When and Where to get Budget Travel Deals
The two key things that can have a huge impact on the cost of your vacation are the destination and the time of year. In fact, the single biggest saver is likely to be when you travel, not how successfully you manage to haggle for that last minute hotel bargain!
Don’t overlook the importance of considering these two factors together. Some destinations will be extremely cheap at one time of year yet finding a bargain four months later may be impossible. Traveling to a popular destination at a peak time will never be cheap. For example staying at a luxury hotel in a party city on New Year’s Eve is not likely to be a budget holiday; however, traveling to a traditional summer resort over New Year’s may be a very different story.
One thing that is very important to realize is that low seasons are low for a reason. A classic example of this is hurricane season in the Caribbean and Florida. Other low seasons to be wary of are the extremely hot areas such as Egypt during the summer months, when the heat can be so oppressive that it makes the holiday less enjoyable. Summer resorts are often so quiet during low season that there is quite literally nowhere open. This can be great for a retreat, but when it comes to a raging nightlife you may be sadly disappointed!
Shoulder Season
Shoulder season is the perfect time to be trying to travel for those who want to find a happy medium between low and peak seasons. Identifying where is in shoulder season when you want to travel or when your favorite destination is in shoulder season can save you literally hundreds of dollars.
Take a look at the guide books. Whilst they will not tell you when the shoulder season is, they will tell you when peak and low seasons are. The time in between, is, by definition, the shoulder season.
With almost every resort there is a period where the prices become low, not because the location is now poor but because all of the hotels and flights are still servicing the area but the demand is simply not there. Examples of shoulder seasons are Europe in the fall and the Caribbean during late spring.
Winter
Winter is an interesting time of year to travel. Before Christmas, most individuals are trying to make last minute shopping trips. After Christmas, people are dealing with their credit card bills. As such, holidays on far off beaches are often incredibly cheap during the winter period.
A wonderful destination for the winter months is Asia. Flights are losing popularity, however, availability is still good, meaning that there are plenty of discounts on offer. Weather is variable in Asia during the winter which could mean that you are surrounded by snow one minute and then basking in glorious sunshine. This lack of dependability is something that puts a lot of visitors off and can mean that there are some excellent bargains for those prepared to take the risk!
Spring
If you are looking to travel to Europe, this is the time to do it! Flights are a lot cheaper during the spring months when temperatures are still relatively low.
Mexican beaches and the Caribbean islands start to see their prices drop from mid April as the weather becomes hotter. However, during the spring months, the water and air temperatures are still pleasant and the resorts less crowded.
During later spring, for example May, the traditionally hot and dry countries are not in their peak seasons but have not yet become intolerably hot. So if you want to visit Morocco, Jordan or Egypt, plan a spring vacation.
Summer
Finding a bargain in summer is tricky. Americans, Japanese and Europeans are all on the move and this is also the time of year that most weddings take place, so honeymoon destinations are in a great deal of demand.
During the early part of summer, through June and July, Caribbean destinations are still good to get a deal, provided you try to book before the Europeans start to flood in during their school holidays at the end of July.
Safari holidays are a good option between June and September. High season ends in May, but the weather is still relatively dry.
Flights and hotels are still quite reasonable in Southeast Asia during the summer months, but temperatures can be quite hot, so if you can’t stand the heat, avoid this destination during the summer months.
Fall
This is the time to head to Europe. Flights to most major European destinations will be cheaper from October onwards, mainly because the schools are no longer on holiday and families are not traveling as much. Temperatures are normally perfectly pleasant until mid November, so grab yourself a fall bargain in Europe.
Help answer the question about last minute hotel deals new
Where can I find good last-minute deals to stay at Mandalay Bay in Vegas this coming week?Dates: This weekend, Sunday Aug. 13 with checkout on Wednesday Aug. 16. Haven't made reservations yet.
Also, if you've stayed there, any advice? Where to go, what to do, what section of the hotel to stay in… etc? Thanks!!
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February 8th, 2010 at 23:38
I don't understand your question.
February 9th, 2010 at 00:03
If you like Europe, go to Prague in the Czech Republic. The city is known for being economically-friendly to tourists. Plus, it is absolutely beautiful.
February 9th, 2010 at 15:06
1) Loveland Skiing area. December will be most expensive. Jan or Feb will be more reasonable and more snow!
2) Near the ski areas? Good luck. If you find something "cheap" let me know!!!
3) Search online. This varies dramatically!
4) Same as 3
5) Yes, bring snow pants, jacket, long underwear, snow shoes, gloves and hats!!!
February 9th, 2010 at 22:53
Let's go "Travel on a Budget" has really good information about free stuff, cheap hotels, restaurants …
February 10th, 2010 at 22:00
It's only a short jaunt. You could do it on a bicycle. Or rent a car with a drop off at Philly. or put a want ad for a shared cost ride, or put a ad on a college bulletin board. Use your imagination.
February 11th, 2010 at 22:48
Im not sure how much that is in euro lol….but if yooure on a budget, theres lots of ways to save money
*Avoid dining out or buying drinks in the centre….very costly
*Hotels are expensive so id recommend B&Bs….youd probably prefer the atmosphere anyway
*Rent a car or take the public transport….buses/trains are reasonably reliable and much more commonly used here than in the states
I think the guided tours are your best bet if you want to see the "sights"….it might seem a little commercial…but if you go out on your own, you will probably miss out on some good attractions and you can get some kind of "tourist pass" once you arrive in Dublin Airport
Dublin (and the east coast) is a very different "world" to the west….so
Dublin is the place to go for the art galleries, city tours and of course the nightlife!maybe spend some time in both?
For a great night out, you wont get better than Temple Bar ((its where all the best bars are,,,,very expensive though)
Id Recommend
Dorans (GREAT live music and food)
21's
Reds
The Viperoom
Whelans
Theres alway great music in Tripod….it a lovely place too
Bars aside,
You can visit Dublin Castle
the Dublin Spire is on O'Connells Street (extremely overated but very tall lol)
Depending what youre into, theres lot of museums and art galleries such as the National Gallery and the Irish Museum Of Modern Art, most of which are free or just a small fee.
Phoenix Park…..with the zoo!
Grafton Street/Henry Street (for shopping!)
ALSO ON THE EAST COAST
its not all urban!
Im from Wicklow (which is just south of Dublin
its really nice there also, and i recommend it if you want "scenic" stuff….its known as the "garden of Ireland" here…
You should defo visit "Glendalough"….its a national Park and the views are breathtaking (as well as the monuments ect)
Also, in Wicklow, you could visit Powerscourt Gardens or Powerscourt Waterfall. These are in Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow and VERY worth a visit on a nice day
…………………………………..
If you plan more time and really want to experience "old" ireland, i think you should go to the West (fly to Shannon Airport)
in fact, if youre looking for a "green" holiday on limited time, id recommend you JUST stay West….you wont be bored!
….Try County Clare
i have family who live in a town there called Ballyvaughan….and its absolutely beautiful
There, i think your best bet is to stay in a thatched cottage and visit the little pubs and restaraunts by the sea – theres often live music.
Theres also lots of cool scenic things there too.
The burren (take a look at the Dolmens, theyre incredible!), the Ailwee caves, The cliffs of Moher.
Theres also a "birds of Prey" sanctuary near the Burren – worth a visit.
.The people are SO friendly there and so proud of the County- the accents are crazy too lol.
Theyre very welcoming to tourists so you'd fit right in!
Have a great trip when ya get around to gettin here!
http://www.discoverireland.ie/
I reckon youll find this site quite useful
February 12th, 2010 at 03:24
Sure …. some are listed above.
If you're coming from overseas use the major local websites to back up your research. I've listed a few sites to make your trip interesting and ways to save you money:
February 12th, 2010 at 07:59
Well, I travel quite a bit. The very best deals I have ever gotten were through Spirit Airlines. Sign up on their site and get a weekly listing (by departure city) of what is on sale. The catch with them is that they charge you $10.00 per bag. I travel light and use a backpack so I'm good. the site is:
http://www.spiritair.com/welcome.aspx?pg=salesinformation&number=580
the other catch is you HAVE TO BE FLEXIBLE with dates. All deals are during time when people do not generally travel. My job happens to be very flexible and I jump when I see a deal… happy traveling!
February 12th, 2010 at 08:51
Depends what you like and where you're coming from but I think you can get around very cheap in parts of Asia- check out Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Indonesia. Turkey and Morocco are also popular and still cheap. In Europe try Hungary, Bulgaria or Romania but be aware that in some popular parts like Croatia and Czech Republic prices have gone up a lot in the last few years and are more expensive than you'd expect. Wherever you go you can always save money by taking public transport or walking, eating where the locals do or buying things at the supermarket (check out if you r hostel has a kitchen) and in bigger cities there are often free events or half-price days at museums.
Enjoy your trip!!
July 9th, 2010 at 08:22
I have purchased my first car and I’m happy about.