchestra free performance outdoor
Finding free music or festivals will save money on your trip.

3. Take advantage of free festivals, music, or other entertainment during a trip

  • We love just sitting and listening to great live music as well as exploring everthing that we can fit in no matter what city we visit! The photo above is from a free performance by the Vienna Orchestra that we were lucky enough to catch on a trip outside of the Opera House. It was an amazing experience that we still talk about.
  • A great budget hack is to find out if your vacation destination has any free festivals or other events going on during your stay. This can save so much money and give lasting memories. A great way to start the search is to visit the Dept. of Tourism or Chamber of Commerce websites. Then, view the event calendar for your vacation destination to see what is available during your dates.
  • There are some truly great free music festivals across the U.S. We have our favorite, French Quarter Festival, here in New Orleans, but there are even more that are not as well known that locals (and visitors) love such as Lafayette Square Wednesdays!
Vienna Museum architecture and murals
Visiting local museums can be a great budget saving tip.

4. Visit local museums on your trip

  • Museums may have discounted days or may be free during your visit. This, will help you save money and give you an enriching activity to do on a trip. When we visited London for the first time, I was so impressed that most of the museums were free to visit! We tried to fit them all in!
  • The Smithsonian Museums in Washington D.C. are also free! Even if the museums in your destination it still makes a budget-friendly way to enjoy the day. Most also have student, veterans, and senior discounted admissions.
  • Check the websites of museums in the destination that you plan to visit too. Many offer culturally enriching programs and events that may coincide with your trip dates and give you something inexpensive (or free) to do!

Tip: If you hold a credit or debit card from Bank Of America they offer free admission to select museums all over the U.S. on the first weekend of each month! If you plan this into your trip it can save money! Here’s the link to Bank Of America’s free museum program

4. Resist overspending on trip souvenirs

  • It can be easy to get carried away buying souvenirs. Try to stick to a budget when shopping for mementos for your trip. I will admit that a hack I used (I read it on a Disney Blog) when my boys were young and Disney World was our usual trip destination was to order Disney momentos on Ebay before the trip and pack them to bring with us. So the boys were happy to get a fun souvenir and I was happy to not pay the big Disney prices. They were always excited and it saved money for us.
  • You can also look for handmade items or local products to add some unique touches to your vacation without breaking the bank. Stickers are also always inexpensive and easy to transport home for everyone on your list!
  • Saving fancy branded cocktail stirrers, napkins, or other free momentos makes a perfect souvenir to remind you of an amazing vacation!
  • You can also avoid being a tourist in name only and skip the trinkets. Instead of returning physical items, why not focus on stocking up on memories? That way, you’ll have a more enjoyable journey, lighter luggage, and more savings for future travels!

More Budget Resources to Help Save you Money on your Trip

  • Use aggregate sites to find deals on cruises. Top 15 Cruise Deals Are Now Available at Cruise Critic! You can also read reviews on cruise ships, excursions, and everything cruise-related here in their “forum” board section.
  • Rent an RV for as low as $75 a night and save money on taking the whole family with you! It is much more inexpensive than renting several hotel rooms. It is also a fantastic way to save on a Disney World trip!
  • Save the checked bag fees by investing in great carry on luggage that will fit all of the essentials! Shop Now and Skip Airline Fees with these Carry-Ons!

Bottom Line on tips to help you stay within your vacation budget

Investing the time to study your destination before you depart can help you stick to a budget, and allow for an enjoyable journey around the globe.

By following these tips, you can have an enjoyable and memorable vacation without going over budget!

Do you have any tips or budget hacks to add? Let us know in the comments below. Happy Travels!

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