Book your hotel room early.
By booking early, as long as six months in advance you could reap huge discounts.
Be Flexible With Your Dates. You will usually find that hotels tend to be cheaper Sunday through Thursday.
Travel out of season. Without a doubt, traveling out of season when no-one else is, is a great way to save a
considerable amount of money. When you travel at high demand, you may pay significantly higher rates for your hotel room, versus significant discounts on the off peak periods.
Take advantage of coupons. Whether it is for lodging, food, or attractions – coupons SAVE money! Find them right here online, in local newspapers, at convenience stores, visitors center etc. Always read the fine print carefully for terms of the coupon.
Rent a car. What sounds expensive can actually often save you money. Consider renting a car instead of using the airport shuttle. Many times the cost of the shuttle is more than that of a modest car rental – and you have the flexibility of having available transportation. Also, if you are driving to your destination, renting a car instead of using your own vehicle is often cheaper than the extra wear and tear on your own car. Take advantage of coupons to upgrade to a larger, and more comfortable, vehicle.
Many rental car companies charge an additional fee is you want a second driver on the rental agreement. Frequently this is a “hidden” fee, and you won’t be told about it. Some companies do not charge extra if the additional driver is a family member, and a few even waive the charge for a co-worker. As in all fee-related situations, ask, Ask, and ASK.
You can get a FREE current city map for your next driving trip. Every city has an official web site, and there is usually a link to tourism related products and information. Follow the link(s) ““ which should lead you to free travel guides, maps, etc.
Bring along individual refillable water bottles. These can be refilled at the hotel and at attraction water fountains. A family of four could easily spend $20 or more a day buying water.
Spend the day away from the attractions. You're paying for that hotel swimming pool... use it! Spend the day at the beach or a nearby museum.
Dining deals on the town. When you're traveling, or even in your own town, take advantage of the chambers of commerce and visitors centers. You'll find great restaurant discount coupons. Plus, you'll hit on valuable coupons for area attractions and ideas for inexpensive activities.
Do lunch. Lunch menus usually offer the same entrees as dinner, just smaller portions and a smaller check.
Another cost-cutting palate pleaser: Dine out during the week, rather than the weekends. Often, the menu prices climb over the weekend.
Swipe with savings in mind. Use only your own bank's ATM whenever possible. If one's not available, look for machines with a "No surcharge here" logo. If you plan on using an ATM regularly on your trip, withdraw larger amounts of cash to reduce your number of transactions. Or, when you're at the grocery store stocking up on food and sunscreen, ask for cash back to avoid fees and additional surcharges.
Pack lightly and carry a spare. Keeps things simple. Carry two credit cards, a debit card and enough cash for a few days. That way, you'll have less to protect and it'll be easier to monitor spending. Carry a backup card in a separate place from the rest of your cards.
Laundry: On longer trips save money by carting your dirty clothes down the street to a laundry or dry cleaner rather than paying hotel prices to get your clothes clean.
Off-hotel parking: Save $$ each night over the hotel parking rates by parking in a garage down the street. |
