Budget Travel & Escapes
With gas prices high, you might think a summer trip will cost more than you can afford this year. But if you’re willing to do a little homework and planning, you’ll find that most any trip can be affordable some budget travel tips.
These days, Americans are asking themselves if they can afford a getaway without dipping into college or retirement savings. The answer is a resounding yes! But only if you are savvy, flexible and vigilant when it comes to planning.
“Regardless of the state of the economy, you want to use your time and money smartly,” says television travel-show host and best-selling guidebook writer Rick Steves. “Start by equipping yourself with good info.”
Should you travel by land, sea or air? That largely depends on where you want to travel and what you like to do on vacation.”It’s not necessarily about where you go, but finding value in your destination,” says CBS News travel editor Peter Greenberg, who also publishes the website that bears his name. Another debate is whether domestic vacations are cheaper than going abroad. In most cases, a U.S. destination is probably more cost-effective — but not always. For example, you can at times find direct fares to places in Europe and South America that are less expensive than the cost of a transcontinental domestic flight.
Be Bargain Savvy
- When searching for a flight, remember that budget airlines such as Southwest in the United States and EasyJet in Europe do not appear on some travel reservation websites.
- Rental cars can be cheaper to book at discounted weekly rates rather than for just four or five days, and one-way rentals (from one city to another) can cost hundreds of dollars more in “drop-off” fees.
- Try to find a four-day cruise in the middle of the week rather than a three-day cruise over the weekend — that extra day might be a great deal. All-inclusive packages can also offer savings.
This content is provided courtesy of USAA.
