Don’t let financial constraints or poor planning stand in the way of an epic 2016 summer adventure. Here’s how to ensure you and your family have an awesome time on your upcoming vacation:
Start saving now.
It’s never too early to start saving for a vacation. Make a budget or create a savings jar—whatever makes most sense for you.
Start planning now.
The early bird gets the worm. It also gets better airfares, hotel rates, and other accommodations-related discounts when it plans in advance for travel. Start browsing now and you’ll be more likely to find sales and deals.
Book your flight on Tuesday or Wednesday.
Flight-aggregation sites like Kayak and Expedia will almost always find you the cheapest flight, but fares can be even lower depending on the day. Mid-week is typically when such sites release new fares, so it’s best to book on Tuesday or Wednesday.
Don’t fly on Monday or Friday.
Monday and Friday are high-volume travel days for business people, so fares tend to be steeper on these two days. Avoid booking for Monday or Friday flights if you can help it.
Pack light.
Efficient packing will save you money, time and stress. Fitting everything in a carry-on will eliminate baggage fees, waiting at the baggage claim and lugging around a bunch of stuff you didn’t need after all.
Consider traveling to a location that’s popular in the winter.
Travel destinations like Aspen and Breckenridge, Colorado are cheaper and less busy in the summer. This means fewer people and less expensive hotels, but the same beautiful views and charming local attractions.
Don’t be so quick to take upgrades.
When booking a flight or hotel, don’t automatically assume an upgrade is worth it. Compare the additional cost with what you’d actually get. For instance, upgrading to the penthouse suite may sound snazzy, but when you consider you’d be paying an extra $100 a night for a mere 50 square feet, it hardly sounds VIP.
Make an itinerary…
Once you’ve chosen a destination, list everything you want to do on your vacation and then make an itinerary that allows you to do it all. A more organized approach will ensure you get to see and do everything you want.
….But don’t be afraid to deviate from it.
That being said, a little spontaneity never hurt. Don’t adhere so much to your itinerary that you forget to enjoy the moment.
What are your best summer travel tips? I’d love to know. Share them in the comments section below.