Five Small Tips to Save Big While Traveling

Vacations can be very expensive, so it is important to save money in whatever way you can. Try these cost saving tips when planning your next vacation.

Plan Ahead

The more planning you do, the better chance you have of maximizing your savings. Research your destination(s) online to find out about any attractions in the area. Many places offer coupons or have other discount programs available. You can also find out about any festivals or other special events that will be happening so that you can plan your vacation to coincide with them.

Pack Smart

Be prepared and pack a cooler for edibles on your trip. Bring drinks and snacks with you, buying in bulk and repackaging them into snack-sized servings. Bring along any books, magazines or other entertainment you might need so you don't need to go out as often.

Find a Good Place to Stay

You can save a ton of money if you camp out. Some areas even have federal lands that cost next to nothing to camp on. If camping is not your thing, check out cabins or other housekeeping living situations. Look for hotel rates online. See if any have special discounts, or if they are AAA members. Some hotels offer gas coupons or include breakfast. If you are feeling creative, try contacting local realtors and see if any know of apartments, condos or houses available for short term rentals.

Combine Your Entertainments

Many local bars and coffee houses have special evening entertainments available. Find a great local band or comedian and have a night out on the town. While some will ask for a cover charge, go early for appetizers or dinner and the cover charge may be waived.

Stay Local

Whether you travel to one destination, or are on a road trip, try finding entertainment that is within a short distance of your overnight location. Other good entertainment options may be available along your drive. Many areas have excellent tourist information offices or kiosks. Try stopping in to find out what tourist spots are available, and pick up any discount coupons while you are at it.

As long as you are creative and make an effort to conserve, it is possible to have a vacation on a shoestring budget. Use these ideas, and come up with some of your own, and you will soon be out enjoying your own low budget vacation.

While it may seem more natural to just pack your bags and take off on your vacation, traveling without planning ahead can cost a great deal more money than you expect. Instead, try taking some time to plan your vacation, and you will find that not only will you enjoy it more, but you will be able to do it for a lot less.

The first step is to plan where you would like to go on your vacation. This could be a short weekend jaunt or a long cross country road trip through a variety of locales. It is important to have some sort of a plan before heading out on the road.

If you're looking to head out of state, try contacting the tourist information center for any states you may pass through on your trip. Most will gladly send you a package of information about the attractions in their area.

Get a map of the areas you intend to travel through. Use a highlighter to mark your route on the map, so that you know exactly where you will be going, and can avoid getting lost on the way.

From the maps, search out any towns or cities that you will be passing through online. Many of these places will have websites with tons of information about local events, attractions and restaurants. Print out any coupons or brochures that interest you and mark those locations on the map (hint: use a different color highlighter!).

When planning places to stay, consider whether you would like to camp, stay at a hotel or motel, or for a longer stay, rent a cottage or apartment. Call around to find the best rates in the area. Some campsites are remarkable, offering a variety of trails, educational programs and other entertainments for families. Other times you may find a rental unit that will be the perfect place to stay for your vacation, allowing you to cook up your own meals and avoid the cost of restaurants.

Often many attractions can be found on the road as you travel from one destination to another. Plan your route so that you can make a quick detour to those locations, rather than having to go far out of your way to get there. Getting off the beaten path and staying on America's two lane highways and byways offers some beautiful scenery and interesting stops along the way.

By planning ahead you will have all the information you need to have a fun and relaxing trip. With discount coupons on hand, special event schedules in mind and the best deal for accommodations booked, you will save tons of money, and not miss a thing!