• Home
  • Topics
    • About Kasasa
    • Behind the Scenes
    • Budget Hacks
    • Community Spotlight
    • Dollars & Sense
    • In the News
    • Just For Fun
    • Life Enriched
  • Kasasa.com
  • Home
  • Topics
    • About Kasasa
    • Behind the Scenes
    • Budget Hacks
    • Community Spotlight
    • Dollars & Sense
    • In the News
    • Just For Fun
    • Life Enriched
  • Kasasa.com
scroll down for more
Budget Hacks

11 summer travel saving tips

Kasasa Kasasa June 22, 2011 Share
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Google +
  • Pinterest
  • Email




It’s hard for us Austinites to believe it (what with almost a month’s worth of 100+ degree days already) but summer has only recently arrived! With the summer solstice comes vacation planning. If you’re nixing the staycation idea and planning to head out of town this year, check out these tips for saving money on your trip so you don’t have to eat peanut butter crackers and ramen noodles for three months to pay for it.

1. Go during off-season
Just because it’s summer and we’re talking about travel doesn’t mean you have to vacation now! Plan your trips early so you aren’t restricted by specific dates (if possible). With so many vacation possibilities, it’s easy to book around the slow times of year to save you time and money and avoid crowds.

2. Check the exchange rate
If you want to head out of the country and can choose where to go, check the currency exchange rate first. Pick the place where your dollar will go the furthest. And no matter what the rate is, keep note of the value of your money so you don’t get confused on the trip and go over budget.

3. Leave on an off day for flights
Everyone flies on the weekends. If you can leave and return during a weekday, you can get a much better flight deal. Here’s an article about the best dates to fly and book flights.

4. Comparison shop airports
You may have a longer ride between one airport and your end destination than another, but savings on the flight could outweigh that trip.

5. Avoid the cab
Have a friend drop you off rather than taking a cab or paying for parking at the airport. As long as you don’t mind returning the favor, a good friend will likely oblige.

6. Stay in a house instead of a hotel
If you’re traveling with a few people, a rented house or condo is usually a much better deal than a hotel. Austin-based company HomeAway is a great place to look for open vacation rentals.

7. Pick up a guidebook
The cost of a good guidebook is well worth it. (But if you think it won’t be, pay a visit to your local library—just don’t loose the book!) Most guidebooks include tips on when to visit certain attractions, what excursions are free or cheap, and which great local restaurants to try out. Many also include suggested walking tours complete with plenty of fun history and tidbits. Pick up a good book before your trip and give your group a DIY tour.

8. Don’t over pack your luggage
Chances are you’ll be buying some souvenirs. Don’t get caught shipping stuff back home because you can’t fit it in your luggage! Leave some room from the beginning—even if you don’t go overboard on the souvenirs you won’t regret a lighter bag.

9. Be aware of any card fees
Check with your bank, credit union, or credit card company before leaving for your trip to see if there are any extra fees associated with using your debit or credit cards overseas. You may want to exchange currency at your bank before leaving too, to avoid the typically higher fees charged at airports.

10. Find low cost entertainment or excursions
Many cities have free or cheap museums, festivals, and landmarks to visit. Research your destination ahead of time and keep a list of the places you can go.

11. Limit restaurants
For many people, eating out is a big part of vacation, especially if you go somewhere known for its cuisine (cue memories of the Italian coast). But if you shop at the local market for breakfast and lunch, you’ll feel much less guilty splurging on dinner. Or you can not splurge and save more overall!

Do you have any other tips for saving money during vacation? We’re all ears!

summer savings travel
  • Share This:
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Google +
  • Pinterest
  • Email
Previous Fabulously frugal Father’s Day tips
Next How many koozies fit in a van?
Kasasa
Kasasa
Related Posts
Saving tips January 21, 2011
Twitter travel deals offer surprising rewards March 29, 2011
Frugal Father's Day - Kasasa Blog
Fabulously frugal Father’s Day tips June 15, 2011
cheap paper craft ideas
Budget-friendly Paper Crafts July 28, 2011

2 Comments

  1. HC says:
    June 24, 2011 at 4:00 pm

    Great article and yes, I always forget to check the exchange rate. Good tip!! So one other great travel saving tip is on http://www.mytab.co - where friends & family can gift you cash towards travel for say, your birthday. It's so much easier for the friend gifting since we're always never sure what to buy our pals. And for pal gifted, all they do is add the cash towards their trip and pay the difference. So everyone's a winner and the vacation is a blast!

  2. Kasasa says:
    June 24, 2011 at 4:05 pm

    Thanks for the comment, HC! Interesting site--a vacation as a present sounds good to me! - Peggy

Comments are closed.

Social Accounts

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Linkedin
  • Pinterest
  • Youtube
  • Instagram

Related Posts

rent to own house strategy
Rent-to-Own: How You Can Rent While Earning Equity and Saving Money February 12, 2019
who spent the most on black friday 2018
Who Spent The Most On Black Friday in 2018? January 23, 2019
Starting A Business With No Time January 11, 2019

Welcome to the Kasasa blog!

We post about personal finance, saving, community banks, credit unions, fun community events and REAL choices for your money. Blog managed by the Kasasa Social Media Team.

Please read our comment policy before leaving a comment.

  • Facebook

  • Twitter

  • Linkedin

  • Pinterest

  • Youtube

  • Instagram

Instagram

Twitter

Tweets by @Kasasa
Copyright ©2016 Kasasa, LTD. All rights reserved.
  • Home
  • Kasasa.com