Traveling to Boston Eight tips to save you a boatload of cash

You may be ready for your trip to Boston, but is your bank account? As one of the most expensive cities in the country, Boston can quickly deplete your vacation funds. The average hotel cost per night in 2004 according to the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau is $187. Now imagine all your other expenses added on top of that. Here's some ways to hold on to that cash: 1.

Consider booking a hotel just outside the city. Brookline and Cambridge are two nice cities that come to mind. You can easily hop on the "T" for a short ride and take it into Boston and back each day.

You can save a large chunk of change depending on how long you are staying on your trip. 2. Check out the prices of flights arriving into Providence. It is only a 50-minute bus ride to Boston.

Southwest Airlines, which can offer significantly lower rates, does not fly directly into Boston so what you'll lose in convenience, you'll gain in savings. 3. Book a package deal. Websites such as Orbitz.

com, Hotels.com, Expedia.com, and Travelocity.

com all offer packages that will save you money by purchasing air and hotel together. You may even want to check directly with the hotel to see if they are offering a lower rate than advertised online. 4. Stay at a local B&B or rent a furnished apartment. Normally, they end up being cheaper and give you a better feel of what living in Boston is really like. Two companies that offer many prime Boston locations are The Bed and Breakfast Agency of Boston (http://www.

boston-bnbagency.com/) and The Bed and Breakfast Associates Bay Colony (http://www.bnbboston.com/).

5. Ride the MBTA (also known as the "T"). This is the subway and bus system that covers all of Boston. Driving and parking in Boston can be frustrating and expensive. If you plan on seeing many sights, you can pick up a visitor pass for a flat fee of $7.50 for one day, $18 for three days, or $35 for seven days.

Most rides are $1.25 otherwise. 6. Buy a Boston CityPass (http://www.citypass.

com/). This allows you to see six of Boston's most famous attractions for 50% off the price and avoid the ticket lines. You can purchase this pass online or at the first attraction you visit for $36.

75 for adults and $25.50 for youths. These include the Museum of Science, New England Aquarium, Skywalk Observatory, Museum of Fine Arts, Harvard Museum of Natural History, and the JFK Library & Museum. 7.

Spend time at the free attractions. You can enjoy the street performers and browse the shops at Quincy Market. Go for a walk on the Freedom Trail.

Spend time in Boston Common, the oldest US park. Ride its famous swan boats for under three dollars. Go to the Harvard University Art Museums on Saturdays from 10 AM to 12 Noon to receive free admission.

Other museums offer specials as well so check their websites. 8. Use coupons. Check with your travel company or with the hotel you are staying with for specials and coupons.

When I booked my trip to Las Vegas through Expedia.com, I was given a booklet at my hotel with numerous discounts throughout the city. If you are a member of AAA, give them a call to see what deals they offer. You can even check an attraction's main website. Follow these tips above and you can save significantly on your upcoming trip to Boston. Enjoy! .

By: John Williams