Travel can be expensive. So if you want to have a cheap vacation, it's important to plan your travel budget carefully.

As the world in general seems to be getting more expensive, it's essential, if you want to travel at all, to stick to a travel budget. It doesn't matter if you're taking a short family trip or visiting a foreign country, it's vital to keeps your expenses under control.

In order to keep your costs under control, it's a good idea to devise a travel budget. Start by determining the approximate costs associated with your planned trip. Explore such costs as hotel, airfare, car rental, attractions, food, and gas Then start shopping around for the best deals.

Now you need to set priorities on your list of expenses. Decide on the things you really want to do and choose which items can be left for your next vacation or eliminated altogether. For example, choosing one major attraction to visit, and leaving the others for the next vacation, could leave you more money for better accommodations.

Once you've settled on a prioritized budget, it's time to get really serious about the research. Now you know exactly the kind of deals that you're looking for. Most of the time it's fairly simple to find discounted admissions on area attractions. Theme parks, museums and other attractions are actively seeking tourists.

The Internet is, of course, the best place to start your search for big discounts on any local attractions. Start your search with the actual web site of the theme park or attraction you plan to visit. Search for family specials, two-for-one deals, days with lower admission rates and even look for discounts on food and local accommodations.

Often there are also discounts for people who are part of a certain group. These kind of discounts are often offered to people in the military, senior citizens or members of automobile clubs like AAA. One of the best ways to stay within your travel budget is to take advantage of all the discounts that you can.

If your vacation includes taking your own car, be sure that it's in tip-top condition. Something as simple as under-inflated tires or worn brake pads can affect your gas consumption and add additional fuel costs to your budget.

To keep your fuel costs under control, make sure you have a good map, or a GPS Either of these items will help prevent you from getting lost. Then you won't waste fuel by having to retrace your steps. With the ability to easily find your way to and from you hotel and other destinations, your vacation will be less stressful and less costly.

Relying on a well planned budget removes money worries and lets you relax and enjoy your vacation.