Let’s get one thing straight first… Traveling is expensive.

A vacation that leaves your pockets empty is NOT a vacation.

If you’re spending more than you can afford, that’s going to be one stressful vacation.

Traveling is supposed to be relaxing, not stressful!

When you are struggling to pay your bills, traveling will have to be out of the question until more income is made.

If you find yourself stressing to save in every which way, it’s signifying that you can’t really afford the vacation at this moment in time. However, you can plan for the future.

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Believe it or not, you can travel on a budget. It’s more than possible to travel without breaking the bank while saving as much as you can.

1. Book in advance.

Determine where you want to go and book it ASAP!

The sooner you book, the better. It’s always less expensive if you don’t leave it for the last minute.

2. Don’t travel to hot spots.

When traveling on a budget, choose a destination that isn’t ultra expensive.

As an example, if you want to visit Greece, choose an island that isn’t as popular as Mykonos or Santorini.

There are literally thousands of Greek islands that look exactly the same, at half the price, with less tourists and crowds.

Generally speaking, there are certain destinations that are highly expensive. Save those trips for a special occasion such as a 16th birthday, honeymoon, or anniversary.

 

3. Take Advantage of All-Inclusive resorts

You can enjoy all the food and alcohol you want at a great price!

All-inclusive is almost always the way to go unless you’re someone who doesn’t eat or drink much…. Non-inclusive hotels may even be equally as expensive with this option, in which case, why wouldn’t you choose the all-inclusive option?

Think about it like this:

1 person x 5 day trip = AT LEAST 3 meals a day which equals 15 meals (without alcohol).

On average, 1 meal at a restaurant (excluding tip + tax) will cost someone at least $30 if you’re eating at a decent restaurant.

This is a very cheap hypothetical, so you should always average more if you’re going somewhere more pricey). A meal for $30 is probably gonna be a burger, salad, omelete, or sandwich. The likelihood of finding a steak or a gourmet meal for $30 is highly unlikely considering inflation and the prices restaurants charge in touristy areas.

$30 x 3 = $90/day

$90 x 5 days = $450 (no alcohol/drinks, dessert, or snacks included).

 

4. Rent a car or walk.

Walking is part of the fun, right?

Taxis are so expensive and potentially dangerous, especially for women.

Depending on where you plan on traveling, you will likely need some sort of transportation if you want to see tourist sites. Take the bus, train, or walk.

The most affordable vacation is one that doesn’t require transportation and offers activities on premises.

 

5. Travel with a friend.

The more the merrier!

You can split the bill… Think hotel rooms, ubers, and other shared expenses.

 

6. Choose Proximity

Choose a destination closest to you.

If you’re in New York, the Caribbean tends to be a great getaway spot for an affordable price.

If you’re in the U.K., you have the blessing of traveling to other European countries close by such as Greece or Switzerland.

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7. Get a travel agent.

Less stress, more savings.

Travel agents are like accountants – You hire them to save you more money.

A great travel agent will consider your needs, desires, and budget for the trip to plan the vacation of your dreams.

They can hook you up with the cheapest flights, hotels, excursions, and modes of transportation that you may have been completely unaware of.

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8. Travel light, if you can.

You’ll save money on additional airline fees.

Don’t bring any liquids, that way you can take your carry-on on the plane without paying an extra fee to check in your bags.

Rather than checking in two luggages, check in only one.

Pack smart and only put liquids in one suitcase.

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9. Utilize cash-back rewards credit cards.

You can get so many points that can save you money on future flights.

The points you accumulate may give you the ability to travel for free in the future as well as a cash back bonus for signing up.

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10. Travel off-peak.

Avoid traveling during holidays, spring break, or school breaks.

Book in advance and don’t travel at the most popular times of the year.

11. Don’t leave the resort

If you don’t want to spend money and save as much as possible, book a vacation at a resort.

Travel to a beautiful resort that will give you enough activities to enjoy yourself and relax on the premises.

It’s less hassle for you, which will be more relaxing and enjoyable. Off-premises traveling tends to be more stressful and time-consuming.

If you’re only going to be there for a few days, be sure to prioritize what you hope to do in the little time you have.

 

ABOUT THE WRITER:

Elena Patestas is a journalist and writer for Valuetainment media. She attended Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, and Adelphi University on Long Island, New York. She was born and raised in Roslyn, New York, and currently lives in Miami, Florida.

Elena is passionate about bringing positive change to our world and believes education is the root to solving many societal problems. After overcoming a chronic health condition, Elena became passionate about health and believes food is the key to preventing dis-ease and achieving optimum health.

Amongst her many goals, she hopes to bring positive, impactful change to our world to create a healthy, financially sound, and unified society.

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