Tips for Traveling on a Budget

According to a recent article in Real Simple, there are ways to make the most of vacation without spending beacoups of money. In the article, there are four topics with travel tips: flights, lodging, time and budgeting.

There are several ways to avoid pricey airline fees. Checking fares regularly can drastically reduce the chance of getting stuck with expensive flights. Check out sites like FareCompare, FareCast, Yapta and Travelocity for price comparisons and e-mail alerts.

If you're traveling overseas, it is now easier to fly between U.S. and European cities. Sites like WhichBudget and Vayama allow you to see who flies where across the seas. Within Europe, try flying on a regional discount airline like EasyJet or Jet4You.

Gas prices are actually going down, so why not drive? There are many destinations within driving distance that would make for a great vacation. Check out NPS.gov to find a national park nearby or visit the U.S. travel and tourism industry's website- DiscoverAmerica.

If you're traveling with your family or in a big group, there are ways to cut costs when it comes to lodging. Look into renting a house or condo. It can be a lot cheaper than paying for the same number of beds in a hotel. HomeAway and InterHomeUSA offer rental listings in the US and abroad.

Hotel chains and business hotels aren't always the best (nor are they the cheapest) option. Smaller, independent hotels are cheaper and often contain apartment-style suites with compact kitchens and living rooms.

Are you the daring, adventurous type? Sign up for a house-swap for a truly unique vacationing experience. HomeExchange and HomeLink are two sites that allow you to list your home and gain access to a database of other members' homes worldwide to arrange a swap.

If you can only travel at peak times, there are some budget tips to keep in mind: choose a bargain destination, pick an off-season location, and research "secondary" destinations. Choosing a location that isn't your typical "hot-spot" or going during a low-season time for a particular city can help you save some easy money.

Finally, if you find yourself spending too much during vacations, there are ways to avoid this in the future. Number one tip: Be Prepared!

Look up the costs of various activities in which you plan to partake, such as museums, restaurants, sporting events. Find out if there are charges for public transportation or extra hotel fees (i.e. tips, internet). Being aware of what you must pay for in advance will help you avoid frivolous spending while on vacation. To get a good sense of what to budget, see what the U.S. State Department allows government officials to spend on daily meals and incidentals in various countries.

Another way to save money ahead of time is to book a fixed-cost trip. All-inclusive programs that lump meals and activities with the room price keep costs down. Consider: resort packages, group tours (IntrepidTravel) and cruises (CruiseDeals).