On the US East Coast, Florida is a well-known and popular holiday destination that sees a massive influx of tourists every year. Florida witnessed a staggering 133 million visitors in 2019 (let’s forget about 2020 and 2021 again), setting a record for the state. However, 2023 completely destroyed that figure with nearly 138 million visitors—another record. They must be operating correctly.
Florida, dubbed the Sunshine State because of its wonderful climate, boasts spectacular beaches, renowned theme parks, and breathtaking natural beauty areas.
Because of this, a lot of tourists believe that visiting the Sunshine State will be extremely costly. Indeed, some components can be expensive. However, you can do things on a budget and still have a great time, getting better value for your money if you follow the tips below. In light of that, the following are some essential suggestions to make sure your Florida vacation in 2024 stays inside your means.
Steer clear of peak season
You may make your holiday as inexpensive and affordable as you need or want it to be by using a variety of cost-cutting strategies when it comes to booking your Florida vacation and practicing conservative spending while there.
Steer clear of peak season—it’s one of the most effective methods to save expenses. In Florida, hotel rates are typically more than twice as high during the peak season, which runs from October to April.
The off-peak months of July and August in Florida are great for finding deals on travel and lodging, as well as for visiting sites without the long lines that accompany the busy months. Please note that these months are also very hot; nevertheless, if you enjoy a warm, muggy environment, this may be the perfect fit for you! When scheduling your travel, use caution as well. On many airline comparison services, you can sign up for price alerts to receive updates on unforeseen sales and discounts.
When the kids are back in school, in the fall or spring, but not during Spring Break (mid-March), are some of the greatest seasons to visit Florida to avoid the crowds. Remember that June to November is hurricane season, with September being the busiest month. November is the best month to visit because by then the frequency has decreased.
Theme Park Intelligence
It can be costly to organise a trip to a theme park like Disney World or Universal Studios Florida; however, careful planning and budgeting can assist to keep the cost down. Here are several pointers:
- Purchase in Advance and Off-Peak: If you buy your park tickets in advance and during the off-peak season, they will usually be less expensive. Try to stay away from weekends and school holidays.
- Package Deals: Look for packages that include lodging, park admission, and often even food. These are commonly provided by travel agencies and internet travel portals.
- Accommodations: If you can’t afford the resorts and hotels run by the parks, think about booking a room in an off-property hotel.
- Cutting costs can also be achieved by using websites like Airbnb for rental properties. Our favourites include the Reunion Resort in Kissimmee, the Marriott Grande Vista in Orlando proper, and westgateresorts.com in Kissimmee.
- Food and Drink: The cost of food at theme parks can be high. Think about bringing reusable water bottles and food from home.
- Additionally, some hotels provide breakfast for free.
- Souvenirs: Set aside money in advance for them. It’s simple to go over budget buying souvenirs from your trip.
- Multi-Day Tickets: You should think about getting multi-day tickets if you intend to visit the parks for a few days. These are usually less expensive per day than tickets for a single day.
- Free Activities: Don’t forget to spend some time enjoying the free shows and attractions found in both Universal Studios and Disneyland.
Activities In Florida That Are Free Or Nearly Free
In Florida, there are a tonne of free (or almost free) activities available. A thorough list of Sunshine Coast activities that cost nothing or less than $5 may be found on the official Visit Florida tourism board’s website. The finest are a few of them:
A day at the beach: Florida boasts some of the most well-known beaches globally, making it the ideal place to spend the day swimming or tanning. The beaches are also absolutely free to access, which is a bonus for people on a tight budget.
It is always a fantastic time to visit Florida’s beaches because the sun shines there throughout the year. In a crowded sector, Daytona Beach and its Marine Science Centre at Lighthouse Point Park, which features stingray pools and sea turtles, are among the best. Although practically every beach in the Sunshine State is picture-perfect, St. Augustine Beach, Clearwater Beach, and Amelia Island are also well-liked.
Take advantage of Cedar Key’s opportunity to catch your own dinner. If you’re fortunate enough to land some scallops, which is a favourite summertime activity, local eateries will prepare your catch for you.
Take an Iguana Hunting Adventure: If you’re looking for something more exciting than an underwater treasure hunt, try going iguana hunting in Florida.
Tampa Botanical Gardens – If you’re looking for something a little different, you may explore Tampa’s 17-acre grounds, which are home to a variety of fauna and exotic plants, for just $5.
Keywest sunset It’s difficult to look at that one and miss Kanye West, isn’t it? That being said, this one is for you and the family if you want to take part in the daily celebrations at Mallory Square, where people congregate to watch the sun set and enjoy the free entertainment that is provided, such as live music, comedy, and magic acts.
Use the Orlando Explorer Pass instead.
With the Orlando Explorer Pass, you can select three, four, or five attractions out of a total of fifteen. This covers the Miami Seaquarium, the Kennedy Space Centre, renting out water sports, and other tours. If these events appeal to you, it’s a great way to reduce costs.
Use Other Transit Options Or SunRail:
Consider taking use of SunRail when you’re in Orlando. It’s less expensive than cabs or renting a car, because it connects a lot of sites, including restaurants and retail centres. The Metromover is a free public transport system that stops at well-known locations in cities like Miami.
Think About Self-Catering
In the US, eating out accounts for a large portion of vacation spending, frequently for three meals a day. Spending a lot of money at cafés, restaurants, and diners when traveling as a family can add up.
Dining out in Florida costs, on average, at least $44 per person per day, according to Budget Your Trip. A family of four may have to spend $200 a day on dining out, and we believe that to be an accurate estimate.
Instead, it could be wise to reserve self-catered lodging in order to avoid these enormous costs. If you do decide to dine out, keep in mind that American meals—especially breakfasts—are significantly larger than what we’re used to in the UK, and it’s customary to request a doggie bag to take the leftovers home. By leaving half of your dinner at the restaurant, you’re wasting money!
Hire a Vehicle
Since Florida is a large state, the best way to get around will obviously depend on your travel plans. Everything in the state (and the United States, for that matter) is large and dispersed, even if your primary reason for visiting Orlando is to visit the theme parks. Therefore, renting a car is essential. Florida’s public transport system isn’t the best, therefore renting a car is the most affordable option. For individuals who are always on the go, the majority of car rental businesses provide one-way car rentals, which let you return the vehicle at a different location from where you started.
While the lowest vehicle rental companies in the state, Thrifty or Wild Card, presently start at just $17 per day and can be picked up at Orlando International Airport, budget car rentals in Florida cost an average of $140. Don’t forget that purchasing petrol (petrol) from the rental business will always result in a higher price than at a station.
Think About A Van or RV
There are many man-made attractions and vibrant major city scenes in Florida, but nothing compares to the spectacular natural beauty that the Sunshine State has to offer. Take a road trip across Florida to really enjoy its varied landscape.
Why not think about splitting the cost of your hotel and rental car and use the money on a campervan instead? When comparing hotels and campers, there are substantial cost savings, and there’s no comparison to the freedom of the wide road that comes with an RV.
If you still need more motivation and practical advice, take a look at these AMAZING ideas for organising a road trip across Florida!
See Less Well-Traveled Cities
Florida has more to offer, even if Miami and Orlando are the prime destinations for many travellers. Discover lesser-known but equally gorgeous (and frequently less expensive) locales like Sarasota, Fort Myers, or Naples.
Go Berzerk with Coupons
It goes without saying that Americans adore their coupons. By using voucher and coupon sites, you may save a lot of money on Orlando’s attractions with a little preparation and study. These sites provide discounts on everything from tickets to refreshments.
Ignore The Official Gift Shops
Finally, be advised that the cost of souvenirs is greatly inflated in Florida’s popular amusement parks. Although it’s quite simple to be sucked into Disneyworld’s ambiance and wind up overspending on official Mickey Mouse t-shirts and other mementos, similar souvenirs may be purchased for a lot less money at adjacent local markets. When a loved one visits Florida, everyone wants to give them a souvenir, but this can wind up costing you more than you had planned. The takeaway from this is straightforward: look locally for some genuine deals instead of purchasing “official” mementos.
The Final Word
Florida offers all the amenities one might desire for a holiday spot, be it high-adrenaline roller coasters for thrill seekers or just lounging on the beach to enjoy the sun. And it needn’t even break the bank to visit the Sunshine State and make the most of it if you heed the following suggestions!