Determine the off-season for wherever you want to travel. If it is a domestic vacation within the continental United States, travel during the months of January through March and September through early November may cost less, and be more enjoyable, than traveling at peak times such as during the summer or around holidays. If you are planning a cruise, the same rules apply. For example, if you want to take a trip to the Caribbean and are flexible with your availability, consider booking a cruise that sails during the May to November hurricane season. Prices are lower due to the threat of choppy waters and cancellations. If you are comfortable with these risks, you may be able to take a longer cruise to an exotic location than if you book it during non-hurricane season.
Location has everything to do with budget when planning a trip. Decide what kind of experience you are looking for and then try to select a spot that you can get to by car, bus or train as opposed to by ship or plane. If you can drive yourself to your destination, and stay with friends while there, you can significantly reduce your travel costs. Even a vacation to a major theme park can be done cheaply if you travel during the off-season, are willing to bring your own stroller, pack your own meals and snacks and leave without souvenirs. Let your memories (and plenty of photos) be what you bring back from your vacation and you'll keep your costs down.
Use a good travel agent, but know how to negotiate. Check online websites advertising travel deals. Tell your agent about them and see if your agent can get something even better than the posted deal. Sign up for travel deal email alerts so that you are the first to be notified of special, reduced prices and be one of the few to snag a great deal. Be willing to stay in discount hotels or, if cruising, in obstructed-view rooms as both of these options will bring down your lodging costs. Try to stay with family or friends for a few nights or all of your vacation to eliminate your lodging costs entirely. Scour the Internet for cheap flights, hotels and rental cars. Look at packages and all-inclusive options as they can sometimes save money over planning a trip piece by piece. Use coupons while you're on vacation. Buy groceries for breakfasts and lunches that don't require preparation to save on dining while you're out. Finally, plan ahead and always be looking for a deal. If you have to travel for business or some other occasion, try to fly standby -- you'll earn a free ticket that you can use to reduce future travel costs.
