Flights
Often the most expensive part of travel, there are still plenty of ways to make flights more cost effective.
1. Plan your trips around your flight
Most people choose the dates of their vacation, then look for flights on those set dates. Instead, look for times when flights are cheaper and go on vacation then. This was a deciding factor for our Alaska trip. By traveling in March, instead of the peak season summer months, we saved well over $500 per flight. Be flexible, and allow cheaper travel dates to determine your trips.
2. Fly during the week
Most people choose to fly on the weekends, making the cost of flights skyrocket. Instead, fly during the middle of the week. Tuesday and Wednesdays typically are the cheapest days to travel. I recommend looking at Google Flights to see which day of the week is cheapest for your destination.
3. Use Hopper
I’ve personally never booked my flights through Hopper, but I’ve used it as a way to track the flight prices. Hopper is not exact, but it is a good way to predict flight trends. Enter your travel dates into the app and Hopper will tell you if you should wait to buy, or if the time to buy is now. To compare, look at Google flights and see if the current flights are in the green, yellow, or red. If Hopper and Google flights both agree that the flights are low and the time to buy is now, then you should purchase your flights.
Note: Hopper will give you an estimated lowest cost per flight. This number isn’t always accurate, so don’t budget with this exact number. Instead, use Hopper as a guide to predict when flights will drop and then when you should buy them.
4. Book through Expedia
Expedia is a reputable third party through which you can book flights. Often, booking through their site will save you anywhere from $25-$100 per flight. I have personally booked flights through Expedia and have no issues with booking confirmations, boarding passes, or choosing seats on the plane. The site is user friendly and is a great option if you’re looking to save.
Rental Cars
If you can travel to a location without renting a car, this is a great way to save money. For many destinations, however, this is not possible. Rental cars will always be a major expense, but there are certainly ways to stay within budget.
5. Use cost effective rental companies
For instance, Budget offers some of the best prices for rental cars compared to other companies. Dollar is another brand that boasts affordable prices. I’ve personally booked through Budget and the process was simple, customer service was excellent, and I had no issues. Cross check these companies to see who offers the best rate.
6. Check Memberships like USAA
Rental car agencies will require or encourage drivers to buy their insurance plans which can add up to three hundred dollars to your total. Check your memberships and insurance plans. For example, USAA offers free insurance for rental car drivers, negating the need for the rental company’s insurance.
7. Downsize
Rental cars increase in price with the size of the vehicle. If you’re traveling with few people, opt for the smallest car possible. Compact and midsize cars are always cheaper than SUVs or full sized cars. These cars also typically get better gas mileage, saving you additional funds. Pay attention to the price increase based on the vehicle and decide what size vehicle is necessary.
Stays
8. Choose a hotel that offers free breakfast
I personally am a fan of AirBnBs and Vrbos, but hotels sometimes are the more economical choice. When we flew into Anchorage, we stayed in a hotel for our first few nights. The rates were good and free breakfast was provided. This saved an additional hundred dollars by eating in for breakfast.
9. Check various rental sites
Whether it be hotels, Airbnbs or Vrbos, make sure you check multiple sites before booking your stay. In my experience, Vrbos tend to offer the best prices for the size of the place, but I’ve also stayed in several affordable Airbnbs. Browse thoroughly to see what prices hosts offer and how those compare to hotels and other rental agencies. Make sure to check the fees on sites like Airbnb and Vrbo; sometimes these hidden fees can rack your total up by a few hundred.
Food
Food is one of those areas in which I don’t generally skimp. In my opinion, one of the best parts of traveling is trying different foods, grabbing a coffee in the morning, and opting for dessert at night. Still, there are a few areas in which saving is possible, even if you’re like me.
10. Check the menu prices before you go
This seems simple enough, but it can help you decide which locale is the best option for you. If you’re like me, you probably have a list of places you’d like to try when traveling. Go online and check the menu prices, then compare. Google often puts dollar signs beside restaurants on their site, which can help you gauge the cost. If you’re hoping to save money on food, choose restaurants with one or two dollar signs $-$$.
11. Stay in a place with a kitchen and cook your own food
For some, this is the best option when traveling. Search for rentals that have a kitchen, as well as pots/pans/etc. and cook your own food. Grocery shopping and staying in can save upwards of $200 on food, especially if you’re traveling with a bigger party.
12. Look for regional fast food chains
In-N-Out, Whataburger, Cook-Out. These regional chains aren’t available across the U.S., making them travel destination staples. A trip out west isn’t complete without a pit-stop for a shake and burger at the infamous In-N-Out. Tip: Don’t let the lines intimidate you. The drive-thru is more efficient than the U.S. government.
These chains will give you a taste of the local flair without the price tag of sit-down restaurants and bars.
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