Frugal vacations.

[twinkle]

Just putting this out to see if anyone has some tips for frugal travel as a single. Are there any internet sites that are especially reliable and reasonable in regards to pricing.  I'm new to starting to travel and welcome any advice. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

[Peace77]

How cheap do you want?
Use Rewards credit cards for free flights or hotel rooms.

Use coupons and coupon codes.

Stay at youth hostels.

Stay with relatives.

Go couch surfing.

[quince]

Have relatives that live in desirable areas. 

Otherwise, try to be flexible with travel time if possible. I've never flown standby, though some people are into it.  Experiment with dates- often midweek flights are cheaper.  Do weekend overnight trips in driving  distance if there's anything worth seeing.

We use Hipmunk to look for flights, usually.  Some airlines only sell on their websites, Southwest is one I know of, so check there as well.

[twinkle]

Thank you for your suggestions, I'll check out Hipmunk and Southwest for some pricing.

[simser]

International or domestic travel? How cheap- you don't want to overpay, but you also don't want to miss out on "once in a lifetime" experiences- especially on a once in a lifetime trip.

I love to travel. I save up a lot of money for it each year, and I do bucket list trips each year. But I do them as cheap as possible.

[simser]

Oh I'm also a solo traveler. I love traveling by myself!!!

[❤ mollymouser ❤]

You might look around for three types of destinations:

1. Places you'd like to visit close enough to economically drive;
2. Places you'd like to visit with good deals on airfare;
3. Places you'd like to visit where you could stay free of charge with family or friends.

Some people don't mind camping, or staying in REALLY cheap hotels, or places like youth hostels ... if you're fine with those sorts of things, they can be quite frugal.

[kadee79]

If driving, stop when you enter each state and get the motel coupon books at Welcome Centers. Most of them have them available outside even if the main facility is closed.

If you are planning to stay in one location for several days...look for an extended stay motel...you can cook your own food in those. But also be sure to price all the add ons in them...a regular motel could be cheaper in the long run depending on how long you are staying.

[TheOtherMe]

I use rewards for flights and hotel rooms as much as possible.  My airline of choice has cut their flights from my airport of choice to every other day and their miles will now expire if there is no activity within 6 months.  That does not make me happy at all.  The other airline out of this area that flies direct to where I want to go is not a low cost airline by any means and I hate to go through O'Hare.

[Ombud]

Does this count? British Airlines has flight from SFO to Dublin + 5 nights @ 4☆ city center for 1600. As low as 1100 if you're willing to not be in center of city

VFI Israel flight + registration fee = 858 + 91. They put up up for 2 weeks but you work for 4-4.5 days each week

But I'll get soaked with 8 cruising to Alaska around 10-12k.

[twinkle]

One of my problems with finding a good deal is my travel dates limitation,
I'm looking at 3/23 to 3/30, no flexibility here.  Maybe too make springs breakers during this time.  I'll keeping checking for any last minute deals just in case, everything I've seen has been pretty costly as I'm looking for somewhere sort of warm, it's frigid right now in WI.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Have you looked at any Groupon deals?

I know a friend of my sister's found them a really decent deal for their combined birthday in March last year, I think Punta Cana at an AI.  Then they just needed to pick up their airline tickets.

[Chocolate Lover]

Feb 18, 2015 3:39:21 GMT -5 twinkle said:

One of my problems with finding a good deal is my travel dates limitation,
I'm looking at 3/23 to 3/30, no flexibility here.  Maybe too make springs breakers during this time.  I'll keeping checking for any last minute deals just in case, everything I've seen has been pretty costly as I'm looking for somewhere sort of warm, it's frigid right now in WI.

Spring break on the coast starts in March. If you just want WARM and not beachy, try inland somewhere. Florida has caverns on the panhandle but it's not a tourist area, something like that maybe?

[Artemis Windsong]

The question I have about youth hostels is how do you keep your belongs and self safe while asleep?

[Peace77]

Mar 5, 2015 11:34:26 GMT -5 Chocolate Lover said:

Feb 18, 2015 3:39:21 GMT -5 twinkle said:

One of my problems with finding a good deal is my travel dates limitation,
I'm looking at 3/23 to 3/30, no flexibility here.  Maybe too make springs breakers during this time.  I'll keeping checking for any last minute deals just in case, everything I've seen has been pretty costly as I'm looking for somewhere sort of warm, it's frigid right now in WI.

Spring break on the coast starts in March. If you just want WARM and not beachy, try inland somewhere. Florida has caverns on the panhandle but it's not a tourist area, something like that maybe?

Where did yu get the idea that the Florida panhandle is not a tourist area?  
IT CERTAINLY IS!
Hordes of college students head south from Alabama, Georgia and other states.

if you want to avoid the tourists, stay away from all the beaches and tourist attractions.

[Deleted]

Feb 18, 2015 3:39:21 GMT -5 twinkle said:

One of my problems with finding a good deal is my travel dates limitation,
I'm looking at 3/23 to 3/30, no flexibility here.  Maybe too make springs breakers during this time.  I'll keeping checking for any last minute deals just in case, everything I've seen has been pretty costly as I'm looking for somewhere sort of warm, it's frigid right now in WI.

Did anyone mention not travelling on March Break? Everything gets more expensive that week.

[Peace77]

Mar 5, 2015 11:41:31 GMT -5 Artemis Windsong said:

The question I have about youth hostels is how do you keep your belongs and self safe while asleep?

I didn't have any problem when I stayed in one in Washington, DC.  

I suppose you could wear a money belt or money pouch under your pajamas, if you want.  There are usually lockers to store your bags during the day.

The sleeping rooms are segregated unless you pay extra for a private room, when available.

[Chocolate Lover]

Mar 5, 2015 13:15:08 GMT -5 Peace77 said:

Mar 5, 2015 11:34:26 GMT -5 Chocolate Lover said:

Spring break on the coast starts in March. If you just want WARM and not beachy, try inland somewhere. Florida has caverns on the panhandle but it's not a tourist area, something like that maybe?

Where did yu get the idea that the Florida panhandle is not a tourist area?  
IT CERTAINLY IS!
Hordes of college students head south from Alabama, Georgia and other states.

if you want to avoid the tourists, stay away from all the beaches and tourist attractions.

The CAVERNS I mentioned are a state park and not somewhere most spring breakers flock to. I did not invite her to be among the hordes clogging up my roads. Not every section of the panhandle is beachfront you know. 

[NastyWoman]

Feb 12, 2015 0:38:58 GMT -5 quince said:

Have relatives that live in desirable areas. 

 works for me.  Not only do they cut down your hotel cost etc (though you do have to reciprocate), they can also find local deals which are hard to find from here esp. when family lives in a different country.  Not all the best deals are on line here (yet?)  

[Deleted]

If you don't care where you go, sign up for travelzoo, etc. to get notices of deals. 

Are you near a major airport? You can often look up specials from that airport if you don't mind where you are going. 

I love the train. Its often not as cost efficient if you are paying for 4 people to go say, but if its just a lone traveler, i think i'd be taking the train more. 

[marvholly]

I KNOW Donna has/does frequently stay at hostels when she travels. She did a number of years ago when she ws in here for a conferance that was reasonably nearby.

Right now I am getting a MAJOR urge to do something - it might be the cabin fever from a snowy, cold winter.  My thinking is either:

An Alaska cruise (spotted a 2 weeker for $3600) which wil be VERY $$ with air, transfers & a hotel at at least the start.  Plus I want to do all the VERY $$$ excursions late DH & I could NOT afford in 2003

or

a staycation with all meals OUT, tickets to concerts & plays, hit the museums............  This s/b around $500, esp if I hit up groupon.

[Deleted]

Mar 5, 2015 13:15:08 GMT -5 Peace77 said:

Mar 5, 2015 11:34:26 GMT -5 Chocolate Lover said:

Spring break on the coast starts in March. If you just want WARM and not beachy, try inland somewhere. Florida has caverns on the panhandle but it's not a tourist area, something like that maybe?

Where did yu get the idea that the Florida panhandle is not a tourist area?  
IT CERTAINLY IS!
Hordes of college students head south from Alabama, Georgia and other states.

if you want to avoid the tourists, stay away from all the beaches and tourist attractions.

yup....DD is down there now in PCB with a group of college friends from Virginia Tech

[justme]

It's not as busy after spring break time. Was just there in Dec and it was dead.

[cronewitch]

What do you do with the cruises that are priced per person double occupancy? I wouldn't mind a cruise but all the prices are double for singles, it irks me they should just list the price for the room even if double it wouldn't seem so bad.

[Peace77]

Mar 15, 2015 18:01:59 GMT -5 cronewitch said:

What do you do with the cruises that are priced per person double occupancy? I wouldn't mind a cruise but all the prices are double for singles, it irks me they should just list the price for the room even if double it wouldn't seem so bad.

You can get matched with another single female who wants a roommate or pay a single supplement (extra fee) to have the cabin to yourself.

[cronewitch]

Mar 15, 2015 18:44:41 GMT -5 Peace77 said:

Mar 15, 2015 18:01:59 GMT -5 cronewitch said:

What do you do with the cruises that are priced per person double occupancy? I wouldn't mind a cruise but all the prices are double for singles, it irks me they should just list the price for the room even if double it wouldn't seem so bad.

You can get matched with another single female who wants a roommate or pay a single supplement (extra fee) to have the cabin to yourself.

Is the single supplement the same as paying for another person? I noticed some hotel give continental breakfast for two with a room so if you are single do you get twice as much food?

[Peace77]

No, it's not double the price.  So, I wouldn't expect to get double the meals.

[marvholly]

Mar 15, 2015 19:10:05 GMT -5 cronewitch said:

Mar 15, 2015 18:44:41 GMT -5 Peace77 said:

You can get matched with another single female who wants a roommate or pay a single supplement (extra fee) to have the cabin to yourself.

Is the single supplement the same as paying for another person? I noticed some hotel give continental breakfast for two with a room so if you are single do you get twice as much food?

Crone

I have cruised a LOT but am now a single - DH passed away DDs have kids and single friend remarried. there is a web site that lists deals on single bbokings for cruises. I am watching for either Alaska this summer or an extended (21 days) trip over the worst of winter to San Juan & back w/different ports on each leg.

Site is:

www.vacationstogo.com/emailtick.cfm?r=0&jpw=107&nr=cus_M6r_NS

ETA:  I do NOT know of any major cruiseline that matches room mates anymore.

[Deleted]

Mar 15, 2015 19:10:05 GMT -5 cronewitch said:

Mar 15, 2015 18:44:41 GMT -5 Peace77 said:

You can get matched with another single female who wants a roommate or pay a single supplement (extra fee) to have the cabin to yourself.

Is the single supplement the same as paying for another person? I noticed some hotel give continental breakfast for two with a room so if you are single do you get twice as much food?

since the hotel breakfast is usually a buffet, you can get as much food as you want. 

and no, the single supplement is usually around the same amount as it is for the 3rd and 4th person in a cabin. there are travel agencies that arrange singles cruises so they would match you up with someone.

[justme]

Royal Caribbean is one of the cruises I found that doesn't charge the single person the same as if it's two people. It was 50% more, or half of another person. At least when I looked probably closer to two years ago. (I believe it was rc could have been carnival because it also leaves out of the port near me)