21 Budget Travel Hacks For Weekend Trip Warriors To Southern Wisconsin


Gas prices have slowly risen from December 2024 to current pricings. According to Stacker.com customers at the pump can expect to pay $2.98/gallon a 3.5 percent rise over the previous week. While Year to date prices have gone up by almost 10%. Food prices, from buying groceries to eating out are not going down any time soon in Wisconsin.


Budgeting for this trip essential does take chunk out of the credit card but that might not apply if a bigger city is final destination, like Milwaukee or Madison.


For readers visiting smaller towns, resorts or cabins consider these budget travel hacks for great savings:

  1. Consider traveling off-peak or during less popular seasons for Southern Wisconsin like winter
  2. Use travel rewards credit cards
  3. Consider alternative accommodations like VRBO, Airbnb, or Couchsurfing
  4. Plan your meals in advance to save money. There is great article Lakesedition has on creating meals for travelers.
  5. Utilize free walking tours or city passes. Lakesedition has a great selection of self-guided tours and trail guides
  6. Look for travel deals during off-peak times, the marketers from tourism office have great coupon books to save money. The Lake Geneva area is another destination that offers deals at area resorts.
  7. Be flexible with your travel dates and destinations for the best deals building off the previous tip.
  8. A simple tip, bring a reusable water bottle to save on buying drinks, it's healthier too
  9. Sometimes destinations offer discounts if you book tours in advance 
  10. Seek out free or low-cost activities and attractions

For readers visiting Southern Wisconsin's big cities consider these great hacks in addition to the ones listed above.

11.  Use budget airlines for cheap flights

12. Traveling with a friend or alone consider staying at a youth hostel, both Milwaukee and Madison have this accommodation options in their downtowns.

13. Travel with a group to split the costs.

14. Utilize loyalty programs for hotels and airlines

15. Use ride-sharing apps instead of taxis

16. Take advantage of airline sales and promotions

17. Use an airport lounge with a day pass for food and beverages

18. Take advantage of free museum days or discounts for students

19.   Eat street food or cook meals instead of dining out both Milwaukee and Madison have great street food scenes though less so in the winter. Milwaukee's Zócalo Food Truck Park is a great place for authentic Mexican food

20. Consider using public transportation with weekend pass options. Milwaukee's street car the Hop is a great free way to see some of the city's main attractions like the Public Market, the Third Ward, and historic Cathedral Square

21. Use public Wi-Fi or buy a local SIM card instead of international roaming

 


Have any budget travel hacks you use? Send us a line info@lakesedition.com we would love to credit you and add them to the list.