From reading all of the different suggestions here, and all very good ones, it is pretty obvious that what one person does to save money is different than what someone else does, and yet both are happy with the way that they save their money. We usually do pack some food to take along , in a cooler if going by car, and by getting some protein bars if we are traveling by some other way, like a bus or plane. One of the best vacations that I have ever had was one where we went by car and drove down the West Coast of the United States and took a trip to Disneyland. We packed a cooler; but also stopped and had meals at truck stops along the way, and we camped at campgrounds at night. We had tents and sleeping bags, and the campgrounds always had bathrooms and shower facilities. Usually, they had some kind of an office or group building where they had coffee in the mornings, so we could have fresh coffee, and then stop someplace along the way for an actual breakfast. It was a great trip, and we all enjoyed the stopping and camping out, the scenery at the campgrounds, and we saved a lot of money over renting a motel room every night for the trip.
This is another really good option, if applicable. If you stay during the non-peak season, you can usually get some nice discounts. Sometimes, it doesn't even necessarily have to be seasonal. It can just be a slow time period (like between the time kids go back to school and when the holidays begin). Many places are slow during this time period, and will sometimes offer special deals. I just booked a weekend stay for such a special price, and got roughly 40% off what it would have normally cost. It's a nicer hotel than what I would have been able to get for that price. I also had some gift cards saved up, so I got an additional $50 off the total. I'm quite pleased with that deal.
I like to buy souvenir mugs or glasses when I get a drink. You have a ready made souvenir and don't have to pay more than a 1.00 or so beyond the price of regular drink to get a souvenir glass or mug. It can be a way that you can get some of the options you might need for cheap souvenirs...also refrigerator magnet souvenirs are usually affordable.
We personally like to do day trips instead of vacations, first I look on sites like groupon for any cheap activities, if I do not find anything that is interesting there then I get on roadtrips and look for national parks, free attractions and museums. For food we bring or buy sandwich things to eat for lunches and fruit for snacking, also we take water bottles that we can fill up. For lodging if we are staying the night we try to camp as much as possible, because we like to and most of the time we can find cheap or free places to camp, we always have our tent in the truck of the car and blankets at all times. If we are stay at a hotel we usually look for deals and usually go cheap as possible(casinos have nice hotels and if you sign up for their casino cards before hand alot of times they will send coupons for night at their rooms for 50 dollars a night, you don't have to gamble to enjoy casinos, we like to go to them for our anniversary cause the rooms are awesome and the usually have nice pools/hot tubs and restaurants).
As for gifts to family and friends back home, I usually mail them a postcard from where I am visiting. People love the "snail mail" and the postmark from my location. If my trip precedes an upcoming holiday or birthday, I will buy something for them in that situation. I try not to spend a lot of money on items for myself unless it is a garment or a house hold item I will actually use. Personally, I hate the cheesy items found in gift stores. I also try to capitalize on any free meals my hotel offers, stock up the mini fridge with snacks and lunch items, and enjoy a dinner out. Food really adds up!
The food is the first in my list when talking of saving money when traveling especially abroad. We have experienced countless of times that the volume of order is unpredictable. It is best to ask if the order is good for how many persons. And if need be, check on the picture of the food that you plan to order. Next is the tourist spots particularly theme parks. It is cheaper to buy vouchers that you pay in advance. We always use vouchers for Disneyland and I’d say the savings is substantial. And speaking of theme parks, not all of them are worthy to be visited. I make a thorough checking of details before I add a theme park to our itinerary. Like in Bangkok, we were offered a theme park that is actually a water park. Since we are not fond of swimming, we did not take it.
There are a number of ways in which you can save while travelling. Other posters have mentioned few of them already. One may plan to visit and stay at a relatives in order to reduce the cost of accomodation. Guest houses on other hands especially in temples or religious acomodation are also relatively cheaper and many offer meals too. Cut down on shopping until absolutely necessary. Carry your own water and snacks rather than purchasing on the way. Plan your travel well so that you do not run short of cash.
During short trips, I carry most of my foods. There're some homemade foods which last for several days even weeks. I try to save on conveyance as well. Rather than using a rented vehicle, I try to avail local transportation. This saves a lot of cash. And, in some places I booked home stays rather than expensive hotels.
I do respect your point but in reality people do save money to travel for everything they need like their fare, their hotel accommodation, their foods, their souvenirs as you have mentioned. In short, those travelers or the tourist have all in mind and they have planned it out to avoid delays, embarrassment or anything goes while taking their journey. Unless those who don't have any plan at all.
Maybe people become little more generous towards themselves and spend little more lavishly. However, I cannot say that about myself because I always plan everything carefully and spend only what is absolutely necessary. I remember my first trip with my wife to a nearby hill resort where I always went to middle class eating places with better food compared to high-end restaurants with fine-dining arrangements. I don't think we missed anything but saved a lot of money.
I think you have to get really creative when you want to live like a frugal vacationer and I think maybe stay at a nice beach campground in the off season when its kind of gets a bit chilly. I know north florida cools off fast in the fall,and the panhandle has some sugar-sand beaches that are beautiful for anywhere and it cost like 15 dollars to enter but its good for one week for camping.
Some have mentioned how we saved money when travelling like buying local food from local shops, not buying too much souvenirs. One thing we know now is that we shouldn't have bought souvenirs for now we'll probably donate it to thrift shops. One soft point for us was local packaged foods we love them, bought them, ate & enjoyed them there. Now it's a lovely memory! Pictures is best for people you haven't promised souvenirs for, best is not promise them so you can have more leg room not carrying them around till you come home. When people who love to travel to the 9th island beef jerky and beef sticks is a big item to bring home for they're so . inexpensive on mainland and delicious. I feel best way to save is take pictures for a Travel Journal instead of souvenirs. Have a wonderful trip!
