Posted on: Monday, May 19, 2008
Five ways to trim cost of vacation
By Marshall Loeb
MarketWatch
NEW YORK — Want to go on a vacation this summer but not sure you can afford it? Sure, gas and food prices are high, but it's still possible to get away.
By concentrating on ways to save, you'll find yourself at the beach or in the mountains for less than you think.
From Erin Burt, a contributing editor at Kiplinger.com, here are five money-saving tips for planning a vacation this summer:
Vacation close to home. The average domestic airfare reached $331 at the end of 2007, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. That's the highest pricing in six years. Yes, gas prices for your car are at record highs, too. But if you choose a destination within short driving distance, you can save a lot of money — especially if you're traveling with other people. Staying close to home could save you money on transportation and help spare you lodging expenses.
Seek inexpensive lodging. Where you stay has a huge impact on your vacation budget. Use Kayak.com to search for the lowest hotel prices on the Web. Or consider these budget-friendly alternatives: hostels, college dorm rooms and campgrounds.
Hold down food costs. You'll save a lot of money if you can cook your own meals (or, at least, most of them).
Choose destinations with cheap entertainment. It doesn't matter what a good deal you get on transportation or lodging if you're going to blow your budget when you get there.
Stick to locations off the beaten path or that offer plenty of free or inexpensive things to do. Nearly all the main attractions are free in Washington, for example, including the Smithsonian museums. And you can't beat Mother Nature. National parks, forests and state parks provide miles of hiking trails, beautiful vistas, biking trails, fishing holes and rafting runs for nothing — or next to nothing.
