A new year is right around the corner, and it’s the perfect time to plan an exciting trip to ring it in. However, costs can add up quickly. Flights, fuel, event tickets, and hotels can easily bust travelers’ budgets. New Year’s Eve is a particularly expensive time to travel. Fortunately, the new year can be fun and affordable with the right travel strategies. There’s no need to break the bank to have a memorable and unique celebration this year. Try these 10 tips to travel cheaply for New Year’s Eve.
10 Party With The People
Paying for a hotel party can get really expensive. Throw in overnight accommodation, and a typical New Year’s Eve celebration at a hotel can easily cost hundreds of dollars. Fortunately, many US cities have public New Year’s Eve celebrations or generally have a party atmosphere where it’s easy to join the revelry without paying a hefty admission fee. New York City’s Time Square is an iconic place to ring in the New Year, as is Miami Beach. What could be more fun (and softer on the wallet) than partying the night away with a few thousand new friends?
9 Travel With A Group To Save Money
Group travel is a good idea for budget-conscious travelers. Sharing a hotel room and requesting an extra bed in the room is always cheaper than renting a separate room. In some hotel bookings, guests can select one or two beds in the room at a small additional fee and even request “roll away” cots to accommodate extra guests. It’s important to read the fine print, however, as most hotels do have occupancy limits that must be respected and/or charge an increasing fee with each additional guest that checks in.
8 Book Accommodations With A Kitchen Or Free Breakfast
The right amenities in the right stay can be a real money saver for New Year’s travel. Travelers should stay in accommodations that offer kitchens or kitchenettes to save money on eating out, particularly in expensive cities like Los Angeles, where restaurant bills quickly stack up. Travelers can simply find the nearest supermarket and stock up on quick, easy-to-make meals for the length of their trip. Sure, it’s fun to dine out, but does that takeaway pizza after a night of reveling really need to be gourmet quality? Savvy travelers just pop a frozen pizza in the oven of their hotel’s kitchenette and save on a restaurant experience that might not be memorable anyway.
7 Pack Light
The holidays are a busy travel season, and getting from point A to point B can get frustrating and expensive. Lost luggage and luggage fees can bog down budgets and severely affect the trip experience. Plan ahead to avoid unnecessary fees. Pro travelers skip the checked baggage and travel light, packing essentials and mix-and-match clothing items that can be used to make multiple outfits, then rely on local laundry facilities at the destination. There are tons of packing tips available online, and travelers would do well to learn the basics of joining #teamcarryon.
6 Throw A Destination House Party
That's right. There's no reason a house party can't be held somewhere other than the host's personal home. Traveling to host a house party or booking a hotel suite in another city and splitting costs with friends are two cost-saving ways to celebrate New Year in an intimate setting. Party favors from local party supply stores can make the night more fun with poppers, noisemakers, balloons, and glitter. The options for themes and things to do at a house party are unlimited. Some accommodations do not allow for gatherings or have limitations on how many people can use the space, so it’s important to know the house rules when putting together a fun New Year’s Eve party.
5 Stay In A Hostel
Over New Year’s Eve, most hotels fill quickly, and those with planned parties often reserve blocks of rooms for ticket holders. Needless to say, prices peak in party hotspots, and budget-conscious travelers can be priced out quickly. Fortunately, hostels are a fun, affordable, and unique option in many cities around the world, from New York's high-end hostels to cozy rooms in Paris. What’s more, hostels have perks that are ideal for New Year’s travel. It’s easy to make new friends from around the world, the price is economical, and it’s easy to book a multiple-bed bunk room for your traveling group.
4 Celebrate Off The Beaten Path
While most travelers head for the big cities and resorts to welcome the new year, smart travelers on a budget head to lesser-known locales to enjoy fresh and unique experiences. Not only are prices lower in off-season destinations, but the crowds tend to be much smaller, too. Choosing where to go is part of the adventure. Search engines that offer a travel anywhere feature can help narrow down the most affordable destinations.
3 Book New Year’s Eve Parties And Events In Advance
There are lots of ways to ring in the new year, but there is something exciting and glamorous about dancing the night away at a hotel ballroom or counting down at a concert. For partygoers set on booking a party for New Year’s, it’s a good idea to book the ticket as early as possible. Most parties offer an early bird rate that is steeply discounted from the door price. Planning and booking early is also a smart way to save on flights. Budget travelers should reserve as far in advance for their activities to take advantage of discounted and special rates.
2 Eat Local (And Late) To Save Money
In the early hours of January 1st, hungry revelers spill onto the streets in search of late-night/early-morning eats. Savvy travelers save money by choosing local eateries over expensive New Year brunches. Champagne may not be on the menu at these spots, but diners are a great option to try the local favorites – for example, po’boy sandwiches in New Orleans and Latin flavors in Miami. Fortunately, diners are practically an American institution, and many are open 24 hours. Wherever travelers roam for the new year, late-night local eateries and diners are a delicious, affordable part of the experience.
1 Take Public Transportation To Experience The City Like A Local
Getting a handle on the local transportation options is one way savvy travelers save on New Year’s trips. Knowing the transport system and mapping routes in advance should also inform accommodation booking choices for the best possible savings. For example, a cheap room across town from where the celebrations are may not be so cheap when factoring in roundtrip travel costs. In fact, a more expensive stay closer to the action might be more economical because travel costs would be much lower or nonexistent. While ride-sharing or renting a car might be more convenient, saving money and seeing the city by public transportation are pretty hard to beat for a local experience. A solid plan for the most affordable, safe, and reliable transportation on New Year’s Eve is essential for the trip budget to help manage costs.