How to Travel On a Budget

Many people want to travel and take vacations, but end up overspending and use credit cards to fund their journey. Instead of coming back from a relaxing vacation with the stress of paying off the credit card, take these steps to have a debt free travel!

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. 
    

   Set up a budget for your trip. Whether you use an envelop system, a separate checking or savings account, or a piggy bank - make sure you have a place to save up for your travels. If you are planning a year in advance to go on a $1200 trip, you'll put away $100 a month. If you are planning in February to go on that vacation in June, you'll need to put $300-$400 away each month. You get the idea...

2. If possible, be flexible. When we look into traveling to visit family, we know there are certain months where the prices are almost 1/2 the normal price! These are definitely the times to go. If you are able to go or buy plane tickets when the deals come up, you'll really be able to take advantage of a cheaper travel.

3. 
    

   Do your research. As stated in step 2 there are great times to travel on a tighter budget. There are also times where hotels, car rentals, cruises, etc are a lower price. Do your research to find out when those are and plan around that. Check out farecast.com which is a great way to compare prices of flights as well as get a prediction on whether prices will go up, down, or stay consistent. This site will be in the resource section as well.

4. Think of alternatives. Go back packing, hiking, camping instead of staying at a fancy hotel. Drive your car someplace closer instead of getting an expensive flight. Go to a location that may be more obscure. Sometimes countries that are less traveled to are really cheap once you get there - and beautiful! There are definitely hidden treasures and finds out there!

5. Look for free stuff. Google and check out blogs that give you free activities within the place you're headed to. For a recent trip into New York City, I looked at the cheap and free section of nymag.com. I found out about a free art walk in Soho. Definitely a great option.

6. 
    

   Set a food/activity budget within your greater budget. Once you know or estimate how much your travel to and from the location(s) will be, divide the rest so you know how much you have per day to spend. Then pick accordingly. It's helpful to have a breakdown so that it doesn't get spent quickly in excitement and then there is nothing left for the end.

7. If all else fails and you just don't have the money, stay local! Look up activities, restaurants, concerts, and free happenings around your area or within an hour or 2. That way you can enjoy a day trip or a 2 day gig. You'll see things around you that you may not have noticed before and be relaxed in the process.

Tips & Warnings

• Create a realistic budget for your trip and stay within it.
• Use cash - that way you won't be paying for your trip when it's come and gone.
• Make sure you've done some research, especially if you do go to a new place for you and one that is less traveled. Make sure you are thinking about safety issues.
• Always remember requirements of having visa and passport when traveling outside of your country. Forgetting that could really heft up the bill!

Resources

• Farecast - Flights
• Free Flight Upgrades
• RV Travel Guide
• Get Paid to Travel

[westernmom]

on 4/17/2009 Very good tips on traveling on a budget. I remember a trip we took with our 5 kids to southern Calif and I planned and budgeted so much that we came home with $900 left! Thanks for writing. 5*

[vs4421]

on 4/16/2009 I loved your realistic and practical tips on how to travel on a budget. 5*

[JeannieKerns]

on 4/15/2009 Great article :o)

[waters]

on 4/15/2009 Good information; how to travel on a budget.