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Summer Travel on a Budget

Thinking about going out of town this summer, but money is tight? You may want to go ahead and plan your trip now. That's because with each passing day, airfare and hotel prices for summertime travel are rising. But in addition to planning ahead, you may be able to save even more with the following tips.

Be flexible with air travel.

Travel experts are expecting airfare for summer travel to rise approximately 22 percent over what it is right now. So book early, but also be flexible.

When searching for summer fares, consider flying midweek on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, as well as on Saturdays. These are usually the cheapest travel days. Avoid Friday and Sunday travel if you can, as those are the priciest days. Timing also comes into play when booking the flight. Most airfare sales come out on Tuesdays, and are available for just two or three days. If you wait until the weekend to make your purchase, fares can skyrocket.

Save on accommodations.

A beach house or mountain cottage may be more expensive than a hotel room, but it can probably hold a lot more people, too. If you have a large family or plan to travel with friends, a vacation rental may be just as—or more—affordable than a hotel. Not only can you save money on the accommodations, but since most have a full kitchen, you can save by buying groceries and preparing some of your own meals.

If you do go the hotel route, don't settle for the rate you find online. The typical hotel has 40 percent of its rooms empty on any given night. Armed with this knowledge, call the hotel and ask for a better deal. According to Consumer Reports, only one in three people attempt to negotiate for a better deal when booking a hotel. But in fact, 80 percent who try are successful in getting a better price.

Opt for in-state travel.

With beaches, mountains, hundreds of parks facilities, and festivals every weekend throughout the summer, there is plenty to see and do right here in your own state. Visit www.visitnc.com to learn about all the destinations and events—many at no cost—available this summer.

This area also has its share of amusement parks, but with ticket prices more than $50 a person at some, this may not seem like the most economical way to spend a day or two away from home. However, if you are a member of Local Government Federal Credit Union, which all North Carolina local government employees are eligible to join, you qualify for discount tickets to seven nearby theme parks like Kings Dominion, Carowinds, Wet 'n Wild Emerald Pointe, Myrtle Waves Water Park and NASCAR SpeedPark. Save around $10-$20 per person just by visiting your local branch to purchase the tickets.

Money may be tight this summer, but that doesn't mean it has to put a damper on your plans to get out and about. Whether it's a simple day trip in your own state or an entire week out of the country, a summer vacation is doable—even on a budget!