Summer is in full force! For many people, this is a time to pack your bags, catch a plane, and head off on a long-awaited vacation.
However, that experience can often come with a hefty price tag. According to a recent InvestmentNews report, the average American household is projected to spend $2,867 on their summer vacation this year.
While it’s good to see that, despite inflation and economic uncertainty, people aren’t giving up on their leisure time, that doesn’t mean we can’t still save a few bucks in the process.
To help stretch your travel budget without sacrificing the fun, here are 11 summer travel hacks that will help you cut costs, avoid unnecessary expenses, and make the most of your hard-earned dollars.
1. Use Google Street View to Explore Ahead of Time
Have you ever traveled somewhere and thought to yourself, “I wish I had known all this cool stuff was here!” Or the opposite – found it to be a complete dud?
You don’t have to wait to find out! Before you make your plans, use Google Earth to start exploring. With just a few clicks, you can virtually start “walking” around any street.
This is extremely helpful because you can easily:
- Check out nearby restaurants, parks, and other attractions.
- Target accommodations in exciting, walkable areas (saving on car rentals or rideshares).
- Avoid tourist traps.
- Spot nearby convenience stores and grocery options.
- Skip places you don’t want to be.
2. Make a List of 3-5 Fun Things to Do
Nothing kills a good vacation like decision paralysis. That’s the dreaded moment you arrive at your destination and everyone awkwardly says to one another, “What do you want to do? I don’t know. What do you want to do?”
While going in blind can sometimes be fun, a plan is usually much more helpful. It doesn’t have to be anything concrete. Just 3 to 5 top activities that will fill your schedule and keep your budget intact.
Try a mix of free and paid activities. For example:
- A popular tourist excursion
- Outdoor adventures such as hiking, swimming, or exploring a local park.
- A few free museum days or local events.
This balance helps ensure you’re not overscheduling or overspending while still soaking in the best your destination has to offer.
3. Spend Your Credit Card Points
Got a credit card that offers rewards points or travel miles? Time to start cashing them in!
Many credit card points can be redeemed for free flights, hotels, and car rentals. Some can even be put towards other activities like excursions, concerts, and dining.
If you’re really clever and want to start preparing ahead of time, pick a credit card that’s specific to your destination. For example, if you wanted to fly to Hawaii and prefer a certain airline, then it would be smart to get that credit card now and start building up points towards this goal.
4. Weigh Your Bag Before Going to the Airport
Airlines are sticklers about checked luggage being over their required weight requirements. Don’t think they won’t hesitate to slap you with a $50 to $200 fee if you’re even one pound over the limit.
To avoid this altogether, be sure to weigh your bags before leaving the house. Pro-tip: Undershoot the target by about ten pounds. Somehow, someway, your bags are always heavier on the way back than they are on the way there. Therefore, this extra buffer will help ensure that you’ve got room to spare.
5. Pack Everything into a Carry-On
You know what? Forget the checked bag altogether and save that $30 to $60 per bag, each way!
Most airlines let you bring one carry-on or backpack with you for free. Therefore, put yourself up to the challenge of making everything fit in one. You could do this by:
- Use packing cubes to organize and compress clothing.
- Wear your bulkiest items (like jackets or sneakers) on the plane.
- Limit your wardrobe to mix-and-match outfits.
6. Bring a Water Bottle and Snacks to the Airport
Airport food and drinks are notoriously overpriced. A small sandwich and a drink can easily cost $20 or more. For a family of four, that’s $80 for one of the least exciting meals of your life.
Save yourself the trouble by packing your own pre-packaged snacks and bringing an empty reusable water bottle. Once past security, refill your bottle at a hydration station. Healthy, non-perishable snacks like granola bars, trail mix, and dried fruit will keep you fueled and your wallet full.
7. Be Flexible with Travel Days and Avoid Weekends
Airfare and hotels can vary widely depending on the day of the week. An overnight stay or flight on a Friday or Saturday can literally cost double what you might pay mid-week on Tuesday or Wednesday.
Use tools like Google Flights or Hopper to compare flexible dates. Once you’ve got a flight that looks promising, cross-compare with the hotel and rental vehicle (if needed) to ensure you’re not saving on one expense but paying more for another.
8. Book a Room with a Kitchenette
Food can be a vacation budget killer! Restaurants at popular travel spots are known to overcharge tourists. Even simple stuff like coffee, a sandwich, or a small salad can be outrageously expensive.
To save on at least one meal, do yourself a favor and find a room with a kitchenette. Having access to basic kitchen amenities like a microwave, mini-fridge, or stovetop can go a long way.
You don’t need to prepare full meals every day. Just having the option to make breakfast, store leftovers, or cook pasta can save a lot throughout your trip.
9. Get Food from Local Grocery Stores on Day One
Speaking of food, don’t forget about quick snacks or drinks that you’ll need while you’re out and about. Rather than overpaying for these items once you get to where you’re going, instead, buy them on the first night. Not only will you save money by doing so, but you’ll also be more likely to pick out healthier, better options.
10. Stash a Geotag in Your Luggage
If you’ve ever had the misfortune of an airline telling you, “We’re sorry, but your bag has been lost,” then I feel for you. It’s annoying, infuriating, and can cost you significantly if your bag is never recovered.
A simple hack to help you track it is to put a small GPS tracker (like an Apple AirTag or Tile) inside that will let you know where your bag is at all times. That way, if your luggage is ever delayed or misplaced, the tracker can help you and airline staff attempt to locate it.
11. Pace Yourself on Activities
It can be exciting to go to a new place and want to try everything. But doing it all at once can break the bank as well as leave you exhausted.
Vacations are meant to be stress-free! So while having a few activities in mind is good, leave a little room for downtime and spontaneous adventures. This lowers the chance you’ll feel the need to spend more money just to stay entertained.
Final Thoughts: Travel Smart, Spend Less, Enjoy More
Vacations are meant to be fun, not financially straining. Spending more does not always equal more fun. With the right planning, some clever packing, and a little flexibility, you can stretch your budget while still enjoying a memorable trip.
Featured image: Unsplash
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