How to Save Money on Travel

Just thinking about the effort it takes to plan a summer trip, pay for it, and then actually show up, tired and unskinned, can be overwhelming. But I remind myself that it’s almost always worth it. Even the wet, bug-ridden camping disasters have the upside of making everyday life seem like a vacation in comparison. (I think the last time I went camping was about seven years ago.) Bottom line, a change of scenery is nice.

But nothing ruins a vacation like worrying about how much it’s going to cost. It’s too much pressure. You spend a ton of money on a hotel only to find that the Wi-Fi doesn’t work, your room smells funny, or you can see the parking lot from your window, and you’ll keep thinking that you’d have much more fun spending the same amount seamlessly and watching Netflix on your own couch.

Of course, there’s nothing better than getting out of town, escaping your everyday routine, and doing the things you love without incurring expenses that can wipe out that post-vacation glow. This can be difficult, especially during the peak holiday season in July and August. Recent Research The survey found that about 60% of Americans are planning to travel this summer, and one in five plan to spend “significantly more” than they did last year (and this isn’t just because prices are rising, but because people are planning more extravagant trips).

If you’re like me do not have If you want to be one of them, what’s the best way to save money on travel this summer? We asked financial experts what tips they’re currently sharing with their clients and using themselves.

Obviously, everything is a trade-off, but it’s wise to think about what financial compromises you’re willing to make. in front On your first night in Lisbon, after a few glasses of wine, you’re invited to a lobster dinner. “Think carefully about the things you really love and spend your money on those while being stingy on other things,” says Megan McCoy, M.D., a financial therapist and professor of financial planning at Kansas State University.

It’s also worth thinking about where your money can be best spent, says host Katie Gatti. Katie and Money. “I’m almost there. everytime “I’m willing to pay more for a better flight time,” she says. “It might be tempting to save $150 by choosing a 6am flight with two layovers, but layovers take time away from your trip and getting up at 3am is a pain. For me, paying a little extra to get a direct flight at my preferred time makes a disproportionate difference.” (Or, if you’d rather sacrifice a few hours of vacation time or sleep to save a few hundred dollars on airfare, then do so!)

Also consider the location of the hotel. “While some people want to spend money on fancy amenities and nicer rooms, I generally think spending a little bit on location is a good investment,” Gatti says. “That way, you’ll spend less time and money on public transportation and rideshares once you’ve arrived, which will impact how much you enjoy your trip and what you can do with the limited time you have.”

Personally, I have strict rules about what I do and do not spend money on while traveling, so that I do not hesitate to face any temptations. For example, I generally do not pay for travel upgrades. I am miserable no matter what plane I fly on or what seat I sit in, so paying hundreds of extra dollars just to get 4 more inches of legroom is not worth it to me. I also have a no-shopping policy while traveling (a lesson I learned after buying a hat that looked ugly). Very cool You can buy shot glasses in Santa Fe, but you definitely can’t buy them at home. This includes souvenirs. No one wants a New Orleans shot glass. Even if they did, they wouldn’t buy it from me.

On the contrary, I Intention Spend your money on good drinks, good food, museums, anything that lets you skip long lines. It’s okay if you don’t like my rules, make your own.

“Connect with at least one person who lives locally and knows the area well to get recommendations for cheap things to see, do, and eat,” says podcast host Farnoush Torabi. So money Author of several bestselling books on personal finance. “These suggestions may be off the beaten path, but they’re more authentic and less touristy.” (Another benefit of getting to know locals is that you might get invited to dinner, and you get to see how people really live, which is also fun and liberating.)

If you don’t know anyone who lives where you’re going, find someone you trust who’s been there recently (and has a similar lifestyle/budget) and ask them what they recommend and what they don’t recommend. This is how I ended up in a weird neighborhood in Mexico City and visiting a free art fair in an abandoned monastery, which was by far the coolest thing I saw on the trip.

The tourist destinations are often expensive, usually packed with other tourists, and may be just as cool as the lesser-known spots that haven’t been tagged by millions of influencers, so why not try the latter?

Traveling to new places has great benefits for the psyche. Research It is linked Tolerance, Emotional Intelligenceand Increased creativityYou can maximize these benefits by thanking your destination before you arrive and after you return, says certified financial planner and author of MoneyZen: The secret to finding enough money.

“Vacations can take up a big chunk of your discretionary budget, and one way to make the most of that money is to extend your travel enjoyment by watching a documentary about your destination or reading a novel set there,” she explains. “Just doing one of these things before you travel and one afterwards can help prolong the joy and mood of your holiday.”

I actually do this too. For about 10 years now, before I go somewhere, I’ve made it a rule to read at least one book set in that place or by an author who lived there (Gabriel Garcia Marquez before Colombia, Colette before Paris, Roddy Doyle before Ireland). Watching a movie set there counts too. And the halo effect is real: it makes you feel like you’re traveling before the trip even begins, and then you can “go back” by reading or watching a book about it later.

Everyone I spoke to said it: Food and drink can get expensive when traveling. No one wants to pay $7 for a crusty bagel at the airport. Luckily, there are ways to get around this.

First and foremost, always bring nonperishable foods from home. “I like to bring a Tupperware full of snacks like protein bars and nuts,” says Gatti, who also keeps them in her hotel room or wherever she’s staying once she arrives. “That way I’m not spending $15 on a crappy sandwich at the airport or settling for a $40 continental breakfast because I’m hungry and just want something to eat.”

If you’re staying at a hotel that offers free breakfast, take advantage of it: “In many European countries, hotel stays include breakfast with your stay,” says Thakor. If you’re feeling really shameless, you can even sneak some into said Tupperware to eat later. And don’t be shy about a doggy bag.

If you’re traveling with kids (or you’re just constantly hungry and cranky), it’s almost always worth booking a room or Airbnb with a small kitchen so you can store, cook, and eat without relying on restaurants, says Sonia Britt Rutter, a certified financial planner and financial therapist. “As soon as you arrive at your accommodation, find the nearest supermarket and stock up on drinks.”

Drink free coffee wherever you can (most hotels offer it), and be sure to bring a refillable water bottle so you don’t pay $5 for Evian in the minibar, says Stephanie Genkin. My Financial PlannerAnd finally, do your research: Many tourist boards and hotels receive kickbacks for making suggestions. “Don’t ask the hotel concierge where to go for dinner,” she adds.

I’m not one to get obsessed with credit card points or sign up for a new promotion just to rack up a few hundred air miles. If that’s what you’re into, that’s great, but I find it’s often more hassle than it’s worth. Still, if you’re planning on traveling, consider what benefits a credit card could bring you, says Torabi. The same goes for if you work for a large company that might have corporate travel perks.

“If your credit card or employer has a partnership with a hotel, you may be able to get free services or discounts through that partnership,” she says. “My credit card website has a travel booking page that offers perks like free breakfast for two and $100 in hotel credit.” But don’t fall into the trap of booking a more expensive hotel just because of these options.

Luxury travel agent Jacqueline Sienna India says that while the wealthy do it all the time, so can the rest of us. It can be expensive to send your luggage to your destination, especially if it’s domestic. few It’s cheaper than most airline baggage fees, and although of course you’ll have to pack ahead of time and go to the post office (which is a journey in itself, to be honest), it’s still a lot better than lugging your luggage through various airports and risking it getting lost along the way.

Now, this is purely my own personal advice, Read once I believe the last day of a vacation is the most important because if you end your trip on a good note, you come back refreshed and remember the whole trip with more fond memories. So now I always save the best for last. For the first half of the trip, I’ll stay in a more affordable Airbnb or with friends or family. Then for the last night or two, I’ll book a hotel room or a more upscale Airbnb, find some fun activities, and plan a delicious dinner. It saves me money overall and still feels like a treat.

The Cut’s financial advice columnist Charlotte Cowles answers readers’ personal finance questions. Email us your money doubts. email address.