Energy costs are rising, and there’s no relief in sight. So rather dwell on how exorbitant gas prices are these days, travelers can take this opportunity to look for money saving ways to take vacations without having to worry about spending too much. With the money you save, you can buy an extra tank of gas to use later or pocket the savings. Here are just a few creative ways you can begin.

Carpool

Carpooling has been around as long there’s been transportation. Yet many people don’t consider this an option when planning their vactions. Simply connect with a close friend or acquaintance to carpool to a destination. With two people now traveling in one vehicle, your gas and travel costs are halved. Find more people to come along, and you can further split the costs.

Traveling with friends or family to these destinations doesn’t mean you have to spend all your time with them. Work out your agreements beforehand about hotel rooms and touring priorities. If you want to take a vacation to relax and your companions want to take a vacation to party, that’s okay. Just make sure these conversations are had before you arrive. That way you can avoid having your friends or relatives think you’re bailing out on them when that’s absolutely not the case. And, if you think simply booking separate rooms won’t be enough, don’t be afraid to book your room at another hotel. Once you’re in the city, you can take a cab or public transportation to your spot.


Bus It

Like carpooling, taking a bus trip lowers costs by spreading the expense of travel among a larger group of people. The other benefit is that many bus companies already have special travel deals in place. The bus is a perfect option for people traveling to destinations just a few hours away, though anything over 4 hours begins to feel like you’ve been traveling for an eternity.

Greyhound, Trailways, Peter Pan and the like are great companies with reliable service to destinations all around the MidAtlantic. They even stop in some of the lesser traveled areas of the region, making it convenient for people taking a vacation to visit relatives in areas outside of a greater metropolitan region.

For travel from one major city to the next, consider taking the Chinatown Bus. There are bus companies traveling along this line from DC to Baltimore to Philadelphia to New York. Some lines even go as far as Boston. Chinatown busses are a great travel option because they're still the most economical bus lines you can find for miles around.

When taking the bus, however, remember to travel light. Just as at the airport, you will incur periods where you will have to lug your own belongings around and stuff them into compartments. You may also want to consider bringing along a pillow to adjust the comfort of your seat and a sweater or blanket to keep you warm in case the bus driver turns up the air.

For more great gas saving travel ideas, remember simply to be open and creative. People all over the region are coming together to find workable solutions that everyone can enjoy. You can do it, too.