Road trips seem like the cheapest way to travel, but if you're not careful,
they can get crazy expensive as well. They are also perfect for a quick getaway
when you don't have much time, but need to brake up the monotony of daily
life. So here are some tips on how to keep your costs down and fit any trip
into your schedule.
1 two
nights here and one night there
2 one night only
3 day tripping
4 visit friends
5 stay outside the city
6 bring everyone
7 research your city
8 getting around
9 eating
10 dining out
1 If you're on a budget, but would still like the experience
of staying in a hotel, why not go away for three days, but camp the first
two nights? All the money you've saved on those sleeping arrangements will
then help and pay for a nice hotel room on your last night. Since you always
remember the last thing you do more clearly, it'll be like you never went
camping at all.
2 Or, if you can't get your hands on a tent, don't
go camping at all and just go away for one night. You don't have to go away
for a week to feel replenished. One night in a different setting may be just
what you need to make those distant holidays not seem so far away. Check out
our article on Finding The
Time To Travel for more info.
3 If you don't have any more time than just one
day, why not pick a destination within a 3-4 hour drive, get up at 6am and
be there in time for a late breakfast? You'll not only beat rush hour, but
also have the whole day to enjoy a different place. Look around until the
sun sets and then leisurely drive home. Maybe grab dinner at a highway rest
stop to break up the drive?
4 Think of all the friends and family members you
haven't seen for a while. There's something to do in every place, so why not
drop by and say hello? You'll not only have a place to stay, if you're lucky,
you'll even have a tour guide. Make sure you do help out around the house
and pitch in with food though. If you keep your friends happy, they'll be
more likely to have you back.
5 Hotels and motels are usually quite a bit cheaper
just outside of cities. Why not find a nicer place on the outskirts of town,
as opposed to one right downtown which probably won't only charge you more,
but may also have less comfort? Since you're on a road trip, it's not like
you'll be stuck at the hotel. You have your car!
6 Take as many people with you as you can. A full
car or people means you can split money for gas and a $100 room just got divided
up as well. Not just that, if you take good friends, you'll also find yourself
having a great time no matter what happens. Make sure you do take an even
number of people though. That way no one will feel left out. Also, try and
go with either all couples or no couples. It just makes things more comfortable.
7 Do a little research before you head for your
destination. Check the local papers for free concerts or festivals of some
sort. Find what you'd like to do, make a price list and then scratch whatever
is either too much or that you're not that in to. If you have all your money
matters figured out before you go, there won't be any surprises when you get
there.
8 The cheapest way to get around anywhere is to
walk. It is also the most effective way to see a place, because you're not
worrying which bus stop to get off at. Most cities have good and affordable
subway systems as well. Some even offer free rides in the downtown area, like
Pittsburgh, PA. If you want to get from one area of town to another, think
how much a cab would cost divided between you and your friends. It might be
turn out to be cheaper and definitely more comfortable than taking the subway.
9 The day before you go, drive to a cheap food store
and buy all the things you might want to have on your trip. Buy a few bottles
of pop. Dehydration is easy to do and with all the running around you'll be
doing, you might forget to have a drink. Buy whatever food you want that doesn't
need to be heated. Bring a cooler and resealable bags and containers, so your
opened food won't go bad. Any rest stop will sell you ice for $2, so you can
keep cooling your food.
10 You don't want to count every penny you're spending,
so treat yourself to one nice meal, dinner perhaps. You can virtually eat
anywhere and still come out under $30 per person. The trick is not to drink
any alcohol! Beer, wine and liquor are hands down the easiest ways to get
rid of a whack of cash fast and without even realising where it went.
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