Tips for Keeping Travel Expenses Under Control

Written by Jesse Cadena

Most people agree that travelling is worth the cost, but still, there is no denying that vacations can be pricey.  While you do not want to be overly frugal on a trip and regret missed opportunities later, you do need to strike a balance between depriving yourself and spending yourself into debt. With these travelling expense tips, doing so should be much easier.  

Planning ahead is often the key to keeping travel costs manageable.  You should consider travelling during whatever time of year is the off-season for your destination — for instance, if you want to visit a mountain town or take a tropical vacation, you may find lower rates during seasons besides winter.  By checking into lodging and transportation prices online, you can get a feel for when peak season and off-season fall.  Last-minute deals on flights, hotels, and rentals will often cost more, and you will have fewer options to choose between, so start looking early for bargains.  You should also look into alternative lodging options, such as staying with people you know or participating in a home exchange.

During your actual trip, there are several travelling expense tips worth keeping in mind. Cutting down on alcohol and meals eaten out can be a great way to save money.  If you can pack food or purchase essentials at a local grocery store, you will keep your costs much lower.  There are often plenty of free or inexpensive activities to enjoy in a new city or country; you can check out parks, museums, and natural sights, instead of overspending on popular attractions.  You can experience the city more closely by walking or using public transportation instead of always taking taxis. You can also save by taking more pictures and buying fewer souvenirs.

These travelling expense tips seem simple enough, but they can make a real difference in how much you end up spending.  Although splurging now and then for once-in-a-lifetime opportunities can be worthwhile, you do not want to come out of your trip in debt, so make sure to think seriously about how necessary each meal, paid attraction, or other luxury is while you are on vacation.

Author's Bio:
Jesse is a 26-year old travel blogger and vacation guru based in Northern California who enjoys trying new restaurants in new places and is constantly searching for new adventures. Jesse has always dreamt of travelling the world and she is slowly working her up to it! She loves giving travel advice and meeting new friends around the world. heck out her blog for the best travel tips and follow her on Twitter.