Vacation plans are heating up, but so are travel prices. According to a Deloitte survey, Americans expect to spend over $3,400 on their longest summer trip this year, with airfare and lodging being the biggest costs.
Fortunately, expert advice reveals practical ways to travel better and spend less this season.
1. Travel on cheaper days and save
Flight timing can dramatically affect your costs. According to Skiplagged, a travel site that specializes in finding airfare deals, Tuesday departures are often the cheapest during summer, while Fridays are typically the most expensive.
Even shifting your trip by a day or two — especially avoiding peak weekends — can mean keeping hundreds of extra dollars in your budget.
2. Avoid peak season for lower prices
Traveling outside the rush of midsummer brings significant savings. Jiayi Wang, travel expert and founder of The Diary Of A Nomad, highlights that flights and hotels cost much less in late May or early September than during the busiest months.
Wang also points out that flying midweek or using less popular airports can unlock additional deals.
3. Use precision shopping to stretch your dollars
Strategize your travel bookings like an experienced shopper. Stephanie Carls, retail insights expert at RetailMeNot, recommends watching for seasonal sales, stacking savings with loyalty programs, and comparing prices across booking sites.
According to Carls, investing a bit of extra effort up front can lower the total cost of your vacation.
4. Try alternative booking tactics
Exploring alternative routes can offer even more ways to save. Aktarer Zaman, CEO of Skiplagged, describes how some travelers book a flight with a layover and finish their journey at the layover city — a technique called hidden-city ticketing.
While Zaman notes this can sometimes reduce airfare by up to half, most airlines warn against using it too frequently. MarketWatch also suggests checking fares from nearby, smaller airports for potential discounts.
5. Plan your savings well ahead
Starting your vacation fund early makes saving painless. Andrew Lokenauth, CEO and founder of TheFinanceNewsletter.com, suggests setting aside a small amount automatically from each paycheck months before summer.
Lokenauth also keeps a separate fun fund for spontaneous activities, allowing you to enjoy both planned trips and unexpected outings with less financial stress.
6. Put everyday purchases to work for you
It’s possible to turn routine expenses into travel rewards. Paul Carlson, CPA and managing partner at Law Firm Velocity, recommends using a travel rewards credit card for all your regular shopping, from groceries to gas.
Carlson stresses the importance of paying off the card in full each month; otherwise, interest charges can easily wipe out any gains you make from points or miles.
7. Make vacation saving a family goal
Bringing the whole household into vacation planning can make saving easier and more enjoyable. Jennifer Seitz, a certified financial education instructor and Director of Education at Greenlight, suggests setting the trip budget together and encouraging everyone to brainstorm small ways to save.
Including children helps everyone stay motivated and teaches lifelong money skills.
Being flexible pays off
Consistently affordable summer travel isn’t magic; it’s about making intelligent, flexible choices.
Experts say those who reap the biggest savings are open to traveling outside peak windows, willing to search for creative routes, and ready to plan ahead and work together as a family.
With these strategies, there’s a good chance you’ll enjoy your next getaway without overspending.
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