Budget Friendly Vacation Tips

Joy · #1 (**permalink**) 05-06-2009, 06:31 AM

Will the uncertain economy affect your vacation plans this summer? Share your best budget friendly vacation tips.

KSJEn6891 · #2 (**permalink**) 05-15-2009, 02:02 PM

No, the economy isn't having a large effect on our summer vacation. We are taking precautions to enjoy as much as we can with as little mulla as we can though. We bought our plane tickets for Illinois & Georgia on priceline.com, we are staying at a hotel where we can stay & fly before we leave so parking is already taken care of for a fraction of what it would have cost us had we not opted for the stay & fly deal, and we are staying with family on the second leg of our trip. My MIL is coming at the end of summer, we paid in advance for two activities taking place here - then, and we will be enjoying several other freebie's being offered the rest of the time. MIL is staying with us, we are picking her up (also bought through priceline.com) and dropping her off, and she has a car available to her here if she wants to venture out on her own (GPS equiped).

trainlady · #3 (**permalink**) 06-13-2009, 02:45 PM

I usually take a train trip every three years or so! (Would take one every summer if money allowed!!)
My recommendation is to buy train/plane tickets well in advance for less expensive rates.
As far as the train, I carry all my own food to save money. Having lived in so many places, I usually have friends to stay with when i reach my destination which saves hotel costs.
If you do need a hotel, reserve well in advance, or better yet, look into Bed and Breakfasts. They are usually a bit less and you get more of a flavor of the localists.

As Jen suggested, Priceline is very good for getting discounted rates on your travel plans!

hugs, train

happymomof4 · #4 (**permalink**) 06-14-2009, 01:52 PM

We are going camping for our family vacation. This is what we do every year. The past few years we stay closer to home because of the fuel prices. We have a camper. Alot of campgrounds have deals if you stay 7 nights you pay for 6. We look for campgrounds have their prices for a family of 4 instead of 2 people. We now are a family of 4 instead of 6 like years ago. We look for campgrounds that have activities. Most are free if you are staying at the campgrounds. This gives you things to do while you are staying there. We take all our food with us.

We can go camping for 7 days of a family of 4 for under $250.00. We take our dog with.

**Sammi1961** · #5 (**permalink**) 06-20-2009, 05:19 AM

I think one of the best ways to save money when going anywhere is to bring your own food (if it is allowed). Eating out is so expensive, especially if you have several children with you. This is easy for day trips etc. but even if you are going for a longer trip doing it for just one meal a day can save money. A cooler can hold all kinds of quick lunch things.

RobertaD · #6 (**permalink**) 06-20-2009, 08:38 AM

A lot of hotel now have a mini frig with microwave and coffee pot so it is easier to bring food from home or shop when you get there for breakfast and to make sandwiches.

Roberta

justEricka · #7 (**permalink**) 06-21-2009, 10:55 AM

we are planning to camp in tn this summer (in 23 days lol) for about 5 days. it will cost us 200 for 5 nights in a campground, for 6 people, myself, db, and 4 kids ages 17, 13, 12, and 11. we will go to peigon forge and gatlinberge for things to do. it will cost us about 1000 total, but we may not do everything we have planned. but for 2 days we will be in the smokey mnts and that will be good and free.

we plan to bring most of our own food. and do thigns that are cheaper. i also download coupons to use for things we want to do.

have a good day
ericka