Book Now
Book Now
TIPS & TRICKS

How to Plan A Budget-Friendly Vacation

It’s easy to get caught up in vacation fantasies, but one of the most important parts of planning a vacation is understanding how to make the most of your vacation budget. With a little bit of planning, you have the opportunity to maximize the amount you have to spend for an unforgettable trip. From meal planning to flexibility during your travels, here are eight tips on how to vacation on a budget and save money both before and while on your vacation.

Tip #1: Set Your Total Vacation Budget

Before you begin planning the details of your vacation budget, set the overall budget itself. Finding the right budget for a vacation is a personal experience. It has to do with a number of factors, and in the end, it all comes down to what’s comfortable (and feasible) for your family.

Some financial experts say that the average family vacation costs between 5–10% of your total income. So, for example, if your family makes $40,000 per year, then the budget for a family vacation rests somewhere between $2,000 and $4,000 dollars.

Once you set your budget, the rest of the vacation planning details can fall into place. Remember, you want to find the balance between feeling free during your travels and not feeling stressed when you return back to reality. It’s a delicate balance, but it can be done.

Tip #2: Plan in Advance

Whenever possible, start planning your trip as far in advance as you can as it will often save you money in the long run. Hotels might be more likely to offer a good deal if you book in advance, as will rental cars and trains. This is particularly important if you’re planning a vacation during peak months, like summer when kids are out of school.

Tip #3: Meal Plan To Avoid Dining Out For Every Meal

Baskets of apples and oranges at a supermarket

One of the quickest ways to blow through a budget during vacation is dining out for every meal. The cost of coffee and hot chocolate alone for a family of 5—at say, $30 per day for a 5-day trip—can quickly put a big dent in the travel budget. Add on drinks and entrees in the evening for the duration of the trip, and you’ve spent a pretty penny.

If you book your accommodations with meal planning in mind, you can find a spot that offers a kitchen, which will save you money in the long run. At many of our resorts, for example, our villas offer fully equipped kitchens. This feature makes it easy to whip up everything from pancakes in the morning to pasta in the evening. Add in some local wine on the deck or patio, and you’ll be all set.

Tip #4: Embrace Flexibility

If you can embrace flexibility and a little spontaneity, you may find you reap the rewards. Colorado’s on your bucket list? Perfect. If you’re flexible about the specific location in Colorado and time of year when you visit, you may be more likely to land a stellar deal. Embracing a flexible mindset doesn’t always come easy to many of us, especially when we’re fine-tuning how to plan a vacation itinerary.

Luckily, with travel flexibility, you can pick and choose what’s most important. Maybe you have your heart set on staying in the most bustling part of the city, but you’re willing to go out for happy hour to save money instead of a full evening dining experience. To get started with vacation flexibility, make a list of what’s on the top of your bucket list, including lodging locations, adventures and activities, and travel times. Rank those items in order of what’s the most important and start planning from there.

Tip #5: Look for Hidden Fees

A travel agent hands a person their receipt

During the process of vacation planning, hidden fees can become a nuisance. You’ll find them everywhere from credit card fees to charges for luggage. Gratuities, Wi-Fi, and parking costs can also add up to a surprising amount at the end of your travels.

In some cases, there’s no way to get around hidden fees. They also offer valuable assets—like being able to catch up on work from the comfort of your room or parking your car on-site rather than off-site. The key is to find out about these fees from the beginning, so you aren’t alarmed when you get your final bill.

Tip #6: Be Careful but Wise

When you’re planning a vacation, there’s such a thing as being too careful with the budget. If you book a flight that gets into your destination super late, you may have to pay a higher price to stay somewhere near the airport. If you come in at rush hour, like the early morning or early evening, transportation costs may be higher. You can book lodging outside of town, then spend more money on a rental car or taxis to get to and from dinner.

With regards to budget, it’s always good to think in terms of the full picture rather than in fragments. Be careful, but be wise.

Tip #7: Research Your Destinations

When you travel, destination choice makes a huge impact on your budget. Tuscany is probably going to come with a heftier price tag than Little Italy. Of course, they each boast their own kind of immense beauty, but if you’re being aware of your budget, you want to weigh the options of your destination and its expenses. The pricier locations may be for vacations further in the future when you have more time to save and plan. If you have your heart set on a location that’s out of your budget, look for seasonal travel deals as many places will offer discounts for people willing to travel during the off season.

Tip #8: Pre-Plan Your Activities

A group of people having fun on a hike

Choose the top activities you’re willing to splurge on, and then look for budget-friendly or free ways to spend the rest of your time. Hiking, bike rides, free museums, and more are ways you can explore the local area without breaking the bank. In addition, check out any activities at your resort which you can take advantage of. At our resorts, our INSPIRED For You™ program offers a variety of activities, some of which are free and some which come with a nominal fee.

 

If you want to visit some of the most beautiful locations in the world, complete with your own kitchen and luxury amenities, make sure to check out our destinations. From the majestic desert sunsets of Palm Springs to the beauty of the Baja peninsula, our unique resort locations have a little something for every kind of traveler. Wherever you go, and whatever your budget is, we’re sure it will be relaxing and rejuvenating.

Leave a Comment

Indicates Required Information

This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.

reCAPTCHA is mandatory
Lorem ipsum

Popular Posts

Things to Do at Home During COVID-19 Quarantine

TIPS & TRICKS

Things to Do at Home During Quarantine

Read More
museums in palm springs

LOCAL LIFE

Find Your Favorite Desert Museum: Palm Springs Edition

Read More
10 Unique Breckenridge Events

LOCAL LIFE

10 Unique Breckenridge Events Throughout the Year

Read More
A couple sits at a desk with a camera, laptop, and a notepad as they plan a vacation

TIPS & TRICKS

How to Plan A Vacation

Read More
best things to do in truckee

LOCAL LIFE

11 Must-Do Spring Activities in Lake Tahoe

Read More
Resort Attire

TIPS & TRICKS

Resort Wear: Understanding Resort Dress Codes

Read More
Thanksgiving Dinner in Your Villa

TIPS & TRICKS

How to Cook Thanksgiving Dinner in Your Villa

Read More
things to do in breckenridge in winter

LOCAL LIFE

Top 10 Things to Do in Breckenridge in Winter

Read More
Summer Vacation Ideas With Vision Boards

TIPS & TRICKS

Top 3 Summer Vacation Ideas With Vision Boards

Read More
skiing

GUEST EXPERIENCES

A Tahoe Winter Getaway with the Radovanovic Family

Read More
Fall Activities for Families in Branson

LOCAL LIFE

Top Fall Activities for Families in Branson, MO

Read More
couples in branson

LOCAL LIFE

Top Things to Do in Branson for Couples

Read More
top activities in cabo san lucas

LOCAL LIFE

Top 5 Cabo San Lucas Tours & Activities You Need to Try

Read More
family photo

LOCAL LIFE

Best Things to Do in Branson, Missouri This Summer

Read More
best winter destinations in california

LOCAL LIFE

7 Fun Palm Springs Activities for the Winter

Read More
A bartender at a speakeasy pours a drink

LOCAL LIFE

Your Guide to the San Diego Speakeasy Bars

Read More
outdoor pool

LOCAL LIFE

Go Mid-Century Modern in Palm Springs: Architecture, History, and Shopping

Read More
In Branson with kids

LOCAL LIFE

Top 8 Things to Do in Branson, MO, with Kids

Read More
Fine dining in Palm Springs, CA

LOCAL LIFE

Where to Eat in Palm Springs for an Elegant Night Out

Read More
Christmas lights

LOCAL LIFE

Ultimate Cabo San Lucas Adventures: Insider Vacation Secrets Revealed

Read More
sunset

LOCAL LIFE

Cabo Resort-Hopping: Your Restaurant Guide to the Best in Food and Drinks

Read More
Welk Resorts Sea World

LOCAL LIFE

9 Must-Do Activities at SeaWorld San Diego

Read More
Lake Tahoe this Summer

LOCAL LIFE

Best Things to Do in Lake Tahoe this Summer

Read More
COVID-19 & Travel

TIPS & TRICKS

COVID-19 & Travel: 5 Tips to Help You to Stay Healthy

Read More
difference between hotel and lodge

TIPS & TRICKS

What Is A Resort vs. Hotel?

Read More
Palm Springs Street Fair

LOCAL LIFE

Palm Springs Street Fair: VillageFest and What You Should Know

Read More
Tahoe Brunch Restaurants

LOCAL LIFE

9 Can’t-Miss Tahoe Brunch Restaurants

Read More
restaurants in tahoe

LOCAL LIFE

Best Wine Bars & Restaurants in Tahoe

Read More
View all Posts