Who doesn't like to save money when possible? Vacationing can be very expensive but with the right planning you can totally bring down the cost. Though we may not be able to fully vacation right now due to the coronavirus, it can still be fun to plan out a vacation for when it is over. Check out the following five ways you can save money on vacations, and your wallet will thank you. After all, vacations are supposed to be enjoyed, but not so much that your bank account is in pieces afterward.
1. Take advantage of Google Flights
Google Flights is a great tool for finding cheap flights especially if you have some flexibility. To use it, type in any location you are interested in visiting, and it will populate a date grid and price graph for you so that you can find out when the flights that best fit your budget are offered. If you already have dates set for when you will be vacationing, just enter the location and date of your outbound flight and return flight and it will show you the cheapest flights offered on those specific dates.
2. Join travel loyalty rewards programs
Even if you don't have a corresponding credit card, it never hurts to join travel loyalty rewards programs. Most are free and offer persuasive payoffs like free or reduced rate airfare, car rentals, nightly stays, and other exclusive perks and upgrades.
3. Stay in vacation rentals
Vacation rental websites tend to offer lower prices than most hotels as well as offer a convenient location and household amenities. While Airbnb seems to be the most popular, there are many other sites that offer vacation rentals as well like VRBO, HomeAway, and homestay.com. By looking through these sites and sorting the selections according to location, type of place, and price you can be sure to find a place you love without breaking the bank.
4. Skip eating and shopping in areas that are close to tourist destinations
Walking just a few blocks can cut prices at restaurants and stores in some places because they tend to raise the price due to their close audience. Because you often have to pay more for everyday items at these locations, it is almost always less expensive to skip shopping there. You can always visit the attraction and then head elsewhere to eat and shop.
5. Look for city tourism cards, Groupon Getaways, and free attractions
Depending on your itinerary, purchasing a city tourism card or Groupon getaway may be well worth your money. Most city tourism cards grant you free entry to several attractions, discounts at restaurants and shops, fast pass options at the most popular attractions, and free public transportation. In addition, Groupon Getaways offers huge savings on a variety of single attractions if you aren't looking to do several.
