Penny-Pinching Pro: How to Research and Compare Prices For a Budget Trip
No matter what your budget is, you should always research to ensure that you get the most bang for your buck. That is exactly what this post is all about! We’re looking at a step-by-step guide on how to research and plan your next budget-friendly trip.
So without further ado, let’s get into it:
Define your needs & set your budget
Firstly, before you get whisked away in your vacation fantasy, ask yourself what you want from the rip. What is the goal? Relaxing, adventuring, or, gaining an unforgettable experience.
Clearly outline what you want and stick to it religiously. This will help you focus your research and make it more efficient. Because you’ll be more efficient, you won’t feel as demotivated or overwhelmed when tackling the next phase.
Secondly, it is important to set a budget for each category of the trip namely; accommodation, traveling, food, and, activities. Once this is done, you can start with the REAL research.
Conduct online research (Google + Social Media)
The internet is a wild and wonderful place. It is a vast resource for finding information on products and services. Start by searching for the item you want to buy on search engines like Google. Usually, this is where most people stop!
But, this is where our most valuable tip comes in. With the internet being a gold mine for information, take advantage of other platforms like Airbnb, social media, and other sites where accommodation locations would advertise, to find affordable accommodation and activities!
One place to go looking is Facebook! Facebook has a built-in search functionality which you can take advantage of by typing in the location you want to go and adding the word accommodation. Facebook will search through posts and display all the posts that contain those words!
Sometimes, finding a place on AirBnB will be more affordable when you book directly with them. So, if you find a place you love slightly outside of your budget, see if you can track them down and send them a personal message or email explaining your situation!
You’ll be surprised by how many people are willing to bend the rules!
Utilize price comparison websites
Okay, so what if you can’t find the place on Facebook or anywhere else on the wonderful interwebs? Don’t panic!
The next step is to use a comparison website to see which platform you can get the best price on! There are various price comparison websites and apps available that allow you to compare prices across multiple platforms at once. Some of these are:
Expedia is a well-known travel booking website that allows you to compare prices for hotels, flights, and vacation packages. They also offer a loyalty program for additional savings.
TripAdvisor not only offers hotel price comparisons but also provides user-generated reviews and ratings for accommodations, restaurants, and attractions.
Kayak is a comprehensive travel search engine that allows you to compare prices for hotels, flights, rental cars, and more. They also have a feature called "Price Forecast" that helps you decide when to book.
Trivago specializes in comparing hotel prices from various booking websites, making it easy to find the best deal on your preferred hotel.
Google's hotel search tool allows you to compare prices from various booking websites and view hotel details, photos, and reviews, all within the Google search interface.
Utilize Facebook’s Functionalities for Activity Research
Another good way to save some money is looking for free or ver affordable activities in the area that you’ll be visiting. Joining Facebook groups in the area, or just searching for events in the area on Facebook can offer up some really good deals and experiences!
Remember that not all businesses have a website and a full team of people to manage a website. However, most businesses would probably have a Facebook page where they market different market days, products, and experiences!
Don’t solely rely on Google to make up your itinerary!
Keep an Excel planner
When you’re planning a trip it’s important to keep track of your expected expenses! So, make sure to keep a detailed Excel spreadsheet so you know what you’ll be paying for which categories! This will help keep your expectations and budget in check and leave you stress-free!
By following these steps, you can effectively research and compare prices, ensuring that you make the best purchasing decision that aligns with your needs and budget. Now go out there and plan the best budget-friendly trip ever!
