14 Ways to Save Money on Your Accommodation

Accommodation can be one of the most expensive parts of your vacation if you do not plan carefully. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to keep the budget down.

1. Look for a package deal. Once you have created your travel budget, you should have a pretty good idea of how much you can afford per day. Go online to see what kind of package you can get at around that rate. For example, booking flight, hotel and car rental on Expedia can offer significant savings.

2. Be clear about what is important to you and your family. If you are single, chances are you won’t care what your room is like because you will be outside of it most of the time soaking up the sights. But do check if you get stuck with a single supplement fee.

If you are traveling as a family, a suite with a refrigerator and microwave can help you keep the kids fed and costs down.  Remember, the less you spend on your room, the more you have to spend on other things.

3. Consider staying with family. If you have any family in the area, see if you can stay with them?

4. Try Airbnb. Some of the properties are really great and a fraction of what you would pay for a hotel. Just be sure to check the location in relation to all the places you want to visit. You may need a rental car if you are not driving to your destination, which can add to the cost. Check for public transportation and typical taxi fares.



5. Consider travel hostels.  Hostels have come a long way in the past few years, and are clean, modern, and full of amenities. Some of them can be a bit out of the way, but their cheapness can more than make up for location. Backpacker hostels in New Zealand are a way of life and are used by people from 8 to 80, so don’t worry about being "too old" to go to a hostel. Just be prepared to share kitchen and sometimes the bathroom, or pay more for a private room if available.

6. Watch your travel dates. Peak times will be at the holidays and in the summer in many locations. Travel in the off-season can cost a fraction of what it does at peak season.

7. Bid on travel booking sites such as Hotwire or Priceline. You can get some great bargains this way. With Priceline, you can’t pick the exact hotel, but you will have an idea of location and rating.

8. Beware of location. City center hotels can cost a small fortune compared to others a bit further out. So too can airport hotels if you are not careful. Consider the cost and availability and time factor in relation to public transportation and/or taxis to where you need to go (and/or car rental), and see what makes the most sense.

9. Loyalty programs. If you are a frequent traveler, join a loyalty program for the same chain of hotels. It can add up to a range of perks and might also get you a room upgrade at no extra cost.

10. House Swapping. House swapping is becoming more popular, as families who want to visit certain locations but still enjoy comforts of home exchange with others. Just be careful of location, and do be careful of their property and your own valuables when you have anyone in your house.

11. Camping. Camping can be a great adventure. Campsites can be very basic, or full of amenities.

12. Caravan parks. Caravans are one up from camping in a tent. They are warm, dry, have a stove and fridge, and can be a fun way to enjoy a holiday at the seaside or other scenic location.

13. Deals and discounts. Look for bargain deals, coupons and more. I am going to be adding more information about travel deals, coupons and more ways to save money on this blog very soon.

14. Check the fine print of your bookings.  Before making any booking, be sure to read the fine print so you know exactly what things will cost.

Travel Tips 9 Ways to Save Money on Food and Drink

One of the most expensive aspects of being on vacation can be the food and drink. However, there are quite a few ways you can save money.



Travel Tips #1-  Know before you go. When planning your trip, research the area you will be staying in. Check out the restaurants to see the price of the entrees and kids’ meals. Also see if there is anything special going on at the time you will be there, like Restaurant Week, where a 3-course meal with wine will cost around $20, or a Lobsterfest, Oktoberfest and so on.

Choose a room with a refrigerator and microwave. Plan to shop for the basics when you get there, such as milk and cereal, if you have small children. Stock up on snacks too. Bring reusable water bottles and water purification tablets if you are going overseas.

Travel Tips #2. Choose your accommodation wisely. Accommodation can sometimes include meals. For example, many of the motel chains offer a free hot breakfast. Eat well in the morning and that can tide you over for many hours.

In many cases, you can also make your own sandwiches from the toast, bacon, egg and so on, which you can wrap up and take with you for lunch. Most places won’t mind, but just don’t be too obvious about it. In this case, all you would then have to worry about would be dinner and snacks.

Other hotels and resorts include all meals or dinner. This is usually the case if they are in a remote location. Be sure not to miss out and make the most of each meal.

Travel Tips #3. Eat out on the weeknights, not the weekends. There are often special deals on certain weekdays to entice more people to come out to dine, so make the most of them.



Travel Tips #4. Enjoy a big lunch and a light dinner. The lunch menu is often the same food, but far cheaper.

Travel Tips #5. Go for happy hour and early bird specials. These usually, offer the best value. And don’t be shy about asking for a doggie bag. If the portions are really large, avoid the temptation to overeat by taking one third to one half of the food and putting it on your bread plate, and asking them to pack up the rest. You will save money and calories too!

Travel Tips #6. Look for buffets. They will usually charge you per person no matter what the age of your children, but buffets are a great way to taste everything, and you can take some food away if you are not too obvious about it - like chicken fingers, sliced meats and rolls and so on that will be great for lunch the next day.

Travel Tips #7. Pack well. Head to a warehouse store and buy granola bars or other snacks in bulk. Bring a reusable water bottle for each person. Have nuts on hand. Buy bread and a jar of peanut butter. The sandwiches will hold up well no matter what the weather.

Have a backpack to carry the snacks and water in. Bring a Thermos and fill it up each morning with coffee at the hotel. Bring a Tupperware for storing leftovers from buffets, or from your doggie bags.

Travel Tips #8. Ask the locals. The hotel staff or people who live in the area will usually know what’s good, at a good price. You can end up discovering some fantastic meals for great prices.

Travel Tips #9. Steer clear of drinks on the menu. It is important to stay hydrated, so be sure to drink the water at the table. If you do have to have a drink, steer clear of fancy cocktails, and go for beer or wine. Drink one glass of water for every alcoholic beverage you have to keep costs down. Order one soda and divide it into the water glasses. You will get the taste without all the sugar and calories.