Everybody loves to get away from their mundane lives. Vacation is the perfect occasion for doing it guilt free. Or is it? Often we feel guilty because of the amount of money we spent on our travel, and we wonder “What if I’ve used that money to save for my kids’ college”, “What if I’ve installed new front door”, etc… The truth is, you don’t have to spend a lot of money to get quality vacation; you just have to know how to get information and use it, and have few tricks up your sleeve. We’ll give you 7, the rest is up to you.
Hunt for Airfare Discounts
The math is simple: book your tickets early, or book your tickets late. Airlines tend to give great deals when you are buying for tickets few months earlier. There are also many affordable last minute offers, if you decide to wait with the booking. Subscribe to airline updates to get the latest information about special offers.
Be Social
You would be surprised if you knew how many bargains you can find on Facebook and Twitter pages of airlines. This is a great way to hear about new and exclusive deals, you would usually have to look for on the website of the company or in the airline office itself.
Pay Upfront
Your travel agent will appreciate you paying for the package upfront, that much that he’ll give you a significant discount. If you don’t have the sufficient sum right away, you can search for the local travel agent that offers Travel pay accommodations. This way, you’ll be able to pay in instalments to this mediator and, your price and exchange rate will be previously locked.
Take the Whole Package
To get better offers, you should book the hotel packaged with your airfare. Also, you can opt for all-inclusive stays at hotel, so you can save on additional costs, such as activities, meals, drinks, etc. If you are travelling with family, search for hotels that are offering kids play and stay for free.
Don’t Go With the Crowd
If you don’t have to, try to avoid travelling in the peak of the season in the specific destination you want to go. If you are a savvy traveller, you’ll choose off-peak season deals when the flights and the accommodations are much cheaper. You don’t have to go as far as snowy months, but you can opt for those few weeks in between two seasons.
Land to Alternate Airports
When you are going to a major city with more than one airport, it is highly likely that landing to alternate airport, instead of the large international, will be somewhat cheaper. If, however, that alternate landing spot is far from your hotel, and you would have to pay much more for the taxi, then this move isn’t worthwhile.
Keep Activity Costs Low
Once you reach your final destination, try to look for places and events where you can attend for free. You can also find daily deal sites at the city, and shop for coupons for restaurants, museums, zoos, and other destinations.
You don’t have to compromise to have a pleasant vacation. Just invest a lot of planning and some money and you’re on the right track.