How We Managed 9 Days in Alaska for Under $150 per Day

We just took a trip of a lifetime to Alaska. We flew from Houston to Anchorage on a direct flight. We spent 3 nights in Anchorage, 3 nights in Seward, and 2 nights in Denali National Park. Below is the cost break down that we incurred and then split to show a per person cost on a daily basis:

Category	Total	Per Person	PP per Day
Flight	$708	$354.00	$39.33
Transportation	$880	$440.00	$48.89
Activities	$114	$57.00	$6.33
Food	$409	$204.50	$22.72
Sleep	$386	$193.00	$21.44
Gifts	$110	$55.00	$6.11
Total	$2,607	$1,304	$145

Sharing is Caring

We shared this journey with another couple helping lower the cost (shared food, hotels, and activities). For example, we covered the rental car for the duration of the trip ($700) while the other couple purchased the 2-day kayaking tour in Seward. They used Groupon to find this great deal. This discount site allows easy searches by category, location, or keywords. They found a 2 for 1 deal on a 2 person kayaking trip for 2 days/1 night, saving us greatly. 

Glamping is Just as Good as Hotels

Showers, laundry and restrooms!

(Glamour Camping = Glamping) We also minimized cost on hotels by simply minimizing our hotel stay. The Groupon kayak trip included one night and we stayed at the campground owned by the dock (Miller's Landing) the night before for a discounted price. In Denali National Park, we popped up a tent at one of their many campgrounds. Many of these campgrounds provide all the same amenities as your standard hotel. Alaska has great summer temperatures that make it feel like you are in an air conditioned room. 

Cheapest Way to Stay Full

Restaurants and fast food can add up and wastes a lot of money (not to mention the healthy factor). We are an active couple and the couple we shared this trip with is like us. We knew we would be doing some hiking and kayaking and needed food to snack on. A local grocery store is a great way to cut food costs. We spent $100 between 4 people to supplement snacks and even meals (long car ride from Seward to Denali). Our Groupon kayak trip also had meals included to help save!

Enjoying our 4th of July hotdogs and s'mores

Mileage Programs

I am currently enrolled with a credit card company that gives me points for spending. I convert these points to airline miles since we love to travel. Everything outside of my mortgage and loans is paid with my credit card giving me optimal points. This can help cut down on flight prices.

Still making excuses? Well, you can reason that you will not be at home, so you will not be running your AC or taking long hot showers. Either way, you have to eat, whether you are away on vacation or at home... Maybe add in a night out at the bar$. So take the plunge and go travel! If you have any questions, leave a comment or e-mail us 10centtravels@gmail.com

Not worried about the spending while traveling, but more concerned how to save in order to travel? We can try to help with that too. Check out our tips to help save for a trip!