The 4 Best Money-Saving Decisions I’ve Made While Traveling

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By saving money on your travels, you can see more of the world. Check out a few ways you can streamline your costs without losing out on your vacations. [[{“value”:”

There are many things I would do for travel.

I’ll work overtime before and after a trip to make up for the hours missed. I’ll research which side of the train I should sit on in Norway to get the best views. I’ll even book a red-eye basic economy seat — as long as I can enjoy coffee and a pastry afterward.

But one thing I won’t do is risk going into debt for a trip. It’s important to me to only take vacations I know I can afford and to make choices that fit into my budget. I may have made what some people would describe as sacrifices over the years, but I like to think of these decisions as worthwhile ways to squeeze more adventure out of my vacation time.

1. Being flexible with accommodations

I’d love it if every place I stayed on vacation had a beachfront plunge pool, or an unobstructed mountain view, or meals and spa services included. But that’s not a realistic way for me to travel. By being open-minded about the places I stay, I’ve saved a lot of money over the years.

Example: Glamping in Iceland

I spent a week in Iceland last summer, which can be one of the most expensive countries in Europe to visit. Rather than booking hotels each night of the trip, I got creative, spending two nights in a nice hostel and two nights in a truck. Yes — a truck, which had been converted into a glam camper and was parked in a stunning meadow surrounded by sun-dipped mountain peaks.

That cost me about $274 for two nights. Meanwhile, right now, the smallest room at the nearest hotel costs about $510 for two nights. That saved me from charging at least an extra $236 on my credit card. Moral of the story: Consider all your options when booking accommodations. Hotels, hostels, Airbnbs, RVs, and camping are all in play and can lead to an incredible experience you might have otherwise missed.

2. Cooking some meals rather than always dining out

A big part of traveling is getting to enjoy new and different cuisines, and I always make it a point to eat out when I’m on vacation. But I also don’t believe in dining out for every meal, as that can get expensive. Instead, I like to plan ahead and either pack some simple options (oatmeal packets and a jar of peanut butter travel well and make for filling breakfasts) or plan to buy groceries and put together some easy meals.

Example: Rice bowls in Hawaii

I stayed in a rental unit on Kauai last spring and took full advantage of the kitchen. Rather than going into town for every meal, I stayed at my beach unit and cooked for myself. A small bag of rice (from home!), a few sauteed vegetables, and a small container of marinated fish from the grocery store turned into several filling meals at a significantly lower cost than if I’d bought one poke bowl at the nearest restaurant.

I’m not saying you need to eat dry granola bars holed up in your room while on vacation. But you can spread your dollars further and enjoy better meal options when you do dine out, since you’ll feel good about saving on some of the in-between meals.

3. Traveling during the low season

Not everyone has a ton of flexibility when it comes to their vacations. Whether you have kids in school or a job with certain busy times of the year, you may not be able to pick up and go whenever you’d like. But if you can travel during less-popular times, or travel to locations during their less-busy seasons, it can save you a bundle.

Example: Fall colors in Vail

I went to Colorado several years ago for a work trip and tacked on an extra day to enjoy the mountains. You’ve likely heard that Vail isn’t an inexpensive locale, but because this trip was during a shoulder season, rates were incredibly affordable.

For a more current comparison, I looked at prices at the hotel I stayed at for the same time I was there in mid-October compared to December and January, the height of the holidays and ski season. Prices range anywhere from two-times to six-times as expensive. I could have six nights of vacation in October for the price of one night in January. I know what I’m picking.

4. Using credit card rewards to offset travel costs

I use credit cards for just about all of my spending because I like seeing the rewards points rack up in my account for purchases I was going to make anyway. And I love redeeming those rewards to make my adventures more affordable.

Example: An enormous welcome bonus offer

I recently received a welcome offer on a new travel credit card worth a whopping 175,000 points. I haven’t decided if I’m going to apply for the card, but I’m drooling thinking about what those points could get me at an estimated value of $1,750.

As long as you’re careful not to overspend and can pay off your balance each month, credit cards can be a fantastic tool. Whether it’s via a welcome bonus with achievable spending requirements or generous rewards categories on your regular spending, see if a credit card can treat you to your next vacation.

Travel widely and wisely

It would be great if we all had the time and the funds to see more of the world. There may not be much you can do to get more hours off work, but you can stretch your vacation budget further by making smart choices when you travel.

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