Best Tip for Budget Travel

What’s your best tip for budget travel?

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Overall, the best tip is to plan your trip. I know planning vacations is a downer.  The key to staying within a budget is to plan.

First, I like to determine what the goal for our trip is. Maybe it is just to get away and recharge.  Or we want to go to a specific place or experience.  Then determine how much time and money are available for the trip.   

If the goal is to recharge, we have found that Vrbo’s are a great option.  We like to find one that is dog-friendly.  Of course, Leo needs to come along.  One advantage Vrbo has over a hotel is that you get an entire house for about the same amount. We prefer more remote locations off the beaten path.  The main attraction we look for is a yard for Leo. We hit the grocery store when we first arrive and stock up. We usually only go out for one, maybe two meals.  Then we spend the rest of the time hanging out. I have two favorite places; one was located on 30+ acres for hiking. We spent time hiking, watching movies, and just hanging out. My other favorite included a game/movie room.  The main feature was a foosball table.  The key that made both trips successful was actually the lack of activity.

For trips where we want to go to a specific place or experience planning is vital. Especially for places that are popular tourist attractions.  It is not uncommon for popular tourist attractions to have on-demand pricing.  Rates for the attractions are cheaper in the off-season.  I have had several friends over the years make fun of my planning. They always talk about how you can get a better deal on hotels and other things from those coupon books that are usually red.   After much research, news flash: that is wrong.  Those little books may be better if you wait until the last minute.  However, if you plan things out, the rates in those books are laughable. Over the years, I have gotten amazing deals at 4 & 5 star hotels for about the same rate as a  Hampton. One trick I have found is to go to the hotel’s website and look for deals or packages.  I have gotten several packages that included lodging and dining at some swanky places. One even included a complimentary limo. If you ask, it is not uncommon for them to either throw in breakfast or some sort of discount, usually a BOGO breakfast buffet.  

National Park sites are also a budget-friendly option. They tend to have cheaper admission fees, and we have some very interesting sites over the years.  Of course, this was before the most recent attack on the National Park System. One of my favorites is the Castelo de San Marcos in San Augustine or the old Spanish Fort. It has stood the test of time for over 400 years and weathered cannonballs and hurricanes. It is an impressive sight at night.

What about those travel sites like Travelocity?  I have found amazing deals on them, but always be sure to check out the hotel’s site as well.  

One piece of advice I have found not as helpful is to call the hotel and ask about manager specials.  This is something that the hotel tries to promote and claims it is always better. From my experience, it is rarely comparable, much less better.

After living in Florida for many years, I want to address the best way to travel to the Land of the Mouse, aka Walt Disney World.  So, one thing I have heard from people not familiar with Disney, who have only planned one trip, is to just head out with no plans and use those coupon books.  That is the WORST possible advice. Yes, they have incredibly cheap breakfast buffets all over Orlando. Be advised: you get what you pay for; the food is well below par. If you want a budget option for breakfast, try one of the McCafe locations. My favorite is the one on Sand Lake Road.  It is not like the normal McDonald’s. I have actually had very good Eggs Benedict (not McDonald’s rip-off of the Egg McMuffin). They also have the best fries.  The best way to travel to Disney is to plan through Walt Disney World and book a package. Get the highest level of hotel you can afford. The best value-level option is the Pop Century. Yes, there is a difference. Disney will pick you up at the airport. There is really no need for a rental car.  Please do the people of Florida a favor and let Disney do the driving. You will just get in the way.  Another key thing to remember is that timing is everything. Disney has been using on-demand ticket pricing for parks for years. If you can do it, I would recommend a park hopper. We have found that October-Thanksgiving and mid-January to February are good times to go.  The crowds are less, and the temperatures are milder. Memorial Day through Labor Day is the worst time to go to Orlando, much less Disney. As for the Dining packages, we have found that the one with 2 meals and snacks each day is plenty of food.  Remember, things like a kid’s Mac & Cheese count as a snack. It is filling and amazing.  You can combine a couple of meals for a high-end dining experience. If you want to save some money, make sure that you are not in a character dining experience. It is a good idea to book your “high-end” dining experience for day at lunchtime.  Often, times places are cheaper for lunch.  If this is your first trip to WDW be sure to schedule some downtime.  If you plan to be there for 5 days, you really only need a 4-day park ticket. You will want some downtime. It is possible to have dining reservations inside the park without needing a ticket. You will want to spend some time at Disney Springs (formerly Downtown Disney). There are several entertainment options, including movie theaters, dining, and shopping options. I highly recommend Earl of Sandwich. Even just hitting a QSL (Quick Service Location) like Earl of Sandwich and wandering around can make for an enjoyable evening. One last Orlando travel tip, over the years, I have seen rookie travelers come to Orlando and think that can see all 4 Disney parks as well as Universal Studios in a couple of days, only to be seriously wiped out after 2 days.  Allow a day per park, as well as, time to rest, 

So the best tip for budget travel is PLAN, PLAN, PLAN, even if you just want to chill and get away from others.