Best/Cheapest way to travel...?

Question

I would like to take a trip-maybe next summer. I don't know if I want it to be within the U.S. or not but I need to know the cheapest way to travel. Like packages or something. I want to go with my daughter (she will be 3) and I don't know my way around wherever we will go obviously so is there a way to travel with a group or something and have someone to show you around....I don't know. I have never had to plan a trip myself.

I would really kind of like to go to germany or spain or something. or london!

Answer 1

You can figure out an approximate cost of your trip yourself with a little research. Start by going to one or more travel sites (see below) and look up the cost of a plane ticket for the flight you want. Try alternate airports if there are any within a reasonable range of where you're leaving from or where you're going. If your travel dates are flexible, be sure to try moving your trip by a day or two to see if you can get a better deal on a flight. Once you pick out a flight, check the web site of the airline you chose. You can usually get the same flight for a few dollars cheaper.

On those same sites, you can look up hotels. If you have a specific idea of where you want to stay (ie., near an attraction), then you can search for a hotel near the address of that attraction (you can find the address of the attraction by looking up the web site for the attraction and then looking on that site). Just take your time with it, don't forget to read reviews, and don't be afraid to ask questions (the hotels' phone numbers should be on the travel site on the information page of that hotel).

Then you have to think about how to get around while you're there. Are you going to rent a car? You can look up cars on those same travel sites. Don't forget to figure fuel costs. Are you just going to use shuttles and mass transit? You would have to factor in those costs, then. If you're not renting a car, then check for a hotel that has a shuttle service that can take you at least to and from the airport.

As for miscellaneous expenses, think about what you're going to do and eat while you're there. Are you going to eat fast food, or maybe some nicer meals? Are you doing anything that requires a ticket of any kind? Does the hotel charge for parking? Are you planning on buying any souveniers? Don't forget to factor in the cost of parking your car at the airport you left from (usually $7-$10 per day). For that, off-site parking is usually a bit cheaper (look for signs when you get to the airport), and all of those places have shuttles that bring you to and from the airport.

As for traveling in groups, I would search for tour comanies wherever it is you wind up traveling.  If you're going to a major tourist attraction, see if there's a company that does tours of that attraction.  Don't be afraid to do things by yourself, though.  In fact, that's what I would encourage you to do.

It takes a lot of research to plan a vacation, but if you do it right, it's worth it.  Just make sure you take your time with it and do your homework.  Also, you can come back here when you decide where you want to go and get answers from people who have personal experience with whatever place you'll be going to.

Answer 2

Spain is cheaper than Germany or London. Traveling with a three year old isn't easy, I would suggest a tourist package with no hassles. Maybe, instead of taking one big vacation, you might prefer a few three day weekends near home. That would be a lot easier on the kid and mom.