Travel can cost a fortune, but it doesn’t have to be that way.
Instead of an expensive flight to a far-flung destination, consider a road trip to someplace closer, maybe a place where you have friends with a guest bedroom or couch. Or change your travel dates so you’re heading to a place after the crowds have left. Instead of Michelin-star dining, look for local spots or make a trip to a local grocery store.
I’ve picked up lots of tips for saving money on travel over the years. These are the travel hacks that stand the test of time.
Tips for saving money on flights
Fly on a Tuesday or Wednesday to save money on flights. The travel app Hopper suggests booking flights that depart on Wednesdays and estimates the move can save an average of just over $100 on domestic roundtrip flights. If it’s spring break, peak summer or the holidays, you can save even more by traveling during the middle of the week instead of waiting until the weekend.
The more flexibility you have, the easier it is to save money on airline travel. The more flexible you can be with the days, dates and times you fly, the more money you can save.
Take an early flight to minimize the potential for delays and the costs that come with them. Hopper recommends taking flights that depart between 5 am and 8 am because they’re less likely to be delayed or cancelled. I’ve stopped booking flights that depart before 9 am unless I have no other choice. I haven’t experienced any major delays or hassles as a result, and let’s hope it stays that way.
If you’re limited on when you can travel, consider changing your destination. There may be a deal out there for a dream destination you just haven’t thought of yet.
Last-minute flight deals are a lot harder to find than they used to be. Hopper recommends starting your flight search three to four months ahead of when you plan to travel and keep an eye out for sales and discounts. And don’t overlook budget airlines. The tradeoffs just might be worth it.
I flew French Bee to Paris from Newark in 2021. It’s a route you can fly for around $300 roundtrip, and there’s free champagne on board.
Tips for saving money on accommodations
Airbnb is a lot more expensive than it used to be, so skip those vacation rental fees and check-in to a hotel instead. With daily housekeeping, free breakfasts and no list of pre-departure tasks to worry about — hotels can feel like bargains nowadays. And there are lots of ways to save on them.
Hyatt, for example, discounts rooms for members of its loyalty program, which is free to join. Several hotel chains provide loyalty program members with perks like free WiFi and free breakfast.
Check in on Sunday, Monday or Tuesday to save up to 25% on rooms. Weekend rates tend to be more expensive. Hopper estimates planning around pricey Saturday night stays can save travelers an average of $45 per night. When that isn’t possible, checking out on a Monday instead of Sunday can shave 10% off peak weekend pricing.
Another option is to broaden your target area. You never know what deals you might find just a short train ride away, like this hotel in Zaandam about 10 minutes from the center of Amsterdam.
In big cities like New York, Chicago and Miami, waiting until the last minute to book your hotel room can pay off. Hotels tend to cut prices on empty rooms three weeks out. That can mean savings of up to 30% for travelers, according to Hopper’s data.
Tips for saving money on the ground
There are lots of ways to save money when you get to where you’re going, but some of them do come with tradeoffs. You may save almost $100 by not going to the top of the Empire State Building in New York, for example, but it’ll cost you a priceless view.
Still, there are so many free things to do in New York it might not matter to you.
Taking advantage of free activities can lead to huge savings as well as unforgettable experiences in cities around the world. Several of New York’s most iconic activities—walking across the Brooklyn Bridge, and wandering through Central Park, where you’ll find the Strawberry Fields tribute to John Lennon, are both free. So is strolling the High Line, checking out Times Square and sailing by the Statue of Liberty on the Staten Island Ferry.
In Paris, you can visit the Sacre-Coeur Basilica, walk along the Seine River, visit the final resting place of Jim Morrison, check out several museums, take in the views from the Galeries Lafayette Haussmann rooftop and watch the Eiffel Tower light show every evening—all for free.
Nowadays, I tend to do a mix of free and paid activities when I visit new places. I’m usually looking to balance experiencing the thing that drew me here without going home broke.
Regardless of how you decide to spend your time, taking public transit instead of cabs is a surefire way to trim your travel budget. In cities like New York, Paris, London, Lisbon, Prague and beyond, it’s also a cultural experience.
And don’t wait until you get to your hotel to figure out the local public transit system. Public transit is likely the cheapest and quickest way from the airport into town, especially in Europe.
To further trim your spending on the ground, you could walk whenever possible. It’s an approach that’s guaranteed to bring you interesting detours and surprise finds along the way.
Another key way to save money on the ground is to watch what you eat. Expensive restaurant meals—complete with cocktails, wine and dessert—can add up quickly.
Look for hotels with free breakfasts and free coffee. Visit a local grocery store for snacks (and for the experience) and choose casual or local spots for lunch and dinner to save money on food.
When you do dine out, the further you get from tourist streets the more you’re likely you are to save, potentially with a more authentic local dining experience. And instead of cocktails at the trendiest bar in town, pick up a bottle from a local winery to enjoy at your hotel.
