Ways to Save Money When You Travel

The staycation trend is beginning to fade but most people’s budgets are still tight and everyone is interested in ways to minimize vacation expenses.  If you want to travel without added expenses, here are some money saving tips to consider.

It Starts at the Airport

Pack light.  Back in the day, checking luggage was a right but now it’s a privilege.  Most major airlines charge a fee to put your suitcase in the hold, so see what other options you might have.  How many carry-on pieces are you allowed?  Can a garment bag be one of them?  What about a backpack?  If you’re travelling with a companion, can you consolidate suitcases?  How does the price of checking a bag compare to Fedexing the same stuff to you in care of the hotel?  Depending on your destination and the cost, it might be cheaper to buy certain necessities after you arrive.  Many hotels provide complimentary toiletries, even toothbrushes and blow driers on request, so perhaps you don’t need to bring the entire contents of your bathroom cupboard.

Choose Your Destination Carefully

Save money on airfare by choosing a smaller nearby location.  People flying regularly into New York know that flights to LaGuardia are much more costly than landing in Newark, New Jersey and the time spent driving isn’t very different.  Travelling in the off-season cuts cost too.  New Orleans is very costly during Mardi Gras but it’s still beautiful, historic and the home of jazz at other times of year.

Schedule Mini-Vacations on Layovers

Work in a little extra vacation adventure by using your layover time to its fullest.  Especially on overseas flights, the wait for a connection can mean 8 or 10 hours sitting in an airport doing nothing.  Don’t waste that time!  Stow your luggage in a locker and hit the city you’re in.  Check out a museum or historical site, cruise the shopping district, sample the local cuisine.  Be sure to allow yourself enough time to check back in before your departing flight.