How to Travel Affordably During a Recession
Maximize Your Travel Budget and Vacation in a Weakened Economy
Feb 17, 2009
Affordable travel can be within reach even through an economic downturn. There are several key steps that can be taken to make the most out of any travel budget and allow for a quality vacation no matter the location or length of the trip during a recession or with a minimal budget.
Assess Expendable Income: Is Travel Affordable?
The majority of the population may have to cut back in one way or another during tough economic times. With money not flowing like it used to, the first step is to assess what a traveler can really afford to spend on a holiday. Determine a travel budget first, and then begin to look for trips that fit within that price range.
Modify Travel Style: Stay at Budget Hotels and Hostels for Less
For travelers that are accustomed to vacationing in style at five star luxury hotels for two weeks at a time, try cutting back and opting for a more moderate three star hotel or if a five star resort is a must, reduce the length of the trip to a price that can be comfortably afforded. Great deals can be found when switching to a four star hotel to a three star hotel with minimal difference in the comfort level of the hotel.
For the budget traveler, try staying at hostels or independent budget hotels. Once the favored accomodation for students, hostels have a wide range of clientele from families to seniors, while others still cater to students on the under-25 crowd. Many budget hotels have comparable prices to hostels. The great majority of hostels have private rooms with ensuite bathrooms for less than a two star hotel, and can often be much more comfortable.
Scan for Deals: Websites Aimed to Save Money
There are several websites geared towards providing travelers with the cheapest deals available. Try looking for deals on Travelzoo or Travel Alerts (they have US and foreign equivalents).
Deals aren’t just limited to discount websites- often times hotels and airlines will have their own limited promotions such as free stay in an airport hotel when flying on a particular airline or discounts on consecutive nights booked at the same hotel. Many museums, art galleries, and festivals have free admission one day during the week.
Be Flexible: Travel Off-Season for Deals
When planning in advance, it pays (or in this case, saves) to play around with a variety of travel dates. Flying mid-week may be cheaper than flying out on a Saturday. Traveling in an off-season can allow for savings on high-season prices, most notably in the summer months. Visiting in the spring or fall often provides better deals and the same enjoyable weather.
Go Somewhere with a Favorable Exchange Rate
Any traveler wants to get the most for their money so go somewhere where the exchange rate is favorable. The Chinese Yuan and Icelandic Kroner have fantastic exchange rates from the Dollar and Euro which can stretch any budget. By traveling to economically hard-hit countries, like Iceland, helps stimulate the local economy by supporting small businesses and the tourism trade by shopping and utilizing their services. Travel within countries such as China or Thailand can be cheap due to the favorable exchange rate. Major cities like Beijing or Shanghai can be seen at a fraction of the cost of a European vacation.
Stick Close to Home: Staycation and Save
Instead of traveling overseas or to some exotic destination, try a vacation close to home by having a "staycation." A road trip can be a fun way to explore that city you’ve always wanted to visit, or can be a good way to make it a multi-stop trip. Take a look at event schedules for near-by cities and combine your trip with a festival or celebration that’s happening, take in some theatre, experience the arts, or indulge in a spa getaway. Domestic airfare is often cheaper than flying to another country and getaway vacations are great when working within time constraints.
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