Traveling in Style on a Budget: How to Plan the Best Trip Ever Without Spending a Fortune

Summertime is in full swing, and this 100 degree heat we are having is a sure sign. Summer brings happiness in so many forms. Swimming, cookouts, longer days, and most importantly, VACATION!

Anyone who knows us knows that we LOVE to travel. Give us a date and time, and we'll have our bags packed and ready to go! Traveling is an incredible experience that allows us to explore new destinations and create lasting memories. However, many people believe that enjoying a trip with a touch of luxury means spending a small fortune. The truth is, it's entirely possible to strike a balance between budget and luxury travel. We will show you how to create a travel budget tailored to your needs while still indulging in a touch of luxury. We'll also provide you with valuable tips and tricks to save money along the way, ensuring that you have an unforgettable vacation without emptying your wallet. So get ready to embark on a stylish adventure that won't break the bank.

Set Your Budget

When it comes to planning a trip, establishing a budget is the first and most crucial step. Determine how much you're willing to spend on your entire trip, including accommodations, transportation, food, activities, and other expenses. Prepare by doing some research in advance to see what the prices are for various things in the area where you will be traveling. Whenever we plan a trip, we always use Google to search for hotels in the area where we want to stay. Use the filters to adjust the search to accommodations that will suit your needs, such as hotels that have at least a 4 star rating, have a pool, and include a complimentary breakfast (hotels that offer breakfast are a huge money saver if you can eat a big enough breakfast to hold you over until dinner. It's a 2 for the price of 1!) We have certain hotel chains we like, and by using Google's search feature, we can compare prices quickly and easily.

Food and activities can really add up and send your budget overboard. Research the activities and restaurants you want to visit in advance so you can get an idea of the pricing. Like I said before, hotels that offer a complimentary breakfast have been a HUGE money saver for us! Make sure to be realistic when figuring out your budget. Factor in any additional costs such as visa fees, travel insurance, and souvenirs. Once you have a clear budget in mind, you can proceed to allocate your funds to different categories accordingly.

Category 1: Accommodations

Finding comfortable yet affordable accommodations is key to achieving a balance between luxury and budget travel. Consider staying in budget-friendly options like hostels, guesthouses, or budget hotels (We like Holiday Inn Express). Alternatively, explore home-sharing platforms like Airbnb or VRBO for unique and affordable stays. Keep an eye out for deals, discounts, and promotional offers to save even more on your accommodation expenses. Many hotel chains will offer promotions, such as staying a certain number of nights and receiving a free night. Recently, Best Western was offering a $50 gift card on top of already low prices if you stayed at one of their properties for three consecutive nights. Nice accommodations, breakfast included, and a $50 gift card? Check, check, and check!

While we usually look for the cheapest hotel option that fits our criteria, we also take advantage of points and reward nights from our credit card. Since we tend to lean toward Holiday Inn Express when we travel, we have their IHG rewards credit card, which allows us to earn 26x points on every $1 spent at IHG properties. When we are looking for hotels and can find an IHG property that might be slightly more expensive than another property, we will always opt for the IHG option since we can take advantage of the extra points. If you are responsible enough to keep your credit cards in check, using points and miles for travel can save you thousands of dollars.

Category 2: Transportation

Whether you’re flying, driving, or using services like Uber or Lyft, transportation can eat up a large chunk of your budget. Look for the best deals on flights by comparing prices across different airlines, and consider flexible travel dates to find the most affordable options. Google Flights is our first stop when shopping for flights. If your travel dates are flexible, you can enter your departure location and arrival location then search for dates with the lowest pricing. Google Flights also offers a price tracking feature that will save your searches and notify you if the price drops. You can also search for "nearby airports," which might not be the exact airport you were searching for, but if the price is cheaper, you could save substantially on your flight. For example, we live 30 minutes from an international airport, however, there is also an airport that is 1 hour and 45 minutes away. If we can find a cheaper flight, we have no problem driving a bit to save hundreds of dollars.

If we can't find a price we like on Google flights, our next step is checking Southwest. Unfortunately, Google does not have an agreement with Southwest, so their flights will not show up in the search. Southwest flights can be significantly cheaper, so don't forget to check them out before booking through Google Flights. They also offer your first two checked bags FREE. This is a huge savings when most major airlines charge $30-$60 per checked bag, so don't forget to factor this savings in when booking a flight.

ALSO, I just recently discovered a travel hack that I'm super proud of and that I honestly can't believe I never thought of before. We are going to be traveling this fall, and I found a flight through Southwest that I thought was pretty decent. Before I booked it, the thought randomly popped into my head, "Hmm, Sam's Club has a lot of discounted gift cards. I wonder if they have Southwest?" I checked, and sure enough, they had a $500 gift card for $450. It may only be 50 bucks, but hey, free is free!

Public transportation or walking whenever possible is a great money saving tip. All big cities have some form of public transportation that is far cheaper than using taxi services. Additionally, research city passes or travel cards that provide discounted or unlimited transportation. You can generally find weekly passes that will allow unlimited trips on buses, trains, or subways for between $10-$30 depending on the location.

Hop on Hop Off busses are not only a great means of transportation but they also provide city tours that will help you get acquainted with the area. When we visit a new city, we will book a day or two on the Hop on Hop Off bus, ride it once all the way through the tour and then jump off in the areas we want to explore.

Category 3: Food and Drinks

Part of the adventure of traveling is immersing yourself in the local culture and cuisine. While this can really eat into your budget (pun intended), it doesn't always have to. Seek out local restaurants or street food stands where you can savor authentic flavors at reasonable prices. We've had some of the best food we've ever eaten from hole in the wall restaurants and sketchy street vendors. Explore places away from touristy areas, and ask locals for recommendations on affordable places to eat. Another money-saving tip is to have picnic-style meals with locally sourced ingredients from markets or grocery stores.

Never underestimate the power of a coupon. Check with your hotel or online to see if local eateries offer discount coupons or free item vouchers. Hey, we'll take a free appetizer any day of the week!

If you want to be super extra, like us, you can bring your own food. When we go on hiking trips, to save money, we will make all our food in advance and then reheat it in the hotel microwave. I know, it’s excessive. But, it saves a ton of money, plus we are not necessarily foodies, so it works out. Just a word of caution from one of our most recent trips. Reheating brussel sprouts in your hotel room microwave is DEFINITELY a bad idea! Thank goodness for bathroom exhaust fans and windows that open!

Category 4: Attractions and Activities

Exploring the attractions and activities of your destination is an essential part of any trip. Look for free or low-cost attractions such as parks, gardens, or museums with free or discounted admission days. Many cities offer walking tours led by knowledgeable locals who can provide insights into the area's history and culture. Check out sites like TripAdvisor or Viator to find awesome experiences at reasonable prices. Additionally, consider purchasing city passes or bundled attraction tickets that offer discounted entry to multiple sites. Groupon is another great source to find discounted activities. From shows to spa treatments to theme parks, Groupon can save a significant amount of money on fun adventures.

Category 5: Shopping

What trip would be complete without souvenirs? Stay away from tourist trap shops and instead look for local markets or stores outside of the touristy areas that oftentimes have the same items without the major markups. When visiting other countries, don't hesitate to negotiate prices at smaller shops to get the best deal. Most marketplaces will generally price their items higher because they expect you to negotiate. Focus on purchasing items that are specific to the destination, such as locally made crafts or delicacies, to make your purchases more meaningful. We love buying Christmas tree ornaments that remind us of our travels when we decorate the tree each year. We also love buying picture frames with the name of the destination on them, so we can put one of our favorite pictures in it when we get home to remember the fun times.

Category 6: Miscellaneous Expenses

Every trip will include items or activities that you didn’t budget for; that is all part of exploring a new place. Unexpected purchases won't be stressful if you allocate funds for them. Consider things like tipping, transport services, checked baggage fees, or emergencies. Having a buffer will help alleviate any anxiety about overspending. Plus, it’s always fun to return home and see how much money you can deposit back into your account because you didn’t end up spending it.

Traveling in style on a budget is not only possible but also a rewarding way to experience the world. By creating a well-planned travel budget and implementing smart money-saving strategies, you can strike a balance between luxury and affordability. Remember to set your budget, prioritize your expenses, and make informed choices while booking

Embrace the local culture, explore hidden gems, and seek out unique experiences that won't break the bank. With careful planning and a touch of creativity, you can embark on a stylish adventure that allows you to make incredible memories while staying within your budget. So, go ahead and start planning your next trip with confidence, knowing that you can travel in style without compromising on your financial goals.