Travel Budgeting Tips

My wife and I are always looking for ways to save on a vacation, especially if our destination is a considerable distance. Here are some tips I have learned in my research.

1. Time is Money, Less Money
   Driving to a larger airport in our part of the country is what most people do to save a buck. Larger airports offer more airlines which equates to more competition. The greater pool of potential passengers also helps drive down fares. Taking a train is a cost effective way to get from the Midwest to the West Coast, but it is going to take some time. For example a one-way ticket from Missouri to California costs less than $300 per person. It would cost someone $350 in fuel alone to travel the same distance in a Chevrolet Suburban, not to mention the wear and tear on your vehicle. Driving still makes sense if you are one of the fortunate parents of three or four kids due to economies of scale. Consider driving a large car, like a Buick LeSabre, on long trips and park that 4-wheel drive SUV. At 10 more miles to the gallon, a 1000 mile trip would save you $80 in fuel without sacrificing driver comfort

2. Observe the Sabbath
   Coming home on Sunday via airplane can cost you. That is because demand is higher. Adjusting your vacation schedule using a number of different sites can save you hundreds.

3. Take the Marine Highway
   For those of you who want to see Alaska, but are not ready for the road trip through Canada to Alaska via the Alaska Highway, may I suggest the Marine Highway. The State of Alaska offers ferry service from Washington State to Southern Alaska at a very reasonable rate.

4. Its the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
   Consider taking a vacation at a different time of year. Autumn and Winter bring cooler temperatures, and even cooler prices. Most vacation destinations offer a Peak price (usually in the Summer) and a Off-Peak price. My family usually goes the week or two before the price switch, or the one to two weeks after the peak season. The price difference could be up to 50% less. Winter vacation hot spots like Colorado or Vermont are expensive in February and March, but are a great bargain in July and August.

5. Location, Location, Location
   Real Estate agents love to use this line, and of course they are right. The problem for the budget conscious traveler is that with a great location comes a higher cost. It will cost you more to stay at the oceanfront hotel than one two miles inland. Also consider how much time you will be spending in your hotel, and how close you have to be to the hotel to make your vacation plans practical.

6. Value at your Hotel/Motel
   You will spend less money on vacation if your hotel/motel offers a complimentary continental breakfast. You may not have to buy tickets to the fancy water park in the middle of summer if your hotel has a nice pool. Concierge service at some of the nicer hotels can help you save money, and provide valuable restaurant and entertainment information you might not have heard of.

 

Try the Middle of Nowhere

Here are some places I would try, given available financial resources.  From the book The Lonely Planet Guide to the Middle of Nowhere

• Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, Canada - Ice Fishing, enjoying the desolate surroundings, getting to know the Inuit people of the region

• Tonga - Paradise in the South Pacific, Tonga Time (Check out the book), long stretches of empty white sand

• Great Basin National Park - Baker, Nevada, United States - A glacier in the desert, bristlecone pine trees, Wheeler Peak at 13063 feet above sea level