Holiday Travel Tips for Smart Savings
If you’re lucky enough to be combining your holidays with some vacation time, make sure you travel smart. There are many ways to save money on holiday travel packages that are often overlooked in the holiday hustled and bustle. Whether you’re heading to Grandma’s house in New England or escaping the cold in Oahu, these holiday travel tips will help you to have an enjoyable, affordable holiday vacation.
Accommodation
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Image credit: Kassandra Bay Resort & SPA's photostream (license)[/caption] When looking to book accommodations, think about what you’re really willing to pay for—is it that important that your room has a TV with 600 channels or that you’ll have access to an indoor pool? Most likely, you’ll be spending your holiday vacation time visiting family and friends or exploring your destination. Sometimes, it can even be cheaper to pay for a short-term apartment, such as a VRBO, airbnb, or vacation house rental for a week than it is to book a hotel for 7 days, plus they often have kitchens which can help you save on dining out. Make sure to explore all the options for accommodation in your chosen destination. Keep in mind that a lot of hotel prices are more negotiable than you’d imagine—call to see if you can get a better deal than they have listed on their site before booking.
Transportation
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Image credit: epSos .de (license)[/caption] To fly or not to fly? That is the question. While flying often seems like the most convenient option, prices can be sky high during the holiday season; especially if you haven’t already booked your flights! However, if flying is really your only option, it’s worth it to peruse the internet extensively for the best deal. Also keep in mind that it’s often cheaper to fly to smaller, slightly out-of-the-way airports. If you haven’t ruled out ground travel, don’t forget about the bus! Many bus companies, such as MegaBus, Bolt, and PeterPan, offer affordable round trip tickets for destinations within a set region. If you’re traveling with family, you may prefer the comfort of your own car. However, if you can, avoid driving the big gas-guzzling SUV if you want to save on gas money.
Attractions & Outings
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Image credit: Jean-Francois Gornet (license)[/caption] Once you’ve arrived at your holiday travel destination, you’re faced with one last task: deciding what to do. Planning your itinerary, or at least a general idea of attractions you want to visit, can be a huge money-saver. Do a little research and see if any multi-attraction passes are available, they often offer savings compared to gate prices. See if there are any free things to do, such as parades, festivals, or events at museums, that might be happening in your destination. From tree-lighting ceremonies to holiday markets, the holidays are a time when everyone likes to get together to celebrate. Of course, the old stand by of driving around to look at holiday lights never gets old!