Planning a vacation is hard enough, but doing it for under $200 is quite the challenge. Factoring in the interests of everyone in your travel party, along with trying not to break the bank, might sound impossible. But with a little direction and guidance, you can find just the right place.
Making your trip for under $200 per person is doable. Here are five super fun vacations for under $200 per person:
- Fishing Trips: Alaska, California, and Florida
- Greenville, SC
- Chicago, IL
- Cheyenne, Wyoming
- Nashville, TN
Read on to find out more information about how you can make your trip fun for a low per person budget, at under $200 per person! If you’re looking for some more vacation ideas and have a budget of $500 we’ve got that covered too!
Where Can I Go for An Inexpensive Vacation?
The options for inexpensive vacations are endless, but it all depends on how far you’re willing to travel. If you don’t want to spend a ton on gas or airfare, finding something close is important. But if you don’t have to spend a ton on a place to stay, then travel costs might not be an issue.
Finding an affordable hotel will be key to staying under budget. Here are some inexpensive options:
| Type of Vacation | Hotel | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Beach | Sea Horn Motel | Myrtle Beach, SC |
| Mountains | Country Inn & Suites by Radisson | Gatlinburg, TN |
| State Parks | Cottage at Cumberland Falls | Plain Mountain State Park, KY |
Things to Consider When Vacationing for Under $200 Per Person
There are tons of factors to consider when planning a vacation. Sometimes, just the act of planning a vacation is enough to make you need a vacation. But learning how to travel on a budget and attention to detail are two essential ways you can make vacation planning less of a pain and more fun!
Planning a budget for every item on your trip can help you stay low on how much you spend. Some ways to budget for your vacation are:
- Pack snacks or food for the trip itself. This ultimately helps save on the food expenses while you are on the plane, road trip, or boat.
- Consider location. If you’re going to the beach, try looking for a hotel that’s just a short walk to beach access instead of a beachfront spot. Or if you’re visiting a National Park, consider staying close, but not right next to your destination.
- Travel with more than one group. This will help lessen the stay’s cost by dividing it between different parties. So that $500 hotel room for the week is a lot cheaper with a group of friends.
- Use Travel credit. Sometimes you may have travel rewards that will help make your flights or hotel stay cheaper when used. This is a good option for people who travel quite often.
- Travel during the off-season. Traveling in the off-seasons helps save a ton of money. Not only will hotels and flights be cheaper, but also admission into attractions. When you plan for your vacation to be in the off-seasons, there will be far less of a crowd.
- Look for alternatives for places to stay. Sometimes finding alternatives to hotels or resorts will help make your trip easy on your budget. Try visiting in areas with vacation rentals or even with friends instead of a hotel or resort.
- Plan for a couple of days instead of a couple of weeks. The point of a vacation is that you relax and make some memories with those that are with you. Vacations should be stress-free, and staying for a shorter time will make your time more budget-friendly. If your stay is shorter, this allows more money for other things to help create more experiences and fun vacations.
- Try a volunteer vacation. Doing a volunteer vacation will give you the opportunity to vacation for free; however, you will have to pay for your way to the destination. These volunteer vacations are great since you help build houses for the less fortunate and let you gain a lot in return for helping others.
- Do your research when it comes to travel arrangements. Find out the perfect way to book a cheap flight online. Check if it would be cheaper to drive to your destination. Learn how to fly business class cheap. Doing your research now will save you from unexpected expenses.
5 Super Fun Vacations for Under $200 Per Person
Now you may be wondering what kind of vacations you should plan for that are under $200 per person, and that is budget-friendly. Up next, we have five of our favorite vacation spots that won’t put you over budget, but you’ll still have fun all at the same time.
1. Fishing Trips
Fishing isn’t just for weekends. Fishing also is an enjoyable and budget-friendly option for a vacation. A fishing trip as a vacation is just what you may need. Fishing is relaxing and full of great excitement as you catch those monster fish. When planning a fishing vacation, some incredible places are available for you to visit.
- Ketchikan, Alaska
- San Diego, California
- Key West, Florida
- Waikiki, Hawaii
| Location | Things to do |
|---|---|
| Ketchikan, Alaska | ● Even though many different types of fish are available, fishing for wild salmon is the most common. ● You can take any fishing tour, but one of the best is the Bering Sea Crab Fisherman's Tour. ● There are ample nature-centered places around, but one of the most fun nature tours is the Tongass Rainforest Canopy and Zipline Tour. ● There is an ample supply of history behind Ketchikan, Alaska, to enjoy. |
| San Diego, California | ● Having the saltwater and freshwater fish options can open more doors for your vacation. ● Many piers are available to use that also have an abundance of fish such as yellowtail and bass. ● San Diego has many charters available; however, one of the best fishing charters is the Half-Day Deep-Sea Fishing Cruise. ● When you do not want to fish, there are other attractions to do; one is going to the San Diego Zoo. |
| Key West. Florida | ● There is an ample supply of different fish species within the reefs and shipwrecked waters. ● The Key West allows you to fish within the shallow "flats" or do deep-sea fishing. ● There are different charters available in the different experience levels. ● Taking the Laid Back Key West lets you plan your boating adventure. ● If you don't want to fish, there is always snorkeling. |
2. Greenville, SC
Greenville, South Carolina, offers a vast range of things to do. They have a unique blend of Southern charm with countless free events and activities. Everything is within a distance of each other and easily walked to. There are many different affordable summer activities to do as well.
Here are a few things you can do while in Greenville, all budget-friendly:
- See the Boston Red Sox minor league team, the Greenville Drive
- Falls Park on the Reedy
- Free trolley
One of the biggest attractions is Falls Park on the Reedy. There is a one of a kind curved bridge that is held in place by a suspension cable. For a place to stay, check into Homewood Suites Greenville Downtown.
3. Chicago, IL
During the summer, Chicago is an excellent place to visit. There is free entertainment, and Navy Pier has several live music events that are at no cost to you. They offer an outside movie that lets family sit on a blanket- or lawn chairs- for a very memorable experience. There is also a 3- acre Play Garden that is the first of its kind in Chicago at the Maggie Daley Park.
There are other great attractions to visit while in Chicago. These range from free to a low price of perhaps $6 per person. For more information that these attractions have to offer, visit Family Vacation Critic.
4. Cheyenne, WY
Located an hour from Denver, Cheyenne offers a vast cowboy culture and outdoor adventures. There is a botanic garden, Grand greenhouse Conservatory, that is Cheyenne’s only public garden. Next door is Paul Smith Children’s Village that is free and offers gardens full of interactive landscapes. Some of these interactive landscapes are:
- Natural wetlands
- Gravity powered waterworks
- Farmers Windmill
- A “secret garden.”
For more interactive landscapes at Paul Smith Children’s Village, visit their website.
Many more fun activities also include the Bison train at Terry Bison Ranch that lets visitors feed bison and see other animals like ostriches and camels. The place to stay is Staybridge Suites Cheyenne that located in a historical downtown.
5. Nashville, TN
If you want an inexpensive, family-friendly vacation, then Nashville will be an excellent vacation for you. Nashville offers many activities that include anything from adults to kids. There are many museums like the Lane Motor Museum or the Parthenon. There is a beautiful resort, Drury Plaza Hotel Nashville Downtown, that you can stay in that offers free hot breakfast, complimentary beverages, and snacks. Plus, there are plenty of cheap hotels in downtown Nashville for you to stay at.
Things to do in Nashville are:
- Splash pads
- Nashville Greenways
- Kidsville at the Parthenon
Don't Forget to Pack the Essentials!
When you have your vacation planned, you will need to start packing. Depending on where you choose your vacation, it will help you decide what kind of essentials to pack. Packing should become hassle-free with some tips and tricks.
Usually, necessities are considered items that you will need for everyday care. These items will be clothing, toiletries, and even random miscellaneous items. The table below shows some everyday essentials that you will need to pack for your vacation.
| Clothing (for each person) | ● Undergarments ● Socks ● Sleepwear ● Casual or comfortable clothing ● A dressy outfit ● Weather Appropriate clothing ● A couple of pairs of different types of shoes |
| Toiletries | ● Dental Hygiene items like toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss ● Shampoo and conditioner ● Hairbrush or combs ● Body wash or soaps ● Lotion ● Sunscreens ● Eye Care such as glasses and contact lens ● Sunglasses ● Shaving Supplies ● Feminine-Hygiene Products ● Cell phones |
| Miscellaneous | ● Laptop or tablets ● Travel adapters or chargers ● Medications and a list of medications ● Emergency contacts ● Credit or debit cards ● Cash ● Copies of your passports (f you're traveling internationally) |
If you are packing for children, make sure that you also pack essential things involved with their care and items to make the trip easier. These items may include a pack-in-play, strollers, and even things needed for feedings such as bottles and formulas.
Ending Thoughts
While it is a little stressful deciding where you want to go on vacation, especially if you have to plan a trip on a low-cost budget, there are places available under $200 per person because you divided up the entire cost of the journey or because each person pays for their own.
Many places in the world offer great super fun adventures for you. Ensure that after booking the trip, you pack everything you will need for the destination there, and while you are there, that should help keep your vacation budget-friendly.