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5 Ways to Save on Vacation Transportation Costs

Vacations are meant to be fun! Take the worry out of planning with these useful savings tips.

Editorial Note: Articles published are intended to provide general information and educational content related to personal finance, banking, and credit union services. While we strive to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information presented, it should not be considered as financial advice and may be revised as needed.

Question: I’m trying to plan our vacation budget and I’m stuck on transportation costs. Every option is so expensive! How can I save money while traveling on vacation?

Answer: Kudos to you for thinking and planning ahead! Steep cab fees and car rentals are some of the best ways to kill a solid vacation budget, but we’ve got the goods on how to bring transportation costs down. Read on for five ways to get around for less while on your dream vacation.

1.) Share a ride

Ridesharing companies, like Uber and Lyft, are changing the way people get from point A to point B all around the world. If you haven’t already done so, download each service’s app so you can order and pay for a ride in just seconds when you’re on vacation. As a bonus, each app allows you to see the estimated ride cost before you order a car, making it easier to budget for your transportation costs before you set out. To compare prices from both services at a glance, check out apps like RideGuru and RideshareApps for a quick review of your options.

Save even more on your rideshare trip by opting for a carpool service like UberPOOL. You’ll be sharing your ride with other tourists or even some locals, and you can save up to 40% on your ride fare.

If Uber and Lyft are not available at your vacation destination, try other rideshare services like DoorDash, Drizly, Postmates, Shipt, Sidecar and Washio.

2.) Hop on a bus or board a train

Buses and trains can be an affordable, convenient and enjoyable way to get around many countries. Western Europe in particular is famous for its super-efficient public transportation system.

If you’re traveling with young children, they’ll likely find traveling by train to be an exciting adventure—and you’ll find it to be a particularly cost-effective way to get around. City passes to many European cities include free transportation by train for young children. Plus, train-pass holders are eligible for free museum entries in some cities and for a free ride on the local bus service as well.

Do your research well before using public transportation. It may be worth your while to purchase a daily or weekly pass, which allows unlimited rides on the city’s bus or train system. If you’ll be visiting several different countries in Europe, consider purchasing a Eurail pass to help you get from country to country in an easy, inexpensive way.

3.) Rent or borrow a bike

Pedaling your way through town is becoming increasingly popular in major cities throughout the world. For a small fee, you can explore the city up close, help keep the air clean, and get a wonderful workout at the same time.

You can choose to rent your bike from a rental shop or borrow one from a city-sponsored bike share. A rental shop may charge more, but you’ll also have more options, such as renting a cargo bike, which is equipped with seats for two small children, or using a tandem bicycle, which allows two tourists to share a single bike. And who doesn't want a selfie on a tandem bike? Get a bike and get all the social media likes while saving some extra money.

4.) Take a walk

Instead of calling a cab or an Uber when you need to get somewhere while on vacation, consider taking a walk. In many crowded cities with impossible traffic problems and expensive parking fees, (we’re looking at you, New York!) this can actually be a faster way to get around. So pack those walking shoes, grab your pedometer, and hit the town for some frugal cardio.

5.) Rent a car

Sometimes, the best way to get around when on vacation is by rental car. This is especially true if you’re traveling to a city that is not known for its efficient public transportation system and/or if you’ll be staying in your vacation spot for a while. Frequent cab rides and even rideshares can add up quickly. A rental car can also be a smart choice if you’ll be visiting a rural area with attraction spots that are spread out over many miles.

Before you sign up for a rental, keep these tips in mind:

  • Book early. For the best deals, keep a watch on car rentals in the area you’ll be visiting in the weeks (or even months) leading up to your vacation. Car rentals sometimes offer random deals on rentals, but only for tourists who book during a specific window. You can use a travel-planning app, like Hopper or Hipmunk, to find out about special deals.
  • Don’t rent a car at the airport. On-the-spot car rentals at the airport tend to inflate their prices according to demand. Use a rideshare app to get you to a more affordable car rental location once you arrive at your destination.
  • Go small. A compact car will be cheaper, easier to maneuver through narrow roads and simpler to park in crowded spaces.
  • Don’t ask for recommendations. The super-helpful hotel concierge who gives you the name of a rental place may be getting a kickback from the company for every referral, which ups your price considerably. Take the time to do the research on your own.
  • Make sure your current car insurance covers the rental car as well. Having insurance for your rental car is a must but it can be hundreds of dollars! We recommend making sure your current car insurance covers you even if you are using a rental car.

Now that your budget is back in place, you can set off on your vacation with peace of mind. Happy travels!

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  • What happens when federally insured credit unions merge?

    If a member has accounts in credit union A and credit union B, and credit union A merges into credit union B, accounts of credit union A continue to be insured separately from the share deposits of credit union B for six months after the date of the merger or, in the case of a share certificate, the earliest maturity date after the six-month period. In the case of a share certificate that matures within the six-month grace period that is renewed at the same dollar amount, either with or without accrued dividends having been added to the principal amount, and for the same term as the original share certificate, the separate insurance applies to the renewed share certificate until the first maturity date after the six-month period. A share certificate that matures within the six-month grace period that is renewed on any other basis, or that is not renewed, is separately insured only until the end of the six-month grace period.

  • What happens if a federally insured credit union is liquidated?

    The NCUA would either transfer the insured member's account to another federally insured credit union or give the federally insured member a check equal to their insured account balance. This includes the principal and posted dividends through the date of the credit union's liquidation, up to the insurance limit.

  • If a credit union is liquidated, what is the timeframe for payout of the funds that are insured if the credit union cannot be acquired by another credit union?

    Federal law requires the NCUA to make payments of insured accounts "as soon as possible" upon the failure of a federally insured credit union. While every credit union failure is unique, there are standard policies and procedures that the NCUA follows in making share insurance payments. Historically, insured funds are available to members within just a few days after the closure of an insured credit union.

  • What happens to members with uninsured shares?

    Members who have uninsured shares may recover a portion of their uninsured shares, but there is no guarantee that they will recover any more than the insured amount. The amount of uninsured shares they may receive, if any, is based on the recovery of the failed credit union's assets. Depending on the quality and value of these assets, it may take several years to conclude recovery on all the assets. As recoveries are made, uninsured account holders may receive periodic payments on their uninsured shares claim.

  • What happens to my direct deposits if a federally insured credit union is liquidated?

    If a liquidated credit union is acquired by another federally insured credit union, all direct deposits, including Social Security checks or paychecks delivered electronically, will be automatically deposited into your account at the assuming credit union. If the NCUA cannot find an acquirer for the liquidated credit union, the NCUA will advise members to make new arrangements.