Labor Day Weekend is just a few weeks away, which means there is still plenty of time to go on a last minute, wallet friendly summer vacation. With several planning resources available, you will see that time is not of the essence when it comes to vacation planning.
Whether you are planning on travelling halfway across the world or staying in state, there are plenty of websites and mobile apps that can help you find the best last minute deals. You can save a bundle on airfare, rental cars, and spa packages by using sites such as lastminute.com, turo.com, and airfarewatchdog.com. If you drive instead of fly, then download the GasBuddy app to discover cheap gas while you travel.
Hotel rooms can be one of the most costly parts of planning a getaway. When it comes to lodging, forgo the traditional hotel and engulf yourself in the local culture by renting an affordable room on Airbnb.com, which allows you to live in a local’s home for a few days.
If you are travelling to a place you have never been to before, download free sightseeing information and self-guided tour apps, Detour and Fieldtripper. Another app to download no matter where you are vacationing to is ScoutMob, which offers 50% off discounts on restaurants.
Just because it is summer does not mean that you cannot go to a popular winter destination, such as a ski resort. Many ski slopes offer adventurous activities in the summer, like mountain biking and zip lining, at a fraction of their winter season costs. Keep in mind that a vacation does not have to be on some faraway island. It can be at one of the United States’ 59 national parks, or some of the U.S.’s numerous historical landmarks, or one of the many national beaches, all of which offer a unique and inexpensive way to enjoy a vacation.
In keeping with the untraditional theme, swap your usual airport for a smaller one. Depending on your vacation destination, you might be able to keep more money in your pocket by flying out of a smaller airport instead of a big city terminal. Finally, while the Internet is a great place to start vacation planning, sometimes it helps to go the old school route by calling airline companies, hotels, and rental companies to see if they have any last minute cancellations, or are offering any special deals not found on their website.
With all of that said, the last few weeks of summer are the perfect time to make this summer the best one yet. So surf the web, dial the phone, and think outside of the box for you to be on your way to planning your dream vacation on a budget!
