Travel Tips

Planning a Cheap Summer Vacation: Lower the Cost of Lodging

If you are planning a summer vacation on a budget, you are not alone. In fact, many American families are completely foregoing summer vacations. You do not have to give up your yearly trip. Instead, just focus on ways to reduce the cost. A great place to start is with your overnight accommodations.

So, how can you lower the cost of lodging when planning a summer vacation on a budget?

Try to stay with friends and family. If you are traveling to a destination where you have friends and family in the area, ask if you can stay with them. This is ideal if your family is small, as it wont be seen as a big inconvenience. If dealing with family, most will let you stay free of charge. Still, even if you offer to pay $20 a night, it is much cheaper than a $100 a night hotel room.

Consider camping instead. This alternative is cheap and perfect if you have a large family or do not know anyone in the area. State parks and campgrounds are your best and safest camping options. If you dont already own a tent or two, buy them. You can get great deals at department stores or sporting goods store. To save money, consider buying used or ask to borrow supplies from friends and family. Nightly camping rates vary greatly across the country, but you should pay no more than $50 a night, which is still cheaper than a hotel.

Compare hotels to find the best deal. Most popular vacation destinations have hundreds of hotels to choose from within a reasonable distance. Visit an online travel website. They are nice because they let you compare the cost of multiple hotels in a matter of minutes. Look to find the best deal or the best value for your money. For example, most families are willing to pay more for a hotel with an onsite swimming pool and fitness center. If you arent necessarily aiming for the best cost, aim for the best value for your money.

Dont discount smaller hotels, motels, or even bed and breakfast inns. Sometimes, they charge lower rates, especially if there is a lot of competition nearby. Americans automatically think of well-known hotels, like Holiday Inn. These smaller establishments need to draw attention to themselves and most usually do so with affordable rates.

Avoid traveling during holidays. If you are planning a summer vacation, you are already vacationing in a peak travel season. However, you should try to avoid holidays and weekends. You can expect to pay more for a hotel the weekend of July 4th than the last week in July. Speaking of which, experiment with travel dates. If your plans arent set in stone, test out a few different dates. Are the hotel rates different? If so, opt for the cheapest.

Avoid traveling during convention times. Once again, if your travel plans arent set, look at what is happening around the area. Is there a popular concert, big sporting event, or business convention hosted that same weekend? If so, the hotels may already be filled. If not, they are likely to charger higher rates.

Bring your own snacks and drinks. Many hotels have onsite restaurants. These are nice, but you arent likely to find the lowest prices. They are designed more for convenience than anything else. At the very least, opt for affordable fast food or casual restaurants nearby. However, bring your own snacks and drinks. They are more expensive at convenience stores and in hotel lobbies. For extended trips, it may be wise to pay the extra costs for a suite upgrade that gives you access to a working kitchen. For extended trips, such as 5 days or longer, you will save a lot of money by preparing your own meals.

Staying with friends, at a hotel, or camping are your three cheapest options in terms of overnight accommodations. However, if you have your heart set on a private vacation rental, compare prices, look for discounts, or make it like a double date. Plan your family vacation with another family and spilt the cost of a private rental.

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If you are on a budget this summer, camping may seem like an ideal summer vacation. Camping is a lot cheaper than staying at a hotel or resort. The good news? It can be just as fun! Although camping is a relatively affordable activity, the costs can easily add up if you arent careful. So, how can you plan a fun camping trip when on a strict budget?

Dont buy a new camping tent unless you need it. Do you have an old tent in the garage that hasnt been used for years? Get it out. Unfold the tent and air out for a few days. You may be surprised how good it still looks and works. If you do need to buy a tent, but are on a limited budget, consider buying used. Look on eBay, Craigslist, or check your local newspaper classified ads. To save the most money, ask around. Do you have any friends or family members who own a camping tent? See if you can borrow theirs.

If you do need to a buy a new camping tent, price compare first. They are available for sale at many locations, including department stores, discount stores, sporting good stores, as well as online. Look around to find the best deals. If you want to turn camping into a regular activity, read reviews online and invest in a good tent. If this may be a once in a lifetime event, focus more on saving money than quality.

If on a family vacation, you may have a teenager who wants to sleep in her own private tent, as opposed to in a large family tent. Check the prices. Cheap individual tents can be purchased for around $25, but do not buy something you cannot afford. Luckily, most family tents are sectioned off into rooms and designed to sleep at least 5.

Aside from the tent, the biggest cost of camping comes from location. State parks with camping accommodations and campground parks are your two best options. However, if you are staying close to home, consider camping in your own back yard. Move your tent as far away from the house as possible. It may seem like a second rate vacation, but it will still be fun and a lot cheaper.

Always price compare campgrounds. As previously stated, campground parks and state parks with camping accommodations are the best places to camp. Near popular vacation destinations, it is easy to find many camping locations. Use the internet to examine each. Price compare to find the best deal. Why pay $50 a night when a state park just five miles away only charges $25?

One of the reasons why camping makes a great summer vacation is because of the nearby activities. Whether you opt for a campground park or a state park, there should be a lot to do nearby. Many have a manmade beach or at least a swimming pool. Hiking trails, basketball hoops, and playgrounds are common. If you want to get out and explore the area, use the internet to research other nearby activities and attractions. However, make use of what is available to you. Your camping rates should include access to the hiking trails, water, and more.

In keeping with making use of the things provided to you, you should get a barbeque pit. Stock a few coolers filled with ice, drinks, meat, and condiments. If you want to spice it up, leave and find a nearby restaurant. Only do this one or two nights a week. You can save a lot of money by preparing your own food. If driving to your camping destination, stock up at your local grocery store because the prices should be cheaper. Otherwise, shop at a nearby grocery store. Avoid campground stores and convenience stores because they too have higher prices.

As a recap, camping is already an affordable activity and perfect for a summer vacation on a budget. However, as you can see from above, there are additional ways that you can cut costs. So, even if you are on a strict budget, you can still have an enjoyable vacation this summer whether you opt for camping in your backyard, down the street, or across the country.

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