No matter your destination, booking a #summer #vacation early and booking it yourself is the cheapest way to go. A good cancellation policy is worth a small upcharge, says Scary Mommy: “You never know when something will come up and put a halt to your plans, making that extra few bucks spent upfront pay off in the form of an often full refund.” You can might choose to #travel slightly outside the peak season or visit places “off the beaten track” to avoid the crowds — and the higher prices they bring. Now’s the time to book, especially if you want to travel overseas. #SummerVacation
Tag: vacation planning
Plan Summer Travel Early for Affordability
Planning a summer vacation early can help make flights, accommodations and events more affordable, says Company of Dads. Summer is peak travel season, so the earlier you plan, the more likely you and your employed family members can get popular dates such as the Fourth of July or Labor Day weekend off. You won’t need to worry about fluctuating #airfares or hotel prices, giving you peace of mind. And you will generate anticipation and excitement for your upcoming travels, helping wring that much more enjoyment from your time off for you and your travel companions. #SummerVacation
Where Will You Travel This Summer?
While college kids and teachers are busy thinking about #spring break right now, it pays to consider what kinds of leisure experiences you’ll be pursuing for the #summer. If a summer #vacation is a part of that, start planning now! Set your dates, says Road Trip Queens, and arrange any petsitting or housesitting help you might need. Check the current travel advisories — especially now — to make sure your destination is safe. Book airfares and hotels to ensure you get the times and locations you want. Finally, research your destination and make a short list of “must-dos” to pursue while you’re there. #SummerVacation
It’s Your Last Chance to Take a Summer Vacation
#Summer 2025 is passing quickly! The long days and warm weather will soon be a memory, and the time to take advantage of them with a summer #vacation is dwindling. Nonetheless, there’s still time to schedule a getaway.
Time off is crucial to preserving one’s physical and mental health, says AFC Urgent Care. Those who skip #vacations are at a higher risk for heart attack, anxiety and depression. And those who take vacations are often less stressed and more attentive to their own well-being.
You might be worried that the stress and expense won’t be worthwhile, but “a memorable summer vacation doesn’t require months of planning or thousands of dollars,” says Yahoo! “With a little creativity and flexibility, you can find affordable ways to explore new places.”
Depending on your tolerance for car travel, roadtripping can be one of the cheapest ways to enjoy a change of scenery. Pack the car, the family and a few snacks, and you can be somewhere new in a matter of hours. Check Google Maps for places within a preferred distance from your home base, or visit Roadtrippers.com to access complete planning tools. A simple search can help chart your route and highlight points of interest, restaurants, hotel accommodations and campsites, and more.
Another way to have a cheap #getaway is to share costs with friends. Split multiple ways, an Airbnb or VRBO rental can make even exclusive locations affordable. Start texting your travel companions; you never know who might be willing to take a few days off.
With schools starting earlier every year, crowds start to ease at the end of August, Frommer’s says, and you may be able to save on flights and hotels during the “shoulder” season. Or you might be able to land a cheap flight to a fully off-season location in Mexico or the Caribbean.
Don’t despair or wallow in the fear of missing out. There’s still time to set aside a day or three to see something new, take a hike, go to the beach and otherwise shake off the same-old, same-old routine. Your health will benefit!
Start Planning Your Summer Travel Now
With spring in the air and #COVID at least temporarily on the retreat, many people are looking forward to a #summer vacation. Most haven’t traveled as far as often over the last two years, and the urge to get away is widespread.
In fact, summer 2022 is predicted to be “the busiest summer travel season ever,” Expedia CEO Peter Kern recently told Fortune magazine. And while prices are likely to go up, “I think people are willing to pay whatever the hell it takes to get away,” he says.
But there will still be ways to keep costs down whether you’re jetting off to far-flung, exotic locale or visiting family and friends in familiar location. And with everyone eager for a change of scenery, the first strategy is to start planning now if you haven’t already.
“In terms of summer travel, it’s essential to book now as the demand for travel is high and availability is tightening,” travel consultant Jill Fischbarg told Fodor’s last week.
To economize on airfares, visit sites like Google Flights or Kayak to find out where and when you might be able to go without spending a lot. Or maybe you have a stockpile of frequent-flyer miles that you’ve been hoarding for the last 24 months.
Two years in, rental cars are still scarce, and gasoline prices are going up fast due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. If you want to keep things cheap, pick a destination where walking, biking or public transit will be your main conveyance — a big city, for example, or an all-inclusive resort.
As for lodging, book now to get the best variety of options. Inexpensive hotel rooms and vacation rentals are already getting scarce in many popular locations; target off-peak and midweek nights to save money — or find an excuse to visit those friends with the beach house and boat.
The good news? Most providers relaxed or eliminated their change and cancellation fees during the pandemic, so if you do book now, the odds are excellent that you can get your money back if something disrupts your summer plans.
With a little forethought, the odds are even better that you’ll finally be able to take that trip you’ve been putting off since 2020. Keep your passport and proof of vaccination at the ready, and bon voyage!