You don’t have to be rich to travel well. —Eugene Fodor
Interestingly enough, the phrase “getting more bang for your buck” was popularized in the early 1950s by President Eisenhower, because nuclear weapons were more efficient than conventional bombs. Today, the phrase typically describes getting a bargain or a steal. When it comes to travel, domestic or international, everyone wants to find a great deal that won’t break your bank (or credit card). If you Google “inexpensive vacations,” the internet returns around 251,000 hits! That’s a lot of advice. Let’s break that all down into four basic categories to help your vacation buck get the most, loudest, and potent bang.
Pictured from left: Cape Town, South Africa; Hoi An, Vietnam riverfront; and MSC Meraviglia in Ocean Cay Bahamas
Destinations
Post Office, a British mail and financial travel services company, analyzes travel market data to create a list of budget-friendly destinations. In 2024, Hoi An, Vietnam, topped the list at just $64.51 a day for a picturesque and ancient town with beautiful beaches. Following a close second, Cape Town, South Africa, came in at $68.48 a day for essentials, offering an unforgettable getaway with views of Table Mountain and unspoiled coastlines. Other destinations that won’t send you to the poor house include Mombasa, Kenya, and, believe it or not, Tokyo, Japan at just $74.43 a day for essential tourist purchases. And, what exactly are essentials? According to Post Office researchers, rankings are based on expenses like a glass of wine and a bottle of water.
Currency
One way to get a better bang for your buck is to understand your buck as well as the euro, franc, and other world currencies. Before you travel, know what the US dollar is worth by looking up the rate and using an online converter to see exactly what the dollar converts to in another country.
Also, look at your credit card fine print and see what perks may be available. If you have credit card points, use them to save money on hotels and flights.
Another money-related tip before you travel overseas is to check foreign transaction fees on your credit and/or debit cards. Some have very low or NO foreign transaction fees. So, take the card(s) that will charge the lowest transaction fee. When you do have to take money out of a foreign ATM, try to find a network associated with your bank to get the best rates. Also, if you pay for purchases with a credit card when traveling, always pay in local currency as opposed to the US dollar (if there is an option) – typically, that gives you a better conversion rate.
Time of Year
As the saying goes, “Timing is everything!” To make sure you find great travel deals, be flexible and know the difference between high and low seasons. For example, going to Europe during the summer months can cost nearly double compared to going during the fall or winter. A room for two in central London at the Trafalgar St. James costs $293 a night in January as opposed to $467 in July. Airfares will also vary. An American airline coach flight from New York to London costs at least $300 more in July as opposed to winter. Yes, it’s colder, but that’s why you have a closet full of coats and hats!
In addition, always be on the lookout for sales, last-minute deals, and special offers that can provide significant savings on flights, accommodations, and even tours. Sign up with various airlines and hotel companies to get on their “On Sale” mailing lists.
Websites & Apps
Thank the Internet for supplying a virtual army of travel agents on your laptop or phone. Websites like Kayak, Travelzoo, and Gate1 Travel are only a small sampling of online travel booking sites. If you sign up for specials and alerts, your email will never be lacking for a current vacation package at a discount – from a beach vacation in Florida to a villa in Tuscany!
Expedia, an online travel broker, helps you find and book hotels, airfare, and excursion packages to suit your budget. In fact, once you enter your request, Expedia allows you to sort by price to see the cheaper options first. In addition, they offer weekend getaway packages and last-minute deals. For cruises, Vacations to Go offers impressive deals via their “90-Day Ticker” listing of last-minute cruises throughout the world on Princess, Celebrity, MSC, and other cruise lines.
Although Hotel Tonight is a website, some deals are “…so good we only offer them in the app.” The online booking site offers “Incredible last-minute hotel deals.” So, if you are flexible and willing to throw the dice, you may end up in a 5-star hotel at a 2-star rate.
Grace Perez-Navarro uses her Hotel Tonight app to get great prices at fabulous hotels all over the world including New York and London. Perez-Navarro explains the beauty of booking a hotel last minute while adding a little “adventure” to her travels, “I first used Hotel Tonight when I got stuck in Washington, DC due to a passport problem. I clicked on the app, unlocked the “Daily Drop,” and booked a room at the historic Tabard Inn for less than $150. I had no idea what the room would look like but it was huge and very charming.”
