When planning your vacation, the biggest expense is usually travel and then comes accommodations. Even old and crumbling motels are not a cheap out anymore--and who wants to stay in seedy motels. There are solutions to making the family or even the solo trip more affordable so that you can go on even more, check out these cost effective ideas for overnight digs.
Check out the campgrounds. If you have camping gear, you know that this is the cheapest way out, but did you know that you can pull into a campground throw up a tiny pup tent and sleep for next to nothing? You don't have to have all the gear, just a tiny cheap tent and a sleeping bag or two. You can also pull into a campground and sleep in your car safely and out of harm's way for very little.
Call all the colleges and universities along your route. Many places have empty rooms all summer and some even have room during the school year. These deals are available throughout the US, Canada and Europe as well as a few other countries overseas. Contact these folks for info: Campus Travel Service PO Box 5486 Fullerton, Ca 92635, phone: 800-525-6633.
Give hosteling a try. Most hostels offer up an atmosphere similar to dormitory life with large rooms that hold four to ten beds but some have bunk beds and singles as well. These are usually same sex only but some offer mixed sleeping quarters. There is commonly a shared bathroom but some offer individual facilities. Hostels are associated with Europe but they're everywhere now. Find US hostels in Resources listed below.
Stay at the YMCA. Despite the terrible song sung at everyone's wedding, it is a great deal to stay the Y. There are a lot of YMCAs with lodging but some only accept men while others have family accommodations if kids are over sixteen. There are also some Y's overseas. To find out more about them, go to the Resource listed below. You can find accommodations at Y's all over the world there.
Go to CompareRoomRate.com (see Resources). You can look for a hotel by name, or by country and up pops room choices and prices. If you want the best deal of all, check these out and go late in the day and ask if they can give you a deal. Often when there's little chance of filling rooms, they'll offer you a good room at a reduced rate.
