Have you grown weary of the same old, same old?’ Do you need a break from the drudgery that is your job, your uninspired surroundings, and a routine that can best be described as ‘blah?’ It sounds like you need a vacation.

Thankfully, you don’t need a hefty expense account or lottery winnings to see the world. You won’t even need to hand over your first born–unless you want to, of course. By following a few travel trips, you can enjoy a luxury trip for a discounted price.

Fly Frugally

If you long for a far-flung destination, but fear you can only afford Fresno or Fargo, you may want to try a few travel tricks-of-the-trade.

• Book early. The more seats available on a flight, the cheaper those seats will be. As they begin to fill up, prices soar, therefore, it is best to book your flight early. While some experts say to book about eight weeks in advance and others argue that 21 weeks is best, one thing is clear. Leaving your flight until the last minute will cost you.
• Travel on odd days. Who says your holidays have to begin and end on the weekend? If you can, instead, travel on a Tuesday or Wednesday, you will likely save on your flight and your lodgings. And, according to Yahoo.com, statistics show that the best summer dates to aim for are the first week in June, the second week in July, and the last week in August. Who knew?
• Be alert. Travel sights like Kayak, Airfare Watchdog, and Skyscanner will keep tabs on your desired destinations and notify you when fares drop.

Eliminate Excess Baggage
When it comes to packing, traveling light will ensure your wallet remains heavy. The best way to avoid airline charges for luggage–and the fear of lost items–is to fly with just a carry-on. ‘Sun, Surf, and Savings: Summer Travel on the Cheap,’ recommends making sure that your carry-on fits the dimensions allowed by the airline and not over-stuffing it to the point that it won’t fit into the bag-size tester.

Opt for All-Inclusive
Meals, drinks, and amenities can add up quickly, especially when you’re in a busy tourist area. Opting for an all-inclusive vacation will better enable you to budget for your whole trip and allow you to eat and drink without fear of overspending.

Use Travel Rewards
If you have a credit card that gives travel rewards, you may want to use it for everyday purchases–as long as you remember to pay it in full at the end of each month. Time advises that you should take the time to understand your rewards in order to enjoy the biggest savings. Once you know how they work, you can put these rewards towards your flight, hotel room, or car rental–or all of the above–making your dream vacation extremely affordable.

Don’t Shop at the Airport
If you’ve ever bought a Coke and a bag of Fritos at the airport, you likely parted with more money than you anticipated. Instead of relying on the convenience of airport meals and snacks, come prepared with already-purchased food and drinks. This will save a small fortune and make your airport wait much more relaxing.

So break out of your lacklustre routine and embark on some much needed adventure. There’s a great big world out there waiting to be explored. And, believe it or not, you can afford it.

Have you discovered some cost-cutting travel secrets? Please share them.