Whether you’re a road-tripper or a luxury traveler, the ability to save money is always a good skill, no matter your budget. Check out a few simple money-saving travel tips and trip hacks for your 2021 trips.
1. Get In With The Airlines
Savvy travelers know that finding the cheapest flights takes dedication, but it’s far from impossible. One of the best (and easiest) travel hacks to save money is to sign up for an airline’s email newsletters. Soon, you’ll be receiving deals and packages that you might not know about otherwise. Follow these airlines on social media, too; they often debut great promotions and flash sales via Facebook, Instagram and even Twitter.
Want to go deeper? Sign up with a site like Scott’s Cheap Flights, which lets you customize your travel preferences and puts all kinds of amazingly low-cost flights on your radar.
2. Don’t Be Afraid Of The Off-Season
It’s a well-kept secret: the best time to travel is during a destination’s so-called “off-season.” You might be taking a chance with less-than-ideal weather, but it is often worth the risk. Most obviously, there will be less crowds during this time of year, meaning that you can experience the very best of your chosen spot without having to battle the masses. But the off-season is also when you’ll save the most cash — on flights, on resorts, on attractions, even on food … on everything!
3. Discover The Timeshare Advantage
You might see photos of luxurious resorts in places like Maui, Aruba or Hilton Head Island and think that they are way out of your price range. But the timeshare rental world might put those upscale escapes within reach.
RedWeek.com is your resource for owner-direct rental prices, which are almost always drastically cheaper than resort prices. No tour obligations, no pressure to do anything — except enjoy your vacation. The timeshare rental lifestyle is also a good way to save money on food during your trip, since most suites and villas are equipped with kitchens, so you can prepare your own meals.
4. Find The Free Stuff
When you’re on vacation, it can sometimes feel like you’re constantly reaching for your wallet. It doesn’t have to be that way. Virtually every destination you can think of is packed with free activities. And we’re not just talking about the basics, like a public park or beach. Before you go, look at the websites for various museums in your chosen city: many will have monthly free days. The same goes for national and state parks. For even more free stuff, check out your destination’s official tourism site. There, you’ll find a roundup of no-cost activities and experiences — walking tours, attractions, concerts, outdoor adventures and more. For example, here’s a very handy Free Things To Do In Orlando article, with more than enough no-money-down fun to fill a Florida vacation. Or check out the stuff that costs $0.00 in Palm Springs, California, Aruba or Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
5. Embrace Alternative Transportation
Ditch the rental car lifestyle if you can. Seriously. In many destinations, there’s a rental car shortage, sending prices into the stratosphere. Fortunately, you’ve got plenty of other options. Many resorts offer free shuttles to and from attractions — some of them even have bikes available for rental if you want to do your exploring on two wheels. Rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft are available in virtually every destination these days. And good old fashioned public transportation is making a comeback. In these post-pandemic days, buses, subways, and light rail might even be better than ever, with less crowds, enhanced hygiene protocols and expanded routes. In other words, let someone else do the driving on your next trip and save extra money.
