Travel Vibes Abroad and at Home: Travel Itineraries for Every Wallet Size

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Let’s be real: we all daydream about jetting off to some breezy beach, eating pasta under Tuscan skies, or hiking through misty mountain passes. But then real life taps you on the shoulder and reminds you about rent, utilities, and that suspicious clanking sound your car started making last week. 

But guess what? You can travel — and not just in the “scroll-through-other-people’s-vacations-on-Instagram” kind of way. Whether your budget is “$50 and a prayer” or “ready to cash in every credit card reward you’ve ever earned,” there’s a vacation out there with your name on it. And at RentRX, we believe you should never have to choose between paying rent and recharging your soul with a trip. So we’ve rounded up destination ideas, strategic hacks, and full itineraries for every budget — from dimes to dream points. 

Tier 1: The Pocket Change Escape ($100–$300 Total Budget)
Local Magic, No Passport Required 

You don’t need to cross an ocean to escape your routine. You just need a plan, a little gas money (or a cheap bus ticket), and an adventurous mindset. Enter: the staycation glow-up. 

Itinerary Idea: The Backyard Explorer Weekend
Destination: Within 100 miles of home
Transport: Drive, carpool, or bus (try Megabus or FlixBus for $1 deals!)
Stay: Free (camp, crash with a friend, or swap homes), or budget motel/Airbnb room
Activities: 

  • Research local hikes, historic towns, or lakefront beaches. 
  • Hit up museums on free days or discounted hours. 
  • Pack a cooler with DIY snacks (save big here — gas station food is the silent budget killer). 
  • Bonus: Create your own walking food tour with Yelp deals and Groupon coupons. 

RentRX Tip: Get the most out of your trip by planning like you would for an overseas getaway. Build an itinerary, make a packing list, and treat your tiny trip like the real vacation it is — because it is. 

Tier 2: The Budget Adventurer ($300–$800 Total Budget)
Affordable Adventure, Real Memories 

You’ve got a little more to play with, and you’re itching to break routine in a big way. Time to leverage deals and get clever. 

Itinerary Idea: Off-Season Gold
Destination: Charleston, New Orleans, Denver, or Salt Lake City in shoulder season
Transport: Flights using Google Flights “anywhere” search, with alerts set (try Hopper, too)
Stay: Hostels, or budget hotel deals: 

  • Free city walking tours (they run on tips — bring cash!) 
  • Happy hour hopping for cheap local flavor 
  • City tourism cards for bundled discounts 
  • Visit national parks near your destination (many under $30 per car, not per person) 

RentRX Tip: Look for destinations where off-season doesn’t mean “nothing to do.” Think winter in the desert, early spring in the South, or fall foliage towns before leaf-peeping hits peak pricing.

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Rent RX Pro-Tip

Automate these contributions. You won’t miss it, and your future self (sipping something fruity on a beach at 65) will send you psychic high-fives.

Tier 3: Points & Perks Traveler ($800–$1,500 Out-of-Pocket or Less With Rewards)
Let Your Credit Card Work Overtime (For You) 

If you’ve been swiping responsibly and racking up those points without knowing how to use them — now’s your moment. Strategic travel hacking is the way to upgrade your trip without upgrading your spend. 

Itinerary Idea: The Fly-Free Freedom Tour
Destination: US or international cities with reward flights (Southwest, Delta, United, Chase, or AmEx portals)
Transport: Flights using airline or credit card points
Stay: Points-booked hotel chains or split nights with Airbnb: 

  • Use point discounts to stretch stays — off-peak redemptions go further 
  • Pack breakfast/snacks (many points hotels include free breakfast!) 
  • Look for “skip-the-line” tours using rewards 
  • Maximize lounge access (even if it’s just Priority Pass for that pre-flight snack buffet) 

RentRX Tip: The real flex? Booking a flight for $5.60 (taxes only) using points and then using that same card’s benefits to cover checked bags, travel insurance, and rental car coverage. Stack those perks! 

Tier 4: The Ballin’-On-A-Budget Jetsetter ($1,500+ or Fancy for Free)
Because Sometimes You Want the Luxe Life Without the Luxe Price 

So maybe you’ve got a little windfall. Or maybe you’ve become a spreadsheet-wielding, promo-code-stacking travel wizard. Either way, you’re about to vacation like a millionaire without paying like one. 

Itinerary Idea: Luxury for Less
Destination: Portugal, Thailand, Colombia, or Croatia
Transport: Booked with points or discounted international carriers
Stay: Boutique hotels booked through third-party deals or travel credit card portals 

Activities: 

  • Hire private guides for less than a group tour would cost in the US 
  • Indulge in gourmet food for under $20 a meal in many global cities 
  • Spa day? Yoga retreat? Treat yourself — your dollar goes far 

RentRX Tip: Flying business class on a budget is possible. Look for “sweet spot” point redemptions like flying to Japan on ANA or to Europe on Iberia or Turkish Airlines using points from AmEx or Citi transfers.