Knowing how to save money on travel means getting to see the world more often. Plus, traveling on a budget doesn’t always mean that it makes things more complicated. So, the million dollar question is – How can you visit the destinations of your dreams without spending too much? It’s all in how you plan.
With so many choices online, planning can feel very overwhelming for most people. Even the most experienced vacationer doesn’t always know how or where to find quality lodging or airfare for killer prices. Read on for my top five tips on how you can save money on travel.
1. Be Flexible
Birthdays and holidays have one thing in common – They often have a fixed date, which could mean premium prices. Rather than try and celebrate along with thousands of others, adjust your dates a bit to celebrate in the off-season. By doing this, it typically means cheaper accommodations and less crowds.
Another tip is to look at airfare prices first, then pick a destination based on cheap flights. If you’re not already signed up with Scott’s Cheap Flights, head to their website and sign up to get tips on when cheap flights are coming out of your home airport. For us personally, we watch flight prices and when we see a cheap airfare pop up, we snag it. That is often how we figure out where we want to travel to next.
2. Book Your Flights Ahead of Time
The best option is to purchase domestic flights roughly around 30-90 days before takeoff. After that, prices get more expensive as the departure date gets closer. I have found that the sweet spot for booking domestic flights is somewhere in the middle around the 60 day mark. International flights seem to have better pricing about 3-5 months out.
It’s often said that flying out on a Tuesday, Wednesday or a Saturday tends to be cheaper, so if you can make one of those days work you can save a little moolah. Red-eye flights can also be more affordable if you’re willing to sacrifice sleep or if you have the ability to sleep on the plane.
Overall, flight pricing is a crap shoot so when you find a cheap airfare, jump on it. They don’t stick around for long.
3. Take a Road Trip
It’s a given that it’s usually cheaper to drive than fly. Plus, one of the best things about a road trip is discovering all of the hidden gems along the way. Sometimes a road trip can expose you to new areas and activities that aren’t far from home that you didn’t even know were there. Road trips can be a lot of fun with a loved one or a group of friends, so definitely don’t rule them out. Depending on how many people are traveling along with you, the costs can be split between you, as well as driving duty.
It’s a good idea to plan your route and places you’ll want to stay ahead of time. Don’t just wing it and hope to find a hotel that’s available when you decide to stop. This also won’t help you get the best price possible. Don’t forget to budget for gas costs and use the GasBuddy app. It will help you find the cheapest gas along the way.
4. Use Major Transportation
One very affordable option you shouldn’t rule out is using the local public transportation at your destination. Many cities with public transportation have websites that can help you plan your route. Plus, you can often buy an all day pass for a really cheap price saving you some money on transportation costs.
If you decide you’ll need a rental car, book early. Those that traveled to Hawaii this past summer found out first hand how a car rental shortage created insanely high prices for a rental car. Those that booked and planned early benefited with normal pricing than those who waited.
Another thing to consider is there are other expenses that also come with renting a vehicle. Not only do you need to refill the gas tank before returning the car, but tolls and parking fees are going to cost extra. Even a hotel stay doesn’t always guarantee free parking, especially in most downtown areas.
5. Explore Your Local City
One type of trip that usually doesn’t break the bank is a local staycation. Even if you have lived in your city for years, you probably haven’t explored everything. If you have, you can always return to your favorite activities for a weekend getaway.
Everyone can think of several places they have always wanted to visit in their city but haven’t yet. That could include a local restaurant, a museum, an art gallery, or even a theme park. When you can’t afford to visit other cities, why not start with your own first?
Staycations have several advantages over landing in a new city. Not only is it near your home, but you might not even need to book a hotel. However, if you do want to make it feel more like a real vacation, a hotel stay is something to consider. They may even have promotions or a local discount you can take advantage of when they aren’t as busy.
Ask Us How to Save Money on Travel!
No matter what type of vacation you prefer, we can help make the planning smooth and simple. We can work with any budget amount, big or small, and can help you find the best deal possible. Whether you’re a thrill-seeker, a nature lover, or prefer other adventures, don’t hesitate to reach out. We can even do a mystery trip for you if that is something that might interest you.
Ask us for more tips on how to save money on your next trip. Contact us now to begin planning your next getaway.
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