15 Secrets From Travel Insiders That Will Save You a Lot of Money

Vacations can be wonderful experiences that allow for relaxation and exploration of the world around us. However, they aren’t always cheap. Travel costs, hidden fees, hotel prices and tourist traps can all conspire to drain your wallet rather than relieve your stress and heighten your enjoyment.

That’s why GOBankingRates has reached out to a number of travel experts who have made careers out of exploring the world, and learning how to do so inexplicably. These travel insiders have a number of clever ways to save a great deal of time and money while on the move.

“Here’s something most people don’t know,” Trinity Gauvreau of Paradise Travel Group told GOBankingRates. “Airlines release their sales on Tuesday afternoons. That’s when they adjust prices based on what their competitors are doing, and if you’re refreshing flights around 3 p.m. EST on a Tuesday, you’re catching deals before everyone else even knows they exist.”

“The sweet spot for domestic flights is usually one to three months out,” Gauvreau added, “and for international flights it’s more like two to five months.”

Gauvreau also suggested that brand-new resorts are cheapest “right before anyone knows they exist. Consider working with an agent who knows the region well.”

The reason: “They have insider access to deals you literally can’t find online, and they know exactly when new resorts are opening. New properties are typically half the cost because they need traffic and reviews.”

“The fastest way to save on travel is to go where everyone else isn’t,” Gauvreau suggested. “Everyone goes to Cancun, Tulum and Playa del Carmen, but places like La Paz in Baja California Sur are literally half the price and are honestly just as beautiful. You get the same gorgeous beaches and better food without the big price tag.”

Gauvreau suggested that traveling during “shoulder season” (the period between peak and off-peak travel seasons) of mid-April to early June or September through November will save you 40% to 50% on almost all travel costs.

“Hotels, flights, tours and even some restaurant prices drop because there’s just less demand,” he said. “You get basically the same experience without fighting through crowds of tourists everywhere, and your bank account will thank you.”

A travel agent’s local connection can come in handy, especially for travelers hoping to avoid tourists traps. For example, Midtown Manhattan is very popular with tourists, but travel agents recommend researching restaurants and attractions popular with the people who live and work in New York City.

“The best dining and cultural experiences New York City can offer are within the neighborhoods where locals enjoy their everyday living,” said Michael Brozek, former American Express Travel destination manager for New York City. “Local restaurants and bars are what make New York City so special, and there’s so much to discover. So don’t get trapped at an overpriced chain restaurant. Go explore something different.”

Another way to save money and live like a local: Plan on walking and taking public transit where and when you can.

“Travel on foot if the distance is no longer than 20 blocks away, or grab a taxi or Uber if you’re going crosstown,” Brozek said. “But if you’re going uptown or downtown, it’s always most efficient on the subway.”

This is a great way to not only curb your spending, but lets you take in parts of the city you might not have noticed otherwise.

Planning ahead can also save big bucks when traveling, and early birds can worm their way into significant deals and discounts, said Melissa da Silva, former president of travel company Trafalgar USA and deputy CEO of The Travel Corporation.

“Booking with plenty of lead time can lead to huge savings for travelers,” da Silva said. “Airlines and train companies are renowned for increasing fares the closer to travel time, while guided vacation (providers) such as Trafalgar offer savings of 7.5% to 10% when booked up to a year in advance.”

Depending on the destination, planning ahead by even a few months can save upwards of 15%, and the savings can increase the farther ahead you plan.

Isar Meitis, former president of e-commerce at Tourico Holidays, said that those willing to be patient can also score big savings.

“Oftentimes, if cruises have a few extra rooms they need to sell before launch date, they’ll offer them at killer rates,” he said. “Check the cruise company’s website a few days before the launch or check out deal sites.”

Once the cruise leaves port, empty rooms represent unrealized revenue for cruise companies. They’d rather give passengers deep discounts and hope they make up for it in shipboard spending.

Operators like Norwegian Cruise Line offer last-minute deals on their sites. For example, spontaneous travelers willing to travel in February can save more than 60% on a five-day Western Caribbean cruise starting at $60 a night.

Dana Yao, cofounder of travel platform Dana Yao Media, suggested to GOBankingaRates that skipping airport currency change counters can be a travel lifesaver.

“They may look like the most convenient option the moment you land,” she said, “but these counters usually come with long lines and much higher exchange rates and fees. A better alternative is using local ATMs with low fees.”

“Points from cards that transfer to multiple airlines give you more flexibility to book the best fares,” Yao said, “especially for international trips, without being locked into a single airline.”

For those who happen to be traveling with a vehicle, Meitis suggests looking into rates a bit further away from a city’s bustling center.

“Stay just outside of big cities,” he said. “You’ll find more upscale hotels for around half the price and parking will be much more reasonably priced.”

Peer-to-peer home-rental sites such as Airbnb and HomeAway have made it easier than ever for travelers who want to opt-out of a more traditional hotel room. And for those traveling with a group, renting an entire home can be a great way to save in more ways than one, Meitis said.

“If traveling with a small or large group, look into renting a vacation home,” he said. “Splitting the cost of a three- or four-bedroom home, where you aren’t forced to eat in a restaurant for three meals a day, can make a huge difference to your budget.”

As far as three-day weekends go, however, Meitis recommends taking Monday off instead of Friday.

“Maybe my No. 1 tip: Take Monday off instead of Friday,” he said. “Sunday is typically the cheapest night at a hotel.”

That’s particularly true if the hotel attracts business travelers. Sunday room rates tend to be a bargain over Friday even in vacation hotspots like Las Vegas, which also offers mid-week deals.

Bryce Collins of INTRO Travel recommended to GOBankingRates that tourists hit up local supermarkets during travel.

“Tourist menus are overpriced, so shop for meals at the supermarket instead. You can grab ingredients for a picnic for about $6.50 instead of paying $28 for lasagna on the stip.”

“Flights tend to be cheaper after school breaks,” Collins said, “so book your flight for the week after the kids go back. You get to the same beach but at about half the price.”

Charlene Oldham contributed to the reporting for this piece.