How to save money on vacation


Love going on vacation? It’s a chance to get away from work and relax for a few days. Although, saying that, vacations sometimes end up being more stress than they’re worth. That’s usually because we can’t stop worrying about things like money the whole time we’re there. Luckily, if you’re worried that taking time out of work to enjoy the sunshine will bleed you dry, we’ve got the solution. There are plenty of great ways to save money on vacation that won’t ruin your experience.

Go where the good money is

If you haven’t yet booked your vacation, you may be in luck. Unless you have a specific destination in mind, a good plan to save money is pick somewhere that has good exchange rates. Most places abroad require you to use a different currency, so you’re best off going to a place where you’ll get more bang for your buck. Just be cautious if somewhere has incredibly low exchange rates. That may be a sign that the country isn’t the safest place to visit right now.

Fly during the week

Speaking of planning your vacation, try and book it so that you’ll be traveling to and/or from your destination on a weekday. Midweek flights are much less likely to be expensive than ones on the weekend, which can have a big impact on your bank balance. You could end up saving several hundred dollars just because you traveled on a less popular day.

Stay outside of town

Chances are if you’re visiting a country, you plan on staying somewhere relatively well-known. There’s nothing wrong with that, but you might find the cost of accommodation is slightly pricier. The further away from the center you stay, the cheaper the hotel rates will get. Find somewhere that’s a little more out of the way. You may have to travel into the town every day, but you’ll be saving money.

Eat on the street

If you’re vacationing somewhere that has street food, give it a try. Not only are you sampling some of the local cuisine, but you’re also saving yourself a bit of money. Street food tends to be cheaper than what you get in a restaurant, and more authentic too. What better way to get a taste of the country you’re visiting?

Who needs gifts?

Do you enjoy buying souvenirs for people when you go on vacation? Maybe it’s time to stop. It might be a nice thought, but it’s pretty much money gone to waste. Nine times out ten, the things you buy people end up getting thrown out or forgotten in a drawer somewhere. Plus, most of the nice souvenirs that are worth buying are usually pricier, which means you end up spending more money than you’d like. Just send people a postcard instead.

Start walking

You’re on vacation, so the last thing you’re probably thinking about is exercise. However, you may find that walking everywhere is the best way to get around when you’re abroad. Sure, if you’re going to visit somewhere several miles away then don’t force yourself to walk the whole way. You can’t deny, though, that traveling by foot is a lot cheaper than getting a bus or train everywhere. Besides, it can’t hurt to keep active.

Do less, enjoy more

Sometimes just being in a different country is all you need to enjoy your vacation. Seeing the sights and doing things out of the ordinary make for great experiences, but they also hurt your wallet. If you can find a balance between chilling and going out and about, you’ll find that you benefit in every way. You’ll feel more relaxed, spend less, and still get to see some of what makes that country truly special.

There are so many ways that you can cut back on spending when going on vacation. Your time off doesn’t have to be a huge stress, nor does it need to put a strain on your wallet.

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