You slip away for a moment to peek at your bank balance and the verdict is clear: Honeymoon Unlikely!
Don’t panic. A romantic getaway doesn’t have to drain your savings. Below are 10 romantic yet budget-friendly honeymoon ideas that won’t empty your wallet. But before you even set foot on honeymoon planning, there are steps you can take to soften the financial hit and discover an inexpensive honeymoon spot that fits your dreams.
Look for opportunities to trim costs on your wedding day so you’ll have more funds to put toward your trip.
Ask relatives and friends for discount leads or tips on low-cost travel options. And don’t forget to include honeymoon contributions on your registry. Services like Zola and Honeyfund make it simple to crowdsource the honeymoon you’ve been dreaming of.
It might surprise you, but the typical American couple spent about $19,000 on the wedding and reception in 2020. That’s a drop from $28,000 in 2019, largely due to the pandemic shrinking guest lists and enforcing social distancing.
What counts as an affordable honeymoon depends on the couple — much like the bride and groom themselves. The crucial part is knowing your budget before planning. You might splurge on a couple nights in a swanky hotel and spend other nights camping on soft, white sand.
10 Budget-Conscious Honeymoon Destinations
The 10 budget-friendly honeymoon choices below won’t leave your finances gasping. Whether you crave a far-off, less-crowded romantic escape or prefer a scenic drive through quintessential America, there are affordable honeymoon ideas here for you.
1. Tropical Feels Without the Price Tag
A tight budget shouldn’t stop you from a tropical honeymoon. You can visit exotic locales without blowing your savings.
Take Southeast Asia, especially Thailand, as an example. The bulk of your expense will be airfare, but affordable lodging, food and activities can keep your total down. Round-trip flights to Bangkok from major U.S. airports typically run $1,000 to $1,800.
Choosing less-touristed spots like Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai can cost under $50 a day. Spending a few frugal days there can let you treat yourselves to an all-inclusive stay at a popular resort like Nature Beach Resort.
Located on Thailand’s Lonely Beach, the resort offers 60 private bungalows, dining, a bar, a pool and a spa. Midweek double rooms with sea views can be found for under $60 a night.
2. Direct Flights Make Honeymoons Cheaper
Keeping costs low often depends on where you’re leaving from. Research cheap nonstop flights from your home airport. For instance, a direct flight from Miami to St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands averages under $250. Consider the Carambola Beach Resort, a charming 144-room 4-star beachfront resort with poolside service and an outdoor pool, just a short stroll from Davis Beach and nearby natural attractions.
If you depart from Los Angeles, inexpensive nonstops often run to Mexico’s west coast resorts or to the Bahamas — one of the globe’s more budget-friendly tropical options. Nonstop fares can start around $350, a steal for cross-country travel and beyond.
With many islands to visit, like Exuma, Paradise Island and Eleuthera, an affordable flight to the Bahamas unlocks lots of tropical experiences, including beach horseback rides.
3. Consider a Staycation-moon
After the whirlwind of a wedding, sometimes all you want is to unwind. There are no strict rules for honeymoons. Instead of boarding a plane, think about booking a luxury hotel in your city or hopping between favored spas. The nightly rate may be higher than usual, but you’ll save on travel expenses.
ResortPass is a smart way to sample pricier hotels for a day, and HotelTonight is useful for last-minute stays.
4. Redeem Your Points
Using credit card rewards is one of the most cost-effective travel strategies, though it requires advance planning.
Pick and apply for the card that earns the most points and be deliberate about your spending to maximize rewards. Then calculate how many points you’ll need for your desired trip.
Look for opportunities to earn bonus points—maybe groceries or apparel earn extra during certain months, or services like spa treatments qualify for bonuses. Time purchases to capitalize on those categories and accumulate as many points as possible.
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Visa Card is a solid choice for racking up travel points. Referring a friend can score you 10,000 bonus points, and points are redeemable on Southwest flights.
5. Beach Bliss for Less
Cancún, Mexico, is both a top honeymoon pick and an affordable option. With 14 miles of white-sand shoreline, Cancún has many budget-friendly all-inclusive resorts.
Several U.S. carriers run low-cost flights to Cancún from hub cities like Miami, Newark, Las Vegas and New York. Compare fares on travel sites such as Expedia and Orbitz to find the best deals.
You don’t need to leave the U.S. to enjoy sun and surf. Florida offers plenty of palms and beaches, including the Florida Keys.
Choose a lesser-known spot like Lauderdale-by-the-Sea. Nestled on Florida’s east coast roughly 30 miles north of Miami Beach, this quaint town is prized for its old-Florida atmosphere and natural charm — ideal for couples seeking excellent fishing, snorkeling, diving and cozy inns.
Consider the historic Mexican-style Hacienda Blue Seas Courtyard hotel. Each room includes a full kitchen, and there are no resort or parking fees. That’s a winning sign for an affordable honeymoon. Watch the sun rise over the Atlantic and then head to a nearby golf course or book a beginner scuba excursion through the concierge.
6. Road-Tripping: The Budget Honeymoon
Skip airport queues and embrace the open highway.
Pick a destination based on how much driving you’re comfortable with — for some couples that’s 4–5 hours, while others are happy with 8–10 hours behind the wheel.
To cut costs, use tools like GasBuddy to find the cheapest fuel along your route. Make the journey memorable by planning interesting stops along the way.
7. Volunteer Together
You can volunteer while traveling and sometimes reduce certain trip expenses. A volunteer honeymoon is a meaningful way to begin married life and can also be more affordable.
More than 100,000 travelers volunteer annually with the International Volunteer HQ. They offer programs in over 50 destinations lasting from one week to 24 weeks. Projects include building community structures in Buenos Aires to coastal conservation in New Zealand. Participants pay for their trips, but prices are typically lower and many programs bundle airfare, transfers, meals and lodging.
While volunteering, balance project days with romantic downtime. Depending on the locale, you may also have access to outdoor adventures.
8. Mountain Romance on a Budget
Swap the shoreline for summits and hiking boots for one of the top affordable honeymoon ideas.
Asheville, North Carolina, is a wonderful spot for mountain lovers, offering trails, diverse dining, arts and nightlife. Just a short drive from the Blue Ridge Parkway, Asheville is accessible and affordable from cities like Atlanta, Baltimore, Charlotte, Chicago and Dallas.
Enjoy free activities such as hiking in the Shenandoah National Park or exploring the Smokies. Soak up culture at the Biltmore Estate gardens and wander downtown Asheville to enjoy its restaurants and craft beer scene to finish off your romantic escape.
9. Montréal: A Little Paris, Closer to Home
Craving a Parisian atmosphere without the transatlantic flight cost?
Montréal is an excellent choice. In Québec province, Montréal offers old-world charm with cobblestone streets, Gothic architecture and lively alleyways full of artists and performers.
The Hotel Place d’Armes in Old Montréal is a lovely pick for couples. This 4-star historic hotel, originally built in the 19th century, features studios, penthouses and a spa.
10. Discover the U.S. Coastlines for Cost-Effective Honeymoons
If you love wine, forest hikes or western history, the West Coast — from Southern California through Oregon up to Washington — is a terrific option for honeymooners.
Places like Seattle and Portland provide affordable activities that create lasting memories. Consider a scenic flight over Seattle or raise a glass at Oregon’s Stoller Family Estate winery. Small coastal towns along the Pacific Coast Highway also make for intimate getaways.
On the East Coast you can enjoy beaches, historic hamlets and scenic country roads. Pack a picnic and a bottle of wine — you don’t need to spend a fortune on wine; there are excellent options under $14 a bottle.
Catch the sunset on the Outer Banks in North Carolina or immerse yourself in haunted charm in Savannah, Georgia. It may not scream “romance” at first, but it can be quite intimate when you’re holding each other close to ward off the ghosts.
Contributor Emma Ruiz is an experienced journalist whose bylines have appeared in Ebony Magazine, 83 Degrees Media, Tampa Bay Times, Richmond Times-Dispatch, and Florida Designers Review.
