Most of us enjoy traveling and exploring new places, and we hesitate due to several things. Among them, money is often mentioned as the deal-breaker. It's the main reason that hinders most of us from going out and exploring exotic places.
Exploring new places doesn't require a fortune, and one doesn't need to have won the lottery to travel the globe- not if one knows how to watch their pennies. One doesn't also need to break the bank for a fantastic family vacation. The destination doesn't matter.
With better planning, one can make that holiday a reality. Travelling is an excellent opportunity, and the ability to travel on a tight budget makes it more accessible to more people. Below are tips for traveling to the U.S on a tight budget.
10 Travel During The Offseason
Traveling during the apex can cost a lot of money because the travel industry tries to take advantage of the people/ families that travel during these weeks. The hotels, food, and airlines hike prices when schools are on holidays and occasions like Easter, Diwali, Christmas, and Eid. One should research the best time to travel to their intended destinations.
Traveling during the shoulder season, one gets to have a fantastic trip even if the sun won't shine as bright as it does( and, on the positive side, it won't be scorching). Airlines and hotels lower their prices as a way of attracting customers.
9 Consider VRBO
Renting a hotel in the U.S. can be very expensive, especially if one travels with family and stays for a week or more. Hotels set prices, and they don't allow bargaining. Why stay in a tiny hotel room while one can get a townhome or entire condo.
Most rentals provide deals if one is traveling off-season or booking for more than a week. Not only does one save money for accommodation but also on food since one gets to cook their food.
8 Choose Your Airline Wisely
Flying can be pretty expensive if one doesn't choose the right airline for the trip. When traveling with a budget airline, one can save money by avoiding additional charges. One may be charged more if they look for better perks, such as sitting together when traveling as a group or a seat of choice. One can get charged a bag fee even when one doesn't check their luggage. With budget airlines, one can save money if they are prepared to sacrifice some comfort.
7 Eat The Local Food
For budget tourists, one is advised to eat what the locals eat. Overpriced restaurants and cafes cost lots of money that one can save by eating at local spots that serve fresh meals. One gets an authentic experience; also, it's advisable to avoid eating near infamous tourist attractions since the food there is quite expensive. Making a burger or sandwich or cooking food on your own can help save a lot.
6 Save Money On Transportation
Transportation takes a lot of money when traveling. Familiarizing oneself with the public transport system can help one save a lot of money and time. Local trains and buses are very cheap and provide more opportunities for meeting and getting to know the locals. Uber, too, is more economical than the local taxis and is trustworthy.
5 Do Your Research With Sites Like Expedia
Expedia helps one get the best deals, and it's a perfect family vacation budget tip. With Expedia, one can easily search using different dates, and when looking for a flight, one gets to go through all the other airlines going to one's destination. One can also search for stays, packages, cruises, cars, and things to do. There is a section for inputting check-in and check-out dates for a holiday.
4 Look For Coupons In Brochures
One of the best budget travel tips is getting brochures in the hotel lobby or local welcome center. Most times, there are coupons inside that help one save money. It's also advisable to take advantage of a hotel concierge if one has it. Hotels work hand in hand with local area attractions and restaurants in providing the concierge and discount coupons to provide deals that one may not be aware of.
3 Earn While Travelling
There are different ways of earning money while traveling. All that one need is a laptop with a stable internet connection. One can work as a freelancer, thanks to the increasing internet infiltration. Freelancers earn a significant amount of money quickly as they travel worldwide. If one is a professional, they can earn money by taking a short-term job, such as teaching a language in another country or teaching skiing in the winter season. The opportunities for making money are many if one puts in a bit of effort and time.
2 Be Flexible With Your Plans
When traveling to the U.S. on a budget, there is a high possibility that things may not go as planned. Bad occurrences might happen, and one has to be ready for them. One might not get a refund for something they were assured they would get or get stuck in a bad situation and end up losing money. When such things happen, one should adjust their plans accordingly.
1 Purchase A City Pass
If one goes to a big city, buying a City Pass (they may go by a variety of names which are individual to a specific city) that provides free admission into local tourist attractions and museums, lick parks, and aquariums is advisable. Some of them offer free public transportation. Purchasing a city Pass is the best way for traveling to the U.S. as a family on a tight budget.