23 Brilliant Ways to Save on Summer Travel

According to a survey conducted by AARP on summer 2023 travel trends, a significant number of older adults are eager to embark on travel adventures this summer, with 82 percent of respondents expressing their intention to take at least one trip. And while Covid concerns are declining, cost and inflation remain at the top of mind.

Although a week at the beach might sound like the ideal way to spend your summer vacation, warm weather travelers should note that costs are often higher in the peak season. If you want to cut costs on airfare and accommodations, you should do your research and plan ahead.

Here are some of the best ways to save money on your summer vacation without sacrificing the fun.

If your work schedule or kids’ school schedule isn’t too restrictive, the best way to keep the cost of a summer vacation down is to be flexible.

“Being flexible … will open the door to savings opportunities,” said money-saving expert Andrea Woroch.

For example, you might find that a town near the one you want to visit offers similar amenities — such as a beach or close access to theme parks — for a lower cost, Woroch said. Additionally, you should be flexible with your travel dates to cut costs.

“Sometimes flying a day earlier or later can make a huge difference,” said Jeff Klee, CEO of CheapAir.com. And check the prices of flights to all the airports in an area because you’ll find big savings, he said.

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Fridays during the summer are among the busiest travel days of the entire year, Woroch said. “Not only are you looking at bigger crowds and delays, but prices on airfare and even fuel will peak on this popular departure day,” she said.

And Sundays are expensive travel days year round. According to CheapAir.com’s annual survey, travelers can save an average of $73 by flying on a Tuesday or Wednesday rather than a Sunday.

Even car rental prices might be lower on these days, Woroch said. Consider leaving mid-week to score a vacation discount.

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Waiting until the last minute to book a flight is a surefire way to spend more than necessary. Klee recommended booking as early as you can, because prices will continue to rise as flights fill up.

In its survey of 921 million airfares from 2.9 million trips, CheapAir found that 54 days out was the best time to book a domestic flight for the lowest price. If you plan to travel internationally, start searching for your flights earlier. On average, 99 days out is ideal for trips to Hawaii, the Caribbean and Europe.

There are several travel booking sites that will give you a refund if you book a hotel, flight or rental car through them and the price drops, said Suzanne Rowan Kelleher, the family vacations expert at About.com.

For example, if you book a hotel through Tingo.com and the price drops, it will automatically refund you the difference. At Yapta.com, you can add your flight details and get alerts if the fare drops, so you can get a credit for the difference with the airline. If you book a rental car through AutoSlash.com, the site will automatically rebook you at a lower rate if the price drops. Kelleher said she’s saved at least $40 every time she used AutoSlash.

If you’re a member of the AARP, AAA or another professional organization, you might be entitled to special travel discounts. For example, members of the automotive club AAA can get up to 15 percent off rooms at several hotel chains.

Additionally, you might be able to save money on attractions at the destinations you visit. For example, many zoos and museums offer reciprocal memberships with other zoos and museums, Kelleher said — which means you can visit them for free or at a discount.

“Don’t forget about this money on the table,” she said.

There are several websites that let consumers earn back a percentage of the money they spent on qualifying purchases with the sites’ retail partners. You also can earn cash back — which is like saving money — by booking hotels, flights and rental cars through these sites with one of their travel partners.

Ebates.com offers cash back from dozens of travel merchants, with up to 13 percent cash back on hotels, cruises and vacation packages, said Brent Shelton, an online shopping expert with deals site FatWallet.com, which is the sister company of Ebates.com.

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There are several ways to get a deal on a rental car. You can use a site such as CarRentals.com, which provides a side-by-side comparison of rental options at your destination, Woroch said. You can also find coupon codes for car rentals at sites such as CouponSherpa.com.

If you’re a warehouse club member, Woroch recommended checking the club’s travel site to see if it’s offering any deals. She saved nearly $200 on a car rental for a trip to Maui a couple of years ago by booking through Costco Travel.

Check with your auto insurance company to see if it covers rental cars under your policy. That way, you won’t have to purchase extra insurance from the rental car agency, said Karen Hoxmeier, owner of money-saving site MyBargainBuddy.com. Following this tip can save you $20 to $40 a day in unnecessary insurance costs from the agency, she said.

If you take a road trip, you can get up to 15 percent better fuel mileage out of your vehicle by using cruise control while driving on the highway, Hoxmeier said. You also can improve your gas mileage by up to 4 percent by having your car tuned up before you hit the road and another 3 percent by having your tires inflated to the proper pressure, she said.

Download a free app, such as GasBuddy, to see the lowest gas prices in an area. That way, you’ll know which station to fill up at along the highway and at your destination.

Kathryn Anderson, a travel blogger, highly recommends group travel as a money-saving option for singles or couples. To maximize savings, she suggests considering group travel arrangements where driving and accommodation costs can be shared.

One cost-effective idea is to rent an RV collectively, enabling everyone to contribute to the expenses and take turns driving. Another alternative is to opt for vacation rentals that offer shared amenities while providing separate rooms. By having access to a kitchen, travelers can also prepare their own meals, further reducing expenses without compromising the enjoyment of the trip.

With these strategies, travelers can create unforgettable experiences while keeping their budget intact.

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If you’re driving to your destination, Woroch recommended packing snacks, sandwiches and drinks so you don’t have to spend money on fast food along the way. Make sure you choose nonperishable items, such as granola bars, to bring along while you explore your destination.

“This way, you don’t have to stop in pricey tourist restaurants or hotel pool bars for a snack,” she said.

Woroch also suggested bringing a refillable water bottle so you don’t have to waste money on bottled water, which is typically marked up at popular tourist destinations.

Rather than stay in a hotel, consider booking a vacation rental property. Sites such as Airbnb.com, HomeAway.com and VRBO.com offer low rates on apartment, condo and house rentals worldwide.

“You can double the space for half the cost of a traditional hotel,” Woroch said. “Plus, you get access to a kitchen so you can prepare most of your meals and cut back on dining out, which can really eat into your travel budget.”

Ideally, you should book several months in advance for the best selection and pricing. But you might be able to get a last-minute deal by calling the property owner to ask for a discount. The owner might give you a cheaper rate to fill the space rather than let it sit empty, Woroch said.

If you plan to stay in a hotel, sign up for its loyalty program before booking a room. The programs are typically free to join and can help you score discounted rates.

Currently, Hilton offers its Honors members great benefits, such as free WiFi and points for use on free stays.

While it might be tempting to splash out and eat at the fanciest places while on vacation, opting to eat where the locals eat can be a great way to not only save money but also to indulge in local culture.

“Instead of dining at expensive touristy restaurants, I opt for local eateries, street food stalls, or markets,” shares Jeyn Dashner of WanderFever. “This allows me to experience authentic cuisine and save money on meals.”

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When booking a hotel, Kelleher recommended looking for properties that have kitchen facilities in the rooms — such as a microwave, refrigerator and wet bar — so you can make inexpensive meals rather than dining out every day. This can be a big money saver, especially for families.

“Eating out three meals a day, seven days a week, is a lot of money for a family,” she said.

In addition to making your own simple meals in your hotel room, you can cut costs by avoiding meal prices altogether. Kids 12 and younger eat free at Holiday Inn hotels that have on-site restaurants. Comfort Inn and Hampton Hotels are among the hotels that offer guests a free hot breakfast, while Embassy Suites, Homewood Suites and Residence Inn boast free breakfast and snacks and drinks in the evening.

You can get a deal on a hotel room by taking advantage of other people’s canceled travel plans. Woroch said that RoomerTravel.com connects travelers with those who are stuck with hotel reservations they can’t change. The site facilitates the purchase of reservations for up to 25 percent below market price.

Or, if you’ve reserved a nonrefundable room but have to cancel your trip, you can get some of your money back using this service.

Although most travelers think that package deals for flights, hotels and other travel products are more expensive, the opposite is true, said Clem Bason, CEO of hotel booking site goSeek.com.

“Bundles obscure the prices for individual travel products, allowing airlines, hoteliers and rental cars to discount more aggressively than they otherwise might,” he said. “You’d be surprised at how much you can save with a package.”

Bason said he shops for each component of his travel separately, then searches on a site such as Expedia.com for a package deal with a lower price. “And even better, it’s easier to book everything all in one spot,” he said.

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“Whether you’re headed to the beach, mountains or a favorite lake this summer, you can save a lot of money by opting to camp instead of renting a home or staying in a hotel,” Woroch said. You can find camping spots that cost as little as $5 per night through ReserveAmerica.com.

There are also plenty of free campground sites at state parks and other locations, but you’ll need to get to your destination early to secure one of these first-come, first-served spots, Woroch said. Pack food in a cooler that you can cook over an open fire, and take advantage of free activities such as hiking and swimming to cut costs further.

According to Philip Ballard, the Chief Communications Officer and Head of Investor Relations at HotelPlanner, while most beaches are free for the public to enjoy, it’s important to note that popular beach towns can often become crowded and rowdy during peak times.

If you’re seeking a more relaxed and nature-oriented atmosphere, he suggests considering family-friendly lake towns such as Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire, Lake Catherine in Hot Spring Arkansas, or Lake Travis in Austin, as alternatives to bustling destinations like South Beach Miami or the Hamptons.

The best part is that you won’t have to venture too far from home. Simply find a nearby lake town that offers a diverse range of activities for the whole family and plan an enjoyable road trip to create lasting memories.

Sign up with daily deals sites, such as Groupon and LivingSocial, to get alerts for discounts on attractions, outings and restaurants in the area you’ll be visiting. These sites also offer discounts on accommodations and vacation packages.

Ballard recommends setting up alerts on sites like Skyscanner or Going or with your preferred airline, hotels, or online travel agency, if available. When an attractive rate comes along, be willing to book it immediately. 

“It’s such an easy way to find deals,” Kelleher said. However, she recommended that you create a separate email account for these alerts, so you can keep track of them and avoid clogging your regular inbox with offers.

If you visit a big city, you can save money on attractions by buying passes that offer discounted admission to several must-see spots. Bason recommended investing in a Go City Card by Smart Destinations to save up to 55 percent on a city’s major attractions.

Another option is a CityPASS. Available for 16 North American destinations — including Boston, Chicago and New York City — the pass offers discounted admission to a handful of the most popular sights in each locale. Or avoid spending a dime on activities and attractions by doing an online search for “free things to do in [name of city].”

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The cost of airport parking can add up quickly if you take a trip that spans several days. You can cut the price tag by using a site such as AirportParkingReservations.com, which provides a list of parking lots near a particular airport, reviews of those lots and the going rates to help you find more affordable long-term parking, Woroch said.

“I use this site all the time to find cheaper parking lots near Los Angeles and Burbank airports,” she said. She typically finds lots that are $5 to $10 cheaper per day than the airport’s economy lot.

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Laura Beck contributed to the reporting of this article.