Tips for Planning an Affordable Weekend Getaway
Taking in the sights and sounds during a weekend getaway doesn’t need to drain your travel budget. You can plan a weekend getaway for the whole family without having to spend a fortune! Follow these ideas to make the most of your time and money for even more fun and adventure , courtesy of The Rad Traveler.
Take Time Off Work
Cutting ties with work while away can always be challenging even if you’ve planned a weekend away with your family. Managing your own business can be even more difficult to juggle. Work stress is not only bad for your mental health but it also makes the environment more stressful for your employees. Taking time off will help you as well as your employees enjoy their work experience more. So leave the work at home and make sure to manage/delegate tasks to coworkers before you leave if you can.
Flex Your Schedule
When it’s time for a weekend getaway, Marie Claire explains one of the easiest ways to save money is simply avoiding holidays. Airfare, car rentals, and hotels are often more expensive on popular travel dates; non-holidays and offseason weekends are the way to go. Also, be flexible about transportation. For instance, if you’re not too attached to which airport you fly into, you can potentially save substantially. Be open-minded about where you sleep- if you book your flight first, then you can select a hotel based on price and proximity of where you fly into rather the other way around. Keep your options open to different destinations and keep an eye out for the best deals. You can save even more by taking advantage of online discounts and packages through Priceline, deals and special offers from Hotels.com, and cash back offers and weekend specials from Enterprise Rent-A-Car. The less you spend on transportation and accommodations, the more you can spend on entertainment, activities, and local fare when you reach your destination.
Travel Light
Packing light is essential for a weekend trip since it is only a few days- instead of packing a variety of outfits, select just a couple things you can dress up or down and wear comfortable shoes. You can save on your travel expenses by avoiding airline baggage fees by sticking with just a carry-on bag not to mention it is easier to haul, especially if you end up with any connecting flights. You can also purchase travel-size toiletries to keep space in your luggage to a minimum. You’ll be able to find everything you need to pack appropriately without overspending by taking advantage of coupons and promo codes through sites like RetailMeNot.
Use the Internet to Get Prepared
One of the best things about traveling during the technology age is that you can plan your entire getaway from the comfort of your home. For example- using sites like Airbnb allows you to pick a vacation rental property near all of the activities you want to enjoy. Using online tools such as Google Street View allows you to take a virtual tour of the area so you can get an overall sense of the area before you arrive in person. Additionally, you can use travel blogs like The Rad Traveler and online resources to learn more about the history of the location you’ve selected as well as gain insights into sites and points of interest you should check out during your visit.
Weekend getaways offer plenty of fun and adventure! Although there is no way you can see everything in just a few days, a well thought out plan is essential for saving time and money and reduce stress so you and your family can enjoy a weekend away.
Contributing Author- Jesse Clark with Soulful-Travel