Question

Let’s talk vacations.  They are very important to us but we also want to travel on a budget.Let’s talk vacations. They are very important to us but we also want to travel on a budget. We are in Indiana with access to many major airports and not opposed to driving. So where do you travel? What is your favorite budget friendly location?  

Answer 1

Fellow Hoosier here! Based on your profile, you aren’t far from Michigan where there’s some great small towns/waterfronts to visit. Not too bad on your budget and not a terribly long drive!  

Answer 2

If you head to Southern Indiana as well, French Lick/West Baden has some great all-inclusive options!  

Answer 3

I make and budget for yearly traveling a priority. I’ve always been upfront that I’m not stopping life and experiencing things with my kids while paying off debt. This year we are going to Europe for 10 days. Exploring many cities. In total I’ve calculated spending $2800 with our airfare, lodging, transportation within Europe and food. Airfare round trip SAT to Amsterdam was $1400 for me and my son. My daughter covered her airfare. That also included lodging in Amsterdam. Booked via Expedia. Then we paid $130 for 3 days nights in Berlin. $115 for one night in Köln and a last minute room before flying back home at $145. Train fare to get from city to city will cost $200 with one leg being on a bus (similar to Greyhound but much nicer) for $25. The rest will be for food but I’m not expecting to spend anywhere near that amount. This is going off food prices given to me from friends of mine who still live in Europe. I was talking to a coworker of mine who just spend $6, 000 to go to Disneyworld for 5 days 4 nights for just her, her son, and her mom. That’s just outrageous in my eyes considering I’m spending half that for a European vacation. So we have made plans to do an international trip every other year and in between continue to visit different places across the states. Our continual favorite is NYC. We have gone so many times it’s our home away from home.  

Comments

@nitroso I really need to learn more about international travel. Growing up I was always under the assumption that it was just out of our reach, not possible. But like you’ve said, I’ve spent more than that on a trip to Disney! You’ve motivated me to book an international trip next year ❤️

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@nitroso can I ask a silly question about NYC? What’s the best budget friendly way to get from Newark or any other airport to Manhattan/Hotel? Family of 4

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@nitroso - it makes me feels good to know others are on this debt free journey while planning for vacations. I’m currently saving for a Mediterranean cruise with my daughter and sisters this July! Yes, I could be putting the money toward my car loan, but this trip with my sisters and my 18 yr old daughter is much more valuable to me. It just takes upfront planning with Vacation sinking funds! I’m proud to say I will be able to cash flow the whole trip (barring any unforeseen circumstances) I can hardly wait for July 2020!  

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@nitroso that sounds like a great deal. Can I pm you with questions?  

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@alkaline We are public transportation people.  Every city we have visited is public transportation. From subways to buses. If you are staying in Midtown and lodging really is just a clean and safe place I recommend The Holland Hotel in Jersey City. Right across the Holland Tunnel. (This would be flying into Newark) It’s about a 8 minute walk to the Newport Jersey PATH station train that takes you straight into NYC. You will get off 9th street station walk about 1/4 mile and take the C subway line straight to Port Authority station right in Times Square. We now fly into La Guardia now that Southwest doesn’t fly into Newark. We stay in Brooklyn. The Airbnb’s stay in provides free transportation to and from airport but in the event that he can’t public transport is very easy because from terminal B you can catch the airport bus to get you to Terminal C where you can catch a bus the Roosevelt Subway station where subway F takes into Times Square.  Now this is of course as long as there aren’t any subways station closures due to upgrades or being worked on.  But we have been back numerous times and these have all still been viable options for us.  

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@meadows6 my daughter wanted to do Greece. But we needed somewhere my son was going to enjoy himself as well.  Greece will be down the road.  

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@poynter PM me. I can give you my budget breakdown from last years spring break. We spent less than $1200 for 5 days 4 nights.  

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@koblick of course.  

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@nitroso Wow! I need to take travel lessons from you! I booked a trip to the British Isles for July - booked “a tour” through Triple A cause I was too intimidated to plan it myself. Just the tour is 2400 a person. I’m hoping after this trip I’ll be less terrified to travel overseas on my own.  

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@phillis I’m sure you are going to have a fabulous time.  Use this upcoming trip as a gauge on what you could have booked on your own and go from there. If you need help reach out to me. I’ll help you as best as I can.  

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@nitroso thanks so much! I even had a work friend/contact from Christchurch invite us to come visit his home along the English Channel. There just wasn’t time in our organized itinerary.  

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@phillis I’ve never been one to book tours. We like going at our own pace. Explore the cities on our own terms.  

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You make me want to travel more! I didn't realize traveling internationally could be affordable!  

Answer 4

We do a lot of camping & road trips, fortunate to live in SoCal so the coast and national parks of the west aren’t terribly far. 4 kids, so flying and large enough hotel rooms add up fast!  

Comments

One of our best trips (that we did fly to) was Alaska, rented an RV and drove around the state for 2 weeks & only a loose itinerary. Allowed to just pull over and camp up there!  

Answer 5

We live in the Florida panhandle, so we are within driving distance of quite a bit! We’ve done Disney, NOLA, Tennessee, and will be going to ATL next month. We really want to see the West Coast though

Comments

@fiction hi neighbor! I’m in the panhandle too  

Answer 6

We’re in IL but we like (for mostly local) lake Geneva and just going to MI

Answer 7

Do you have a membership to your local museums? Many museums are in organizations with each other and you can go to museum in another area/town/state for free or for a reduced price with your membership. Also zoos are great budget friendly vacation spots. I think this year we are going to do multiple small trips instead of one large trip. We went to Columbus Zoo in the fall and it was a good time. I asked the hotel about discounted tickets and they told me were to get them, saved us about 40% on admissions.  

Answer 8

Hi! I’m in Indiana too! ❄️❄️

Answer 9

I’m in WI and our favorite vacay spot is Phoenix. We go every Spring. My kids love it!  

Answer 10

Huge fans of doubling vacations up with work trips. We just got back from Mexico, saved up the entire year to cash flow what was not covered by husband's work.  

Answer 11

We love Colorado and gulf shores!  

Comments

Oh and Nashville!  

Answer 12

Have you been to Mackinaw Island? If not, it’s one of my favorite places in Michigan and can be done on a budget!   ⛵️

Comments

We also took a trip to Ohiopyle PA a few years ago for white water rafting, that wasn’t too costly and was a blast! Plus, easy to drive to. I’d like to do that again!  

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Mackinac island is fun. very touristy. So if you dont mind going before memorial day when it can be cooler. you can enjoy the island a bit more. All of MI UP is excellent. the waterfalls are spectacular.  

Answer 13

My family (extended) does Orlando or Myrtle Beach I love both!  

Answer 14

I take about two vacations a year. One in the summer and one in the winter. I only travel to places that have cheap flights for the months that I am looking at. We stay at air bnbs and save so much money!  

Comments

Also, I only travel to other countries. I do not travel in the U. S. anymore

Answer 15

I am curious how everyone on here gets such cheap flights! Give me the details please!  

Comments

@vespers what is Rakuten? ‍♀️

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@tree47188 it used to be ebates

Answer 16

We drive from Nashville to Buffalo once a year for a mini vacation and to do the family caravan to my dads grave. It’s a nice little trip.  

Answer 17

We go to Myrtle beach for 9 days every year and rent a car and visit other places close by. We find it affordable in the off season. Most times we get the rooms 20% or 30% off with says longer than 7 days.  

Answer 18

We cruise, we are able to book a couple of years out and pay on it monthly.  

Answer 19

I mean I think you should come to Wichita, KS. I’m sure I could come up with some fun things to do hahhaha.  

Answer 20

We’re hoping to travel from the mountains on BC (Canada) to Portland in June for the Alanis concert and Mexico January 2021 to break up the long, cold winter. I want to snorkel and lay on a beach!  

Answer 21

We do all inclusive vacations it seams like a chunk at first but then food drinks plus many activities are included! It actually saves us money in the long run