Score Lower Transportation Costs on Your Big Vacation

Can you have a great vacation without a set of wheels? It all depends on where you plan on going. If you plan right, you can save a ton of money on transportation costs and explore fun family vacation ideas on a budget. If you don't have an option to go somewhere where seeing the sites via public railway is available, you can still plan for lower transportation costs by investigating deals online, and planning ahead for the big vacation. Don't forget that some sights should be seen with unusual modes of transportation, not just cars. You can plan for a fun bike trip or even donkey ride and make the transportation a part of the fun and memories you carry back with you when you get home.

Check Out Big Cities for Your Next Destination

Places like New York and major cities in Europe all have excellent public transportation systems. In some of these cities, renting a car would be ridiculous, because traffic wouldn't allow you to get around anyways and parking is scarce. Therefore, do yourself a favor and check out some big cities, for that next great vacation. Include in your research, the option of getting railway passes on light rail or some of the newer transportation choices. Get a weekly or monthly pass, instead of opting for daily tokens, and you'll have fun and not have to wait in line much either. If you're in a major city, and choose a local hotel, you can save money on travel costs that way too, although the cost of the room may offset that choice.

If You Must Rent a Vehicle

Check out rental car companies before you arrive. The best deals are sometimes at the airports, but sometimes they're not. It pays to check ahead of time for the time you will be in town, to see what deals you can score. If you have the advantage of time, you can also go onto Priceline.com and quote your own price for a car rental and see if any vendor gives it to you.

Plan For Some Fun Travel Options

If you're on Martha's Vineyards, you want to try to the bike tours. It's a must. You can rent a bicycle for a day or two, and that's going to get you around quite cheaply and add to the charm of your vacation. Similarly, some places are meant to be seen on horseback or donkey. Don't be shy. Just look for the cheapest burro dealer and hop on! Don't forget to take some pictures as that's one memory you definitely want to capture on film.