Vacations are a great way to relax, and it is possible to find a great deal whether you are on a budget or not. For those who are on a budget, there are a few sure fire ways to make traveling interesting and enjoyable while keeping a close eye on your funds. Taking time to research your destination and frugalness once you are there can combine to give you a wonderful trip that you will remember for years, even if you are still paying for it years later.
Public attractions are the key when it comes to places to go. Though it may be fun to visit amusement parks and private museums, if you want to get the most bang for your buck you should visit public attractions, such as parks. Most national, state or city museums, even the largest ones, can be visited for a reasonable price. The cost gets high when it comes to visiting the select, featured exhibits, but you can have a wonderful time sticking to the basics and paying less. Another museum trick centers on when you visit. Many museums are open for free (often with the option of making a donation) on certain days of the week. Some cities will actually have one day each week in which every government sponsored museum/attraction is opened for free. The Philadelphia Museum of Art, for example, is free on Sundays. If you do your homework well you could potentially hop from city to city, or museum to museum from day to day and spend money only for transportation, food and lodging.
If you happen to be travelling in Europe try the European Union Rail. The company offers packages that allow you to travel through a certain number of countries in a certain number of days taking as many trains as you need for one set price. If you align your travel schedule so that you are on the train overnight, you can avoid paying for lodging for the day’s activity. This is just one example of how research and preparation is the best way to finding bargains and successfully travelling on a budget. Oftentimes, public areas and landmarks have the greatest value.
Another variety of public attractions are concerts, theatre and other performing arts. City and national governments take steps to show off their cultural achievements. Due to this, cities are likely to hold major performances, exhibitions and fairs either free of charge or for such low prices that they can attract a large, diverse crowd. Also, since these events are funded by the city they tend to be well done. No city wants to look culturally out of step when the event is designed to display the cities cultural highlights and achievements.
Public parks are another great option for travelling on a budget. State parks, battlefields and early settlements are all popular and very inexpensive destinations that work for history and nature buffs alike. These destinations are great for the entire family. Outdoor activities give everybody the chance to move around and experience the area they are visiting. The Jamestown Settlement in Virginia is a good example of this. At one place you can visit a rebuilt version of the settlement filled with live actors and re-enactments of the way things were in colonial times. This attraction is labeled a living museum, and there are many like it. All of this can be seen for roughly 10-20 dollars per person, depending on age. If that is not reasonable enough, you can go a few miles down the road and visit the Historic Jamestowne National Park. This park encompasses the original colony and includes some live actors, original buildings, a small museum and archeological excavations. Not to mention walking trails and the freedom to simply enjoy the park. Entry for this park is free for anybody under the age of fifteen and so inexpensive that a seven day pass is only ten dollars. There are many parks like this around the world, which allow any traveler on a tight budget the capability to visit many beautiful places for a very low price. Lodging still can be an issue when travelling on a budget, no matter how well planned your vacation may be. If you are in Europe, try finding a hostel to stay in. Hostels may not be quite as comfortable as hotels, but they are generally cheap. This option is best for young people, who are more inclined to rough it, but you can find individuals from all walks of life at a hostel. Camping, or using an RV can also serve to keep the price down when it comes to long trips, and are better suited to accommodate a family.
With a bit of research and preparation, it can be easy to travel on a small budget. The main costs fall to transportation and lodging. Flights are expensive, and so is gas. If you plan on driving a lot, renting a fuel efficient car could keep the gas prices down enough to save you extra money. Take as much time possible to plan, and you can have a very enjoyable vacation for a very affordable price.