5 Budget-Friendly Ways to Travel This Summer

Summer is coming, and despite economic uncertainty, millions of Americans are still going to be packing their bags and getting away.

According to NerdWallet’s annual survey, 2 in 5 people plan to take a vacation that involves flying or staying in a hotel. And they expect to spend nearly $4,000 on their trip. Oof.

The good news is many of these travelers — a whopping 91% — also plan to find ways to cut costs along the way. With a little creativity, you can too.

These five smart (and budget-friendly) strategies can help you make the most of summer travel without breaking the bank.

1. Book Early

When it comes to summer travel, securing the best deals often starts with planning early and making your air and hotel reservations well ahead of time.

Experts recommend booking international flights at least 90 days before your vacation starts. This increases your chances of finding favorable rates and preferred flight times. Flying during certain months and on specific days can also impact costs. August, surprisingly, is the cheapest month to travel, and flying domestically on Saturday is up to 17% less than flying on Sunday, according to Expedia’s 2025 Air Hacks Report.

The ideal time to book a hotel is a little trickier, as it varies by destination. Hotels typically use dynamic pricing, which means rates can go up and down based on different factors, such as demand and seasonality. For summer travel, experts suggest booking a room at least one to two weeks in advance for domestic and 90 days out for international.

However, some research has shown that booking at the last minute sometimes yields better prices. This can be risky, though, and your options may be limited.

Additional tips:

• Flexible dates. If your travel dates are flexible, use fare comparison tools like Skyscanner or Kayak to identify the most cost-effective times to fly and stay.
• Set fare alerts. Use fare alert systems to monitor price fluctuations and book when rates drop. Tools like Google Flights and Hopper let you track specific routes and dates and will notify you when prices are expected to rise or fall.
• Package deals. Consider bundling flights and hotels, as some providers offer discounts for combined bookings.
• Use credit card rewards or cash back.Many travel expenses — flights, hotels, rental cars — can be partially offset with rewards or cash back from your credit card. The Fifth Third 1.67% Cash/Back Card is a great option to consider, offering unlimited 1.67% cash back on qualified purchases, which is money you could put right back into your travel fund.

2. Shop Around for Destinations

While it may be enticing to jet off to popular destinations you’ve seen on social media or beloved TV shows (the "White Lotus effect," anyone?), you may find value in choosing a more unique, off-the-beaten-path locale.

The top three trending destinations in the world for 2025 are Osaka in Japan, Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia and Buenos Aires in Argentina, according to Tripadvisor. In the U.S., those destinations are West Palm Beach, Florida; Santa Barbara, California; and Cleveland, Ohio.

Another great hack to consider is traveling during the off-season. For example, book a trip to a ski town in the summer or take a Caribbean vacation during the off-peak season (June through November).

3. Make It a Work Trip

After the pandemic, remote and hybrid jobs became the norm — and that flexibility hasn’t fully gone away. According to Gallup, about 27% of Americans with remote-capable jobs work remotely full time, while 52% have hybrid arrangements.

That means many people can realistically bring their work on vacation, turning their getaway into a "workcation." While it may not sound glamorous to check emails poolside, working a few days at your destination can help you stay productive and enjoy a change of scenery.

More importantly, it could help you save by allowing you to:

• Avoid peak travel days by adding a workday to the beginning or end of your trip.
• Extend your visit to take advantage of weekly or monthly rates.
• Expense certain things like airfare, lodging or meals that coincide with business-specific activities.

But before you pack up the laptop and head off to Fiji, you’ll want to set some boundaries for yourself and your colleagues, like what days — and times — you will be working and when you will be in full vacation mode.

4. Establish Your Travel Goals

What types of activities do you like to do while on vacation? Are you typically a beach-cocktail-and-book kind of traveler, someone who’s always hunting for the best hiking trails, or maybe more of an all-inclusive cruise fan?

Whatever your style, now’s a good time to check in with yourself and decide if your summer trip will be one of rest or adventure. When you get clear on your goals, you may realize that you don’t need to pack your itinerary — or your budget — with pricey activities to have a great time.

Instead of booking every tour, excursion or premium experience, look for ways to build in free or low-cost options that still align with what you love:

• Like to explore? Research local parks, scenic trails or free museum days.
• Want to relax? A quiet rental with a view might be just as satisfying as a high-end resort.
• Traveling with kids? Local festivals, playgrounds or beach days can be just as memorable as amusement parks.
• Love trying new food? Skip the touristy restaurants and explore farmers markets, food trucks or local spots with great reviews and wallet-friendly prices.

Being intentional about how you spend both your time and money can lead to a more meaningful (and affordable) vacation.

5. Set a Travel Budget

While it can be tempting to put your entire summer getaway on a credit card and pay it off later, a smarter strategy is to save for a vacation before you go. (That’s not to say you can’t strategically use your credit card for everyday spending while you’re on vacation.)

Here’s how to set a realistic vacation budget and stick to it:

• Start with the big picture. Once you know your destination and trip length, estimate the total you’re comfortable spending overall. That number becomes your guidepost.
• Break it down. Just like you would with your day-to-day budget, create a daily or weekly spending plan. Start with the essentials (aka your needs) — like lodging, transportation and food. Then allocate what’s left toward activities or entertainment (aka your wants).
• Build in a buffer. Travel always comes with surprises, whether it’s a spur-of-the-moment Uber ride or a must-try dessert. Setting aside a small miscellaneous or cushion fund gives you room to enjoy the unexpected without stress.
• Use budgeting apps. Tools like PocketGuard, YNAB or even your bank’s mobile app can help you track expenses in real time. Some even allow you to categorize travel spending, set limits and get alerts if you’re nearing your daily or trip-long budget.
• Consider using cash. Carrying a set amount of cash for extras — like meals, snacks or small purchases — can help you stay more mindful of your budget. This is especially helpful if you’re traveling abroad, where using local currency can make it easier to keep track of what you spend (and avoid foreign transaction fees). Plus, when the cash runs out, you’ll know it’s time to pause and reassess, which can help curb impulse buys.

Summer adventures are calling — and with a few budget-friendly moves, you can answer without worrying about your bottom line.

Steps to Take Before Planning a Trip

• Determine how much you can actually afford to spend on your summer trip.
• Start setting aside funds in a savings account earmarked just for your vacation.