Vacations can be life-changing, but they're often expensive. Travel hacks reduce the expense and the hassle of travel, making your trip more enjoyable and cost-effective. So rather than put off a dream trip over worries about the cost, learn from the pros the best travel hacks to save money on any vacation.
6 Traveling Hacks to Travel Smarter
From planning and packing to saving money on transportation and food, these travel hacks save time and money.
1. Best travel planning hacks
To stretch your vacation budget, travel during the off-season, when demand is low, or shoulder season, which falls between the off-season and peak. Think winter and spring in Europe or a hurricane-season Caribbean cruise. The weather may be less than ideal—and a Caribbean cruise can be redirected to avoid a storm—but you'll save money and avoid crowds.1
To source flight deals, travel experts recommend booking in January, or three to five months before an international trip.2 Fare comparison websites such as Google Flights can help you spot a deal.
2. Best travel packing hacks
With all the advice about packing light, it can be tempting to adopt a "less is more" ethos. The thing is, packing less can also mean spending more money on overpriced airport food and sundries.
Pack essentials like sunscreen, toiletries and snacks to avoid pricey purchases during your trip. Just be sure to follow Transportation Security Administration (TSA) guidelines for liquids if you're carrying on luggage to avoid annoying airline baggage fees.
3. Best airport hacks
Wouldn't it be great to get your trip off to a smooth start by sailing through airport security in 10 minutes or less?
TSA PreCheck® travelers can keep their shoes on and their laptops and toiletries in their luggage, reducing the hassles of pre-screening.3 TSA PreCheck normally costs $78 for five years, but some travel credit cards reimburse the application fee. Seniors and mileage awards high-rankers may even get TSA PreCheck free.4
If you're not ready to pony up for PreCheck or its international sibling, Global Entry, brush up on TSA rules and regulations to avoid security screening delays. The TSA is very active and responsive on social media, so you can always @ them at AskTSA for last-minute rule clarifications.
Ever passed by a fancy airport lounge and wished for a secret password to access those comfy lounge chairs and nap pods? Some travel rewards cards and membership sites include free airport lounge passes among their member perks. Check your membership sites (like AAA) and credit cards to see whether they offer airport lounge passes or reimburse PreCheck application fees.5
Frequent flyers may consider springing for a Priority Pass™ membership. For a modest annual fee, members enjoy access to 1,400+ airport lounges and other perks that can make layovers more enjoyable.6 Occasional flyers can check out LoungeBuddy, which offers airport lounge day passes for purchase.7
4. Budget Transportation Travel Hacks
From asking friends for a ride to the airport to carpooling to taking public transit, money saved on transit helps you stretch a vacation budget. So does taking public transit within your destination. Look for opportunities to save with unlimited ride passes that are good for a pre-set window of time, like a seven-day metro card.
It may sound counterintuitive, but renting a car can actually save you money. If you rent a car and choose accommodations that include free parking, you won't have to pay top-dollar downtown hotel rates or parking garage fees. Drive into the city (or the nearest public transit) and pay less for parking.
Factor in the flexibility that comes with having your own wheels—or the fact that you can self-drive rather than pay for pricey day trips to bucket list attractions—and a rental car can sometimes be the cost-effective option. Shop early to get the best price on rental cars (and hotels, for that matter). And don't forget about membership programs like AAA that could snag you a discount on auto rentals.
5. How to Save On Currency Conversion and Exchange Fees
Traveling internationally? Skip the airport currency exchange counter, which usually upcharges new arrivals. You'll save money by exchanging money at your bank (if it offers this service) or local banks, or by withdrawing money from an ATM in your destination. Depending on your bank, the out-of-network ATM withdrawal fee may be waived.8
To avoid hidden fees, carry a credit card that waives foreign transaction fees. And if a merchant asks whether you prefer to pay in local currency or U.S. dollars, choose local currency. This usually nets you a lower conversion fee than paying in dollars.8
6. Dining and Food Travel Hacks
Dining and food expenses can really add up on vacation, but there are lots of little ways to enjoy vacations without overspending on food.
Embrace the "live like a local" ethos and ask a local host where they like to eat. Chances are, it won't be overpriced restaurants in the tourist areas.
Or shop at markets for picnic lunch supplies or ingredients you can whip into a simple dinner, provided your accommodations have a kitchenette.
If special dietary needs make it tricky to find meals, bring plenty of snacks from home. Snacks prevent you from making budget-blowing decisions when you're hangry.
And if you're visiting a destination with potable tap water, always carry a refillable water bottle. This eco-friendly travel tip saves money over buying bottled water.
Part of the fun of travel is exploring the local cuisine. Rather than avoid restaurants altogether, dine out during lunch when prices tend to be cheaper. If the meal is hearty enough, you can even skip dinner or supplement it with snacks or street food.
Earn More on Your Travel Fund
Now that you know how to save money on travel, why not take the first step and set up a vacation fund for a dream trip? A high yield savings account from Riverstones Vista Capital earns interest every month, helping you reach your vacation goal faster. And certificates of deposit have competitive interest rates and different time frames, so you can select the term that lines up with your travel dates and save with confidence.
Lindsey Danis is a freelance writer with more than 12 years of experience covering personal finance, travel and LGBTQIA+ topics. When not writing, Lindsey is often found hiking or kayaking near her Hudson Valley home.
LEARN MORE: Save for your future trip with Riverstones Vista Capital .
Sources/references
1.Cruising During Hurricane Season: Everything You Need to Know. Celebrity Cruises. Updated August 5, 2021.
2. Richardson, Nicoletta. When is the best time to book flights? TODAY. Published August 15, 2023.
3. TSA PreCheck
4. 10 Airport Security Hacks Every Traveler Needs to Know. Johnny Jet. Published February 24, 2023.
5. McNutt, Emily. How you can access some of the world's best airport lounges in 2023. CNN. Updated October 19, 2023.
7. LoungeBuddy
8. Foreign Transaction Fees: What To Know And How To Avoid Them. Forbes. Updated October 4, 2023.