If you are of a certain age, you might remember a book written in 1957 by travel expert Arthur Frommer—”Europe on 5 Dollars a Day.” On the first page, he wrote:
“This is a book for American tourists who own no oil wells in Texas; are unrelated to the Aga Kahn [He was a really rich guy!]; and, who have never struck it rich in Las Vegas, but who still want to enjoy a wonderful European vacation.”
While it is impossible today to take a vacation anywhere and spend only $5 a day, travelers—be they going near or far—can still get smart, stretch their travel dollars, and enjoy memorable vacations.
WHY BOTHER SAVING MONEY WHEN TRAVELING?—Being a budget traveler simply means that you want to seek out the best values for the travel dollars 
that you have to spend. Budget travel does not mean that you must stay in hostels, subsist on one meal a day, hitch hike, or not have much fun. What it does mean is taking time before your trip to search for bargains and once you have arrived, spending your money wisely. Keep this in mind: spending more does not guarantee a fantastic travel experience.
If you have the need to better manage your travel dollars, read on and discover countless tips that will make it possible for your travel dreams to better align with your financial reality.
BEFORE YOU GO: WHEN TO TRAVEL—Off-season rates on airfare and accommodations are a budget traveler’s delight. The off-season varies from destination to destination, as winter is the off-season in Europe, but it is the high-season at Colorado ski resorts.
Remember, though, that some hotels, restaurants, and attractions are not open during the non-peak tourist times. For instance, in the Black Hills of South Dakota, fall is a wonderful time to visit as the weather is spectacular and the crowds are smaller. Hotel rates are significantly less but some restaurants have closed for the season.
Fall is a glorious time to travel to the Black Hills!
© Deborah Erickson
Realistically, many families must travel during the summer when the kids are not in school. If this is the only time you can travel, look for other ways to save money.
BEFORE YOU GO: AIRFARE—If you travel any distance, airfare will probably be one of your biggest expenses. Take some time to shop around for the best deal, although cheap airfares are pretty much non-existent. You might have to settle for reasonable rates.
(Photo courtesy of WikiMedia Commons)
- Use the Internet to look at not only airfare booking sites (Travelocity, Orbitz, Expedia, etc.) but the airline websites themselves.
- Get on the email list for several airlines. They will let you know of sales as soon as they become available.
- Sometimes you can save money by being flexible with your travel days.
- Be realistic as to what you need to pay extra for and what you can do without. Some airlines might offer a lower base rate but extra charges (food and beverages, in-flight entertainment, checked and even carry-on baggage) will raise the cost significantly.
- Use frequent flyer miles or travel points.
- Avoid change fees by making sure your reservation is correct before you book.
- Can you bundle air and hotel and save a bit of money?
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BEFORE YOU GO: ACCOMMODATIONS—If you will only be in the hotel to sleep, consider lodging that meets the criteria of clean, safe and comfortable. A lower-priced, budget hotel chain will often fit your needs.
Disney World’s All-Star Music Resort
(Photo courtesy of Trip Advisor)
Sometimes, the hotel is part of the destination’s experience itself, like the on-property hotels at Walt Disney World. However, you can still save money by staying at one of the value resorts.
You can save money on both rental cars and hotel rooms by staying outside of the city center and using public transportation to get around. Check schedules, routes and available discounts to see if this will work for you.
If you really don’t need a pool, on-site restaurant, gym, or concierge, why pay for those services? Does the hotel offer free breakfast? Bed and breakfast establishments offer viable alternatives to hotels. Internet research will be invaluable in finding a place to stay that will meet your needs and your budget.
A bed-and-breakfast in England
© Deborah Erickson
Check online reviews at a site like TripAdvisor. Even if the price tag seems reasonable, a lot of bad reviews about a particular place should send up red flags.
On the hotel’s web site, look for Internet specials and discounts given to AAA, AARP, or military. Be sure to take your membership cards. Call and ask if a discount is given for paying with cash.
Be aware of the hotel’s cancellation policy. Often, a really good rate is available but it is non-refundable.
How will you get to the hotel from the airport? Is a complimentary shuttle available? Will a bus or train drop you close by? A bit of pre-planning might save some money.
Book an accommodation at one of the rental-by-owner websites.
(Photo courtesy of VRBO)
Rental-by-owner websites (VRBO and AIRBNB, for example) offer stays in private residences at rates often much less than hotels. From entire houses to just a room, cabins to condos, this online way to book an accommodation is touted by many as the only way to go.
BEFORE YOU GO: DO YOUR HOMEWORK—Thanks to the Internet, a lot of money can be saved long before you hit the road. But, be aware that anyone can post anything on the Internet!
A tour in Egypt might advertise that you will “see the Great Pyramids” . . . . . for only 30 minutes. “Just a short walk from the train station” could mean almost anything. That “beautiful swimming pool” is actually located in the parking lot and is the size of a postage stamp.
The hotel’s website made no mention of how small the pool was.
© Deborah Erickson
Gather information from reliable sources such as TripAdvisor, Rick Steves, and visitor bureaus. Be a knowledgeable traveler as folks with no information run out of money quickly.
If you have done some pre-trip research and have a good idea of what you want to do once you arrive, you will be less likely to overspend on an unplanned, pricey splurge. Sometimes pre-booking attraction tickets online will save money.
Use Google Earth’s satellite maps to gauge the distance between your accommodation and the beach, town center, or subway.
A map from Google Earth can give you a good visual perspective.
(Map courtesy of Google Earth)
Look for discount coupons. Google (YOUR DESTINATION) TOURISM COUPONS and see what you get. At your destination, hotels and street corners offer booklets full of coupons.
Check Groupon for discounts where you will be traveling. Make sure you will actually use the coupon before purchasing.
Many attractions offer AAA, AARP and military discounts. Check online so you can include savings in your pre-trip budget planning.
Check weather.com before you head out. Packing appropriately for the weather will save you time and money as you won’t need to shop for different clothing.
Before you travel, it would be helpful to know what the weather will be.
© Deborah Erickson
Before you travel, especially out of the country, let your credit card company know of your plans. If they can’t reach you to verify out-of-the-country purchases, they will shut your card down.
Several cities are considered “jump-off” cities where you can include two destinations in one trip. For example, a vacation in Las Vegas can also become a trip to the Grand Canyon, which is only about 250 miles from Vegas. You can save money by combining trips.
Tack on a stay at the Grand Canyon to your Las Vegas trip.
© Deborah Erickson
Future posts will share more budget-worthy tips. Stay tuned!
