Travel can be expensive, and it’s likely that you budget for your annual or semi-annual vacations. Sometimes the prospect of getting away is very tempting, however, even when you don’t really have the funds to set aside. If you are itching to go somewhere, a weekend getaway can be an affordable way to do just that! Before Old Man Winter gets here, you should have time for at least one quick getaway. Here are some tips on making a weekend trip affordable any time of year:
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Stay local. Obviously, the farther you go, the more you’re going to spend on transportation. If you have a destination in mind that is only an hour or two away by car, then that would probably be a good, inexpensive bet. On the other hand, staying in your own town or right outside it might not be the best plan, financially speaking, particularly if you live in a tourist area or other place where prices tend to be high. Think about where you could go within a few hours’ drive, and choose someplace budget-friendly.
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Travel in the off season. If you live in New England in the fall, then you’re going to have a harder time finding a good bargain right now than if you live in an area that is cooling down but not known for spectacular fall foliage! Similarly, a weekend getaway in the winter when you live near a ski resort, or to a nearby beach in the middle of the summer, might not work well with your budget. Research when the high tourist season is in your target destination area, and choose a different time to go.
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Enjoy the great outdoors. You will be able to find plenty of free and low-cost things to do when you plan on spending the bulk of your time outdoors. Instead of paying expensive admission fees at museums, shows and other indoor venues, you can take in the beauty of nature, often for free. Visit a national park, go for a walk around a historical area of a city, go hiking or explore a beach. During the warmer months, you might find free concerts and other outdoor events going on that charge only a nominal admission fee.
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Pack your own food. Restaurant meals add up, so consider packing a cooler with food if you want to save money. You could also just pack snacks and breakfast foods, and plan to eat just lunches and dinners out. If you are going somewhere with a farmers’ market, you could buy fresh fruits and veggies for a meal. Also, planning a picnic is a fun way to save money and enjoy the nice weather.
- Look for low-cost accommodation options. If the weather is nice, one of the cheapest ways to stay overnight somewhere is to camp. You could also stay with friends or relatives, or give Couchsurfing a try if you’re feeling friendly and adventurous. Of course, you might just be able to find a great deal on a regular hotel room through sites like Groupon or LivingSocial. If nothing else, stay at a cheaper discount motel instead of looking for a hotel with all of the frills and amenities. If you’re not going to be using the exercise room, heated pool and vouchers for a continental breakfast, why pay extra for them?
Getting away for a weekend doesn’t have to break your budget. You could even challenge yourself to figure out how to manage a weekend getaway on as small a budget as possible; put anything extra that you have toward another weekend away, or even toward your larger vacation next summer.
Do you have any tried and true tips to save money on a weekend getaway?
