Budget Travel Tips - Eight Simple Ways to Stretch Your Vacation Budget

Budget travel has become a necessity for most people with the cost of gasoline and other consumer products on the rise. But when we start considering when, where, how and what type of vacation to undertake, we sometimes get caught up in the anticipation and excitement of the upcoming trip and let the more important financial side of things slip a little. After all, for most of us, taking a vacation may only happen once a year and for some, even more infrequently, so we tend to indulge and forget about our pocket book a little.

There are many ways to save money, avoid unnecessary cost, ensure you take care of details end up a smart and perceptive traveler. Travel planning is easier that you might think and here are eight great budget travel tips for making your travel dollar go further!

1. Cushion your budget - When considering a trip or planning budget travel, it is important to plan for the unexpected and consider the financial side of things early on. This ensures affordability, liquidity and having the resources to enjoy it to the fullest! Plan for the worst-case financial scenario and prepare for things to cost a little more than you expected. Allow up to 20% increase in cost to be on the safe side of things.

2. Emergency money: Carrying some spare cash somewhere can also be a lifesaver. The rule of thumb seems to be around $50-$100 in small bills. This can be used for incidentals, ground-transportation like cab fare and/or your return home, tips and more.

3. Set your priorities: Set some budget travel spending priorities and criteria in advance, like eating at a special restaurant or attending a concert, even if this means sacrificing a bit on lodgings or visa versa, depending on what is more important to you.

4. Keep an eye on your credit cards: It is extremely easy these days to have access to your financial resources through ATM's and credit cards. Just remember that it is just as easy to overspend because of it being so readily available. A little discipline will go a long way to protect your financial interest and help you stick to your travel budget.

5. Maximize gas mileage and efficiency: If you're planning a road trip, make sure that your car has been serviced at least a week before your trip. A well-maintained vehicle will go a long way to ensure carefree driving. If your budget allows, you may consider renting a vehicle to save wear and tear on your own. Small economy cars are better on gas and are much more comfortable than they used to be. Minivans and sport utility vehicles are practical only if you have to transport a large family with a lot of equipment or luggage.

6. Gas fill-ups: For filling up your car en route, avoid pushing to the limit until the gas runs out. Gas will obviously be more expensive when filling up in remote locations. If you miscalculated and the light on the dashboard indicates that you are really in need, opt for filling just half a tank until you reach the next more densely or major populated destination, where gas might be a little cheaper.

7. Pack-a-snack: Bring your own refreshments and snacks. Gas station prices on drinks and snack food are high. Avoid these during a pit stop, if you are counting your budget travel dollars. A cooler packed with lots of cool drinks, water and ice and/or a thermos of coffee or hot water for tea, some fruit, granola bars, or a sandwich, goes a long way to still the hunger and save you money by avoiding all high priced stops en route.

8. Travel necessities: It is advisable to travel with basic necessities, like a cell phone and a first aid kit, since both can prove to be essential in emergencies. Most people have cell phones at their disposal, but in the event that you are not one of them, a prepaid cell phone may be the answer for your trip. The peace of mind it offers is worth the small investment. Cell phones can also save on hefty surcharges and higher long distance rates that hotels and resorts often charge.

Budget travel requires close attention to all things financial before and during your trip. Planning a trip or vacation can be a little time consuming but following these travel tips will hopefully save you a lot of headaches as well as some unnecessary interest charges on your credit card balances later! You will thank yourself for your fiscal restraint and spending discipline, upfront planning, foresight and forward thinking!

Budget Travel Deals - Check Out These Money-Saving Ideas If You Are Traveling on a Budget

Does the thought of your yearly vacation and make you cringe because of all the money you know you're going to have to spend? It is actually possible to have a very enjoyable vacation and still get some great budget travel deals at the same time. While it's true you may not be able to travel in the lap of luxury, there are some great money-saving tips out there that will allow you to have a super vacation on a budget.

First, as far as your method of travel goes, you might consider traveling by bus or train instead of by air as these methods of travel are most often cheaper. Traveling by train can be a very enjoyable experience as long as you're not going too far. If you are traveling quite a distance you may want to go ahead and try and find some bargain airfare deals. You might want to check with a travel agent to see what kind of excellent package deals they may have available.

Once you get to your destination, one great tip for the budget minded traveler is to eat your largest meal in the middle of the day. The reason for this is many times you can find lunch specials and all-you-can-eat buffets at a much reduced price over what they will charge at dinner time. For your other meals you can either choose to carry snacks with you or eat your lighter meals either in your room or at a budget-priced restaurant.

As a budget traveler, familiarize yourself with the different modes of transportation which will be available in your destination city. Many times you can avoid renting a car and simply use the bus, subway, or other public modes of transportation to get around. A lot of times you can even get a pass for the week so that you don't have to pay daily. This can really save you a lot of money over the course of your visit.

Shop and eat where the locals go rather than the touristy areas. You will not find very many budget travel deals in the tourist section of town, as they exist to make money off of you. Mainly you will find a lot of overpriced items and food that you can easily get cheaper if you will do a little research online before you go and find out where the locals hang out. The local residents will also be able to tell you where the best places are to eat for the most discounted prices where you will still get great food.