Summer vacation = carefree fun in the sun, right?
That’s the ideal. But with the steep price of travel today, vacationing in the high season of summer can mean unexpected expenses and ballooning budgets.
These strategies for saving money should help.
1. Get the timing right
Summer is one of the most popular times of the year to travel because kids are out of school, so families are able to hit the road. But because so many schools now go back into session in mid-August, prices tend to drop significantly then. If you can take your summer vacation in mid-to-late August or even September, costs will be much lower than in June or July.
2. Avoid fees for vacation home rentals
Though it’s convenient to use Airbnb and Vrbo to book lodgings, just taking one additional step can save you a lot of money. First: Use Vrbo to research places to stay because that platform will always list the property manager (Airbnb is more hit or miss for that).
But instead of booking through Vrbo, contact the property manager directly to make your reservation. That way, you’ll avoid the high fees Vrbo and other third-party rental sites charge. Depending on the rates at the property you rent, this extra step could save you hundreds of dollars. (Here’s our full article on this money-saving strategy.)
3. Or stay in a hotel
Because of all those pesky fees that Airbnb and other rental companies charge, hotels are often cheaper nowadays. That’s especially the case if you’re a solo traveler or traveling as a couple (larger groups can usually amortize the cost of a rental).
So when you’re looking for accommodations, make sure you consider all your options before deciding.
4. Go to the places other folks skip, Caribbean edition
Summer and fall are hurricane season in the Caribbean. Consequently, prices for resort stays and cruises in that region usually bottom out this time of year.
Historically, though, hurricanes tend to do the most damage toward the end of the season (September and October), meaning you can go to the Caribbean in June and July with little trepidation. Just be sure to get travel insurance—or stay at one of the many resorts that offer free coverage during hurricane season.
And remember: Some islands, such as Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao, are situated in a part of the Caribbean that almost never gets hit by hurricanes, so you can vacation there with peace of mind.
5. Go to the places other folks skip, European edition
Italy, France, the Netherlands, Ireland, the U.K.—these countries are top of mind for North American travelers considering a European summer vacation. But those places are not the least expensive destinations across the pond (and certainly not the least crowded).
By choosing instead from our list of the eight cheapest countries in Europe you can experience all of the highlights of that continent—castles, cathedrals, world-class museums, and unforgettable restaurants—without the painful price tag.
6. Go where the U.S. dollar is strong
Alas, the greenback has lost some ground against the euro since January. But the dollar remains quite strong against a number of world currencies, resulting in more affordable hotels, meals, and other expenses for U.S. citizens in Canada, Mexico, and these other countries.
7. Consider getting a theme park pass
If theme parks are going to be part of your family vacation, know that a pass will usually pay off in just two visits. That’s because passes often get you not just entry but also free parking and discounts on concessions.
Some theme park passes, like the ones for Six Flags, allow you to visit theme parks across the United States—attention, road trippers. You’ll want to move quickly, however. Some theme park passes are available only until the end of May.
8. Book airfare on a Sunday and get one of the first flights of the day
A recent study of billions of airfare transactions showed that travelers statistically paid 6% less on domestic flights and 17% less on international flights when they booked on Sundays. Why? That’s a mystery. My guess: Corporate travel agents don’t work on Sundays, so the airlines know they’re dealing with leisure travelers who may or may not book. That could make the airlines more likely to float lower ticket prices.
Another little-known fact: There are more flight-delaying storms in summer than winter, so to get where you’re going with less chance of running into delays or cancellations, book one of the earliest flights of the day.
9. For a vacation abroad, try a multipart airfare search
This is especially useful if you’re considering going to Albania, Romania, or one of the other affordable European countries mentioned above (here’s the link again). It will often be far less expensive to fly from the U.S. into one of the major European gateways (London, Paris, Frankfurt, etc.), and then pick up a cheap flight from one of the low-cost carriers (Ryanair, EasyJet, etc.) that hop around the continent.
Trouble is, no airfare search engine will come up with these types of combos since they involve airlines that don’t code-share with one another. So you’ll want to look for the cheapest flights into your final destination from other European gateways (Paris to Bucharest, say), and then see how you can get to that first gateway city.
If you go this route, be sure to leave a lot of time between the two flights in your transfer city, as you’ll likely have to go through customs, collect your luggage, check back in for the second flight, and go through airport security again.
10. Picnic and pack snacks
Meals out can get very pricey, especially nowadays. Save money when you travel by bringing some snacks with you rather than always having to rely on restaurant meals. You don’t have to bring food all the way from home, either. It can be fun (as well as budget-friendly) to check out what’s available at the local markets in the destination you’re visiting. It won’t feel like a lesser meal if you find a beautiful spot to lay our your meal to enjoy outdoors.
11. Seek out free stuff
Summer is prime time for free outdoor events, and they can really enhance a vacation. These can range from free summer concerts, Shakespeare performances, and movie screenings in parks, to street fairs, parades, and children’s events. Many museums have weekly slots for free-entry days, too.
