When finances and savings are top of mind, it can be hard to justify traveling. Traveling costs can add up quickly, so it’s easy to think you can’t save while also experiencing new destinations. With everything from lodging to transportation to meals, if you’re not careful, these travel expenses can sneak up on you.
Luckily for you, we’re here to tell you how to plan a budget-friendly vacation. Follow these tips, and you can plan a great couples vacation that doesn’t hurt your financial goals, while also giving you a priceless experience.
Key Takeaways
- Establishing a budget for your couples vacation can help prevent overspending.
- Planning and booking ahead can help you get the best rate on accommodations.
- Avoiding peak travel seasons can help reduce costs.
- Choosing a hotel with money-saving amenities is a great way to save more.
- Extended Stay America is a great hotel option for budget-friendly couples vacations, because they have full kitchens in every room, free wi-fi and on-site guest laundry.
1. Start With a Shared Vacation Budget
When planning a budget-friendly couples vacation, deciding on your overall budget is the first step to success. Sit down with your partner and decide on a shared vacation budget to reduce stress and prevent overspending.
Once you decide on a budget, you should outline your necessary expenses, as well as what your travel priorities are. If you’re a foodie, look up the best food in the area and set aside more budget for meals. If you love adventure, dedicate more of your budget toward excursions. Saving money on your accommodations can help add to your priority budget.
TIP: Don’t forget to leave a little wiggle room in your budget for miscellaneous things that may pop up, like flat tires, medical needs or luggage charges. If you plan ahead for these unexpected expenses, you can prevent the stressful moment of needing to go over budget.
2. Plan Ahead to Lock in Better Prices
Get a head start on your planning and make reservations to reduce stress and save more. We recommend booking accommodations at least a month before travel. Generally, the closer you book to your planned travel dates, the more expensive it will be for hotels, rental cars and flights.
Many travel sites offer advance purchase rates to give you even better savings if you book your accommodations in advance. Extended Stay America offers savings of up to 10%* when you book your hotel stay at least one week in advance.
When you don’t book in advance, you are subject to your rates going up until you book. As soon as you know your travel dates and destination, we recommend booking immediately to lock down the best rates.
TIP: Many travel sites use cookies to track your searches. The more you visit a site and search certain accommodations, the more your price will rise by the time you book. To avoid this, search for hotels, airfare and rental cars using an Incognito browser.
3. Choose Destinations That Offer More Value
Before you book your travel, make sure you research potential destinations to see what is affordable. Traveling to an area that is more expensive and made for tourists can drain your budget quicker than a less mainstream area. To get the most bang for your buck, pick a destination that is more niche and has a lower cost of living.
Narrow down your top destinations and then research the following:
- What is the nightly average hotel rate in the area?
- Look up a few restaurants you want to try – how much would one meal cost?
- Transportation – is this a destination that is only accessible by plane, or could you drive or take a train?
Once you and your partner agree on a destination that seems within your budget and desirable, you’re ready to book. If you need help discovering budget-friendly destinations, we can help recommend a few places.
Best Budget-Friendly Couples Vacation Destinations
Here are some of the best inexpensive vacation destinations for couples:
- Detroit, MI: Take a walk along the scenic Riverwalk, pick up some fresh, locally-grown produce at one of the nation’s oldest farmers markets, Eastern Market, or catch the live music and cultural events happening throughout the city.
- Memphis, TN: As a city shaped around music, take in all Memphis has to offer with a walk down Beale Street, a drive by Elvis Presley’s Graceland or a visit to the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum.
- Kansas City, MO: Take a romantic stroll through Country Club Plaza or visit the beautiful fountains around town. Check out the local markets or enjoy affordable barbecue spots for a delicious date night. After all, this is where Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce fell in love.
- Baltimore, MD: Visit the National Aquarium, check out one of America’s oldest seaports, Inner Harbor, or catch an Orioles baseball game at Camden Yards.
- Oklahoma City, OK: Walk or rent bikes along the Bricktown Canal for a relaxed and affordable date, visit the Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum or take in the natural beauty at the Myriad Botanical Gardens.
- Jacksonville, FL: Watch the sunset on the beach, collect seashells or take an electric bike tour of the area.
4. Travel Dates Matter More Than You Think
Picking travel dates can play a big role in your vacation budget. From a business perspective, if the supply is low and the demand is high, the prices can be higher, because people are willing to pay more. This is why rates are most expensive during high travel seasons.
If you want to travel when schools are out for summer or during spring break or on peak travel days, you will probably see a surge in pricing and less availability. This is standard in the travel industry.
To get the lowest rates and best availability, you should try to plan your travel in a slower season. In the US, the slower season is considered to be winter (November to March). The high season is summer (June to August). When considering ideas for your next affordable couples vacation, planning a winter trip can help you receive the best prices on accommodations.
5. Be Strategic About Where You Stay
Now that you know how to pick a destination and the best time to book, it’s important to discuss affordable lodging. Where you stay is a big decision that can make or break your budget-friendly couples vacation.
Here are a few things to consider to help save money on your hotel stay:
- Are there any appliances available in the room to make my stay more convenient and save money on meals?
- Is wi-fi included?
- Is there enough room for all of our belongings?
- Is this a reputable company?
- Is there an on-site laundry facility for me to use?
If the answer was yes to any of those, that is a great sign, and you are one step closer to narrowing down a place to stay! If you’re looking for a lodging option that has all of those things and more, consider Extended Stay America. And remember, you’ll get the best rate guaranteed when you book direct on esa.com.
Extended Stay Hotels Can Be a Budget-Friendly Option for Couples
An affordable couples vacation idea that can be a game changer is staying at an extended stay hotel vs a vacation rental. If you’re on a budget, these hotels have all the amenities you may need and none of the amenities you don’t.
At a hotel best suited for leisure stays under seven nights, there are often amenities available to you that factor into your nightly rate, often making your stay more expensive. Sure, a spa is nice, but it is not necessary for a comfortable stay.
Extended stay hotels offer just what you need at a more comfortable price. Amenities typically included at extended stay hotels include full kitchens or kitchenettes, free wi-fi, on-site guest laundry and more storage space. With these amenities, you can avoid spending too much on takeout or paying hidden fees for utilities like wi-fi and premium cable channels.
6. Plan Meals Ahead to Reduce Dining Costs
Eating out can be another one of the biggest expenses during travel, second to lodging and transportation. Everyone has to eat, and the numbers add up fast. Multiply the number of people by the number of days you plan to stay by three meals a day – that’s a lot of meals added to your vacation expenses.
Just because you are in a new area doesn’t mean you have to eat fast food or restaurant meals around the clock. Another affordable couples vacation idea is finding a hotel with an in-room kitchen or kitchenette so you can meal plan, whether that’s to eat leftovers in your hotel room throughout your stay or prepping a picnic for a park date.
Even reducing your restaurant meals by one meal per person per day can increase your savings. We recommend picking one meal per day that you want to buy while out and about and preparing the other two meals in your hotel room.
TIP: Some hotels even offer free breakfast. Now, you only have to plan for the other two meals per day, and you can put more money back in your wallet.
7. Watch Out for Hidden Travel Fees
Just because you see a great price on a booking site doesn’t mean that’s the total price you pay. Oftentimes, there are hidden fees that help travel companies make more money off your booking. Common hidden travel fees may include resort, parking, wi-fi and cleaning.
Look for accommodations with no hidden fees when booking or searching online. Some booking sites even show the total fee after taxes – try to stick to a site that is transparent with their charges and pricing.
TIP: When booking hotels, it is common to pay a deposit for incidentals. However, make sure the hotel you choose discloses if the deposit is refundable.
8. Check Customer Reviews Before You Commit
Look at the reviews of the airline, hotel location or activities you are interested in prior to booking.
It’s important to remember that reviews tell part of a story, but not always the full story. They are helpful to see real experiences, but they are also not the only factor. People tend to write negative reviews when they’re displeased but are less likely to write positive reviews when they are satisfied.
Important factors to consider when reading reviews:
- How long ago was this review written? You should only pay attention to reviews that are from within the last few years. A review that is more than five years old isn’t very relevant to your experience.
- Pay equal attention to the positive and negative reviews. Don’t let one viewpoint skew your perception completely.
- Look at the overall review rating. This is calculated averaging out the negative and positive reviews and is a great way to get a summary of how guests rated said experience or accommodation.
9. Pre-Plan Activities to Avoid Overspending
When deciding how you want to fill your time on vacation, try to have a healthy balance of free and paid activities. We recommend each of you picking a few must-do activities and then having an open discussion about who wants to do what and why.
After you hear each other out, narrow down your combined most-desired activities together and look up pricing. Then, you can see how much room is left in your activity budget and fill the rest of your vacation with free or low-cost experiences.
Another way to avoid overspending is to pre-plan activities and excursions. Think about what you want to do on your trip prior to travel so you can get the best deals possible. Waiting until the last minute to buy tickets for activities can result in spiked ticket prices and no way around it. Some places even offer early-bird or advance purchase pricing to encourage early reservations or bookings.
10. Look for Free and Low-Cost Experiences
There is plenty to do wherever you go. Research cheap or free things to do in the city you plan to visit and you will probably find quite a few suggestions. You can also hear first-hand through social media, travel blogs and reviews from someone who has already done these experiences so you can ensure it’s worth the time and money.
Here are some of our guides to affordable things to do in various cities:
- Cheap things to do in Fort Lauderdale, FL
- Cheap things to do in Fort Myers, FL
- Cheap things to do in Austin, TX
Another way to ensure you are getting the best inexpensive vacation for couples is to explore the natural world around you. If you’re near the coast, visit the beach. It's free, beautiful and relaxing. If you’re near mountains, go hiking and take photos of the wildlife you encounter.
Other free or cheap options in most cities include:
|
If you enjoy: |
Places to visit: | Things to do: |
| Nature | Parks, zoos, hiking trails, botanical gardens, waterfronts | Hike, ride bikes, fish, kayak, learn about animals |
| Music | Venues, performing arts centers, record stores, festivals, open mic nights, karaoke nights | Catch a concert, open mic night or recital, window shop for vintage records or enjoy street performances |
| History | Art museums, history museums, science centers, monuments or historical places | View exhibits, learn historical events of the area, take a walking or bus tour |
| Food | Local diners, food festivals, cooking classes, farmers markets, breweries | Try local cuisine, take a cooking class, try to recreate a local recipe in your hotel room, take a tour |
11. Travel Smarter to Reduce Transportation Costs
Transportation is another big travel expense that is inevitable. If you want to travel to a new area, you’ve got to get there somehow, right? With these tips, we can help you get creative, find ways to reduce transportation costs and plan the best inexpensive vacation for couples.
- Try public transportation: Plenty of cities in the US have public transportation options that are cheaper than rental cars or rideshares. If traveling in New York City, the subway is a much cheaper way to get around than a rideshare or rental car. Plus, it’s better for the environment.
- Consider driving instead of flying: If your destination can be reached by land, calculate the difference in price to drive there instead of flying. While it may be more time consuming and require more effort on your end, it can save a lot of money per person.
- Look up discounts and promotions: Try to book your transportation during sales or with discount codes you find online. Some employers even offer affiliate discounts for rental cars and airlines.
12. Stay Longer to Save More
Did you know you can also increase your nightly savings by increasing your trip length? When planning a budget-friendly couples vacation, it’s important to get your money’s worth and have enough time to really explore the destination.
When planning your next trip, it’s easy to think fewer nights equal more savings. While that is partially true, the fewer nights you stay means your nightly rate will be higher.
Want to enjoy a better nightly rate and have a few more days to explore your vacation destination? Meet Extended Stay America’s STAY longer. Save more.® discount, which decreases your nightly rate as your length of stay increases. No reason to rush your couples vacation and jam pack everything you want to do in a few days. This offer was created so you can stay a little longer and get a better nightly rate.
Why Extended Stay America Is a Smart Choice for Budget-Friendly Couples Vacations
When researching how to plan a budget-friendly vacation, it’s important to think about the biggest travel expenses and how to stretch your dollar. Lodging costs can be quite steep, and everyone needs somewhere to sleep when away from home.
Choosing a hotel that is made for longer stays and has all the amenities you need can be a simple way to cut costs. At Extended Stay America, you can save more on your stay and stretch your budget further.
With full kitchens in every spacious suite, you can save on eating out by cooking, storing and reheating leftovers. With free wi-fi, you don’t have to worry about additional fees just to go online or stay connected. These hotels were made with affordability in mind, because you shouldn’t have to spend all your travel budget on lodging.
Choosing a hotel like Extended Stay America can be a game changer for your wallet. Whether you stay a few days, weeks or months, these hotels offer the comfort and convenience you’ve been wanting.
