You work hard. You need to de-stress. It’s vacation time! You want to go to a new country, see some new sights, make some new memories. But you also need your vacation to be… affordable. ‘Budget’ may seem like a bad word in the vacation world. But it doesn’t have to be. You can plan your budget trip and still get the rest, relaxation and experiences that you crave.

Define WHY you’re going on a vacation

Before making any plans, you need to be clear about why you’re going on a vacation. Do you want to go on a new tour every day?Are you a foodie who wants to try new cuisine? Is your main priority catching up on sleep? The purpose of the vacation will inform every other decision you make.

Create a vacation budget

It’s all well and good to say that you want to book an affordable vacation –but what does that mean in dollars and cents? Establish how much money you have to spend. As you continue planning, factor in fixed costs like airfare and accommodation. Your travel priorities will determine where you spend more money. However, be aware that spending more in one area may lead to cutting back in another. For example, you may choose to splurge on a nice hotel, but his may restrict the number of tours that you can take.

Venture off the beaten track

Some people decide they’re going to go to Italy or France and then they try to make that trip affordable. But, tourist hotspots will often be more expensive than lesser known locales. Do some research into affordable tourist destinations. Since you’ve already defined why you’re going on vacation, you’ll be primed to look for just what you need.

Book early

The earlier you book your flight, the cheaper it will be. The cost of a flight can change dramatically and airlines often increase ticket prices as the takeoff date approaches. Remember, compare prices from different airlines before making a booking. Furthermore, you should also consider which airport you’re flying into. If a cheap flight takes you to a remote airport –and then you have to pay a hefty cost to get to your accommodation –you’re saving in one area only to spend more in another. Try to choose a flight that will work out to be the most cost-effective overall.

Research accommodation

The type of accommodation you choose depends on the purpose of your trip. If you want to sleep all day, you may choose to spend more on a hotel. Even in this instance, you can look at hotels with package deals that include breakfast so that you won’t have to purchase three meals a day. If you’re going to be sightseeing a lot, you can look at hostels or vacation rentals like Airbnb. If friends or family live in your chosen destination, you can ask politely to stay with them as well.

Travel during the off season

If your travel dates are flexible, then consider travelling during the off season. There’ll be be fewer tourists at the attractions and less guests at hotels; most importantly, you’ll benefit from lower prices.

Plan your meals

You can still eat well on a budget. Many travel destinations have great street food options, which often allow you to sample a country’s authentic cuisine. (Imagine the equivalent of doubles in your chosen destination!!!) You can also ask locals for restaurant suggestions; they may be able to direct you to places not often featured on tourist websites… and the food will probably be just as good for a fraction of the cost. If you do want to splurge on a luxurious dinner, then choose cheaper breakfast and lunch options to help you stick to your budget.

Consider a staycation

Maybe you’ve looked into it and you just can’t afford to take a foreign trip this year. All is not lost. You can apply these travel trips to a staycation. You may finish your staycation feeling even more refreshed than if you’d had to go through the hassle of airport travel and you may even discover new faces of your country.

Have fun!!!

Planning your budget vacation means that you won’t run out of money mid-trip and vacation debts won’t bog you down once you come home. And, your budget vacation may very well turn out to be your dream vacation too. Whether you’re eating street food in Mexico, hiking in Indonesia or sleeping on the most comfortable hotel bed, we hope that you get the rest, relaxation and memories you deserve!