Debbie Bremner: This Publication Is Proudly Presented by

This publication is proudly presented by
Debbie Bremner
Coldwell Banker
www.TheBremnerGroup.com
(310) 571-1364
DRE License #00588885
As millions of Americans begin to plan

their summer vacations, we explore
five common methods of transporta-
tion and reveal several clever tips for
saving money while traveling across
America.
D R I V I N G
The quintessential all-American family vacation, the road trip continues to stand the test of time, offering full scenery and flexibility
not found elsewhere. Taking to the road offers great advantages such as being able to move at your own pace while reaching places
otherwise unseen.
During a road trip, gas is likely to be your largest expense. Below are a few tips that families can consider to save significantly on
these costs and make a road trip more affordable:
Use websites like www.Fueleconomy.gov and www.Gasbuddy.com to research fuel prices in the region and at your destination.
Gasoline is your number one cost and if you’re able to travel in a direction offering savings of 40 cents per gallon, it’s going to add
up quickly. Sometimes simply crossing a state line will cause a major spike in prices. You can also find great mobile apps for
checking prices while on the road. Check out five great iPhone apps here: http://earth2tech.com/2008/07/11/5-iphone-apps-to-
help-save-gas/
Don’t weigh the old ride down. The weight of your vehicle and its contents is directly correlated to the cost of fuel, so pack light.
Rent a more fuel-efficient car for your trip. Even with the cost of rental, you’ll often save in the end. Typically websites like
www.Hertz.com, www.Enterprise.com, and www.Budget.com can offer great local rates from non-airport locations.
F L Y I N G
One of the most popular forms of family travel, taking to the sky offers a number
of unique benefits which are unmatched by other methods of traveling.
On a plane, there’s no need to be squished together in uncomfortably
close quarters for more than a few hours and you’re sure to reach
your destination quickly and safely. Furthermore, flying to a
destination and back typically involves only two full travel days;
whereas driving and other methods of transport can take up a
significant portion of your holiday just for travel.
Flying does have its limitations and disadvantages, however; the

first and foremost being cost. It’s simply not cheap to fly a family of
four or five round trip to anywhere. Nonetheless, with the right measures,
this cost can be reduced significantly.
If you’ve got enough planning time and a bit of flexibility, it’s typically not hard to
find affordable airfare. It’s easier than ever before with the help of websites like
Momondo.com and Kayak.com. These two particular sites search multiple travel
booking websites for the best fare available. Once you’ve found a good fare,
check again for the exact same flight on the airline’s own website where
oftentimes further savings can be acquired. If you’re having trouble finding an
affordable fare to your preferred destination, consider an alternative — after all,
the point is simply to be together and have fun. Check out AOL’s list of top ten
family vacations if you’re short on ideas.
Another thing that families can do to save big on traveling by air is reducing
associated costs such as airport transport and baggage fees. By simply taking
carry-on baggage only and getting to the airport via bus or train, a family of four
could easily save hundreds of dollars that would be better spent on fun; or, travel
with Southwest Airlines, which allows for one free checked bag per passenger.
T R A I N
An often-overlooked option for travel in the United States, traveling

by train is a fun and worthwhile option for family vacations. If you
haven’t yet tried it, consider doing so as train travel combines
the scenery aspect of a road trip with the convenience of letting
somebody else do the work. Furthermore, fares are typically
reasonable while the level of comfort on a train easily exceeds
that of most any other method of travel.
The biggest disadvantages of traveling by train are associated with travel time
and reliability. Quite simply, train travel takes a lot of time. Despite the fact that
schedules are in place, train travel is notorious for extensive delays. For many,
however, these characteristics are part of the package and if the idea of a vacation
is to relax and to ease stress, throwing schedules and agendas out the window is
the perfect scenario.
All things considered, train travel is a great opportunity to do something different
with the family and it’s all about the experience and comfort. The scenery goes by
slowly and offers glimpses of places that are quite often not seen in any other
mode of transportation.
Destinations for train travel are somewhat limited, though plenty of great options
exist. Check out Amtrak.com’s helpful interactive route atlas for great information
and trip ideas. Much like air travel, fares are highly subject to seasonal popularity
and, therefore, flexibility and booking in advance can go a long way in the effort
to save money.
T A K I N G A N R V T R I P
For longer trips and larger families, this is simply a fantastic option. The
benefits of a recreational vehicle are extensive and unique. RVs allow a
family to travel as one unit with everything it needs in one package.
They provide savings on the cost and hassle of hotel rooms and allow
everyone to bring plenty of personal belongings for maximum
comfort and fun. They also give families the opportunity to sleep
comfortably in the heart of many of America’s greatest outdoor
attractions.
There’s just one major problem with taking an RV trip: they’re often
incredibly expensive. This applies both to the price of rental as well as the
cost of fuel associated with operating an RV. Below are a few tips on
maximizing savings on an RV trip:
Book rentals well in advance or take the risk of waiting for last minute deals.
Prices skyrocket in anticipation of the busy summer travel season so act
accordingly.
Consider alternative seasons for great savings. In addition to considerably lower rental
rates, renting an RV in the spring and fall offers comfortable travel temperatures and
typically lower gas prices.
Take a break from expensive RV parks and hook-up fees. They’re not really necessary all
the time, so going a few extra nights without them can tack on a few hundred dollars of
savings by the end of the trip.
Plan your vacation in an area with lower gas prices. You can save as much as 50 cents
per gallon if you fill up in the right parts of the country (Texas, Oklahoma, etc.).
B U S E S A N D P U B L I C T R A N S P O R T
While many of us have taken the Greyhound at one point or another for basic
travel needs, few families elect to take advantage of traveling across America
by bus for vacation purposes. Bus travel by far offers the lowest fares to
many destinations and when combined with the use of public
transportation upon arrival, families can enjoy a great vacation for
a fraction of the cost of traveling by air, train, or even family car.
By taking advantage of these potentially huge savings, perhaps
some families could afford to take two vacations instead of one.
Below are a few tips to maximize savings and the enjoyment of

traveling by bus and public transport in America:
Book in advance. Although bus travel is less susceptible to last-

minute inflation, Greyhound and other bus companies typically
offer significant savings on 21-day advance purchases.
Research public transportation networks thoroughly in advance. If you’re

headed to somewhere like Chicago or New York, a bit of time spent on the MTA or
CTA website could save a lot of confusion and headaches later on.
Relax and enjoy the scenery. Much like train travel, traveling by bus takes time. Take
advantage of those big windows and the personal chauffeur in the front seat. It’s a big,
beautiful country.
Regardless of how you choose to travel, there are always going to be ways to save money
while still enjoying a great family vacation. The most important thing to remember is that
the purpose is simply to have fun and create memories that flourish in the minds of
everyone in the family for years to come; and best of all, doing so doesn’t have to come at
the expense of your entire family budget.
Click here for an interactive tour guide of every region in the United States.

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Debbie Bremner: This Publication Is Proudly Presented by

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This publication is proudly presented by

As millions of Americans begin to plan

Flying does have its limitations and disadvantages, however; the

An often-overlooked option for travel in the United States, traveling

Below are a few tips to maximize savings and the enjoyment of

Book in advance. Although bus travel is less susceptible to last-

Research public transportation networks thoroughly in advance. If you’re

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