Traveling Locally on a Budget

Exploring a new city can be fun and exciting, but without proper planning and budgeting, even a simple road trip can become expensive quickly.

Stretch your dollars when traveling domestically by following these tips…

Plan Ahead

The more planning you do ahead of time, the easier it’ll be to save money. Shopping around for inexpensive transportation and lodging opportunities is best done when you have more time to consider all available options.

Avoid Tourist Traps

Tourist traps can become expensive very quickly. These places inundate you with gift shops, restaurants, vendors, and other markets attempting to get as much money out of you as possible. Look for hidden gems off-the-beaten-path.

Look For Special Deals

Many cities have local deals through Groupon, LivingSocial, Amazon Deals, Facebook Deals, and other group-buy sites. When you know where and when you’re traveling, monitor these sites, so you have some time to available deals.

Take A Bus

Not only can you get to your initial destination by bus, which is often cheaper than airfare, but you can also get around within your destination city by bus.

Many metropolitan areas offer daily, and weekly bus passes to help you get around.

Consider Alternative Lodging Options

Hostels, locally owned bed and breakfasts, and camping are alternatives to expensive commercial lodging. These options are not ideal for everyone or every place but can save you some money.