This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Vacations can be pricey. And it’s not necessarily just getting there that burns a hole in your wallet… Once you get to your destination, you will be spending money on food, entertainment, and souvenirs.

We have some tips for you from travel experts that will help you save money while you’re away.

Utilize tools like Facebook and Twitter to compare airline companies so you can get the best deal. And before you make that hotel reservation, check their free amenities, such as free parking, breakfast and Wi-Fi.

It’s smart to be prepared for anything on vacation — keep a bag packed with a few essentials, such as sunscreen, bug repellant, mini first aid kid, tissues, small snacks, a pen and notepad. It’s surprising how much money you can save just by being prepared!