If one of your goals this year is to save money for travel, here are some tips to learn how to build a travel budget, use credit cards wisely, find deals, and save for future trips without stress.
Traveling more this year is officially at the top of my wishlist. I’ve been daydreaming about wandering the streets of France with a croissant in one hand and a coffee in the other — and of course eating all the cheese I possibly can while I’m there (cheese is my favorite food!) I’m also hoping to squeeze in a few smaller weekend trips with friends this year (including the cruise we’re taking!) And since Mazen has officially read all seven Harry Potter books, I now have a long-promised trip to Universal with the boys to plan sometime in the future so we can fully immerse ourselves in Hogwarts, butterbeer, and all.
Having trips like these to look forward to makes everyday life feel a little more exciting. Travel is such a fun and memorable experience for kids, and some of my sharpest memories as an adolescent were of trips I took with my family. Of course, as fun and magical as travel is, nothing about sleeping and eating away from home is cheap. Between flights, hotels, meals, and activities, it’s easy to watch the dollars fly away faster than the plane that flew you there.
Since I started using points and miles to reduce my travel costs in all of the above areas, I’ve been able to travel more than I ever have. Here is my guide on how to save money for travel so you can keep exploring – this year and beyond.
How To Save Money For Travel
My approach to saving money for travel means setting up systems that make saving easier and more automatic as well as being thoughtful with how you spend money when you’re planning the trip.
Ballpark and Plan Your Trip Costs
Before I even set aside dollars, I ballpark what I’ll need for a trip: flights (or gas) to get there, accommodations, and food and activities while on the ground. Don’t forget airport parking, food at the airport, and taxis if you’ll need them! Start by estimating how much your trip will cost, including transportation, lodging, food, activities, and a buffer for unexpected expenses.
Once you know your total, divide it by the number of months until your trip. That number becomes your monthly savings goal. Having a clear plan makes it easier to prioritize saving money and avoid overspending in other areas.
Plan Far Ahead When You Can Be Very Flexible
Flexibility is one of the best ways to save money for travel. Traveling during off-peak seasons, booking midweek flights, and being open to different destinations can lead to major savings. Set price alerts, compare dates, and don’t rush bookings unless you have to. A little patience often leads to much better deals.
Use Travel Credit Cards Strategically
The right credit card can help you save money on travel through rewards like points, miles, or cash back. If you already use a credit card for everyday expenses, choosing one with travel perks can be a smart move. And if you tend to prefer one airline or hotel brand, this is most definitely a smart move.
The key is paying your balance in full each month so interest doesn’t cancel out the rewards. Over time, those points can turn into free flights, hotel stays, or travel credits, all helping stretch your money for travel further.
For example, if you have lounge access, you can plan to spend $0 on airport food and coffee on your departure day. Or if you have a $300 travel credit, you can put that toward your hotel. Or even better, if you have a boatload of points/miles, maybe your flights are free and you don’t even have to budget for them!
Set a Dedicated (High Interest) Travel Savings Account
One of the best ways to save for travel is to open a separate high-interest savings account specifically for the costs you’ll pay cash for. When your money for travel lives in its own account, it’s less likely to accidentally get spent on everyday expenses.
Set up automatic transfers from your checking account each month — even small amounts add up over time. This also works great for depositing bonuses, tax refunds, or extra cash.
Use a Travel Advisor
Of course I’m going to tell you to use my sister, Laura Allen! She works with the company Fora Travel and any time I am not booking a trip in points, I use her to help me plan and book accommodations. This comes at no cost to me (or you) because she is paid commission by the hotels (nearly all of them except Airbnb-style places.) And the best part is she can almost always get perks like free breakfast or resort credits so that will save you money too!
Choose A Walkable Hotel
Whenever I can, I book hotels that are in the best location so that I can do as much walking as possible. This saves money on Uber/Lyft and also means I get lots of steps in too! Trains, buses, and subways are often cheaper and sometimes faster than taxis anyways. Walking and using public transport can also help you experience a destination more authentically, which is one of my favorite parts of traveling.
Look For Breakfast Or Meals Included
Another factor I consider when booking a hotel is whether or not there is breakfast included. I try to find hotels where this is the case and eat a large breakfast, a smaller lunch (which saves money!) and a normal, fun dinner. This lowers the overall cost of food. There are also all-inclusives and cruises to consider where you don’t have to pay for any food once you get there. I know the food can be hit or miss, but I just love knowing I’m paying for everything up front.
Erase Food With Points
And lastly, another way to save money while on your trip is using a card that can erase travel expenses with points. If you’re buying tickets (like Disney tickets – more here) or charging food/drinks to your hotel folio, then you can often erase those expenses with points. You can find cards with perks like this here.
Where To Find The Best Travel Deals
Finding deals can be half the fun of planning a trip. These are some of my favorite tools and websites for saving money on travel.
Google Flights
Google Flights is my go-to when I’m searching for flights – whether I’m using cash or points. The site makes it easy to compare prices across all airlines and dates, both flexible and general. You can view price calendars, set alerts, and quickly spot the cheapest days to fly.
Skyscanner
A friend recommended Skyscanner, which is great if you’re flexible with timing or destination. You can search by month or even browse the cheapest places to fly, which is perfect for spontaneous trips. I found some tropical flights for as low as $39. (And randomly, my friend Jonathon went to San Salvador for 24 hours on one of these cheap flights a few weeks ago!) I think the Skyscanner website is a bit busy overall, FYI.
Hopper
Hopper predicts whether flight prices are likely to rise or fall, helping you decide when to book. I also like how you can choose hotels with their price slider and see them on the map for walkability to your favorite spots.
Airbnb and VRBO
For families or groups, vacation rentals can often be more affordable than hotels. Having a kitchen can also help you save money by preparing some meals at home. Only downside is they can be hit or miss and more off the beaten path at times.
Credit Card Travel Sites
If you have a travel card, using their portal can help you get extra perks even if you are booking with points. Sometimes I find there are fewer options available, but in a big city there should be plenty. And if you pay with cash in the portal, you often earn a large multiplier of points – like 10x or 5x – on travel costs, so you’ll be banking points for later.
FAQ
How much money should you save for travel?
The amount of money to save for travel obviously depends on where you’re going, how long you’ll be there, and your travel style. This is why it’s important to imagine your trip and plan out day by day before you go. For example, before we went to Disney I estimated what we would pay for breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and treats and multiplied by the number of days (4) we were there. I added in an estimate for travel day food and airport parking and I had a rough guess of our on-the-ground costs. I added a little extra padding since things can always come up.
Another easy rule of thumb for two people eating in restaurants: $50 for breakfast, $100 for lunch, and $200 for happy hour and dinner = about $350 a day. It seems like a lot, but coffees, entrees, desserts and alcohol add up! Obviously if you got a free breakfast, skipped happy hour, and ate at more modest restaurants, you could bring this down a lot.
Where to save money for travel?
A dedicated savings account, preferably one that gets good interest, is one of the best places to keep money for travel. Keeping it separate from your everyday spending makes it easier to track progress and avoid dipping into it.
Do travel agents save you money?
Travel agents and advisors can save you money, especially for cruises, all-inclusive resorts, or complex itineraries. They often have access to bundled deals and perks you may not find on your own.
Do credit cards help save money on travel?
Yes, when used responsibly. A good credit card with travel rewards can help reduce annual costs on flights, hotels, rental cars, and more. Just be sure to pay your balance in full and make sure you’re just putting everyday spending on it and not more than you need “just to get points.”
Some of our favorite trips have come from finding a great deal first and building the vacation around it. And if you’re looking for something closer to home, I’ve shared a roundup of great family resorts in virginia here: Family Resorts in Virginia.
I’d love to hear from you — what are your favorite tips for saving money or finding great travel deals? Leave a comment and share your recommendations so we can all travel smarter together.
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