Do you shy away from vacation planning because you’re afraid of how much it will cost? There’s good news: With some advance planning, flexibility and realistic expectations, it is possible to plan an awesome vacation on a tight budget.
Strategic small savings can really add up and compound into a big payoff. And, by using money-saving tips throughout your vacation, you can avoid dealing with a blown budget or big credit card bill after returning home.
Winter and spring breaks, long weekends and summer vacations for teachers are vital for recharging and relaxing during and after the school year. The following travel tips on how to plan a vacation on a budget can help you stretch your money whenever and wherever you travel, allowing you to get away while staying debt-free.
1. Start saving now
It’s never too early to start saving for future travel. Create a savings plan long before you begin planning an actual vacation. Your savings blueprint can involve the whole family and encourage everyone to save a bit of money each week—from your teenager contributing a few dollars from a babysitting gig, to Mom and Dad putting a certain percentage of their paychecks into the account. Every bit helps!
2. Set your travel budget
Budgeting goes hand in hand with your savings plan. If you want to stay debt-free following your trip, planning in advance can help you achieve that goal.
Take an honest look at your finances, and set a realistic vacation budget. If you’ve already saved for your getaway, decide if you’ll use the entire vacation fund, or just use part of it and save the rest for another trip.
If you haven’t started saving yet, take a look at what you can reasonably put away each month, along with the time you have left before you want to travel. Set a spending limit that matches what you can save.
Once you know how much money you have to play with, figure out where those dollars will take you. For example, if you know you can save $100 a month, and you want to travel a year from now, you could plan a trip that costs around $1,200. To learn more about how to create a realistic budget, see “6 Simple Steps to Build a Stress-Free Budget .”
3. Let an experienced travel agent help you
You probably assumed the next step to planning a debt-free family vacation, couples’ trip or solo excursion would be selecting a destination. But not so fast! Savvy travelers will first make a call to a travel agent.
Some luxury vacation planners do charge for their services, but most agents are paid via commission based on the cruises, hotels and flights they book on your behalf. Not only is their expert help free to you, but you’ll save money and time while planning your trip, thanks to their experience, knowledge and network. Find out more about how travel agents can help you save money.
Experienced travel agents can help you have more fun, too! Share your vacation budget and the types of activities you enjoy, and your agent should come back to you with options, including some that might never have crossed your mind.
Oftentimes, agents are privy to special resort and travel package promotions. Sure, you might be able to do all the research yourself, but it could take longer, and there’s no guarantee you’ll find the best quality or cost-saving options.
Even if a travel agent can’t get better pricing, many can secure additional perks—such as hotel room upgrades, free valet parking or complimentary breakfasts—that you wouldn’t be able to access on your own.
4. Find your destination
Whether or not you have the help of a travel agent, you still have to decide where you want to go. To save money, think about locations that won’t require expensive airline tickets. Research airlines that serve your local airport by going to their websites and clicking their “where we fly” links or download their complete flight schedules. It’s a great method for generating affordable destination ideas.
Keep in mind that finding affordable accommodations in big cities like New York or San Francisco can be difficult. If you have your heart set on a pricey destination, look for alternative options for lodging through vacation rental sites like Airbnb or HomeAway, or stay in a nearby—and less expensive—suburb.
Your search should always start with the NEA Travel: Hotels booking engine to see what member pricing you can find on hotels in the area. Reservations are backed with a Best Value Guarantee.
5. Travel during low season
Low-season vacations are more affordable because travel providers want to book as many plane tickets, rental cars, hotel rooms and more as they possibly can then.
However, scheduling a vacation can be challenging for teachers because there are only certain times of the school year when you can be away from the classroom. And summer break is when everyone else goes on vacation, too. A little research can help you match up your available travel windows with destinations that aren’t packed with tourists.
Travel agents know the best times of the year to travel to any destination in order to snag the lowest rates. If you’re making your own arrangements, search the region’s visitors bureau website and look for the calendar that tells you when to expect the high and low travel seasons. See if any low seasons coincide with your summer vacation, spring break, or long weekends during the school year.
“Consider locations during their ‘off’ or ‘shoulder’ season,” suggests Lillie Marshall, a teacher and publisher of TeachingTraveling.com. “Our family traveled to Ireland in February, and though it was slightly chilly, it was still warmer than Boston. We had a fantastic time and enjoyed much lower prices and fewer crowds!”
6. Fly midweek or Saturday morning
It’s generally less expensive to fly midweek and on Saturday mornings, so set your booking engine’s filters to start with those days and times. Again, be sure you look for member pricing on airfare through the NEA Travel Program.
7. Check membership discounts and benefits
If you belong to certain organizations, you may be entitled to specific discounts when it comes to travel. For example, as an NEA member you can take advantage of several travel discounts through the NEA Travel Program, including car rentals, group tours, cruises, airfare, resorts and hotels. As a bonus, you’ll earn NEA Travel Dollars, which you can use to partially pay for vacation packages, resorts, hotels and cruises.
You can also book discounted vacation packages through wholesale clubs such as Costco. And travel loyalty programs such as Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy offer points that can be redeemed for free flights and hotel stays.
Check out the NEA Discount Tickets Program for special rates on admissions to sporting events, theme parks (including Walt Disney World!), theater performances, ski lift tickets and more.
Educators, as well as military and government employees, may also be eligible for discount rates at hotels, attractions and restaurants across the country.
Finally, if you work for a local, county, federal or state government—such as a state university—ask for discount details.
8. Travel with a group
When you travel with friends or extended family, ask for a group discount when booking multiple hotel rooms or cruise cabins. Start by asking for the group or reunion department. Walt Disney World, for example, will assign a representative that will facilitate group discounts at Disney properties. Some discounts are granted for as few as 10 people, but if your group is large, you may even qualify for a free room.
9 Compare a la carte with all-inclusive options
It’s not easy to budget for the cost of meals and activities. Unexpected expenses pop up on every vacation. All-inclusive packages are popular in destinations such as the Caribbean, but you may find one within driving distance, such as the Tyler Place Family Resort in Highgate Springs, Vermont; Woodloch in the Poconos region of Pennsylvania; or Club Med’s only North American resort in Quebec, Canada, Club Med Quebec Charlevoix.
At the very least, look for a hotel that offers all guests a free hot breakfast daily. The savings can be huge for larger families staying at brands such as select Red Roof Inns, Country Inns & Suites, Embassy Suites and Hampton Inn—all of which offer a free breakfast perk.
Check the NEA Travel: Resorts booking engine to see what educator discounts you can get on a range of all-inclusive vacations, such as lively excursions in Las Vegas and relaxing getaways in Cancun.
10. Get travel insurance
A vacation is an investment, so protect it. Travel insurance is a relatively low, upfront cost that could ultimately save you thousands of dollars if you have to change or cancel your family vacation because your child breaks their leg a week before departure or a hurricane threatens to veer toward your travel destination. Insurance could also help cover expenses if someone in your party gets sick while traveling, but be sure to read the fine print carefully about what qualifies for coverage.
