How to travel on a budget this summer

Kids and adults can agree there's something magical about summer vacation. Whether you're headed to the beach, jetting overseas or meeting up with family, you're likely already dreaming about an amazing trip.

Of course, the good times come with a price tag. On average, you can expect to pay $1,389 for one person to take a three-day trip in the U.S. or around $3,609 for a family of four.

But a fantastic vacation doesn't have to break the bank. Review these tips for how to travel on a budget and create an unforgettable experience for less money. 

Learning how to travel on a budget is less scary than you might think. The first step is to create a travel budget, a written plan that estimates how you'll spend your money during your trip. With a travel budget at the ready, you'll have a savings strategy to keep you from overspending and be empowered to adjust your vision as needed to stay on track.

These steps can help you create a strong travel budget:

1. Determine the when and where

Identify your destination and how long your stay will be. If you're visiting several stops in a single trip, determine the number of days you'll be at each location.

2. List the costs of supplies and pre-trip preparations

Consider gear you'll need to get or borrow such as luggage, luggage-tracking tags, travel-size containers, reusable water bottles, portable fans, tripods and clothing suited to your destination. When traveling internationally, you may also need outlet converters and dual-voltage electronics.

You may also want to prepare for your trip with travel insurance, an enhanced phone plan, vaccinations and payments for pet-sitting or house-sitting.

3. Research costs for each leg of your trip

Be sure to tally the following:

• Accommodations. Costs for wherever you plan to lodge, such as hotels, rental homes, bed and breakfasts, RVs and vans, campsites and cruise ships

• Transportation. Airline tickets, rental car expenses, tickets for transit lines, taxi fare, parking and gas expenses

• Food. Meals, snacks, drinks, containers, and reusable water bottles

• Activities. Paid attractions, tours, excursions and more

4. Don't forget the extras

Plan for often-forgotten expenses for souvenirs and gifts, tips and gratuities, flight upgrades, hotel and airline fees.

Be sure to build a buffer into your budget for unexpected events. You never know when you'll lose your luggage, need to visit the doctor or discover a sudden extra opportunity for fun.

Sometimes, your dream vacation doesn't match the amount you can reasonably save before your trip. Or maybe you want to optimize your budget to get the most bang for your buck.

Either way, you can use these simple but powerful budget travel tips to save money on your next vacation:

1. Track prices

When you travel and when you book your travel can have a surprising impact on your total costs.

Weigh the pros and cons of planning a trip during your destination's off-season. You could save an average of 30% on hotels and airfare by avoiding peak travel months. Even if you vacation during peak seasons, you might land great deals by choosing less popular travel times and days for your stay.

The timing of travel booking matters, too. Several months before your departure, use flight price trackers to monitor air travel costs and alert you when it's the right time to buy. When possible, get tickets or reservations for attractions in advance because you may land an early discount or holiday sale.

2. Slash accommodation costs

Get creative with your lodging to minimize what's typically a considerable cost:

• Rent a room off the beaten path instead of booking a place in the heart of the city or tourist area.

• When traveling with a group, consider renting a house in place of several hotel rooms.
• Ditch the full-service hotel for a budget-friendly hostel, campsite or rented RV or travel van.

3. Save big on food costs

Sampling the local cuisine is often a travel highlight. But costs add up quickly when eating out for every meal. You may be able to save money without compromise with some swaps:

• Pack a variety of nonperishable snacks to reach for during your travels.

• Carry a reusable water bottle instead of buying bottled drinks on the go. (Tip: Add some variety by bringing a set of water flavor packets.)

• Eat breakfast where you're staying. Choose a hotel that serves free breakfast, or stock breakfast supplies in your room.

• Choose a room with a mini fridge and microwave. Store foods for basic breakfasts and lunches or reheat restaurant leftovers to stretch your budget.

• Invest in a hotel suite or home rental with a full kitchen. With a few items from a local grocery store, you can prepare complete, satisfying meals.

5. Enjoy free attractions

Before you leave, research your destination's zero-cost activities:

• Check local calendars for free outdoor concerts, festivals and cultural events.

• Identify days marketed as free admission to national parks, museums and historical sites.

• Take note of parks with scenic hikes, picnic zones and recreation areas for your family.

6. Nab discounts when possible

Why pay full price when you can have the same great experience for less?

• Explore perks offered through your club memberships. For instance, AAA and AARP provide bountiful travel savings opportunities.

• Take advantage of your status. If you qualify, look for discounts exclusively for students, seniors, military service personnel, families and others.

• Enroll in travel loyalty programs. Many loyalty programs are free through hotels, airlines, rental car companies and cruise lines. You can nab exclusive rates, receive coupons and maybe accumulate reward points.

• Use coupon codes. Before booking your attractions, search for coupon codes or use a local discount pass.

• Bundle your fun. Save with combo tickets or a multi-attraction travel pass.

7. Capitalize on credit card benefits

If you're a frequent traveler, consider using a card that offers discounts or higher rates of cash back on travel expenses — hotels, airfare, dining, entertainment and more. Explore travel rewards cards that let you cash in points or miles for vacation costs. And if you're going abroad, look for cards with no foreign transaction fees.

Don't forget that some cards offer merchant benefits through their websites. Look for travel-related deals exclusively for cardholders and watch the benefit opportunities when you make a qualifying travel purchase.

Don't let the expense of travel create financial stress during an otherwise fabulous vacation. Maximize your travel money with a solid travel budget and savvy strategies for saving. Being prepared will make you ready for a trip with memories that will last a lifetime.

Start saving for your next trip with our Citizens Savings Tracker™¹