Most people try to save money on their vacation by finding the cheapest flight or searching for an inexpensive hotel. What these people may not realize is that they can save money in many other ways, and they don’t have to sacrifice great hotel service or flying on an inconvenient date to do so. The following are just a few unconventional ways you can save money on your next trip.

  • Decide if you need a complimentary breakfast. Sometimes, the extra cost of a room in a hotel with a “free breakfast” isn’t worth the cereal and fruit you get. You want to make sure you are getting a healthy and filling meal, especially when you are on vacation. It may be better and less expensive for you to go to a hotel without a free breakfast. Just make sure you don’t settle for a place with bad reviews or ratings to save money here. There are plenty of wonderful hotels that don’t offer a free breakfast and cost less than similar hotels with a “free breakfast”.
  • Bring your own breakfast. Go to a local store when you arrive at your destination and get a few things you and your family can eat for breakfast. This is a much less expensive option than buying breakfast at your hotel or at a restaurant every day, you can easily choose a healthy option for your family, and you can also make sure you are all full and ready for a busy day.
  • Find places where kids can eat free. If you are able to find enough places where your kids can eat for free, you can save quite a significant amount of money, especially if the adults you are with are able to find menu items that aren’t very expensive.
  • Have a light lunch and larger dinner. With a healthy and filling breakfast and snacks throughout the day, you shouldn’t need a very large lunch. Bring along some sandwiches or find a local place to get a small lunch. You could even split an entrée between the members of your family. Also, buy a few snacks to bring along and to make sure everyone will “survive” until dinner.
  • Bring lots of water. Not only will bringing water bottles keep you hydrated and keep you from buying bottles of water on your trip, but it will also keep you from feeling hungry. Just make sure to bring along or buy some dish soap to wash your reusable water bottles every other day or so.
  • Look for local coupons. Websites like Groupon or LivingSocial could help you find local treats and give you the opportunity to save money in the process. Many of these coupons are for restaurants, but you could also find some inexpensive activities to fill up your time on your vacation.
  • Schedule some time to relax. After all, that’s what a vacation is for. Instead of spending lots of money trying to fill every minute with activities, you should take some time to relax and spend time with your family. This will help you save some money and still give you memories that will last.

Elise Brown is an author who writes guest posts on the topics of business, marketing, credit cards, and personal finance. Additionally, she works for a website that focuses on educating readers about payday loans.

Last Updated on February 7, 2012