Planning one without derailing your budget
If you are a social media maverick, you’ve probably seen plenty of mouth-dropping, eye-popping vacation pictures from your friends. From white sand beaches to historical romps through Europe, to photography-worthy holidays on the slopes, you’ve seen the photos from them all, and you have probably been left wondering how your friends are affording such picturesque vacations. Well, while your pals might be breaking the bank for their holiday photos, you can have an Instagram-worthy vacation without derailing your budget, as long as you follow a few simple tips.
Vacation Off-Peak
To keep your vacation budget in check, consider vacationing during off-peak times for your locale. When the demand for rooms and flights drop, the pricing on those rooms and flights fall, too. Almost every vacation destination has a peak season. On the east coast, for example, New England beach towns see an influx of travelers in the summer months. During the winter months, Caribbean islands burst with vacationers; and, school holidays are a busy time for Disney World and other family-friendly locales. Do your research on your desired destination and find out when their off-season is. Plan to visit during the off-season to score a great deal.
Look for Boutique Hotels
Sometimes boutique hotels that aren’t in prime locations will offer better deals on vacation packages. For example, look for a hotel that is a bit more inland from a beach if you are planning a beach vacation. The closer you get to the sand, the higher the premium will be on your hotel room. If you are willing to drive to the beach each day or are eager to walk or bike, you can capture a much better deal on your room. You won’t be spending all that much time in the room anyway, and it can help keep your vacation budget in check.
Stay Alerted to Deals
Airlines, cruise lines, and hotels will often offer deals to loyal customers, or those who join a loyalty program. These special deals can help you save a bundle on your vacation while ensuring you get to go to the destinations that you are desperate to see. If your schedule is a bit more flexible, you can score last minute deals on cruises, as the line scrambles to fill empty rooms. You may want to consider opening an email address that is specifically dedicated to these types of deals, so you don’t miss a single one.
Travel Mid-Week
Weekends are the most popular time to leave for a trip and to return, so the prices on flights are often higher on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. To save a bit of your vacation budget for something more fun, consider flying in and out of town during the middle of the week. In many cases, a flight on Wednesday evening will be significantly cheaper than a flight on Friday afternoon. If your schedule is flexible, you can save a good bit of money by flying during non-peak times.
Don’t Rely on Deal Websites
Travel websites can be a great resource, but to save on your vacation budget, you may be better served checking the official sites for your destination. Often, these websites will share special deals they’ve made directly with hotels and airlines. You can also save a bundle on airfare by checking the airline websites directly. If you plan on checking airline websites, it is best to check on Tuesday mornings. Deals come out Monday evening, and competing airlines will follow suit the next day to match or outdo their competitors.
Just because you are living on a budget and planning for a bright future, you don’t have to forgo an Instagram-worthy vacation. You can enjoy a picturesque getaway while still abiding by your vacation budget, and the best part is when you get home you won’t have to hustle to get your household budget back on track. So do some research and enjoy quality time away from the responsibilities of daily life with family and friends.
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