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Taking a holiday while trying to be frugal can seem a bit frivolous, but everyone needs a break now and then and going on holiday doesn’t have to break the bank. There are lots of great tips and tricks that can help you to save money, no matter where you are travelling. From a weekend away close to home, to an elaborate two week holiday in Europe, there is no end to the ways you can save money along the way, without compromising your fun.
Be flexible with your dates – accommodation and flights are always cheaper at less busy times. Often charter airlines can be considerably cheaper than traditional airlines. You’ll need to be flexible with your dates as they don’t fly as often as the big airlines, but the savings will be worth it.
Consider renting a self-catering holiday cottage – you’ll have much more room than in any hotel room and will be able to save money (and calories) by cooking for yourself. There are lots of great holiday cottages to rent in the UK, visit Sykes Cottages to get an idea of what is available.
Walk, walk, walk! It’s good for your health, lets you see so much more of a city, and it’s 100% free. Alternatively, use public transport. Decide on some of the places you want to visit in advance and see if there are ticket savings online. This can also allow you to jump the line-up, which is always nice!
Stay away from tourist areas when you are eating out, these areas are always overpriced. Don’t be taken advantage of!
Try any or all of these tips to save on your next holiday and you’ll return feeling renewed and with a full bank account. It really is possible, just give it a try!
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What can you get for 30 cents these days? By our calculations, 30 cents covers a trip to the toilet at London Kings Cross Station, 1/3 of a croissant in Paris and a ¼ of a hot dog in NYC. Or, you could get a bed for 30 cents in one of ten amazing HostelBookers hostels worldwide.
Every day between the 21st and 25th of May, 100 beds will go on sale at 16:00 UK time. Customers can book up to two beds per night, for travel between June 18th and 22nd, 2012.
Some examples of cheap accommodation participating in the offer include Sant Jordi Gracia, a new hostel located in Barcelona and designed to reflect the vibrant Barcelona urban arts scene. There is a fixed-gear bike-inspired common area with a chillout room with big screen and beanbags, plus a kitchen and dining room. Upstairs, guests sleep in four, six, and eight-bed dorms. There’s also a large outdoor private patio area accessible during the day for barbeques, reading a book or meeting
up with friends. Staff are happy to recommend cool places to go in artsy surrounding neighborhood El Barrio Gracia.
Guests can stay for just 30 cents at the Jazz on Amsterdam Ave in New York City. Awarded the ‘Most Popular’ in the HostelBookers Awards for Excellence 2012, it is situated on the Upper West Side of Manhattan in the heart of one of NYC’s most prestigious neighbourhoods. The property features spacious rooms, a private lounge, lobby, café area, luggage storage and a roof deck.
Over in the heart of Bloomsbury, London, travellers can bed down for 30 cents at the Generator, London’s largest hostel with over 800 beds. Lively and funky, it provides a unique atmosphere by entertaining guests with DJ nights, karaoke, quizzes and fancy dress evenings and is close to major attractions like the British Museum.
The Vintage Hostel in Paris and MJ Place Hostel in Italy’s capital of Rome are 2 of the world’s most expensive cities that are offering also 50 beds each for 30 cents.
In Australia, WakeUp! is a fresh, modern hostel and the hub of backpacker activity right in the heart of Sydney. Whether guests are budget-conscious travellers or after a little luxury, Wake Up! offers mixed or all-female dormitory style accommodation, as well as private rooms with and without an en-suite.
Bookings are processed on a first-come-first-serve basis and terms and conditions apply, for further information visit HostelBookers.
This is dedicated content. Want to reach tens of thousands of savvy spenders? Read our blog marketing page.
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I share five must read blog posts about saving money every Friday.
Time for a vacay? Learn how to plan a cheap road trip. (Money Crashers)
Find out what SOPA is and how it will affect you? (Wisebread)
Is your lease almost over? Here’s how to get a bargain when apartment hunting. (Free From Broke)
Trim the fat with these everyday savings tips. (The Digerati Life)
Hitting the grocery store? Here’s a list of items to skip to save money at grocery store. (The Consumerist)
This post is copyrighted by BargainBabe.com. Any other site posting this content is violating the DMCA.
By Bobbi Burger Brunoehler of BobbisBargains.
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Got vacation time coming your way? Trying to decide what to do? I’ve got 10 steps for a great staycation (a vacation at home, so no hotel and travel costs), plus specific things to do in 80 towns across the country below.
I’m always amazed by people who haven’t been to some of the interesting places in their hometown. Don’t wait for visitors to be a tourist in your own town!
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Reader Meital wrote in with a common summer vacation problem:
I would like to go camping this summer with my boyfriend and our friends. I know that on your website you always mention that parks have free admission during certain times of the year. Can you recommend a few parks that are beautiful and cheap/ reasonable in california (probably about a few hours out of the san fernando valley or LA)?
Meital, here are five places you can camp for free or park an RV for $10 a night. There are many places near Los Angeles on the list. Camping is my favorite cheap summer vacation, among others.
Where do you like to camp in California or another state?
Got a question or savings tip? Email me and you could be featured on BargainBabe.com!
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Planning a summer vacation? Keep in mind that there are hundreds of places you can camp for free, making the great outdoors a true bargain. Kevin Mack, who is campaign director at the Wilderness Society in Washington, D.C., and I talked last year about free camping options. Many are rustic – but not all!
Wilderness areas – the most protected land in the U.S. may require a permit but often there is no fee. Mechanized travel is not allowed, so no cars or bikes. Campgrounds are not carved out like at national parks and there is no running water or toilets. You can park on the edge of a wilderness area and hike in, or go by horseback, kayak, or canoe. Once you get there you can hunt, fish, hike and rock climb. For more info visit Wilderness.net, which has a handy map of wilderness areas.
BLM land – a whopping 89 percent of Bureau of Land Management territory does not cost anything to camp on. Some areas require a permit, others don’t. Most are unmarked and waiting for you to find them. Typically, BLM land has minimal or no services (like running water, pit toilets, or designated campsites). You may be able to drive in on a 4-wheel vehicle, hike in, or park on the road and pitch a tent. “But it doesn’t have to be a primitive experience,” Kevin said. “I have done car camping on BLM land. You can bring a cooler and have a gin and tonic at the end of the day. The only difference is you are by yourself and you have to think creatively about your bathroom facilities.” About 10 percent of BLM land is managed by the National Landscape Conservation System, which offers more traditional camping options.
National Forests – most are free to camp in and ideal for folks comfortable looking at a map and contacting the local ranger station for info. You don’t have to be a burly man or 20-something backpacker, Kevin said. “Just be willing to step off the paved road…and drive down a dirt road and chose your own camp spot,” he said. National forests that are highly trafficked usually have fees. Search for sites by state on this page.
RV sites for less than $10 a night - if you RV, check out FreeCampgrounds.com, which lists places to park overnight by state for less than $10. The list includes parks, rest areas, store parking lots, and more. The site also lists Wal-Mart stores that do NOT allow overnight parking.
FreeCampground.com – this site lists a limited number of free sites by state. There were just seven free campgrounds in California, two in Florida and one in New York.
Are you taking a vacation this summer? What kind? I want to take a vacation that combines a few days vegging on the beach and a few days visiting museums and exploring a new city.
