8 Easy Steps to Plan A Perfect Budget Vacation

"THE JOURNEY OF A THOUSAND MILES BEGINS WITH A SINGLE STEP." - LAO TZU 

Planning a family vacation can be a lot of work, but it’s worth every minute and every penny. Family time is precious. Travel enriches the mind. It also creates memories that families can cherish for years to come. In short, travel makes families stronger, smarter and happier.

But, for most of us travel with family often appears to be a distant dream. Depending on the age of our kids, challenges vary but as parents we have to think about how best can we utilize these vacations and create some good memories and experiences with one another.

So, here are 8 simple steps to follow while you're plannng a budget holiday this summer.

1 – Decide on a Destination 

We often select 3-4 best destinations in our mind. Which would be less expensive? Planning a budget vacation demands no compromise on experience but save money till the last penny. Your prime objective is to figure out how much money are you ready to spend?

While picking your goal, remember seasons & the kind of destination you'd prefer. Some vacation destination like Himachal Pradesh and North East, are popular all year round. Others like, Rann of Kutch and Udaipur, are season specific. Goa is famous for water sports & Ladakh for bike trips. 

2 – Decide on Your Dates of Travel

Once you're through with selecting destination, choose your travel dates. If on a budget, try keeping short trip so that you don't end up making holes in your pockets. You may be accustomed to weeklong vacations, but what if you can’t afford one?  Opt for a three or five day trip instead, and you'll naturally set aside extra cash. 

3 – Visit Online Travel Websites 

Online travel sites and the mid year get-away travel bundles they offer are pleasant. However, there are no guarantees you will save money but be cautious to compare prices at different websites eg Yatra, Metripping, Makemytrip and so on. Although, they are convenient to buy, but don’t buy a travel package unless you save money. Your goal is to plan a cheap summer vacation and make sure you get one.

4 – Price Compare Again

Unfortunately, online travel websites do not always give you the best deals. Luckily, it is easy to tell.  They should give you the names of the hotels, car rental companies, and airlines. Visit their websites and request more quotes. Compare the two. Go with the cheapest quotation.

5 – Book Your Package

Once you have found the cheapest travel package inclusive of all fooding, hotel, car rental, your flight everything. You can now enjoy the holiday without having to worry about the nitty-gritty details. Your accommodation, food, entertainment & travelling are all taken care of. Many experts claim the best time to book reservations is early Tuesday or Wednesday morning.

6 – Calculate Your Left Over Money Now 

By now, you are through with airline reservations, vehicle rental and hotel and its time for your to focus on other aspects of your trip. These include food, activities, attractions, souvenirs, shopping and so forth. Keep this aside as Emergency Money! (a cute terminology given by my husband :-)

7 – Estimate the Rest of Your Travel Costs 

Indeed, you effectively reserved your hotel, vehicle rental, and airline tickets. Now, research online your travel destination to familiarize yourself with local activities, attractions, and restaurants.  Examine online menus or attractions to get an average cost idea.  Then, estimate the cost of each meal, activity, and so forth.  You now have a good idea how much you can expect to spend on your summer vacation.

8 – Pack Wisely & Enjoy Your Vacation

Only you know what’s going to work for you and your family. You’ll see a lot of advice online about packing light and just as much advice telling you to pack everything so you’re prepared for every scenario. Ensure you carry all necessary documents & medications to avoid last minute glitch.

Hurray...you're now ready to experience an exotic vacation!