If you and your family will soon be packing up for a beach getaway, you aren’t alone. In fact, 85 percent of Americans are planning a summer vacation in 2015, according to American Express. Though that number represents a 13 percent increase compared to 2014, 91 percent of families plan to reduce the cost of their summer vacations.
So how can you reduce the cost of your summer trip? If you’ve already considered taking a road trip instead of flying, utilizing all your rewards points or staying close to home, you actually haven’t exhausted your options. Here are some simple ways to cut costs on your trip to the beach without sacrificing fun.
Reconsider Your Travel Dates
For many (not all) U.S. locations, the height of the tourist season is the time between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Travel during that time frame, and you’re nearly guaranteed to pay more than you would during the off season. But who wants to visit the beach when it’s cold outside?
But the combination of smaller crowds, decent weather and reasonable prices is, in fact, attainable. Before you book your travel, look into travel rates during what the travel industry calls the shoulder season, which is the time between high and low season. For beach vacations in the United States, the shoulder season usually is during late summer or early fall, in September, October and November. For example, staying in Daytona Beach, Florida, costs about $208 per night in July compared to $113 per night in September. Staying in the shoulder season would save you about 46 percent.
Choose Lodging Away From the Beach
In a nutshell, if you want lodging with oceanfront views, you’ll have to pay a premium for them. If you can do without, it’s more economical to choose a place that’s a bit away from the beach. Look to rent a hotel, condo or house that’s only a short drive, or even better, a short bike ride or walk away. It may even be quieter at night since you’ll be away from all the beach-goers.
Buy or Rent Basics Elsewhere
If you know you’ll be spending a lot of time on the beach, you’ll likely want a few essentials to help you beat the heat, including sunscreen, a shade canopy or umbrella, and some beach chairs (that sand gets hot!). You’ll also need a few things for entertainment, including a beach ball, sand toys like a shovel and pail, a boogie board or even a kayak. And food! Let’s not forget how hungry swimming seems to make both adults and children.
Packing light has its perks, but when it comes to a beach vacation, it may pay to view things a bit differently. For example, one shop in Daytona Beach will rent out boogie boards for $5 per hour or $10 per day. The same shop charges $20 per day for an umbrella that creates shade for two people. A quick online search finds you can buy a boogie board for only $6 and a canopy for about $40 (and it’s large enough to create shade for about four people). If you’re at the beach for just three days, you’ll save $150 and will have gear for your next trip. It sounds like it’d be worth making extra room in the car.
If you’re flying, consider renting or purchasing the beach items you’ll need at a store that’s away from the sand so you can avoid inflated prices. Stop by a store like Walmart or Target to get pool floats, sunscreen, snacks and toys. As crazy as it sounds, even if you just use them for a few days and leave them at your destination, you’ll still be saving money.
Maximize Your Discount
Finally, don’t forget you can increase your savings by using coupons. You can even find coupons for activities you can only do at the beach, like parasailing, if you do your research. Also, don’t forget about specialized discounts for groups, AARP members, AAA members, students and military members. It never hurts to ask if a shop will give you a discount, and if so, whether it allows you to combine it with coupons.
I hope you have a safe trip and avoid getting burned by the sun and overpriced goods!
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Cut the Price of Your Next Beach Trip in Half originally appeared on usnews.com
