Budget Travel

Holiday Tips for those on a Budget

Just about every holidaymaker is interested in keeping the cost of their adventures low.  Most people work all year just to be able to enjoy a one or two week vacation away from their daily stress.  Unless you are independently wealthy and money is not an issue, chances are you will be interested in the following tips for getting the most value out of your limited vacation dollars.

When planning for a particular destination, especially a popular one like Orlando, Europe or the Caribbean, it pays to plan ahead.  Be sure to spend some time researching the local attractions, and comparing various lodging options.  Look for available discounts, and see if it is possible to purchase things like theme park tickets or museum admissions before your arrival.  Doing so can save you time and money.


Try taking your holiday in the offseason or shoulder season.  Avoiding the high season can provide many benefits, including lower prices and fewer crowds.  Prices on airline tickets, car rentals, accommodations, and cruises often drop considerably after the high season has gone.


If you have friends or relatives near your chosen destination, consider asking them for a place to stay.  It can be fun for people to show visitors around their town, and they may enjoy having the company.  While using this approach, however, be sure to chip in by doing chores, paying for groceries, filling the gas tank in the family car, etc.


If your vacation includes flying to your destination, try and plan it for the times of the year when airfares are generally the cheapest.  For most destinations, this period runs from February through May and September through December.  The one exception to this is the week before Thanksgiving and the two weeks leading up to Christmas when prices go back up.  If you must fly during the high season, be sure to research the fares on low-cost airlines.


When you are traveling by car, don't forget to pack lots of ready to eat food, to avoid buying expensive restaurant meals. When planning your hotel stays, try to have a balance between a convenient location and a low price.  Hotels closer to a given attraction are generally more expensive, while those in the suburbs and outlying areas tend to be less costly. 

For a low-cost alternative to expensive hotels, consider renting an RV for your next vacation.  There are several rental agencies that offer rentals and RV campgrounds are also generally much less expensive than traditional hotel rooms.


When renting a car, choose the smallest, most fuel-efficient vehicle you can find.  Not only are compact and subcompact cars cheaper to rent, but they are cheaper to operate as well.

If the destination you are traveling to has good public transportation options, you may not need your own car, or a rental car, at all.  Many large cities in the United States and Europe have good bus, subway and train systems, so a personal car might not be necessary.

Camping can be an excellent and very low-cost vacation for nature lovers of all ages and interests.  Campgrounds are easy to find and inexpensive.  Also, many campgrounds offer great amenities, such as swimming pools, sports, and movie nights.

Planning activities that do not need a lot of money to enjoy, such as hiking and swimming, is a good way to maximize value and minimize vacation spending.  Also, museums and historical sites generally have very low priced admissions and can be fun for the entire family.

Compare the amenities of the hotels carefully.  Decide what is important to you, and use those priorities as a guide when choosing from among comparably priced hotels.

If traveling in your own car, make sure it is up for the trip.  A good pre-vacation checkup or tune-up can save a lot of problems.  Car repairs on the road can be both inconvenient and expensive.

When eating in restaurants, try to avoid those that obviously cater to the tourist crowd.  Eating where the locals do will allow you to enjoy better food at lower prices.

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Saving Money with European Rail Passes 

Planning a trip to Europe is a must for many budget-conscious travelers, and many young college students would not dream of entering the real world without first spending a summer backpacking through Europe.

Even though the costs of traveling to and within Europe have risen in recent years, European travel can still be remarkably affordable, for independent tourists and families alike.

One of the most popular methods to save cash when traveling within Europe is to buy a rail pass.  Rail passes are highly popular among all sorts of travelers, and there are rail passes to suit almost every budget and travel needs.

As you select from among the many rail passes available to European travelers, it is important to tailor the pass you buy to your needs, and consider destinations that you plan to visit before leaving your home.

This is because there are many different kinds of rail passes available. Some rail passes are for one country, while others are for any country in Europe for a given period.  Those planning to travel only within a single country, therefore, can often save money by purchasing a single country pass.

Those who are planning to spend significant time in Europe, especially those who want to visit many different locations, may want to check into buying a rail pass for an extended length of time.  These kinds of prolonged length rail passes are often less costly in the long run for travelers who intend to stay awhile.

There are several ways you can buy European rail passes before leaving home, and it is generally a good idea to do so.  Most travel agents can help you buy European rail passes, as well as providing advice on which type of rail pass suits you best.  AAA also provides valuable information on European rail passes, a convenient way to buy them, and in some cases a nice discount as well.

Additionally, European rail passes are now available directly on the internet from many sources, and it may be a good idea to purchase a European rail pass straight from these sources.  Just be sure you allow plenty of time for the rail pass to arrive before you leave for your vacation.  While ordering rail passes directly from European sources, remember that they may take considerably longer to reach you.

Using European rail passes after your arrival is generally easy, but it is important to remember that many trains in Europe require a reservation, and simply carrying a rail pass doesn't give you a reservation.  It is important to make your reservation on the train you want as soon as possible after arriving in Europe or ask about making one before leaving home.

It is also important to keep in mind that many overnight trains will require an additional reservation, and extra money, for sleeping compartments.  This can be an important consideration for long-distance trains, so be sure to ask about the sleeping facilities that are available when booking.

Travel by train is a lot more comfortable, and far more popular, within Europe than it is in the United States, and the majority of European trains are very comfortable, very fast and very safe.  Train travel is the recommended method of travel for many Europeans, and the rail system in Europe is known for its effectiveness and reasonable prices.  Traveling throughout Europe on the train is an excellent way for sightseeing without breaking the budget.