3 Around-$200 Summer Getaways That Feel Like $2K — Perfect for Tight Budgets
You can relate to that famous Go-Go's lyric, "Vacation, all I ever wanted." But you'd tweak it a little bit to say, "Inexpensive vacation, all I ever wanted." OK, so maybe you won’t have a side hustle as a songwriter, but you do have a goal: cut the cost of your summer getaway from thousands of dollars to a few hundred.
At the same time, you don't want to lose the luxury or excitement you'd get with the more expensive option. So, how do you find a vacation that feels far more expensive than it actually is — even if your starting cost is roughly $200? MoneyLion asked some experts for help.
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National Parks Can Bring Great Beauty at a Low Cost
Joe Cronin, president of International Citizens Insurance, argued that one relatively inexpensive vacation option is consistently overlooked: America’s national parks.
Instead of splurging on pricey resort stays, budget-conscious, outdoorsy families can enjoy a range of physical activities and take in natural beauty at more than 2,000 federal recreation sites.
"A single America the Beautiful Pass runs $80 and grants access to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites for a full year," Cronin said. "Campgrounds, trails and ranger programs are either free or low-cost, and the experience competes with destinations that cost 10 times as much."
Cronin said he's seen families travel extensively on very little money by building trips around the national park system.
"If I had to pick one category that consistently delivers the best return, I'd pick domestic national park trips paired with a simple rental cabin or campsite," Cronin said. "[There's a] low entry cost, high experience ceiling and no surprises."
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Select Cruise Packages Give You Fun Experiences for One Fee
As the editor-in-chief of Cruise Critic, Colleen McDaniel knows how to find a cost-effective and fun cruise package. McDaniel said cruises can offer good value for families traveling on a budget, in no small part because cruise packages can be customized to those families’ needs and interests.
Because the base fare of a cruise includes lodging, meals, entertainment options and travel from one place to another, families can save money on those individual elements.
"We consider a strong cruise deal to be around $80 per person, per night — which, compared with land-based options, is an incredible price considering all of the inclusions," McDaniel said. "That said, you can often find fares for even less by comparing across sail dates, cabin types and other factors, which makes the cost of a cruise even more budget-friendly."
To save additional money and avoid the stress of flying, McDaniel recommended booking a cruise that sails from a cruise port you can drive to. She estimated that this move can save you thousands of dollars on the final cost of your vacation.
McDaniel said she’s seeing some strong deals on cruises to Mexico in the second half of the summer. She pointed to one five-night Mexican Riviera cruise that was priced at roughly $232 per person, or about $46 a night, before any optional extras or price changes.
Home Swaps Reduce Lodging Costs
When you're really on a tight budget, you'd probably love to eliminate hotel fees altogether. One way to avoid those costs is by centering your summer getaway around a home swap in a location you've always wanted to explore.
Jessica Poillucci, public relations manager for EN Markets at HomeExchange, explained that home swaps can eliminate many of the costs that make a luxury vacation so expensive by providing full kitchens, in-home laundry and other everyday amenities that hotels and resorts often charge a premium for.
"We often see travelers opting for the outskirts of cities or surrounding suburbs over staying in the city center," Poillucci said. "It's a small change that can offer great value for families: Restaurants and shops outside of touristy areas are often less expensive, and in many cities, getting into the busier parts of town is as easy as spending a few dollars on a bus or subway ticket."
A membership at HomeExchange costs roughly $235, although there are other home swap sites with varying fee structures. People have even used home swaps as the foundation for international getaways.
When a Reddit user in a travel-focused subreddit complained about being unable to find affordable lodging in Ireland, another community member mentioned using a home swap platform to stay there. As a bonus, they got to meet the Irish couple staying in their New Jersey home for their own international vacation.
The Bottom Line
If you can't afford a vacation that costs more than $2,000, you don't have to be stuck at home this summer. You can still find a memorable getaway for only a few hundred dollars, perhaps even as little as $200, especially if you’re flexible about lodging, transportation and timing.
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This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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