With summer just a few months away, now is a great time to start planning your vacation. If budget is a concern, here are some tips on how to spend $1,000 for a 4-night, 5-day getaway.
Travel
The cheapest option for travel would be to enjoy a summer road trip and drive to your destination of choice. However, if that’s out of the question, domestic flight deals are constantly coming and going. To stay within your $1,000 budget, try to keep your round-trip flights to $200 max.
Here are some tips:
- Book in April, when airfares are predicted to be cheaper.
- Make sure you stay on top of flight deals by setting up price alerts with Skyscanner and book quickly if a good deal comes your way.
- Scan prices to find the cheapest time to go during the summer months.
- Think outside of the box. There are plenty of summer vacation spots that are much less expensive than the hottest destinations like Miami or Los Angeles. Check out these American cities where your money will go further for some inspiration. A summer getaway can be fun and relaxing wherever you go.
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Hotel
For a 4-night trip, your hotel should be less than 50 percent of your total vacation budget. At around $100 a night, depending on where you plan on vacationing, you may need to get a little creative with your accommodations.
Here are some tips:
- Book early for better rates.
- Contact the hotel or Airbnb host directly to ask about any deals or discounts.
- Scan prices to find out the cheapest time to go during the summer months.
- Find a friend to split the cost.
- Reach out to your network to see if anyone would do a 4-night house swap.
- Find a hotel that offers complimentary meals, like breakfast to cut down on your overall costs.
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Meals & Entertainment
There are lots of ways to save money without sacrificing your vacation. Now that you’ve dropped about $500 – $600 on your travel and accommodations, that leaves you with around $100/day for meals and entertainment – not bad.
Here are some tips:
- It’s always nice to splurge on one nice dinner during your vacation, but otherwise, try to stick to local diners, eateries, and food trucks that offer happy hour deals and inexpensive meals.
- Most cities offer free entrance to museums, parks, and most outdoor activities can certainly give you a taste of the local culture.
- If you’re staying in an Airbnb, cook a few of your meals at home to save.
- Check with your hotel to ask about deals and passes on local entertainment.