Nowadays, it often seems that money is an issue in just about every aspect of life. It seems that we only work and stress, but rarely relax. Most people have full time jobs in order to be able to afford holidays now and then. The sad truth is that the more people work, the more they stress and think they have something better to do than take a few days off and travel with their family. However, holidays are just as important an aspect of life as work. In fact, those who manage to have regular weekend getaways are more productive at work and certainly less stressed at home. So what can you do when you are pressured by a budget limit, but you really wish to go on a vacation? The good news is that you don’t need a fortune to afford a holiday, but you need careful planning and you have to stay realistic. Using a comparison holiday website is one of the best ways to concentrate on options which meet your criteria and budget – this way you focus on what you can afford instead of on what you can’t. Here is some useful advice for planning a budget vacation for the family.
- Choose where to go: This is the most essential step because it will determine not only the budget for the transport, but also the daily allowance. Don’t choose an expensive resort where you can only stay for 3 days. Instead, go for an affordable hotel or bed and breakfast option, where you haven’t been and book a room for a week. This way the travelling won’t seem more than the rest time.
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| PLANNING A FAMILY VACATION ON A BUDGET |
- Travel by train/bus: Did you know that you can get quite a good railpass and travel throughout the country and internationally? It’s a great option for tourists in Europe (Eurail goes to more than 45 cities in Europe, for example) and North America (Greyhound’s buses can take you just about anywhere in the country). This way it’s easier to see more and spend less on travel costs.
- Plan the food: Pack a cooler for food, prepare sandwiches and shop for snacks and fresh vegetables and fruit. This will save you quite a bit of cash which you would otherwise spend on McDonald’s cheeseburgers. If you are going to a city you don’t know much about, research online the places where you can eat which are more affordable.
- Fly at night: Most flights around midnight are cheaper, especially in America and Europe, so make a wise choice.
- Book early: This is a rule of thumb when it comes to travelling. Booking a plane ticket or a hotel room should be done at least 2 months before the travel date, sometimes even earlier. This way you can pay a fraction of the usual price which is great.
- Make a checklist: Being prepared for the trip will save you money. It might take some time in the short run, but in the long run it’s definitely worth it. Prepare a checklist and follow it. This way you reduce the risk of forgetting something and then paying double for it.
Planning a family vacation on a budget may seem like a hard task, but it can still be an amazing time for everyone, so it’s definitely worth going through the initial planning, search and preparation.