10 Smart Ways to Save Money on Summer Vacation

You don't need to spend weeks of vacation time—or thousands of dollars—to enjoy the benefits of time off. Studies show even a few days off spent at home can drastically reduce your stress levels and improve your well-being.

In other words, any vacation is a good vacation, so don't let your budget stop you. Use these tips to save money on your summer vacation and make the most of your time off.

1. Be Flexible About Where, When, and How You Travel

No matter what kind of travel you want to do, flexibility is the key to doing it affordably. The more flexible you can be about the when, where, and how of your travel, the farther you can stretch your budget.

For example, most airlines and hotels run seasonal deals that deeply discount some flights or properties for travel during a certain window (typically within six to eight weeks). Folks who aren't set on specific destinations can save a bundle of money on a great vacation this way.

You can also find some great deals if you're willing to do a little extra travel on either end. Driving a bit to get to a larger airport, for example, could open up cheaper flights and more options.

You May Like These

9 Amazing Ways to Save $300 Every Month

Should I Consolidate Student Loan Debt?

Debit or Credit?

2. Set Your Own Summer Vacation Trend

Most people vacation in the summertime, and the vast majority head to the same places. Endless photos of ocean sunsets and theme park rides could trigger FOMO. Don’t let it.

Before you book that beach vacation, consider this: The more popular the destination, the more it's going to cost you.

So be your own summer vacation trendsetter. Skip that crowded beach where you'll pay high-season premiums to fight for umbrella space. Instead, head to that adorable mountain town in its off-season where you can enjoy lovely hikes, smaller crowds—and much lower prices. 

3. Consider a Staycation

One person's vacation is another person's daily life, and vice versa. Consider turning your summer vacation into a staycation where you explore all of the awesome activities in your own backyard.

Think about the things you'd want to do on your vacation, from hiking to shopping to relaxing, and have the same experience nearby. You'll not only take a lot of the usual stress out of travel—including those dreaded airport security lines—you’ll cut out a lot of the financial stress, too.

Even better, the money you don’t spend on flights and rental cars could be used towards something way cooler. Always wanted to stay in a five-star hotel? Find a swanky place in your nearest city and live the high life for a day or two, no TSA required.

4. Bring Friends and Family

Even though traveling as a group can be a bit more complicated, it can be a good way to make a trip cheaper for everyone. A lot of travel companies offer deals for groups, from discounted flights to cheaper tours or excursions. 

This works especially well on accommodations if you rent a house or flat with multiple rooms. A $600-a-night villa on the beach gets a lot more affordable if you're splitting it between multiple families.

5. Pack Carry-on Only

Most airline checked-bag fees start at $35 a pop. A family of four could wind up with $280-plus in bag fees from one round-trip vacation. And there’s a good chance you might not even use all the stuff you paid to bring. 

Some flights allow you to bring one personal (underseat) item and one overhead bin item without paying extra fees. If you stick to this limit, you can avoid all the extra costs—and stress—of checked bags. 

6. Take Advantage of Free Activities

With a little research, you can find free entertainment and activities in nearly any destination. Here are a few examples of activities that might be free:

• Art and history museums

• Guided walking tours

• Outdoor performances

• Scenic outlooks and hikes

• Children's reading hours at bookstores and libraries

• Live music at a pub or bar

Nearly every town and city has its own website these days, so start there to find out what's happening in the area.

7. Get Discounted Entertainment Passes

Many worthwhile attractions do come with a fee. If you're interested in visiting several attractions, look into combination tickets or entertainment passes for your destination city.

For example, say you're visiting Boston and plan to visit the aquarium and the Science Museum, go on a harbor cruise, and hit the zoo. You could purchase a Boston CityPass to access all four attractions for around 40% less than the cost of buying tickets for each one individually.

Pro tip: Are you considering a staycation? Your local library might let you check out free or discounted passes to local attractions. The main catch is that you might have to plan pretty far ahead to take advantage of this perk, or jump on it with no notice if one becomes available. That’s another reason to remain flexible with your plans.

8. Download Travel Apps

You can find an app that'll help you save on almost everything. Want the lowest airfare? Get a flight tracker app to keep an eye on ticket prices. Ready to explore a new city? Download an app that offers guided audio tours.

Even Google Maps can be a good money-saving tool, since you can easily compare dining options for something in your budget (or local grocers to save even more money). You can download the offline version if you're headed out of cell range or abroad.

Also consider downloading apps for any airports you transit. While it may not help you spend less, an interactive airport map can definitely save you some stress navigating to or from your flight.

9. Redeem Your Credit Card Rewards

A lot of credit cards have rewards these days, from cash back to points or miles. You might be sitting on a stash of rewards right now, so use them. Whether you have $50 in cash back you could use for gas, or 100,000 airline miles that'll get you to Spain, those rewards can significantly reduce your summer vacation costs. 

10. Eat Like a Local

Meals can add up quickly when you're dining out every night, but a big part of travel is experiencing the local cuisine. To keep costs down, try to eat like a local:

• Choose independently owned restaurants away from the tourist areas.

• Visit the neighborhood farmer’s market for fresh produce and snacks.

• Stop at street-side food stalls and vendors that specialize in low-cost dishes.

Your summer vacation doesn't need to cost a fortune to be full of fun, relaxation, and new experiences. With these tips, you can have a great vacation on any budget.