How to Take a Trip for Under $500 from Toronto
Summer is over and even though fall has just started the weather is still nice. That means it’s the best time to either have one last weekend getaway or plan your winter escape.
“But travelling is so expensive. I don’t think I can afford it right now.”
I hear you. I’ve been there. As a young person I used to see my friends posting pictures online as they ticked off all the familiar travel destinations such as Paris, Amsterdam and Cuba and I used to feel a twinge of jealousy. While I was stuck worrying about my student loans they were off building memories that will last a lifetime.
But then I realized that you don’t need to spend thousands of dollars on resorts or a European tour to have a good vacation. Let me tell you how to have a mini vacation for less than $500.
Where to go.
The first thing the budget traveler needs to think about is destination. At this price range you’re not going far, but that’s not a big deal. I live in Toronto; there are a lot of potential destinations I can get to quickly and most importantly, cheaply. Try to limit yourself to neighbouring provinces or states if you live close to the border.
How to get there.
With only $500 you don’t want to waste money on transportation. There are some killer air fare deals that you can find out there but nothing will be more cost efficient than taking the bus. You can find bus fare from Toronto to Montreal and back for under $50 with Megabus - and that’s being conservative.
If you book far enough in advance you can find tickets to Montreal or even New York for as little as $1. If you see a cheap ticket don't hesitate to buy it even if you aren’t sure you can travel that date. Prices go up fast as more people buy.
Alternatives include renting a car or taking the train, both of which are more expensive and in the case of a rental, more of a hassle. If you absolutely must rent a car expect to pay around $100 for two days.
The Beach?
When you aren’t dead set on going to a specific tropical destination, Groupon can come in handy. A quick browse can usually dig up one or two really cheap international flight deals. Make sure to use Groupon to look for discounts close to home too.
Travel Insurance
Insurance is essential when you go abroad but still important even if you’re just travelling outside of your home province. Most provinces have regulations set up to work with your home province’s health care, but sometimes it doesn’t cover everything.
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