Top 10 Travel Tips To Save You Money

Spring is right around the corner, and for many, this winter in particular has been unreasonably harsh, encouraging even the most dedicated home-bodies to look away from their daily abodes for a spring break reprieve from all the ice and snow.

Below are a few tips for indulging in that dream vacation without sacrificing all of your savings.

1. Plan Ahead

Whether your planning involves reservations at lodgings every night and call-ahead seating for all your meals, or just being aware of lodging options around your destination, the more you know about your trip before you spend, the more responsible your financial habits will be.

2. Set A Budget

Know before you leave an estimated total for the entire trip expenses. Don't forget gas both ways, lodging, food, entertainment, shopping and an emergency fund for that unexpected flat tire.

Use a modified envelope system if your budget is tight and that method works for you and your family. For example, if everyone is allotted $20 in souvenirs or shopping, consider setting that amount aside from the beginning of the trip and letting every family member be responsible for their own shopping envelope.

Give yourself some leeway in your budget for those unplanned situations or schedule changes so you are not caught off-guard and unprepared or scrambling to check bank accounts before going out on that dolphin excursion or guided hike.

3. Transportation Readiness

Get the car checked out and tuned up before hitting the road. Regular car maintenance can not only save you a hassle while on the road, it can literally save you thousands in avoidable expenses over the course of a year.

If flying, purchase tickets early. Consider red eye flights or leaving on non-peak days to cut transportation costs.

4. Don't Skimp On The Important Things

When renting a car, don't opt out of the rental service's insurance coverage. The money saved is not remotely equivalent to the expenses that could be incurred following a wreck or act of vandalism.

Similarly, paying for an in-room safe deposit or behind the front desk deposit box may be well worth the cost if you travel with a large number of valuables or irreplaceables.

5. Embrace Available Expertise

Use technology and sources readily available to plan ahead. Check GasBuddy for the cheapest gas stations all along your journey.

AAA offers tour books, maps and trip ticks free for members.

Ask the lodging concierge or staff where they recommend dining. They will often know of great dives beyond the typical tourist traps.

Related Link: 3 Reasons Why You Shouldn't Overlook Checkbook Balancing

6. Meal Shortcuts

Consider the number of meals you plan to eat out for and weigh the benefits and feasibility of grocery shopping at your destination.

Take advantage of your lodgings amenities: continental breakfasts, hotel room refrigerators or kitchenettes. Packing breakfast foods, snacks and picnic fixings are all ways to cut down on food expenses while traveling as well.

7. Embrace Available Discounts

Make sure to ask about relevant discounts: military, AARP, AAA, senior citizen rates.

Additionally, many zoos and museums honor memberships from competing or partnered organizations.

8. Look Into Package Deals Carefully

Sometimes advertised packages are completely worth it, but if the $50 gift voucher offered is for a 5 star restaurant you aren't really interested in and you will still end up shelling out $100+ at the end of the meal, you may come out ahead by paying full price for the historical ghost tour and then eating fish and chips at the local pub.

On the other hand, the 3-day wrist band pass for the water park or theme park might be worth the money if the whole gang plans on spending all day in the tidal wave pool or in line for the newest roller coasters.

9. Avoid Tourist Traps

Watch out for tourist traps or other completely avoidable erroneous expenses.

Be aware of alcohol upcharges at most establishments and consider the benefits of BYOB restaurants, purchasing a bottle of bubbly from the local liquor store to enjoy in the room as opposed to ordering one up from the concierge, skipping the wine entirely or limiting trips to the hotel bar to one designated night.

10. Pay In Cash

Don't go crazy with the credit card.

Studies show you are less likely to spend outside of your means if you physically exchange cash as opposed to swiping the plastic. The act of comprehending the tab, counting out cash and exchanging dollar bills for goods/services with another person on the receiving end materializes and solidifies the number at the bottom of the bill.

The simple act of swiping a credit card allows for more detached spending and can lead to racked up expenses.