Spending and Saving

Creative Travel on Less Than $300

Just because you’re eager to get away doesn’t mean you’ll need to spend a fortune. Sometimes a weekend-long scenic hike is all you need to unwind. Check out 10 LearnVest ideas for weekend getaways that cost less than $300:

Head To A Bed-And-Breakfast.
We far prefer a solid B&B to a pricey hotel. In our experience, the rooms at a B&B are more uniquely decorated, and can cost as little as half of what we’d pay at a hotel. Recently, we found a B&B room in Portland, Oregon for $79. Compare that to $164 for the same type room at a hotel. (Plus, we get breakfast!)

Cruise Last-Minute Deals.
If you live near a port, sign up for last-minute cruise getaways from CruiseDirect. We found a three-day cruise from Miami to the Bahamas for only $43 per day!

Go Business Casual.
Opt for a business hotel in a nearby city for the weekend. Since they cater to the business crowd that usually stays during the week, weekend stays are sometimes as much as 50% off. Search sites like Starwoods.com or Hilton for hotels in specific cities. As an example, the Westin in Chicago usually costs $189 per night during the week, but sinks its prices to $99 for the weekend.

Park Yourself Outside.
State parks are gorgeous (and affordable) year round. See the winter landscape, rent bikes with your loved ones, or canoe.

Hit The Road.
There’s nothing more liberating than packing the car and leaving town for the weekend with friends. Get ideas at TripWiser.com. If you’re renting a car, take more people to split costs. If you’re driving somewhere warm, consider staying at campsites while on the road.

Visit Friends.
If you can find a cheap last-minute flight while travel is still light in the winter months, call an old roommate and see if you can stay the weekend. A free place to stay is a guarantee that you’ll escape without breaking the bank…

Read the rest of this story at LearnVest: 10 Ways to Take a Vacation for Less Than $300.

Tags: saving money, travel, vacation