Are you wondering how to travel cheaply this summer without sacrificing fun? I’ve got you! Here are the best summer vacation budget saving ideas that still allow you to have an adventure – without breaking the bank. Read on for the best ways to travel cheap this summer!
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So, here we are. The sun is shining, the days are longer, summer break has officially started, and then… INFLATION.
Things just got real. The cost of gas, the cost of food, and the general cost of living has quickly gone up. Way up. Money is tight.
If you are anything like me, you are likely determined to not let this ruin your summer vacation. The desire to see lush green trails, rugged cactus-covered deserts, the crystal blue ocean, and faraway lands is strong. Unavoidable. Necessary.
But, here you are, wondering how to make it happen with all of the rising costs? You’re wondering how to travel cheaply this summer without sacrificing any of the fun?
Well, I’ve got great budget-saving tips for summer travel that won’t break the bank down below. If you are looking for the best way to travel cheap this summer, just keep on scrolling!
6 Ways to Travel Cheaply This Summer
1) Consider a Road Trip.
Yes, gas prices are high – there is no denying that! I may have never been so happy to have a hybrid vehicle than now.
Believe it or not, in most cases, driving will still be more cost effective than flying this summer. Flight prices have also gone up in response to the fuel costs rising. So that pain you feel at the pump? You’ll feel it two-fold while researching plane tickets.
Consider taking a road trip either to parks and attractions within your own state (like the classic PCH road trip in California), or head out on a longer drive that will cross through several states – hopefully at least one you’ve never seen.
So pack a suitcase, pack the car, and GO! 🚗
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2) Travel with Friends.
When you travel with a friend (or a boyfriend, or a sibling, etc.) you are essentially splitting many costs in half. You both can pitch in for the hotel. You both can pitch in for gas or Uber. And, you both can pitch in for any activities you plan.
Beyond that, traveling with friends will create a stronger bond between the two of you. I absolutely love road trip conversations. They somehow seem to get extra deep the longer the car ride lasts.
So far this year, I’ve been lucky to travel with friends to explore Sequoia National Park and revisit Palm Springs, and you bet I have a few more in the works.
Traveling with a friend will not only strengthen your bond, but it will essentially cut your costs in HALF! 👭
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3) Enjoy a Staycation.
No matter where you live, I bet there is at least one small corner of your city that you’ve never explored. Or, a local museum, lake, park, or attraction that you’ve always wanted to go back to.
Do it! Now is the perfect time!
You’d be surprised how refreshing and inspiring a local staycation can be. Yet somehow, we often overlook them.
Walk, bike, or drive yourself there and enjoy being inspired. Bonus – if you enjoy camping, you can turn it into an overnight adventure for barely any of your hard-earned money. ⛺
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4) Jump on Fare Sales.
They may be few and far between, but there are still some cheap summer fares to be found out there! Fare sales are one of my favorite ways to travel cheap and also – sometimes – snag a ticket to a place I wasn’t even looking into visiting at that time.
If you can keep your dates or location flexible (even better if you can manage both!) you are much more likely to find them.
Fare Sale True Stories:
- I was able to snag a non-stop round trip flight to Fiji for less than $350.
- I flew round trip to Iceland on a non-stop flight for $299.
- I found a roundtrip fare to Mexico for $100.
Whether you’re staying domestic or going abroad, if you see a flight to a destination you are interested in, GRAB IT. Buy now, work out the vacation days later. ✌
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5) Many Hikes are Free!
While you often need to pay to enter national parks, there are plenty of trails in other areas, too – many of which you can access completely free. BLM land tends to be free, and, a fair amount of state parks are free entry, too.
If hikes are not for you, I can almost guarantee that there must be a lake or a field that you can walk and enjoy nature. Just being outside, seeing the bright greens and deep blues, will instantly elevate your mood.
Check around your area and plan a day or a weekend out in nature. Pack a lunch in your backpack and make a day out of it. 🥾
If you live in or plan to visit Southern California, check out my e-book 52 Hikes in Southern California! Inside you’ll find practical information like fees, location, elevation, and insider tips!
6) Use those Miles.
Lastly, use those points and miles. I hope that by now you are signed up for frequent flyer programs or have a decent travel credit card. I play all the games and regularly use miles and points to pay for my flights. Earn and burn, baby.
The thing is, miles lose value over time. So saving them long term doesn’t necessarily do you any favors. If you aren’t seeing any deals to a place you really wanna go, I say book it anyway. With miles, of course.
Use them, enjoy them, earn more. ✈️
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I hope these money-saving tactics give you a few ideas of ways to travel cheap this summer!
Traveling on a budget this summer doesn’t mean that you will miss out on fun experiences or need to forego your annual vacation. It just means being smarter about how you plan.
Which one of these tactics will YOU be using?!
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