Floria is one of the world’s most well-visited locations, in part due to its vibrant culture, gorgeous climate, stunning beaches, and massive range of things to see and do. But the biggest issue with visiting such an incredible place is that the sheer weight of demand that it generates in terms of domestic and international tourism means the cost of doing all sorts of things you might want to do on vacation has inflated wildly.
Fortunately, if you’re prepared to spend a bit more time in the planning stages and avoid the usual tourist traps, you could be in line to save a hefty amount of money on your trip that you can put towards all the things that make travel so exciting (which don’t include being pushed onto a heaving sweaty bus to be taken directly to Orlando!)
Choose To Visit The Lesser-Known Locations In The State
When one thinks of Florida, it is easy to fall back on the usual locales, including the likes of Orlando, Miami, the Keys, and all the usual places that tend to end up heaving with tourists. Part of the reason for this is obvious thanks to the number of options available at them, but because so many people tend to make a beeline to them, demand often outstrips supply (whether in real terms or artificially). If you are really serious about saving money on your trip, then it could make sense to travel a little further afield to those cities and towns that haven’t been as deeply touched by the hand of the tourism industry.
The best part? Because we’re talking about the US and Florida, travel is often incredibly straightforward, and you have plenty of options to choose from. For instance, Orlando-Gainesville travel can be achieved via almost all means, ranging from flight to an option that might be more in tune with the topic of this post, namely ridesharing. The idea is that you can still enjoy all of the usual places that are so famous for a reason but spend less time there and more time in lesser-known locations (and therefore save a good chunk of change in the process, even when you factor in travel).
Travel Less
OK, so this point might appear to directly contradict the first point, but this isn’t the case, and you can reap the rewards by combining the two. The idea is that instead of spending all of your time traveling from place to place, you opt to explore a few locations a mile deep and an inch wide. That is to say that you choose an area that you are enjoying the most or has the things you want to do and eschew everywhere else. Of course, you will miss out on a massive range of wonderful things to do, but the money and time you save by enforcing this rule will mean that you will have more to spend in the few places that made your shortlist.
Inevitably, this will mean that you might have to make a choice based on the theme of your trip while stripping out anything else that might be superfluous. This could mean sticking around Orlando if theme parks are the aim of your journey or heading a little further outside the main population centers if you are more excited about seeing the fascinating flora and fauna that make up The Sunshine State.
Research Affordable Accommodation Options That Essential Get The Job Done Without Much Fanfare
Some folks really need accommodation that caters to their every whim and fancy, while others are far less fussy, and as long as the place is clean and near(ish) the main attractions, basic will do just fine. If your main aim for this trip outside of having a great time is to reduce your overall spending, then you will probably want to fall into the latter category.
It’s usually possible to discover all sorts of accommodation types by spending a bit more time than usual during the research phase, and when you find them, try to utilize a number of techniques to lower the cost even more. Sometimes, it’s possible to save some money by contacting the hotel directly rather than booking through an OTA, while other times, the reverse is true.
Utilize Public Transportation When Possible
If you’re not an American, it’s easy to fall into the trap of believing that the US is an inherently unsafe place and options like public transport are out of bounds for anyone but the most drug-addled lunatics. Although this might be the case in some of the larger urban and less touristic areas, they’re mostly safe.
The fact of the matter is that public transportation costs a fraction of the price of other options like Uber et al. and will get you most of the way to where you want to be. It’s still a good idea to budget a certain amount for private taxis as there will be days that you just want to get back to your accommodation directly rather than having to figure out what buses go in which directions, but in most cases, public transport should do you just fine.
Explore Free Or Affordable Attractions And Activities
Admittedly, there aren’t many free things to do in Florida, but most beaches remain free and easily accessible to the general public. You can while away your days chilling out on any of the world-class beaches as you watch the world go by. If you want to combine relaxation with more interesting endeavors, then Floris also happens to be home to plenty of national parks and museums that are either completely free to visit or are only costed to cover their expenses.
Plan Meals With Budget-Friendly Restaurants Or Opt For Self-Catered Accommodation
This tip is a two-parter, but for a more varied experience, you can combine the two. The first part is adding a restaurant list to your travel itinerary. This ought to be easy enough as you will already be planning where you’re going and what you’re doing based on your days of travel. Spending a little extra time to check for a selection of affordable restaurants will ensure that you won’t lose time when lunch and dinner roll around and that your money can be best spent on the food you enjoy. The second part is related to your choice of accommodation.
If you opt for an Airbnb, you can actually take advantage of the relatively affordable cost of living standards that most Americans enjoy (apart from eggs, obviously!) and do a large shop at a local supermarket. YOu can stock up on ingredients for a small amount of money and then cook and eat where you’re staying. This step also allows you to buy plenty of snacks and supplies you might need when out on the road so that instead of spending over the odds at some kind of overpriced minimart when you or your travel companions are feeling peckish, you can enjoy the sacks you bring along with you. Just be aware that some attractions won’t allow you to bring in outside food, so double-checking beforehand will save you having to dispose of them.
Take Advantage Of Travel Discounts You Can Find Online
The internet has been and is a wonderful thing that we now take advantage of thanks to its ubiquity. However, when you take a step back to appreciate it, you can use it to find an immeasurable number of discounts and promotions to take advantage of throughout your trip. You might find few results during the peak season, but if you plan on heading out off-peak, the savings you discover could be far more significant than you imagine, leading nicely onto the next point…
If Possible, Avoid Travel During The Peak Seasons
This tip is aimed primarily at people who aren’t restricted to seasonal travel, which in most cases are those without children or kids who have already flown the nest. If you do have young kids, you might want to skip this point to save your frustration! However, for those of you who are able to visit during the quieter periods of the year, that varies depending on which region you want to travel to. If you’re prepared to risk some seriously inclement weather and travel during the hurricane season (which is only really limited to the North and Southwest regions), you will save vast sums of money.
Use Loyalty Programs For Additional Savings (Or Start Using Them Now For Future Travel)
America is the land of the loyalty program. When you are able to use this system to your advantage, you can sometimes come away with money in your pocket even after indulging in some luxury. Obviously, you will need to be a party to these programs before you travel in order to make use of them, but even if you’re not currently involved, there is no time like the present to begin. If you spend money on this trip and build up your points, you can put them to use during subsequent trips and continue to do so into the future.
There is no doubt Florida is an utterly amazing place to visit, but because of its popularity, it can also be pricey. Using the tips outlined in this post, you can save a significant amount of money without sacrificing the quality and enjoyment of your trip.
