[dropshadowbox align=”none” effect=”lifted-both” width=”auto” height=”” background_color=”#ffffff” border_width=”1″ border_color=”#dddddd” ]This post contains affiliate links. These are links in which I am compensated with a percentage of the sales. Thank you![/dropshadowbox]Travel is something that I ALWAYS want to do, but rarely can. I have a huge case of Wanderlust, but my bank account likes to say, “No!”. I also have 2 children that make travel difficult, but hey, that is for another blog post! This year, I have decided to go somewhere that I have never been before, but in order to do that, I have to make travel cheaper!
I have booked my flight and I am leaving, on a jetplane, and heading to Cali-forn-I-A in June! I am spending a kid-free weekend on the beach! I’m so excited! How did I do it? Here are 5 ways that I made my travel cheaper!
1. Check flight and hotel prices frequently! You can use which ever travel site that you prefer, but I have found that if I check the prices often, I can catch some great deals!
2. Try to be flexible with your travel dates. I often check prices for two or three departure days and two or three return days. (Quick tip: It is often cheaper to leave for a weekend getaway on a Thursday than it is on a Friday.)
3. Check out hotels and rentals that have kitchenettes and/or full kitchens! Yes, eating out is fun, but eating out for EVERY meal can break the bank. Preparing a few meals yourself can save you a pretty penny!
4. Research your vacation location. There are often a lot of fun, local things that you can do for free or for very little money. Museums, parks, festivals, nature centers and lakes/beaches are great places to start!
5. The best way to save money is to check out coupon sites, such as Groupon and Living Social, for great deals in that location! I was able to secure a whale watching tour and a cheese/wine tasting at a winery for less than $25 per person!
*Bonus tip* I pack everything I need into one travel backpack, that way, I don’t have to pay for extra carry-ons or checked bags!
These are the 5 things that have made it possible for me to travel cheaper. That’s right! I was able to get my bank account to say, “YES!” by using these tips!
Amber says
May 25, 2016 at 11:37 amI always check the flights multiple times. Sometimes I luck out. Other times, no 🙁
And I fly Southwest for free baggage! Usually they are cheaper.
JENN says
May 25, 2016 at 3:36 pmThese are great tips!! I have heard many of these but the Groupon one is an idea I never thought of!! What a great way to save money!!
Tiaras & Tantrums says
May 25, 2016 at 4:00 pmI’m with you – I always check out FREE things to do in the city we are visiting. With three kiddos – traveling is sometimes impossible – especially with flights these days. You have some great tips here, especially getting foods for prepping for breakfast and dinner – which is what we usually do to avoid costly meals
Lori Bosworth says
May 25, 2016 at 4:47 pmThose are great tips for saving money when travelling. I agree that it’s important to check a number of online travel sites because the flight prices are always changing. I also like to have a kitchen in my hotel room so that I don’t have to go out for every meal! Have fun in California!
Kristy @ Mommy Hates Cooking says
May 25, 2016 at 10:18 pmThank you for sharing your tips! With a family, it makes it difficult to travel with the expense of everything after it is all said and done. I tend to be one to overpack, too — so I really appreciate your video of showing how to pack everything into a backpack.
Amanda @ Adorkablii says
May 25, 2016 at 10:37 pmThese are some awesome tips! I don’t travel often but I know a few do and I think I will pass this along. This is a list that could really help them with cost. I love the added video!! Thank you for sharing =)
Censie Sawyer says
May 25, 2016 at 10:41 pmFantastic tips. Traveling is expensive. We usually try to fly on an airline with free bags and find hotels with kitchenettes so we can save money on eating out. Honestly, food is the most expensive thing in traveling.
Tamara says
May 26, 2016 at 8:42 amI love all your tips. I check flights several times over several days/weeks. Can’t help it! The kitchenette idea is nice. There are certain places you visit, mainly for the food, but sometimes you really need to consider the frugal way – especially with kids. We’re going to California in August!
Dee says
May 26, 2016 at 9:39 amI love, love your list. specially the the packing tips. I do believe in pre-planning for a trips, this allows you to set a budget and can look for for great deals that pop up. I always try to stay at a place with a kitchenette, this allows me to buy groceries and cook, leaving more money in the budget to do other things,
Aileen Adalid says
May 26, 2016 at 12:40 pmVery helpful tips! I’m a nomad and I lead a travel lifestyle so I abide by your points. I also go by websites that regularly post error fares or spotted deals and they really help keeping my expenses low.
shirgie scf says
May 27, 2016 at 8:50 amThanks for sharing these awesome tips. I have been actually doing these tips especially the checking frequently one. I used to check flight prices frequently and sometimes when I check at midnight, I get the ebst deals. This one is worth reading. Thank you.
Tanya @ Moms Small Victories says
May 29, 2016 at 7:53 amI wish I could fit everything in a backpack. I tend to overpack when traveling with my family, I don’t like not having something I might need. Thanks for sharing with Small Victories Sunday Linkup. Pinning to our linkup board and hope you found some great posts to visit this week!
Mother of 3 says
May 29, 2016 at 11:04 amGreat tips! We have three children and I do this for all of our family vacations…. especially being flexible about travel dates. We once got 1/2 price air fare leaving three days earlier than we had planned! 1/2 price! It was an $800 savings.
Danita says
May 30, 2016 at 5:54 pmThose are some really good tips. It’s always good to remember, the more you save the more you can travel. #SmallVictories