Low Budget Travel OptionsIf you are looking for budget travel ideas that will enhance the overall enjoyment of your vacation then you came to the right spot. We will go over all of the options you have available and rank them on a scale of 1-10 for each category (lower ratings indicate a poorer score). The categories we will be looking at for each method of transportation are: $ General Ticket Cost Ж Adventure Level Φ Low Stress ∆ Availability ψ Spontaneous
$ General Ticket Cost (Score = 5) Generally this is a great option but gas prices can really put a hurt on your wallet. Ж Adventure Level (Score = 8) When you are in your own vehicle it gives you complete control of where you end up. It is your most flexible option. Φ Low Stress (Score = 4) Unfortunately when you drive for long distances you have to put up with terrible drivers, road rage, tolls, traffic jams, etc. ∆ Availability (Score = 10) Your car is waiting for you right now and is almost always ready. ψ Spontaneous (Score = 10) Because your car is always ready to pack up a spontaneous road trip is right up this alley
By far this is the most common way to begin your road trip. If this is your first time that you have embarked on a spontaneous road adventure then this is your best starting point. One thing that you need to keep in mind is that the wear and tear you put on your vehicle can never be undone. If you are concerned about the long-term effects then you may want to look into renting a vehicle. If your looking for some safety pointers and driving tips then click this link. If your new to traveling in the snow check out this link for winter driving tips.
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$ General Ticket Cost (Score = 10) If you are looking to travel a long distance at a rock-bottom price then its difficult to beat this budget travel option Ж Adventure Level (Score = 2) Boring ride...bring a book, your MP3 player, and a pillow. They will stop for meals and so you can stretch your legs. Φ Low Stress (Score = 9) Since your not driving it then is difficult to get stressed out. Just be careful not to sit next to a smelly passenger. ∆ Availability (Score = 10) Bus stations are readily available in most decent sized cities ψ Spontaneous (Score = 8) Since you are purchasing a ticket it can't be a 100% spontaneous road trip. However, you can get on a bus to somewhere almost any day of the week.
$ General Ticket Cost (Score = 3) Although this is one of the greatest ideas ever invented, prices are reasonably expensive. Large groups will make them more affordable Ж Adventure Level (Score = 10) This is a party on wheels Φ Low Stress (Score = 10) Sit back, crack open a few beers, and enjoy the ride ∆ Availability (Score = 7) These are becoming more and more available ψ Spontaneous (Score = 7) This requires a decent amount of planning
$ General Ticket Cost (Score = 10) There is a large up front cost for these vehicles, however you save on hotels and food costs. Generally they are a huge cost-savings! Ж Adventure Level (Score = 10) You have the freedom to go anywhere, stay anywhere, and bring anything you want with you! Φ Low Stress (Score = 7) If your not use to driving a large vehicle then driving an RV will take a little bit of getting used to...it's not as bad as you might initially think. ∆ Availability (Score = 10) These services are pretty popular and it is definitely worth looking into. ψ Spontaneous (Score = 8) There are some up front arrangements that you need to make. However, renting an RV is a great option for a family vacation or a college road trip.
If you are nervous about parallel parking your regular car then you might want to think twice about this option. Keep in mind that when you park these road couches your always looking for the wide open areas in the back of parking lots and taking up several spaces. Backing up is not an issue as long as you have a trustworthy passenger who can safely guide you without bottoming out the vehicle.
$ General Ticket Cost (Score = 9) Tickets can be very affordable for long-distance travel and to large cities. Ж Adventure Level (Score = 8) Because you can go a further distance at a low cost...your destination is now open to expanded possibilities. Φ Low Stress (Score = 8) You are in cruise control and along for the ride. ∆ Availability (Score = 7) Trains stations are conveniently located all over the United States! ψ Spontaneous (Score = 6) You may need to make some special arrangements to get dropped off and picked up from the train station (or leave your car)
Checking into train travel is an absolute must for the adventure-minded travelers!
$ General Ticket Cost (Score = 2) Tickets are generally relatively expensive unless you catch a deal on a flight. If you want to travel "somewhere warm" or need to "get away from everything for a little bit" then you can easily find a low budget travel fare. Ж Adventure Level (Score = 10) The possibilities of travel destinations is endless! Φ Low Stress (Score = 9) You are not driving, so kick back and take a nap or read a book. ∆ Availability (Score = 10) Not an issue at all finding flights to your travel destination ψ Spontaneous (Score = 3) There are tickets that need purchased in advance. Additionally you will need to get picked up and dropped off at the airport (or leave your car).
The other consideration you need to take into account if you decide to fly for your road trip is how you are going to get around after you arrive at the airport. Generally you will need to rent a car. However, if you are heading to a downtown area there are usually free charter busses that will take you to your hotel. From then your road trip can be spent locally at that area.
Check the status of your flight:
$ General Ticket Cost (Score = 5) This has a larger up-front expense than using your car but you do save on all of the wear and tear on your own vehicle. Ж Adventure Level (Score = 10) You can take this car anywhere! Φ Low Stress (Score = 7) You will need to put up with other drivers on the road. ∆ Availability (Score = 10) Rental car facilities are very easy to find ψ Spontaneous (Score = 8) There is much less planning involved than heading to a bus station, train depot, or airport. They will often times even pick you up at your house!
If your personal car is a truck or large SUV, then a rental car might actually save you tons of money on gas!
$ General Ticket Cost (Score = 10) (The ultimate budget travel adventure) No gas, no tickets, what a deal! Ж Adventure Level (Score = 10) You are completely free on your bike and there's no need to worry about parking, tolls, or traffic jams. Φ Low Stress (Score = 1) You have to peddle your way everywhere (including up hill), plus you have the added inconvenience of figuring out how to bring your gear. ∆ Availability (Score = 10) Your bike is waiting you to right now! ψ Spontaneous (Score = 10) Start peddling!
Obviously when you take your road trip on a bicycle you have a limited amount of stuff you can carry. As a result, your trips will generally be much shorter unless you are experienced on long-distance bike trips.
$ General Ticket Cost (Score = 10) AVOID TAXI CABS! This is a great option to get around cities and back and forth to the airport. Ж Adventure Level (Score = 10) If you love People-Watching then this is your best bet Φ Low Stress (Score = 4) Figuring out the travel schedules in strange cities is difficult...be patient ∆ Availability (Score = 6) It's in all the big cities but you may struggle with this option if your destination city has fewer than 50,000 people ψ Spontaneous (Score = 10) If you already live in a big city then your trip can begin right now. There's plenty of places you have yet to see in your hometown.
Public transportation is too overlooked when planning your road trips. This is a great way to actively live like the rest of the people in your destination city on vacation. As long as you avoid Taxi Cabs at all costs then you can save an enormous amount of money.
$ General Ticket Cost (Score = 10) Your only expense will be to split the gas evenly between you and your fellow riders! Ж Adventure Level (Score = 10) This journey will be shared by like-minded travelers Φ Low Stress (Score = 1) In addition to dealing with all the same annoyances from your own car, now you have to put up with your passengers. ∆ Availability (Score = 3) Arranging a carpool can be a challenge when you have to consider other's schedules. ψ Spontaneous (Score = 1) Getting everybody together takes time and therefore this is not an ideal last minute option
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