Ways to Save Money on Vacation This Summer

In addition to saving money on hotel costs, transportation, and food, you'll want to explore various ways you can save money on the price of local attractions while you're planning a cheap vacation that's really affordable:

• Take Advantage of Discounts You Already Qualify For
  Are you a member of AAA? Are you part of a union? You may even be eligible for additional discounts through work or through your child's school. The best way to find out whether you are is to call the organization and ask, or call ahead and ask the ticketing office at your destination. Remember, too, to bring proof of your affiliation with any discounting organization when you go on your trip.


• Look for Cheap Vacations and Coupons Online
  Do some online research before your vacation to find out what's available in the area and look for online or printable coupons. A good place to start is the tourism office in your local state. Once you know which attractions you'd like to visit, find out whether they offer online coupons by searching for the name of each attraction and the words "coupon code," "coupons," or "discounts."


• Consider Cheap Vacation Packages
  Find out what packages are available in the area where you will be vacationing. For example, you might be able to purchase discount tickets for a nearby a water park while purchasing tickets to an amusement park near your destination. Planning ahead and taking advantage of these discounts can save you quite a bit of money.


• Plan Some Down Time into Your Vacation
  You don't have to visit local attractions each and every day of your vacation. Especially if you are paying for a hotel with it's own swimming or recreation facilities, take advantage of the amenities your hotel has to offer. In addition to being fun in its own right, planning at least one day of "down time" is another effective way to plan a cheap vacation.