It is possible to travel to your dream destination without blowing your life
savings, according to travel experts, whether you’re backpacking in Europe and
sleeping in a tent or planning a limousine ride to the airport and a stay in
a four-star hotel.
“Everybody who travels, travels on a budget,” said William J. Sutherland, vice president of travel for AAA in Providence. “A budget for somebody might be a smaller amount of money” than the next vacationer, “but you’re trying to maximize your vacation experience on that budget.”
First, when planning your vacation, Sutherland suggests having a meeting to nail down all of the trip details. Whether you’re planning a “plan-as-you-go” trip or going the luxury route, it’s important to make sure everyone involved has a say.
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“Sit down and have a serious meeting with all of the stakeholders in the vacation – ‘here’s where we’d like to go, here’s what we’re looking to spend, and what kind of things would you like to do,’” he said.
Next, determine the desired mode of transportation. If driving in the family vehicle is an option, do it, Sutherland said. If the car can’t handle the trip or isn’t big enough, rent a car – both could save you money in the long-run instead of flying.
“If you’re within 400 or 500 miles of home, certainly people save money driving their own vehicles,” he said. Online resources are also helpful, Sutherland added, or contact a travel agency.
“There is a misnomer out there that a travel agent is not going to save you money,” he said. Agents not only save vacationers money in finding the best deals, but “they maximize your vacation by knowing the time frame of your trip” – they know how to make the most of the time there, according to what the customer’s needs are.
“In the U.S., with fares the way they are, you’re leading off at $198 for round trip,” said Bruce Hebert, senior travel consultant for AAA in Warwick. “On the West Coast, because of competition, you can pick up a car for $150 a week, and there are Best Westerns for $50 (a night), Motel 6s for $40 – everybody is different. The best way for you to do it is whatever way you feel comfortable.”
Hebert said he tries to work with his clients on ways to save them money, and get them the best package for their money. Instead of flying out on a Saturday, he suggests a Monday so it’s less expensive.
“I try to spread their money out,” he said. “I see a lot of people with rather restrictive budgets and some with budgets that are way out there. Some people want to go away for the weekend and they have a couple hundred dollars and they want to fly.” In that case, he suggests they rent a car for the weekend.
Travel in off-peak times if possible – travelers can obtain better rates or even upgraded accommodations when they stay during times of the year when business is slower. Ask the travel agent for special deals or packages too, Sutherland said. And always protect your investment – buy travel insurance.
“If you have a limited budget and you’re looking for your dream vacation, going during school vacation is going to blow your budget and you’ll go way over it,” he said.
As for expenses, Sutherland said it depends entirely on the vacation destination, what the traveler’s goals are for the trip, and of course, how much they plan to spend on souvenirs for family and friends back home.
Sutherland recommends planning out the daily allowance for every day of the trip from morning to night, with a little extra to spare in case of emergency or to splurge. Some travelers like to plan everything in advance; some grab a bag and see where their trip leads them. Sutherland said somewhere in the middle is usually solid ground.
Presenting Hebert with a $1,000 budget for a trip to Europe won’t work in the summer, when flights cost $650, but in January it would, he said, when fares are sometimes as low as $199. In the fall, a vacationer could find a hotel for $100 a night there, but dressing warm would be a requirement.
Sutherland suggested travelers leave a little room for the unexpected detour or attraction that otherwise wouldn’t have been part of the trip.
“The planning stage is important, but don’t live and die by the plan,” he added. “Pack in your suitcase, along with your plan, flexibility.”
