Travel in Budget

Paul Hata asked:


There are many things for the budget minded traveler to remember, since getting the best deal on a vacation is so important. Most workers spend the entire year working just to be able to afford a one or two week break from their workaday routine, so it is easy to see why finding the best deal is so vital.

The world of budget travel is one of the most exciting and interesting, and in today’s world traveling on a budget is becoming more and more of a necessity.

There is no doubt that airfare is one of the biggest expenses of any vacation. Airfare costs can easily represent at leas half of the total cost of a vacation, and if you do not get the best possible deal on airfare it is easy to go over budget.

The following tips are a great way to get started on making your valuable vacation dollars stretch farther than ever.

- Be sure to shop around, whether you are shopping on the internet or visiting local travel agents. Different web sites, and different travel agencies, often have access to different specials and sales, so be sure to shop around for these hidden deals.

- Consider traveling in the off season or shoulder season. The same hotels that are overbooked and expensive in the high season are often available at excellent prices once the high season has passed. In addition, off season travel offers the advantage of smaller crowds and a more relaxed atmosphere.

- Think about group travel. Many airlines and hotels offer discounts to groups, so if you can travel with your friends and family you may be able to save some money

- Don’t forget about last minute travel. Retirees, and those with flexible employment, are often able to take advantage of some spectacular last minute deals. Cruise lines, airlines and hotels often discount their offerings significantly to avoid the expense and lost revenue of an empty cabin, airline seat or hotel bed.

- Look into package deals. For many destinations, especially exotic locations to which airfare tends to be expensive, package deals can be significantly less expensive than making your own arrangements. Many travelers also like the safety and security of traveling with a group.

Being on a tight budget does not mean you have to forgo the excitement and adventure of a great vacation. There are numerous opportunities waiting for budget travelers willing to put in the time and effort to seek them out.



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Paul Hata asked:


For many people, nothing compares to the freedom and versatility of enjoying the open road in a recreational vehicle or camper.

There is certainly much to be said for taking your hotel with you wherever you go, and the savings on hotel costs can more than pay for the initial cost of an RV.

One of the things that makes an RV so popular among budget travelers is that it frees travelers from many of the issues typically associated with sticking to a travel budget.

For instance, traveling with an RV frees the traveler from having to shop early for the best deals on airfare, hotels and rental cars. That’s because the RV serves as the hotel room, and as transportation as well.

Many seasoned travelers even buy a trailer which they use to tow their car, or even a pair of motorcycles, along behind them.

Of course, the RV lifestyle does have some considerations for the budget minded traveler, not the least of which is the price of gas to fuel it.

Most recreational vehicles hold a lot of gas or diesel fuel, and filling one up can result in sticker shock for many new owners. It is important to weigh the cost of fuel when determining if an RV is the right choice for you.

Traveling in a recreational vehicle or motor home is often a good choice for those who want to travel to different locations, and it may be less suited to those who visit the same location year after year.

As a matter of fact, many of those travelers who visit the same location every year find that the thing that suits their budget best is buying a vacation home.

Buying a vacation home, and renting it out when it is not being used, can be a good way to both save money on lodging and build equity for the future.

For those who want to travel the country, however, there are few things to compare to doing it in your own RV. Many RV owners come to love the freedom of the open road, and the money they save, so much that they end up hitting the road full time, traveling from RV park to RV park and enjoying the country from coast to coast.

One great budget saving tip that is well known in the RV community, but less well known among the general public is the fact that Wal-Mart’s from coast to coast allow RV owners to park for free on their lots.

That is why, when you visit your local Wal-Mart, you may have seen a number of RV’s parked near the edge of the lot.

This situation is a win for both parties RV owners have a safe, well lighted place to camp for the night, and Wal-Mart receives much needed income from those RV owners who frequent the store in the middle of the night to pick up those little things they either forgot to pack or used up along the way.



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Paul Hata asked:


The budget for food can be one of the most expensive parts of any vacation, and many travelers underestimate how much they will spend on food while traveling and end up busting their budget as a result.

There are a number of ways to keep the food budget under control while still enjoying delicious, satisfying and healthy meals.

For many people, good food is a large part of the travel experience, and sampling the local cuisine should be a goal of every traveler to a foreign location.

Saving money on food does not mean skimping or missing out on the special food that makes many regions of the United States, Europe, Asia and other destinations so special.

It is important to eat a healthy and hearty breakfast every day while traveling. Many hotels include a daily breakfast in their room rate, and if this is available it is important to take advantage of the perk.

Starting each morning with a healthy breakfast will give you the energy you need for walking around and seeing the sights, and it will help deter you from splurging on expensive and unhealthy snacks before it is time for lunch.

Lunch can be a very important meal when traveling, and it is the best time to get the most value from some of the finest restaurants in your destination city.

While lunches in the working world are often rushed affairs eaten quickly, or even in the car on the way back to work, vacation lunches can be long, restful, relaxing and delicious.

If there is an expensive restaurant you’ve been itching to splurge at, why not head there for lunch instead of dinner? You get the same great food, often at a significantly lower price.

One great way to sample the local cuisine and save money at the same time is to eat where the local people do.

Ask the staff at your hotel for recommendations of restaurants they eat at. Restaurants with a large concentration of locals are usually high quality and low priced destinations.

Eating dinner or lunch in ethnic neighborhoods is another way to sample the local cuisine and culture while saving lots of money. Sampling the food in the local Chinatown, Korea town, Little Italy, Little Saigon or similar neighborhood is a great way to meet local people and enjoy some great food.

For a quick pick me up or snack, try packing a few granola bars, a bag of trail mix or a few pieces of fruit in your backpack or purse before you head out for the day.

These items can be bought inexpensively at local markets or grocery stores.

A quick trip to the local grocery store for supplies can be a great way to save money while traveling.For instance, many travelers will spend a half hour at the local grocery store, stocking up on bottled water, cereal and other low cost foods.

Keeping those foods and water on hand in the hotel room is a great way to save money on eating.

Having your own picnic is another great way to both have a great time and save money on food while traveling.

Try packing a picnic lunch and enjoy the spectacular views as you hike to your favorite spot in the mountains.

Or pack a romantic dinner for two and head for the local outdoor concert. Picnics are great, and very memorable ways to enhance any vacation experience.



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