4 Ways To Scale Back Your Travel Plans To Save Money — Without Canceling Your Trip
Written by
Kerra Bolton
Edited by
Jenna Klaverweiden
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Many Americans still want to take a vacation before the year ends, but the rising cost of flights, lodging and food makes it harder to justify. The good news is that canceling isn’t the only option. By making a few thoughtful changes, travelers can still enjoy time away without overspending.
Here are four ways to scale back your travel plans to save money without canceling your trip.
Eat Out Less
Travelers can cut costs without canceling their trip by booking accommodations with a kitchen or kitchenette and eating out less. Preparing simple meals can significantly reduce food expenses, especially for families.
“A quick grocery run can knock out a couple of breakfasts and one dinner, which easily saves around $100 to $120 over a few days,” said Jesse Neugarten, founder and CEO of Dollar Flight Club.
In addition, choosing lunch as the main dining splurge can allow travelers to take advantage of prix-fixe menus, which are typically much cheaper than dinner service.
“Many restaurants offer prix-fixe lunch menus that are 30% to 40% cheaper than their dinner counterparts,” Neugarten said. “Splurge at midday, then wind down with a street food snack or a picnic dinner from a local market.”
Stick To a Budget Without Sacrificing Fun
Setting a clear budget before traveling can help keep costs in check too. Establishing spending limits can help travelers enjoy their vacation without overspending or second-guessing every purchase.
Lauren Wybar, CFP, senior wealth advisor at Vanguard, explained that setting a budget is a good way to be disciplined and treat yourself. “Once you’ve identified your goals and created a budget, make sure to stay the course,” she said.
Building in a few small rewards makes it easier to stay disciplined while still making space for joy.
Wybar said not to let the fear of missing out (FOMO) or impulsive purchases set you back. “Instead, plan your fun and use it as a reward for staying disciplined,” she explained.
Cut Back on Alcohol
Limiting alcohol consumption is another way to scale back and save money. Phil O’Dwyer, a travel blogger with Winging It Worldwide, said that skipping drinks on some nights has been one of the most effective ways to save.
“Cutting back on alcohol doesn’t just save you money on the drinks themselves,” O’Dwyer said. “It’s the extras too. The late-night snacks, the takeaway you grab on the way home, the extra spending when your guard is down.”
Skip Tourist Traps and Explore Local Neighborhoods
Another option for travelers is scaling back on how many “tourist traps” they visit. They could opt for local neighborhoods over tourist-heavy areas. Lodging, food and entertainment are often more affordable and more authentic outside the typical tourist zones.
Yunna Takeuchi, co-founder and chief experience officer at City Unscripted, said one family saved roughly $131 a night by booking in Barcelona’s residential Gràcia neighborhood instead of the tourist-heavy Las Ramblas. While staying where locals live, they found neighborhood markets, family-run tapas bars and flamenco shows far from the usual tourist circuit.
“By shopping in the local markets and dining where the locals do, their food expenses dropped 60%, deepening their immersion in local culture by actual communities they were part of,” Takeuchi said.
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