12 Creative Vacation Booking Tips to Save You Money
Looking for some creative ways to save money when booking a trip? Well, you’re in the right place!
Travel is expensive. Spending more money doesn’t guarantee fewer crowds in Tulum, or a rain-free visit to Machu Picchu.
So, why spend more money when you don’t have to?
After 10 years and 42 countries, we are sharing the vacation booking tips we use to save money on travel from flights and accommodation to transportation.
Here are 12 creative ways to save money when booking a trip, so you can stretch your dollar further on your next getaway.
Let’s do this!
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12 Creative Vacation Booking Tips to Save You Money
1. Create a Travel Fund
Yes, we have a travel fund. It helps us stick to our budget and is one of the best ways to save money on travel.
A few years back, we did the math and figured out how much money we typically spend on travel each year.
Then we started depositing X amount of money each month into our travel fund.
We usually start booking our next vacation between November and February. Money in our travel fund can usually cover our transport and accommodation costs.
Then, we start depositing again.
The money we accumulate by our departure date is our spending money for things like food, activities, hotel taxes, and souvenirs.
Travel is our biggest passion. We are goal-oriented and very strict about depositing into our travel fund each month.
This was the only way we could afford to get married on the Amalfi Coast and visit the amazing towns in Puglia in one trip.
Many prefer to have money automatically deposited into a separate account weekly or monthly. It is all based on personal preference.
Whatever method works for you… stick to it. Your travel experiences will reward you!
2. Book in Advance
One of our best vacation booking tips is to book your trip well in advance.
We’re talking about everything from flights and transportation to tours and hotels. Booking early can save you hundreds of dollars in the long run!
We can only travel in the summer months. That means we are competing with half the population for the best travel deals during the high season.
It is essential to make our money stretch as far as it can!
Start researching and planning your next trip as far in advance as possible. It may sound crazy, but we brainstorm our next destination as we are flying home from our current one.
When we started looking into our safari in Namibia, we quickly learned that many hotels were already booked for the following summer.
We booked our entire trip 8 months in advance – flights, hotels, and our rental car – in November.
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This saved us a ton of money and ended up being the trip of a lifetime!
If we had waited to book, we could not have afforded our African Safari, as prices skyrocket the closer you get to the departure date.
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3. Travel in Off-Season
If you can travel during the off-season, do it! This will save you from paying ridiculously high prices for flights, hotels, and transportation.
As teachers, we are forced to travel during the busiest times of the year with hordes of tourists from around the world.
We flew to Greece to visit the island of Sifnos and then onto Malta for a 12-day road trip. Our flights cost $1812 CAD ($1318 USD) each.
If we traveled during the off-season, like April or May, our flights would have cost $1360 CAD or $988 USD. Crazy!
That $450 difference could have paid for quite a few delicious Greek meals.
Not only will traveling during the off-season save you money but there will be fewer crowds to deal with at the airport, which can help you survive a long flight.
So, your wallet… and your sanity, will thank you.
4. Be Flexible with Travel Dates
One of the best creative ways to save money on travel is to be flexible with your travel dates and times. This is true for flights, hotels, and transportation.
When we took a year off from work, we were able to be flexible when choosing and booking flights and vacation rentals.
We took a 5-week trip to Japan with family members in April.
Since we did not have time constraints, we clicked the flexible date option when searching for flights.
The airline displays a date & cost comparison chart which you can then use to compare prices.
It is usually significantly cheaper to fly mid-week than on a weekend.
So, we booked our flight to Tokyo on a Thursday and saved over $400 CAD on our flight!
Typically, the cheapest days to fly internationally tend to be Tuesday and Wednesday. However, this is not a concrete rule.
If you have flexible travel dates, use the comparison chart to find the best deal possible.
This will ensure you save even more money when booking your flight… and that feels damn good!
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5. Collect & Use Travel Points
One of our favorite vacation booking tips is to use the travel rewards points you accumulated with your credit card.
We collect travel reward points with the American Express Gold Rewards Card. That means we collect points when we shop for groceries or gas up… something we would do anyway!
When we rack up enough points, we can use them on air travel, car rentals, or hotel bookings.
A safari in Africa had been on our bucket list for years. And a couple of years ago, we finally took that once-in-a-lifetime trip to Namibia.
Honestly, we didn’t think we could afford the trip, let alone the flight down to Namibia.
But the only reason we made it to this unbelievable African country was because we had collected enough travel reward points from our credit card.
Our flights from Canada to the Netherlands cost: $1100 CAD each. Then, the flight from the Netherlands to Namibia costs $32 CAD. 😯
I will give you a minute to get over the shock… because it was insane!
If you love to travel, we strongly recommend getting a travel rewards credit card.
There are a lot to choose from, so do your homework and investigate which card is best for you.
Here are two great articles that compare various travel reward cards.
15 Best Travel Credit Cards in Canada for October 2025
10 Best Travel Credit Cards of September 2025 (USA)
6. Travel With a Companion
When you book a trip with a travel companion, you can share the cost of accommodations and transportation, like car rentals.
You will share the cost of filling up your rental car with gas, paying for tolls, taking a taxi, and sharing a meal. This helps you spend less money while traveling too!
Many tour operators or cruise lines charge a single supplement for solo travelers. This supplement can be upwards of 25% of the original price based on double occupancy.
That is a hefty charge for being a solo traveler!
Not only does traveling with a companion reduce your overall cost, but you will also share amazing travel experiences, like exploring the beautiful towns in Malta together.
Of course, we understand this is not always possible (or preferred).
So, for independent travelers, we recommend doing a little research to find a community where solo travelers share their best travel tips.
7. Choose Less Touristy Destinations
We do not love crowds or super touristy places. And as much as we enjoy big cities, they can be a challenge for someone who travels with chronic pain or has mobility issues.
We prefer quieter destinations and love small towns… so this for us is a no-brainer!
Spending more time in less touristy destinations can significantly reduce how much money you spend on your vacation.
Small towns typically have cheaper places to stay and eat. They offer a more authentic glimpse into a country’s history and culture, while still offering numerous things to do and see.
All of this without the insane hordes of tourists!
When we visited the Netherlands, Amsterdam was amazing… but it was the adorable small Dutch towns that stole our hearts.
8. Stay in a VRBO or Airbnb
Typically, you can spend less money on accommodations by staying in a vacation rental or apartment instead of a hotel.
Vacation rentals are cheaper than hotel rooms, and usually offer a weekly or monthly discount when you book long-term.
Plus, they offer more space to relax and an insider’s view of living in that city.
During our 6 months in Mexico, we chose long-term rentals in several places to stretch our money further.
We stayed in apartments in Tulum, Cholula, Queretaro, Ajijic, Puerta Vallarta, and the colorful city of Pachuca.
For example, we stayed in Ajijic, on beautiful Lake Chapala, for a month. A hotel room with parking and a pool costs $115 CAD or $83 USD per night.
Our two-bedroom apartment with parking and a pool cost $1249 CAD or $905 USD. That works out to $45 CAD or $33 USD/night. Crazy savings!
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9. Choose a Hotel with Breakfast
If you don’t love vacation rentals, then book a hotel that includes breakfast in the price.
Eating breakfast at the hotel saves you money. That is one less meal you will need to pay for in a restaurant, and a few more dollars to spend on a unique experience instead.
Not all hotel breakfasts are created equal… especially when you compare them to the amazing spread our favorite Valletta hotel put out each morning in Malta.
Nevertheless, most hotel breakfasts include a small variety of foods like bread, yogurts, meats, and a small selection of fruit, along with juice, coffee, and tea. That is more than enough to get you started for the day!
To find the best deals on accommodation, we always try Expedia first.
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10. Stay Outside the City Center
Another way to save money when booking a trip is to choose a hotel that is not in the center of town.
We know the internal battle this creates.
The historic center is usually closer to restaurants and major attractions. However, this almost always comes with a higher price tag.
Staying outside the city center is one of our favorite vacation booking tips because it can save you a lot of money.
As long as you find accommodation that is close to public transport, then getting to the historic center should be easy!
Plus, staying in a quieter area allows you to escape the hustle of the city and the crowds of people. A peaceful and quiet refuge at the end of a long sightseeing day.
When we visited Luxembourg, there was no way we could afford a hotel in the country… let alone the historic center.
So, we searched for a nearby city instead and discovered the hidden gem of Metz, France.
It was less than an hour’s train ride from Luxembourg, it became our little haven.
Not only did we discover an adorable small town with no tourists, but we saved a ton of money in the process!
11. Spend More Time in Each Location
Staying longer in each destination saves money on accommodation, and reduces transportation costs.
Plus, you will have more opportunities to immerse yourself in the culture. Because we stayed for 2 weeks, we fell in love with all the amazing things to do in Pachuca.
We shopped at local markets, mingled with the locals, discovered less-visited areas of the city, and explored smaller towns, like the beautiful Huasca de Ocampo.
Our experience in Pachua felt more authentic and immersive because we stayed for an extended period.
Vacation rentals like VRBO or Airbnb provide weekly and monthly discounts, helping you spend even less while on vacation.
12. Take a Road Trip
If you’re looking for creative ways to save money on travel, why not embark on a road trip? This option is perfect for slow travelers or those with chronic pain, fatigue, and mobility issues.
A road trip is a fantastic way to reduce transportation costs while exploring a new country. And if you travel with a companion, you can reduce costs even more.
The more people that join you on a road trip, the more money you will save.
We just took a 5-week trip to Japan. Despite popular opinion, we decided to rent a car.
There were 4 of us and we wanted to explore towns, villages, and the countryside in addition to the major cities of Tokyo and Kyoto.
A 3-week train pass works out to $42/per day per person. But we are going for 5 weeks…
A 5-week rental car worked out to $22/day per person. Now, that doesn’t include gas or tolls, but it was cheaper in the long run.
Plus, we had the freedom to explore where and when we wanted.
Although renting a car isn’t for everyone, it’s important to consider all transportation options and costs when planning your trip.
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FAQ: 12 Creative Ways to Save Money on Travel
How can I save on a travel booking?
By booking in advance, sharing accommodations, eating where the locals do, and looking for last-minute deals.
How do I keep my travel costs low?
Plan and book your trip in advance, travel during the off-peak season and opt for budget-friendly accommodations and transportation.
How much money do you need to save for a trip?
This ranges significantly, but we have a mid-range budget of $1000-2000 per week of travel including everything.
Is it cheaper to book a trip in advance?
Generally yes… but we still choose to book with free cancellation if possible.
Is it cheaper to book a return trip?
For flights, YES, by far! This can also be true for accommodations depending on the destination and season. For other things, like train or ferry rides, it usually doesn’t matter.
What month are flights cheapest?
February, if you can travel during this time, try to take advantage.
Final Thoughts: 12 Ways to Save Money When Booking a Trip
Every aspect of travel, from flights and transportation to food and accommodation, can add up quickly.
And who wants to spend more when you don’t have to?
Whether it’s starting a travel fund or eating with the locals, our 12 vacation booking tips can save you money when booking your next holiday!
Enjoy your journey!
Read More Travel Tips
How to Plan a Trip With Chronic Pain and Fatigue
12 Tips for Air Travel with Chronic Pain & Fibromyalgia
14 Travel Tips: How to Spend Less While Traveling
How Chronic Pain and Fibromyalgia Changed the Way I Travel
Flying with a Wheelchair: How to Protect Your Mobility Equipment
13 Tips for Flying with a CPAP Machine or Breathing Device
