Navigate the challenges of increased summer travel costs with these money-saving tips for your vacation
Summer 2023 has arrived, and with it, the desire to break free from our routines and embark on a much-needed vacation. However, many travelers are discovering that the cost of summer travel has significantly increased this year. We’ll help you find out some techniques to save money on summer travel.
Everything from flights, cruises, gas, activities, and hotels have seen an upswing in pricing and deals seem hard to come by this year. However, all is not lost!
This article will explore the reasons behind the surge in prices and offer practical tips to help you save money while planning your summer getaway.
Summer 2023 travel is totally doable with some planning! [check out our Summer Deals guide for travel too!]
Reasons for increased summer trip prices this year:
- Pent-up demand: Travelers were still easing back into travel over the last couple of summers and now everyone seems eager to explore the world again. This pent-up demand has led to a surge in travel bookings, driving up the costs of flights, accommodations, and activities.
- Inflation: The global economy has been experiencing pricing surges in many areas, with consumer prices rising across the board. This includes travel-related expenses like airfare, hotel rates, and transportation costs.
- Fuel prices: Every summer fuel prices seem to rise before families hit the road for summer trips. This summer is no different. This also has a direct impact on the cost of air travel, as airlines pass on the increased fuel costs to passengers in the form of higher fares.
- Increased costs of goods and services: If you’ve tried to buy any home improvement products lately (we have) some of the increases are surprising! These increases carry over into the travel sector too. The cost of goods and services at popular travel destinations have increased which can impact the overall cost of a vacation.
- Technological advancements: While technological innovations can often make travel more accessible and affordable, they can also lead to increased costs in some cases. For example, the implementation of new security measures at airports or the integration of advanced technology into transportation and accommodation services can result in higher expenses for travelers. At our home airport (MSY New Orleans) new screening equipment has been recently installed.
- Growing middle class and emerging markets: The growth of the middle class in countries such as China and India has led to an increased number of people traveling for leisure. This increased demand from emerging markets can contribute to higher travel costs as more people compete for limited resources and services.
- Limited airline competition: Consolidation in the airline industry or a lack of competition on certain routes can result in higher airfares, as airlines have less incentive to offer competitive pricing. That’s why it is more important than ever to shop around for flights and set price alerts to be notified when prices go down for the route you want to travel.
- This is why we love the Skyscanner website so much to help find the best prices and times to fly!
Tips for Saving Money on Summer Travel
Be flexible with your travel dates
One of the easiest ways to save money on your summer vacation is to be flexible with your travel dates.
Traveling during the week, rather than on weekends, can save you hundreds of dollars on flights and accommodations.
Tuesdays and Wednesdays are usually the most inexpensive days to fly so try to check different flight days and combinations to save money!
Find the best flight deals starting as low as $51 with Travelocity!
Choose alternative destinations:
Instead of visiting the most popular tourist destinations, consider exploring lesser-known locations that offer equally stunning experiences at a fraction of the cost.
Staying just outside the most popular cities can make a big difference in your budget and help you save money!
Book early or last minute:
Booking your flights and accommodations well in advance can help you secure the best deals.
Alternatively, last-minute deals can also save you money if you’re willing to take the risk of limited availability.
Travelocity has a section with Last Minute Travel Deals!
Utilize travel rewards:
Sign up for travel rewards programs and credit cards to earn points and miles that can be redeemed for flights, accommodations, and other travel-related expenses.
If you are new to the world of points and miles check out the beginner’s points hacking guide on the Nomadic Matt blog. It breaks it down in an easy-to-understand way.
Opt for budget accommodations:
Instead of staying at luxury hotels, consider budget-friendly options like budget brands, short-term vacation rentals (Vrbo is great), hostels, or even renting an RV.
Find the Best RV Rental Specials
Travel with a group:
Traveling with friends or family can help you split the cost of accommodations, transportation, and even meals.
You can also save on hotels if you are able to stay with family or friends for a portion of your trip!
Living in a popular vacation spot like New Orleans, we always try to make room for family and friends so they can get more out of their visits!
Cook your own meals:
While trying local cuisine is an essential part of any vacation, eating out for every meal can quickly become expensive.
Save money by finding accomodations with kitchenettes and cooking some of your meals using local ingredients from markets or grocery stores.
Camping also allows you to cook your meals instead of eating out which saves you money!
Utilize free and budget-friendly activities:
Research your destination in advance to find free or low-cost attractions and events.
Many cities offer free walking tours, museums, or parks that provide an enjoyable experience without breaking the bank.
We have a recent article on Free things to do in Orlando, so if that is on your travel destination list make sure to check it out!
U.S. Cities with Great Budget Hotel Availability for Summer Trips
Many cities across the United States offer affordable hotel rates for travelers looking to save on their accommodations. Some popular destination cities with budget-friendly options include:
Orlando, Florida:
Known for its world-famous theme parks, Orlando offers a variety of affordable lodging options, especially during off-peak seasons.
We are always able to find affordable hotel rates in Orlando! They have so many options that the rates are great all year.
Las Vegas, Nevada:
Renowned for its casinos and nightlife, Las Vegas has plenty of budget hotels, particularly off the Strip, where you can still enjoy the city’s attractions without breaking the bank.
There is also so much more to Las Vegas than just casinos! We think the natural attractions like Mt. Charleston and the surrounding Red Rocks area are more fun than the strip!
San Antonio, Texas:
Home to the famous Riverwalk and The Alamo, San Antonio has a range of budget-friendly accommodations for travelers to choose from.
It is also easy to get around San Antonio with a hop on hop off bus so you don’t need to rent a car.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania:
As one of America’s oldest cities, Philadelphia is rich in history and offers a variety of budget accommodations in close proximity to historic sites and museums.
They also have an amazing food scene so try a food tour in Philadelphia if you visit!
Phoenix, Arizona:
Phoenix is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and offers a wide range of budget-friendly hotels and motels throughout the city.
It’s a great city to visit on a road trip too!
Denver, Colorado:
With its close proximity to the Rocky Mountains, Denver has numerous affordable accommodations for visitors looking to explore both the city and its surrounding natural beauty.
The way Denver is spread out over different metropolitan sub cities also means that there are many lower-priced hotels to choose from in the areas surrounding the downtown vicinity.
Staying outside of downtown can definitely save you money on a trip!
Bottom Line on How to Save Money on Summer Travel This Year
Although summer travel has become more expensive this year, there are still ways to plan a budget-friendly vacation.
By being flexible with your travel dates, choosing alternative destinations, evaluating the best transportation, and taking advantage of money-saving tips, you can create a memorable summer getaway without draining your bank account.
Happy travels!
More Resources to help you Save on Summer Travel
- A great way to save on bringing the whole family is to stay in a vacation rental that will fit everyone! 7 Day Stays for Less! Get a discount by staying for a week
with VRBO.
- Save the checked bag fees by investing in great carry on luggage that will fit all of the essentials! Shop Now and Skip Airline Fees with these Carry-Ons!
Also see our Tips to Stay on Budget While on Vacation guide.
- Save with an all-inclusive hotel like Sandals! Up to 65% off now and much MORE at Sandals Ochi. Hot new beach club, Caribbean’s first speakeasy and so much more. Book now!
- If a Disney World or Universal trip is in the plans you can save on tickets with Undercovertourist! Disney on a Budget? Save money and time now with UndercoverTourist.com!
- Also, check out Betabrand clothing! They have the most comfortable travel jeans and stretch yoga dress pants that I swear by! Betabrand: Up to 50% Sale Styles
- No matter what trip you choose to go on you need comfortable walking shoes! Check out The Walking Company
for all of the best brands like Birkenstock and Dansk. [we have a review of Birkenstocks for travel too]