But let’s be honest: vacations can be pricey. This year, fewer people plan to travel compared with 2024. A Bankrate poll found that 46% of Americans intend to travel this summer, down from 53% the previous year. Many who aren’t taking trips cite finances as the main barrier.
At the same time, inflation still pinches the typical household budget, and airfare remains higher than before the pandemic. So how can you get away and see the world without blowing your savings?
How to Cut Costs on Your Summer Getaway
Below are numerous strategies to trim expenses on your summer trip, whether you’re spending a week at Yellowstone, meeting Mickey in Florida, or flying overseas to soak up Europe’s summer energy.
Save by Choosing the Right Destination
The first decision for any summer trip is picking a destination — and that choice often determines how much you’ll spend on lodging, food, transport and activities.
Here are some ways to lower costs:
1. Opt for a Staycation
Staycations don’t have to mean you never leave town. Instead, make day trips to nearby towns, museums, restaurants or parks your family hasn’t yet explored, then return home for dinner and bedtime.
A week of daytime outings like this can produce memorable adventures close to home for a tiny fraction of the price of a long-distance trip.
2. Visit Friends or Relatives
If you have family or friends in another city or country, ask whether they’d be open to hosting you.
Return the favor by pitching in around their home while you’re there, treating them to a nice meal and bringing a small gift as a thank-you.
3. Book Early
If you’ve picked a specific, popular destination, you can still find savings by planning well in advance — think months ahead. Early bookings often mean lower rates.
Use the extra time to hunt for deals on lodging, flights, rental cars and more. Advance planning also gives you time to apply for a travel rewards card and collect points or cash back to help pay for your trip.
Save on Where You Stay
Lodging often consumes a big portion of trip expenses. Depending on where you stay, a few nights at a hotel can equal your monthly rent or mortgage.
Try these tips to reduce lodging costs:
4. Reserve Early
If your travel dates are set six months or more out, consider booking accommodations now, particularly if rooms include free cancellation. Prices often climb as the trip date approaches.
5. Compare Prices Online
Sites like Booking.com and Expedia make it simple to view many hotels in your price range and preferred area, but check multiple booking engines to find the best rate. The same goes for vacation rental platforms like Airbnb and VRBO.
Sometimes booking directly through a hotel’s site yields the best price, but comparison sites help you discover properties you might otherwise miss.
6. Enable the “Total Price” Setting on Airbnb
Airbnb can give a misleading impression of lower prices. You might see a listing with a seemingly tiny nightly rate, only to find out later that cleaning and service fees double the final cost.
To avoid disappointment, toggle on “Display total price” before searching. That shows a true cost upfront, making it easier to compare options and avoid splurging on a stay outside your budget.
7. Think About a Hostel
Hostels aren’t ideal for every traveler, particularly families with kids. But for younger travelers or groups backpacking overseas, hostels can slash lodging costs.
Hostels are affordable because you typically share sleeping quarters and bathrooms, and amenities are basic — you might even need to bring your own towel. If you can tolerate less privacy and simpler accommodations, hostels are a budget-friendly option and a chance to meet fellow travelers.
Save on Flights
Cutting airfare costs during the summer is challenging, but doable. Here are tactics to keep flight expenses down:
8. Skip Weekend Departures
Data shows Wednesday is often the cheapest day to fly. If your schedule allows, travel midweek instead of on a weekend.
Remember, finding cheap flights involves more than dodging weekends — consider holidays and your destination’s peak season, which can drive up fares.
9. Track Flight Prices
Tools like Google Flights let you watch fare changes for routes you’re considering. When prices dip, be ready to buy.
Despite big shifts in the travel industry since COVID-19, studies like CheapAir’s 2023 airfare study still recommend booking roughly 1.5 to 5.5 months before departure for the best deals.
10. Choose Flights With Layovers
Direct flights are convenient but usually cost more. If time isn’t critical, opt for a flight with a connection to reduce your fare.
Make sure layovers allow enough time for connections — especially international trips where you may need to clear customs — and account for potential delays.
11. Use a Rewards Card
Airfare can put travel out of reach for some. If you put everyday purchases on a rewards credit card year-round, you could accumulate enough points, miles or cash back to subsidize flights and lower overall costs.
12. Avoid Checked Luggage
Checked-bag fees add up. Airlines charge roughly $30 to $90 per checked bag each way. For a family of four, checked bags could tack on hundreds to your round-trip ticket cost.
Pack smartly with clothing items that mix and match, rewear basics, and use packing cubes to stay organized.
Save on Ground Travel
While flying can be costly, driving also adds up — and renting a car after a flight can quickly inflate trip expenses.
Tips for saving on ground transportation:
13. Drive Your Own Vehicle
If your destination is drivable within a reasonable distance, consider using your own car.
Although you’ll rack up miles and might need maintenance sooner, driving often costs less than renting or flying.
14. Request a Hybrid
If you must rent, prioritize fuel efficiency. Reserve a hybrid when booking, or ask the rental counter if any hybrids are available in your reserved class.
15. Beware of Upgrades
Rental agents sometimes present an “upgrade” to a larger or more luxurious vehicle. If you booked a compact to save on gas, the bigger vehicle could cost more at the pump.
Tell the agent you specifically reserved a compact for fuel economy and prefer that size. If no compacts are available, try to negotiate a discount or a free tank of gas. If negotiations fail at pickup, follow up with the company afterwards.
16. Choose a Manual Transmission
Traveling overseas? Many countries have more manual cars than automatics, and automatics can carry a surcharge.
If you can drive stick, select a manual abroad to save money. If it’s been years since you last drove a manual, paying the extra for an automatic may be safer.
17. Know Your Insurance Coverage
Rental insurance can be confusing. Many personal auto policies cover rentals within the U.S., Canada and Mexico, but you’ll usually need extra coverage when renting internationally.
Some travel credit cards include rental car insurance if you charge the rental to that card. Verify the card’s coverage limits — it may not be as thorough as your personal policy. If necessary, buy supplemental coverage from the rental company or a third-party insurer.
Keep records of any coverage you have before arrival; agents may try to sell you redundant insurance at pickup, so know what’s already paid for.
18. Use Public Transit
In many U.S. places outside major cities, a car is useful. But overseas, trains, buses and ferries often provide an efficient alternative.
Before renting for an international trip, research the local transit network. You may be able to rely on it for most of your trip and only rent a car for specific day trips.
19. Join Gas Rewards Programs
Whether you’re driving your own car or renting, sign up for fuel rewards. These free programs can shave cents off each gallon, easing the sting of filling up.
They often include in-store savings, too — helpful when you need snacks or coffee during long drives.
20. Use Apps to Save on Gas
Your smartphone can help you earn cash back on fuel. The free Upside app maps local gas stations where you can receive up to 25 cents per gallon back.
Upside also offers cash-back deals at restaurants and grocery stores, potentially adding up to roughly $294 a year in extra savings, which can help offset vacation spending.
Upside tracks your earnings, which you can withdraw to your bank account, PayPal, or redeem as gift cards to retailers like Starbucks or Amazon, usually within two days — perfect for an extra souvenir budget.
Save on Meals
Food often becomes a significant portion of travel expenses, especially for larger families. In addition to the Upside app, try these ideas to save on dining:
21. Take Advantage of Free Hotel Breakfast
Book hotels that include complimentary breakfast (or choose a genuine bed-and-breakfast). Fill up on protein like eggs and bacon and drink free coffee so you don’t need to stop for an expensive café on the way to attractions.
22. Stay Somewhere With a Kitchen
Many hotels and vacation rentals offer microwaves, fridges and basic cooking facilities. Buy groceries and make some meals at your lodging to avoid dining out for every meal.
Even a room with counter space and a mini-fridge is enough to assemble sandwiches and salads.
23. Bring Lunches
Pack snacks or a full lunch for full days of sightseeing. Picnic during a hike or snack on fruit while people-watching in a plaza.
24. Eat Away From Tourist Hotspots
Restaurants in tourist centers are pricier and often less authentic. Instead of dining right next to the major attractions, walk a few blocks away for more affordable and often better food.
Save on Activities and Entertainment
Seeing new sights—touring castles, catching a show, visiting museums or riding thrill rides—adds up quickly. Here are ways to reduce entertainment costs:
25. Look for Free Options
Many destinations offer free experiences. Search for complimentary walking tours, community events, or museums that host free summer programs for kids.
A self-guided stroll through a historic district can fill an afternoon; free audio guides and podcasts can help you navigate.
26. Spend Time Outdoors
Parks are a low-cost way to explore a place. National and state parks are often inexpensive (or free) and provide days of hiking, kayaking, climbing, bird-watching and other outdoor fun.
27. Purchase Combination Passes
If you’ll be in a city several days, check for multi-attraction passes that bundle entry to museums and landmarks. These passes are cheaper than buying single tickets at each site.
Contributor Marcus Bennett has covered personal finance topics like banking, taxes and insurance since 2012. His articles have appeared in outlets such as Forbes, USA Today and WDW Magazine.
