Planning your next holiday trip but needing to save money? Don’t worry! Traveling for the holidays doesn’t have to break the bank. With a little bit of planning and perhaps creativity, you can easily save money. We have put together some of our best tips and strategies to help make your holiday trip more affordable, and stress-free!
Best ways to Save Money on Holiday Travel
The best way to save money is to start planning and booking your travel, activities and hotels early. Planning and booking your trip early means you will have more options to choose from and you might even find yourself a better deals just because you have the extra time to shop around and compare flights and accomodations.
Airfare, hotels, and rental cars can fluctuate dramatically in price depending on how far ahead you book. Planning ahead also gives you more time to comparison-shop for the best deal on accommodations and other expenses related to your trip.
Compare Airfare Rates and Layover Times
Comparing flight costs is one of the best ways to save money on holiday travel. Make sure you check multiple sites and compare prices for different timeframes, days of the week, and departure airports. You should also consider layover times when selecting a flight to ensure that your trip does not become too long or tiring. You may find that spending more money on airfare can save you money in other areas like hotel rooms and car rentals.
Popular websites to compare airfare
- Expedia
- Booking.com
- Skyscanner
- Flight Centre (if you are in Australia)
- Webjet (if you are in Australia)
Set Fare Alerts to Track Price Drops
Setting fare alerts can be a great way to save money when planning holiday travel. Use sites like Kayak, Expedia, and Google Flights to track changes in airfare prices so that you can buy tickets at the lowest possible rate. You can usually customise your own alert settings or find prepared sets created by experts for different trips and destinations. Having prior knowledge of the best times to book tickets will help you find fares that fit your budget.
If you do not know how to setup Airfare Alerts, you can check out the video below.
How To Create Google Alerts & Track Flight Prices with Google Flights
Book Hotel Stays in Advance
One of the most effective techniques you can use to save money on holiday travel is to book your hotel stays in advance. Booking in advance will help to ensure you can get the best deal and that no hidden fees sneak up when you checkout. You should research hotels well ahead of time, compare rates and reviews, and read the fine print when booking so you make sure there are no surprises upon arrival.
Popular hotel booking websites you should use to compare rates
Look at Off-Peak Travel Savings Opportunities
Looking to save even more money on holiday travel? You can consider traveling during off-peak times, such as flying early in the morning or late at night. While this might not be the most convenient option for you, it could save you a considerable amount of money.
Additionally, you can also consider taking advantage of nearby airports rather than larger hubs. For example, if you’re travelling to another country, try looking up flights to smaller cities — rather than only considering flights that go directly into the busiest city within that country. Doing so could help you access deeply discounted flight options that still get you close enough for easy and affordable transportation your final destination.