4 Little-Known Ways To Make Summer Travel More Affordable
Written by
Laura Bogart
Edited by
Nick Friedman
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Whether your family is counting down the days until summer vacation or you want to use the warmer months to take a solo excursion, you’re likely thinking of ways to make travel more affordable. Unfortunately, your bank account isn’t as limitless as your imagination, so you’ll have to get creative about saving money on your summer adventures.
Sometimes, that means finding a more budget-friendly way to hit the road. Other times, it means reshaping the image you have of what that dream vacation looks like — and finding that your newer version is actually more fun.
It’s true: Planning an affordable summer excursion doesn’t have to be hard. If you follow some lesser-known tips and tricks, you could be relaxing in the sunshine, touring a famed landmark or exploring more exotic parts of nature — without breaking the bank.
Find a ‘Hidden Gem’ of a Destination
Almost everyone wants to go to Disney World or that poppin’ beach during the summer — and the owners of the nearby hotels, restaurants and attractions know it. That’s why you’re more likely to find the cost of, well, everything, goes up when you’re in a hot spot. So, why not find some place far cooler? With some research, you can find lesser-known destinations that offer you a unique experience at a far better price.
For example, if you’re wanting a week at the beach, you might skip over that tourist destination for a town a few miles over. You could find that, for a few extra minutes drive to the beach, you’ll get cheaper hotel rates and food prices that don’t give you indigestion, while also enjoying fewer crowds and more local charm.
Or if your kids are clamoring for a day out at a theme park, you could find one that is a shorter drive, closer to home. The kiddos might just find that they like the less crowded park as much as their parents like the less expensive admission fee.
Build Out Your Vacation from One Spot
Sometimes, it’s easy to feel like a vacation isn’t complete unless you’ve hit the most places in a week or two — like you haven’t really lived it up if you don’t have an entire slide show of destinations to dazzle your friends and family. But those travel costs sure do add up, and you’ve spent half your time in transit.
Instead, you can pick a central hub, like one city or town, based around the destinations surrounding it. Who cares whether your vacation is Instagram-worthy? It’s your vacation, and if it sounds fun to you, that’s all that matters.
Picking a central location for your adventures allows you to skip the airfare and save money by renting a car, or even using your vehicle, instead. You’ll also get to stay in one hotel, which means you won’t be playing hopscotch with nightly rates.
Find Free or Low-Cost Activities
A lot of the activities you truly enjoy, such as hiking, viewing art, exploring history or going to the beach, can be free or very low cost in the right circumstances. Planning your summer travel around these activities requires some research, like finding the best hiking trails and beaches, or museums with free admissions.
You might be able to fit some of these destinations into one road trip, but you should also be flexible. To save money, you may need to plan multiple trips throughout the summer to see everything.
Take a Staycation
If you really want to reduce your travel costs, you can always forgo them entirely to take a staycation. Now, a staycation doesn’t mean you stay holed up in your home, binging your favorite shows (though there’s no shame in that!). It can be a prime opportunity to explore your city.
Are there destinations you haven’t had a chance to see yet? Hit ’em up now. Do you want to splurge on the gourmet restaurant that earned a rave review in your local paper? Since you’re saving on all other costs, why not make a fun night of it?
Final Take To GO
Having fun this summer doesn’t need to come with scorching costs. If you’re willing to be creative and flexible, you can find ways to cut your travel costs.
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