Summer is the perfect time to take a relaxing vacation and spend time with your loved ones. However, if you’re on a tight budget, you might think that a summer vacation is out of your reach.
The good news is that there are many ways to save money on travel without sacrificing the quality of your trip. In this blog post, I give you 15 money saving tips that will help you have a fun and affordable summer vacation.
Ways to Save
1. Choose a location closer to home
Instead of traveling far away from home, consider going to a location closer to home. Driving instead of flying will save you money, especially for families. Plus, you only need one vehicle, which can make it significantly less expensive than purchasing four or five plane tickets.
You can even do a combination staycation and vacation. Planning activities and sights that are closer to home can be cheaper. At the same time, you can stay at home some of the time and at a hotel or Airbnb other days.
2. Get discounts at the gas pump
You can save money at the pump by loading a rewards credit card into the gas station’s payment app, which gives an additional 5 to 10 cents off per gallon when you pay that way.
Additionally, smartphone apps like GasBuddy, AAA, and Gas Guru are particularly convenient when you’re traveling and away from your computer. They’re available for Apple and Android devices, and many are free.
You can filter results by fuel grad and sort by distance and price, as well as get GPS-guided directions to the gas station you choose.
3. Check opt-in travel perks on your credit card
Your current credit card may be offering travel perks, but may require action on your part to benefit from them. Check your existing cards for opt-in deals.
While it’s not going to numb all of the pain to your wallet, getting 15 percent back on every transaction at a gas station, for example, is a great way to help ease that pain.
The following screenshot is from one of my credit cards. To opt into a deal, all you have to do is click on the + sign. As you can see, I could save 10% at Holiday Inn and Embassy Suites.
4. Look for cheaper airfares
Flying doesn’t need to be out of the question but if you have flexibility it can help you save money. Moving a flight by a day or two can save you a substantial amount of money.
Some tools like the Hopper mobile app and Google Flights can help calculate the best day to travel and give users charts to compare prices during selected periods of time.
When flying domestically the sweet spot to purchase tickets is 28-35 days from when you want to leave. Booking flights for Tuesdays and Wednesdays can also save you money.
If you book flights with Southwest, you can even track the prices of flights and when they drop you can rebook at the lower price saving you money.
One of the best ways to save on flights is by letting the destination pick you. Google Flights has an explore feature where you put in the departing airport and leave the destination blank. A map will populate and show you various destinations and their price. You can choose a destination with a cheap flight.
My post titled “Using Google Flights to find Cheap Flights” shows you how to get more out of Google Flights.
5. Consider less expensive lodging options
Airbnb and Vrbo can be less expensive than a hotel, especially if you are traveling with a large party. Having a kitchen to prepare some of your meals, rather than dining out, can reduce costs as well. Plus, as a pet owner, you might find it easier to find lodging that accommodates your needs.
6. Look for hotel discounts
If you prefer to stay at a hotel, there are many ways that you can save on your stay. First, consider booking directly with the hotel, as they may offer discounts for direct bookings. You can also look for hotel discounts through third party booking websites or travel apps.
Some hotels offer membership discounts for AAA members, AARP members, or military members. You can also join hotel loyalty programs. They are free to join and can offer certain perks.
You can read my post “14 Easy Ways to Save on Hotels” to see more ways to save.
7. Look for free and inexpensive activities at popular tourist areas
Parks, beaches, and hiking trails are frequently unsung jewels on summer vacation. Museums and libraries are indoor options for the whole family to enjoy on a rainy day and to get a break from the heat.
If you’re looking for a relaxing spot, consider going to a natural spring or public pool. And, of course, walking is an underrated way to spend time and relax.
8. Using public transportation
If you are visiting a city, consider taking public transportation instead of renting a car. City buses, trains, and subways can be an affordable way to get around and see the sights. Check the public transportation options before you book the trip, and see if there are any discounts available for tourists.
9. Book travel packages
Many travel companies offer packages that bundle flights, accommodations, and activities together for a discounted price. These packages can often save you money compared to booking everything separately, and can offer a more streamlined and stress free travel experience.
Keep an eye out for package deals that include your preferred destinations and activities.
10. Travel with a group
Traveling with a group can be a great way to save money on accommodations and activities. Splitting the cost of a rental house or apartment, for example, can be much cheaper than booking individual hotel rooms.
Additionally, many activities, such as tours or group excursions, offer group discounts. Consider traveling with friends or family, or using social media groups to find like minded travelers.
11. Use credit card points/miles
This is personally one of my favorite things on the list. If you have a travel credit card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred, Capital One Venture, American Express Gold, and many others, you can earn points to put towards flights or hotels.
This can save you not just hundreds of dollars but thousands of dollars on your trip. You can read my post “How to Save Money on Vacation Using Credit Card Points” to help you see how to do it.
12. Pack light
Depending on your destination, you may be able to pack lighter and save money on baggage fees. Packing cubes can help you save space in your luggage. If you can get by with a carryon, you can save a lot of money. Plus, you don’t have to drag big bags of luggage around everywhere.
13. Look for hotels that offer free breakfast/kitchenette
One way to eliminate paying for one of your meals for the day is by staying at a hotel that offers free breakfast. This can be especially cost effective if you have a family.
Many hotels also have rooms that have a kitchenette in them. You can go to a local market or grocery store to buy some food to prepare a meal to save money. Doing this once in a while for dinner especially can help cut down on your eating out bill.
14. Use comparison sites
Comparison sites like Kayak, Priceline, Expedia, and TripAdvisor can help you save on your travels. On these sites you can find and book hotels, rental cars, vacation packages and flights.
15. Bring your own snacks and drinks
No matter if you are flying or driving, you can save money just by packing your own snacks. It doesn’t matter if you are at the airport or stopping in a gas station to fill up. In either case, buying snacks at those locations can really add up.
When we traveled by car with the kids, we always had a cooler with drinks and healthy snacks for everyone to snack on. Plus, some not so healthy snacks. The nice thing is that you can restock your snacks at a low cost grocery store along the way.
Final Thoughts
Summer vacation doesn’t have to break the bank. By being strategic and flexible with your travel plans, you can save money without sacrificing fun.
Whether you opt for a staycation, road trip, or international adventure, there are plenty of ways to enjoy your time off without overspending. Use these tips to plan your next summer vacation.
If you have an insight on how to save money on a trip, please share what you have done.
