Navigate high summer travel costs with these money-saving tips for your vacation🌴
Summer travel is calling, but so are the high prices! If you’re dreaming of sandy beaches, bustling city streets, or peaceful mountain getaways, you might have noticed that everything from flights to hotels has gotten more expensive. Don’t worry—there are still plenty of ways to make your dream trip a reality without breaking the bank. Let’s dive into why summer travel costs are rising and, more importantly, how you can save money on your next adventure!
🌅We also have a guide on Summer 2025 travel and it is totally doable with some planning!
A note about affiliate links on the website: We only recommend companies or products that we actually have tried and enjoy. Clicking on any links costs you nothing extra. Also, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Thanks so much for you support!
💰 Reasons for increased summer trip prices this year:
Before we jump into money-saving hacks, let’s look at why costs have soared:
✅ Pent-Up Demand: More travelers are eager to explore after years of uncertainty, leading to increased bookings and higher prices.
✅ Inflation: Rising costs across the board impact airfare, accommodations, and even activities.
✅ Fuel Prices: Every summer, gas prices climb, affecting both road trips and airfare as airlines adjust for fuel expenses.
✅ Limited Airline Competition: Fewer options on some routes mean airlines don’t have incentive to lower fares to compete.
✅ Increased Costs for Goods & Services: Everything from hotel amenities to guided tours is seeing price hikes.
But don’t let that stop you—we’ll give you some tips on how you can travel smart and save big!
🔥 Top Ways to Save 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! Use tools like Google Flights, Skyscanner, or Hopper to track fare drops and book at the right time.
Find the best flight deals starting as low as $51 with Travelocity!
Choose alternative destinations:
Instead of tourist-packed (and overpriced) hotspots, opt for hidden gems. Try:
- Instead of Paris → Visit Lyon or Strasbourg
- Instead of Hawaii → Check out Puerto Rico or the Florida Keys (We have a coffee journey guide for Puerto Rico and a Trip Guide for Key West!)
- Instead of Disney World → Explore Seaworld or Busch Gardens
- Instead of Napa Valley → Explore Texas Wine Country
🔹 Staying just outside major cities can significantly cut your hotel costs.
Book Early or Grab Last-Minute Deals 📅
- Early bird deals: Lock in lower prices before peak demand.
- Last-minute steals: If you’re flexible, last-minute flights and hotel deals can be surprisingly cheap.
✨Travelocity has a section with Last Minute Travel Deals!
Use Travel Rewards & Points 💳
- 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.
Consider 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.
☀️Adventures made simple – Rent an RV from RVshare
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 🍽️
- Dining out for every meal adds up quickly. Instead, book a hotel with a kitchenette or find a local grocery store to grab essentials. Camping? Cooking your own meals saves a ton!
- Food trucks and walk-up deli windows can also save you money on food!
Take Advantage of Free & Budget-Friendly Activities 🏞️
Many cities offer free walking tours, museums, outdoor concerts, and national parks. Research your destination in advance for affordable fun.
📌 Check out our guide to free things to do in Orlando!
🏨 U.S. Cities with Affordable Hotels for Summer Trips
Looking for a budget-friendly summer getaway? These cities offer great accommodations at reasonable rates:
- Orlando, FL: Tons of hotel options = lower prices! See world-famous theme parks especially during off-peak season
- Las Vegas, NV: Stay off the Strip for deep discounts. There is so much more to Vegas than the casinos, Explore Hidden Gems off the strip!
- San Antonio, TX: Affordable hotels & a beautiful Riverwalk and The Alamo. It’s easy to get around too!
- Philadelphia, PA: Rich history, great food, and budget-friendly stays. They also have an amazing food scene so definitely try a food tour in Philly!
- Phoenix, AZ: Cheap hotels and easy road trip access. It’s an outdoor paradise!
- Denver, CO: Stay outside downtown to save on lodging! There’s lots to do and it is close to the Rocky Mountain National Park for hiking!
🎒 Travel Packing Essentials to Save Money
Packing smart can help you avoid unnecessary expenses while traveling. Here are a few must-haves:
✔ Reusable Water Bottle – Skip overpriced airport and theme park drinks. [We love this Bpa-free water bottle on Amazon!]
✔ Portable Charger – Avoid buying expensive replacements on the go. [We love this compact portable charger on Amazon]
✔ Multi-Use Clothing – Pack versatile outfits to reduce baggage fees. [See our Travel Packing Guide for Flying!]
✔ Travel Insurance – Protect yourself from costly trip disruptions. Get travel insurance before you go – Travelex!
✔ Carry-On Bag – Save on checked baggage fees with a well-packed carry-on.
✔ Travel Snacks – Avoid overpriced airport or roadside food. [Try Built Puff Protein Bars (Amazon)]
✔ Check out our Favorite Travel Gear Guide for even more options!
❓ FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions): Summer Travel on a Budget:
Booking 2-3 months in advance is ideal. Also, look for flash sales and set flight alerts for price drops.
Consider Vrbo, hostels, or budget hotel chains. Also, try staying just outside major tourist areas for lower rates.
Use public transport, walk whenever possible, and consider renting bikes instead of cars. Many cities also offer discounted multi-day transit passes.
Baggage fees, resort fees, foreign transaction fees, and expensive airport food can add up quickly. Always read the fine print before booking!
Many cities have free museums, parks, hiking trails, festivals, and walking tours. A little research before your trip can uncover great budget-friendly options!
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.
- 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]