Going on vacation is something that I absolutely have to do at least once per year and I highly suggest that everyone else goes on one at least once per year. It’s nice to be away from everything and have the chance to relax. As a matter of fact, my husband and I were just talking about our yearly vacation a couple of days ago and that’s what inspired today’s topic. Going on vacation is something that a lot of people unfortunately don’t get to do every year, because going on vacation can certainly be expensive. That’s why I’m going to hook you up with these tips on how to save money on vacation. That way, you’ll be more likely to be able to finally afford that change of scenery that you so desperately need.

#1. Get a Credit Card with Travel Perks

It’s extremely rare that I recommend anyone to get a credit card, but if you use them correctly they can be a huge asset, especially when travelling. You could receive thousands of miles a year just for signing up for the credit card and never even using it. The more users you add to your card, the more miles you will receive in turn. These miles can really add up and you could easily take the whole family out on a vacation with your free miles given to you from your credit card company. Some credit card companies require you to make at least one purchase in order to receive the free miles. If this is the case, you could purchase something you already need, such as groceries, and then pay off the entire balance on the payment due date. DO NOT go into credit card debt, no matter how tempting it may be.

#2. Tweak Your Flight Plan a Little Bit

You can save a ton of cash just by making some small changes to your flight plan. For instance, you could opt to fly in the middle of the week, rather than on a weekend. Also, you could take a flight that has a couple layovers, rather than flying directly to your destination. It may be a little bit inconvenient, but with these two minor changes you could save hundreds of dollars.

#3. Travel During the Off-Season

I know that it can be tempting to head to the beach in the middle of July and going to the Caribbean is great in the winter time, but it’s much more expensive. Consider visiting these places during their off-season and you’ll save tons of money all-around. Plane tickets to these destinations will be cheaper, motel rates will be lower, restaurants will be cheaper, etc…

#4. Look for Alternative Vacation Destinations

The most popular vacation destinations are typically going to be the most expensive, because everyone wants to go there. So, you should really try to think outside of the box. Instead of going to Costa Rica for vacation, you could go to Nicaragua instead. Paris is amazing, but why not try some other cities in Europe that are far less expensive, such as Athens?