A cheap car holiday is impossible, you would think. Fuel, insurance, toll roads, parking: A car holiday costs quickly add up if you don’t pay attention. Still, there are plenty of ways to save money when you go out in a car.
With some common sense, you can keep the costs of a road trip under control. This is in contrast to a flight, where you are at the mercy of the extra costs that airlines charge for seat, meal, and luggage. With a car you can sit, eat, and take whatever you want.
Here you will find nine tips & tricks for a cheap car holiday!
# 1 Plan the right route
Before you leave, take the time to map out the cheapest route to your holiday destination. In many countries, you can avoid expensive toll roads if you choose regional roads. With a little smart planning, you can find the main roads without many traffic lights where it is not too busy.
# 2 Check your car insurance
Car insurance is one of the largest costs that a motorist has to deal with every year. Before a car holiday, it doesn’t hurt to take a good look at this again. Maybe you can take out cheap car insurance with another insurer. You can cancel many car insurance policies on a daily or monthly basis and switch easily. Also take a good look at the coverage, because you do not want to have to deal with high damage costs while on holiday. With an all-risk insurance policy, you are also insured for damage to others that is caused by your own fault.
# 3 Save on fuel
You can also spend a lot of money on fuel during a car holiday. Remember that the price of gasoline along the highway is always more expensive than in the city. It is best for cheap fuel to drive to a supermarket, where the price of gasoline is usually the lowest. Sometimes you get an extra discount if you do your shopping there. Also check the gasoline prices in the different countries because they vary enormously. It can be advantageous to refuel before crossing a border.
# 4 Install an anti-file app
Traffic jams make driving more expensive because you waste fuel. By installing an anti-traffic app, you can ignore busy roads and see the fastest alternative route. With these apps, you can also see where speed traps are taking place, always useful for a driving holiday. Do not forget to use good navigation, because too much detour also costs unnecessary fuel.
# 5 Bring your own food and drinks
Stopping now and then is necessary for a relaxed holiday. You will always find a motorway restaurant along the motorways, where you can pull your wallet for a drink and a quick bite. If you do this often, it will cost a lot. For a cheap car holiday, it is better to bring your own food and drinks. Take the coffee with you in a special thermos for traveling. There are plenty of rest areas along motorways and main roads for a picnic.
# 6 Get your tires checked
Check the tire pressure before you hit the road. Car tires with too high or too low-pressure cause wear more quickly. This can leave you saddled with a flat tire and unnecessary repair costs. A flat tire can easily be prevented by driving past a gas station and pumping up your tires.
# 7 Avoid traffic fines
If there is one thing you can avoid during your driving holiday, it is traffic fines. We understand that you want to get to your destination quickly, but speeding leads to unnecessary extra costs if you are caught. Speeding 20 kilometers costs more than $ 100 in many countries. The use of a smartphone is also severely penalized. In some countries you have to dock more than $ 200 for this.
# 8 Use a parking app
Do not park in the nearest parking garage, but use an app to find a cheap parking space. Especially in the big cities, the parking costs sometimes make you feel steeply back. Parking in a parking garage is often more expensive than on the street, especially if you are short somewhere. You can also park on the edge of the center and go for a walk, always good to keep a bit of fitness.
# 9 Use a shared car
For a cheap car holiday, you can of course also use a shared car. Private individuals offer their cars for use by others. This also includes cars that you can borrow for a longer period of time for a trip abroad. You do pay for this, but it is much cheaper than renting a car. And you don’t have to buy a car yourself, which will save you a lot of money anyway.
For a cheap car, you can rent a car in Lahore from Carlay Car Rental. They provide best car rental services in Pakistan.