How to Plan the Perfect Mid-Range Vacation: When to Splurge and When to Budget

Planning a vacation can be exciting and overwhelming, especially when you’re aiming for the sweet spot between budget and luxury travel. I have many amazing memories from trips I’ve taken, and a few regrets because I chose not to spend money on something or an experience.

What’s Important to You

To be comfortable with your decision to splurge or save when planning a vacation, you need to spend some time figuring out what is important to you. Sometimes this revelation comes from experience.

Figuring out what’s important to you is evaluating your values. I know this may sound a little hokey but trust me, decision making is so much easier once you understand what is important to you. First consider all the experiences you have when travelling.

  • Transportation
  • Accommodation
  • Food
  • Relaxation experiences
  • Sites
  • Tours
  • Local authentic experiences
  • Adventurous experiences
  • Animal encounters
  • Nature experiences
  • Souvenirs
  • Shopping

Now rank them from most important to least important or pick the top three that are most important to you. If you have traveled, think about the trips you have been on. What stands out to you? Do you think about the food, the sunset on the beach, or how much fun you had ziplining?

This gives you an idea of where you should consider splurging and the ones at the bottom of the list are where you can save. This is different for everyone, so there is no one size fits all information for this decision.

Water with the sydney opera house unique arches in the background.
Sydney Opera House

Choosing Your Destination

The first and toughest decision to make is where to go. Here are some considerations:

  • Is there an event or specific purpose for this trip?
  • How long do you have for this trip?
  • What type of trip do you want? Beach, city, exotic etc.
  • What is your budget?
  • When are you travelling?
  • What is the weather at that time of the year?

Budget and time usually drive this decision. When we have more time for a trip, we like to see multiple places, so we look for places with simple travel between locations. For a two-week celebration trip we decided on one week in Maui and one week on the Big Island of Hawaii.

Flight prices play a big role in the decision. In this article on finding cheap flights, I planned an entire trip around a great flight deal to Fiji. Last year I planned a multi-country trip around a bucket list concert we wanted to attend.

Splurge

  • Travelling for an event you really want to go and will be a memory you’ll have forever.
  • A country with rich cultural experiences, natural beauty, and sites you’ve always wanted to visit. Destinations such as Japan, the United Kingdom and many European countries.

Budget

  • A relaxing week away for a break.
  • Staying a little closer to home with a road trip.
  • Travel off-season.
  • Wait until you find a great deal. Flexibility pays off with this one.
Passenger bus labelled, Competent Bus Service.
The Competent Bus Service.

Transportation

Travel requires a substantial amount of time spent in transit. This is an area of trip planning where you can splurge for a more comfortable experience or save that money for other, more important, things. Consider:

  • What is your budget?
  • Are you okay flying economy or would you rather spend the money (or the points) for a more comfortable experience?
  • Do you prefer the freedom to explore on your own?
  • Would you rather let other people do the driving?
  • Is the transportation part of the trip (e.g., a cruise)?

We usually spend money on a car rental because we like the freedom to explore and we often stay in different locations on a single trip. If you don’t want to drive, tours and private transportation cost more than public transportation but it is a better experience.

Splurge

  • Upgrading on a flight. Points are the best way to do this.
  • Direct flights.
  • Vehicle rental.
  • Book private transportation and tours.

Budget

  • Fly economy and use points.
  • Layovers or leaving at a more inconvenient time.
  • Shared transportation (shuttles).
  • Book a hotel with a free shuttle to the airport or sites.
  • Public transportation.

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Accommodations

This is where you have a full gamut of options available to you. As a mid-range traveler, I usually aim for a star hotel with a free breakfast. All of the considerations and how to find accommodations are available in the ultimate guide to finding your perfect travel accommodation.

Splurge

  • Staying close to sites, activities or an event.
  • Higher rated hotels, a boutique hotel/bed and breakfast, or a more extravagant house/apartment.

Budget

  • Staying near the airport, possibly the night before a departure, instead of a more expensive hotel.
  • Less centrally located but with access to transportation.
  • Less desirable view in a centrally located or higher rated hotel.
Piece of key lime pie with meringue on top.
Amazing key lime pie from Blue Heaven

Meals

Food and drink are an important part of travel for many people. While I enjoy good food, my taste is pretty basic, and this is not something I splurge on very often unless it’s a unique experience.

Considerations:

  • What do the locals specialize in?
  • What is your budget?
  • What type of experience do you enjoy, Michelin stars or a decent diner?
  • Do you want to learn how to cook the local dishes?
  • Is there a unique experience available?
  • Do you want to do your own research or take a foodie tour?

Splurge

  • A renowned restaurant.
  • Highly recommended local cuisine.
  • Unique experience.
  • Special occasion.

Budget

  • Get snacks and drinks at a local grocery story. (I love doing this!)
  • Street food and casual eateries.
  • Free breakfast at the hotel.
A stack of coffee mugs from different cities and countries.
My collection of souvenir Starbucks mugs from my travels.

Souvenirs and Shopping

Shopping in a different country is an opportunity to find unique clothes and you may save some money. Souvenirs offer a nice reminder of the places you’ve travelled and make nice thank-you gifts. Make sure you check if taxes are added at the cashier and try to avoid tourist traps.

Splurge

  • Shopping for specialty items and unique clothes.
  • Locally made items, art and souvenirs.

Budget

  • Collecting a specific type of souvenir from all the places you visit, e.g., magnets or Christmas ornaments.
  • Department or large stores that are not available where you live and offer discount prices.
A koala eating a leaf with a woman in the background.
Petting a koala. Yes, they are as a soft as they look.

Activities and Tours

I saved the one that tops my list for the end. When I look back on my travels, it is always the activities and sites that I think about first. This is where I am willing to splurge. I will fly economy with a layover and stay in a cheaper hotel to spend my vacation time snorkeling with manta rays, taking a helicopter tour over a volcano, and riding the Harry Potter Steam Train.

Considerations:

  • How much do you have to spend?
  • What types of activities appeal to you (adventure, animal encounters, learning about places etc.)?
  • What is available when you’re there?
  • How much time do you have?
  • What tours or activities have the most recommendations or positive reviews?

Splurge

  • Concerts, events and places you’ve always wanted to see.
  • A VIP ticket or tour for a bucket list activity.
  • Guided tours to learn more and have a more relaxing experience.
  • Unique experiences.

Budget

  • Enjoy the outdoors at the beach, hiking, or visiting local parks.
  • Many cities have free walking tours.
  • Wander around and explore at your own pace.
  • Check to see if a city or a go pass can save you money.

Balancing Act

Mid-range travel is a balancing act of budget, time, and the experience. When it comes to travel, everyone’s likes, dislikes, and comfort levels are different. If you’re planning a family or group trip, take some time to talk about what is important for each person. You will also learn what you value through experiences. People don’t often take the time to think about it and determine what is most important to them, but if you do, it will make it much easier to decide what you’re willing to splurge on.

You can also improve your travel experience with these game-changing products.

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