Is 2023 the year you’ll finally see the world and check your dream trips off your bucket list? We all deserve some adventure, and with the right planning and insider information on cheap travel hacks, you can score envious-worthy travel deals.
We have compiled a list of tips to help you find and book the best travel deals for the year 2023.
Price Shop Flights and Hotels
Similar to price shopping anything else, you can also compare flight and hotel rates to get the best deal:
- Choose a few favorite apps or websites that you check each time you travel.
- Get in the habit of comparing pricing between each one. Some great websites for travel deals include Kayak, Expedia, Priceline, Orbitz, and Travelzoo.
- Make a list of prices, including extra fees like baggage and cancellation fees, to help you choose the best deal.
Don’t forget to also compare prices of one-way flights versus round trips. Booking one way may give you more control over how long you visit a destination.
One-way travel is also a great option for longer trips, especially if you visit multiple states or countries. For example, it may be cheaper to fly into one city, spend a few days there, and then hop on another flight to another nearby destination. Then, you can book a one-way trip back home from the new destination.
Time Your Booking
There’s no ‘right time to book.’ However, some travel planners swear by the fact that flights are cheapest somewhere around 50 days before your intended travel date. Others believe hotels are the cheapest about six to eight weeks before you expect to arrive.
When it comes to the cheapest day of the week to book, many studies show that it’s either Sunday or Tuesday. Consequently, Fridays are the worst day of the week to book a flight. It turns out that we’re all dreaming about travel at the start of the weekend.
Splurge Where it Counts
Savings on accommodations means you can splurge where it counts, like exploring a destination’s best restaurants or visiting the top attractions. MotelMatcher matches you to the most affordable rooms in your destination, so you can save more for exploring your dream getaway.
Use Incognito Mode When Searching
Continually searching for flights to a certain destination may lead to price increases since the company assumes you will eventually book. Using incognito mode when searching for flights can prevent this from happening. You can use incognito mode by opening a private browser and searching for flights.
Book a Packaged Deal
Sometimes, booking a package deal with a hotel and flight gets you a better rate. Some popular sites that offer packaged deals include Priceline and Funjet. You can choose your destination, ideal travel dates, and budget.
Some websites have budget options that give you the best rate but don’t let you know which hotel you’ll stay in until after you book. Instead, you’re usually given a few potential hotels, giving you an idea of the star rating and quality.
Be Flexible
The more flexible you are with your travel dates, the better deals you’ll find. For example, when searching on Google Flights, you can browse the month with estimated prices for leaving and coming home on different dates. In addition, Google lists the cheapest dates in green, so you can easily browse them.
Being flexible with your destination can help you save even more. Instead of putting in a destination, simply put in the continent you want to visit. Then, choose a month and click search. Google Flights will show you a world map with estimated prices for flights to different countries within that continent.
Choose the cheapest one to explore a new destination while saving a lot. You could also book one of these cheap flights to your intended continent and then travel domestically to any major cities you want to visit. Domestic travel tends to be cheaper than international travel.
You can also sign up for memberships like Scott’s Cheap Flights or NextVacay to receive emails on cheap flights from your home or preferred airport.
Set Alerts
Many travel booking apps allow you to set alerts to notify you when flights or hotels reach a certain range. For example, Skyscanner and Hopper are options that will let you know when a flight meets your budget needs. All you have to do to set up an alert is choose your desired destination, input your travel dates, and then set a budget.
Take Advantage of Loyalty Programs
Airlines, hotels, and car rental companies will all reward you for being a loyal customer. In addition, most travel companies have free membership programs, meaning you can accrue points or rewards simply by booking through them. Some may even offer discounted stays or free rewards after a certain spend or travel threshold.
Use Your Credit Cards to Your Advantage
Some credit cards also offer benefits that can lead to exceptional travel deals. For example, certain credit cards offer perks, like free checked bags or points, which you can then convert into trips. In addition, many credit cards offer points bonuses as an initial offer. If you time these with your travel plans, you can easily qualify for cheap or free flights or hotels.
Be Ready for Last-Minute Deals
If you can travel at the last minute, you may be in luck. Many airlines and hotels drop prices for last-minute travelers to fill unsold seats and rooms. You can also get many good last-minute deals on packaged trips, like group tours using Intrepid or G Adventures.
For last-minute cruises, be sure to check out CheapCaribbean. Hotel Tonight is a great app for last-minute hotel rooms. This website specifically sells extra hotel rooms that haven’t yet been booked, making it a great tool for traveling in the next 24-48 hours.
Travel Off-Season
Most travel destinations have what is referred to as off-season. This is the time of year when tourist numbers significantly decrease. Many hotels and restaurants offer discounts during the off-season to attract travelers. Just because it’s off-season doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the top attractions.
Many of Florida’s beaches and the Caribbean Islands are warm year-round. So while you may have to bundle up when visiting places like Paris or Athens during the off-season, you can still enjoy some of the city’s best attractions without the busy crowds.
Search for Red Eye Flights
Red-eye flights are trips that leave at night and arrive early in the morning. Many people are hesitant to book red-eye flights because it can disrupt sleep. But this means these flights are also often the most affordable. If you can stand a night of disturbed sleep, you can enjoy the reward of some exceptional discounts.
Book City Passes at Your Destination
Once you book the best travel deals, you can focus on filling your getaway with the best and most affordable attractions. Many cities sell city passes, which allow you to visit the destination’s best attractions at a discount.
CityPASS is one of the biggest sellers of day passes and is available in some incredible travel places, including Tampa, Chicago, New York City, and Toronto. These passes can help you save on admission to museums, performances, transportation, and guided tours. Some may even include discounts to the best restaurants in the city.
Just because you’re on a tight budget doesn’t mean you have to stay home in 2023. Use these tips to plan your next dream vacation without breaking the bank. Let’s make 2023 the year that you get out and explore the world.
