Traveling on a Budget

It is certainly true many want to travel, but individuals cannot always afford the luxury to do so. Here are a few simple ways to save money and places to visit that will keep you focused on your trip and not how much you are spending.
Start off with traveling in the off-seasons, this means to choose times of the year that airlines and hotels charge less for bookings. The most popular months for off-peak travel is September and October. Think about it, September is right after the summer season, kids are getting back into school, and not many people are looking to travel. Hotel prices lower if you book a hotel stay on weekdays, it is much less expensive than booking on weekends. Depending on the days of the week airline tickets will run cheaper on per say Tuesdays or Thursdays. If you are booking a vacation give yourself enough time to play around with your options to get the best prices.
When you arrive at your destination if possible steer away from rental cars. Busses and trains, even walking will be much less costly in the long run. Depending on certain cities busses will be more affordable than trains. If cars are a must travel in a group to save money, buying four bus tickets will probably be more expensive in the long run. Be aware of where you park, if in an area with parking garages, it may be worth the extra mile walk to save some cash. Plus, walking is great exercise.
Worried about food? This, in my opinion, is the time to indulge, however there are ways to do it right to save you an extra buck. Avoid hotel breakfast; try to find a local café or restaurant that serves better food for a better price. Not too hungry? Split an entrée or just go for an appetizer. Stick to water, in most cases it is free and you will need to keep hydrated with all the walking you are going to be doing.
Most important look for a travel agency such as Crystal and Clear Travel who offers monthly payment plans to make your dream vacation affordable. Happy traveling!

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