12 Easy Money Saving Travel Tips

Traveling can be expensive, whether it’s due to high fuel costs during a road trip or rising demand driving up hotel and airline prices.

However, it doesn’t have to be as costly as you might assume. Travelers often spend more than necessary simply by making mistakes that aren’t immediately obvious. Some also end up wasting time, which can be just as frustrating as losing money.

NerdWallet’s Smart Travel co-hosts, Sally French and Meghan Coyle, outlined some common money mistakes in an episode:

Understanding these common financial pitfalls can help you keep more money in your pocket. Beyond that, we have outlined 12 ways to save on your next trip below:

Avoiding checked bag fees isn’t the only reason to travel light. With a smaller suitcase or backpack, you are more mobile, allowing you to utilize public transit rather than feeling forced to pay for a taxi.

So how do you pack light? Bring clothing that is easy to wash in a sink. Look for fabrics that dry quickly and choose items that can be mixed and matched. Stick to basics that coordinate with almost any outfit so you don’t have to cram four pairs of shoes into your luggage.

NerdWallet also recommends the 10-$10 Rule, which discourages packing “just-in-case” items and can free you from carrying gear you likely won’t use.

Furthermore, packing light means you won’t be tempted to buy souvenirs, as the limited space in your bag will curb your shopping urges.

2. Shop at local grocery stores

Visiting local markets can be an adventure in itself. As grocery stores increasingly stock regional items and high-quality prepared foods, a trip to a local market can help you discover unique flavors you wouldn’t find at home. Often, this is cheaper than purchasing equivalent food at a sit-down restaurant, and you will avoid paying tax and tips.

Cities like Los Angeles are embracing grocery store tourism, ranging from high-end shops like Erewhon to hotelspage.com/14-incredible-fall-vacations-you-can-actually-afford/” title=”14 incredible fall vacations you can actually afford”>affordable, cultural markets like the Mexican market Mercado González in Costa Mesa, California.

Additionally, having food on hand means you will save money by avoiding the temptation to buy a stale, overpriced muffin from a hotel cafe just because you are hungry.

If you can’t visit a local market, bringing snacks from home is the next best alternative.

While many protein-rich items like deli meats or Greek yogurt require refrigeration, they don’t require any cooking. As long as you have a mini-fridge, these are great options even without a full hotel kitchen.

For shelf-stable choices, prioritize protein-heavy items like jerky and protein bars, which can keep you full without taking up much luggage space. Candy, nuts, and granola bars also pack well. For other treats, items like Shameless Snacks gummies are a great option as they are low-calorie and surprisingly high in fiber. They are also ideal for travel days or long flights since they don’t have a strong odor.

Bottled water can also become a significant expense while traveling. Assuming you have access to a clean watert fits in your pocket

4. Get yourself into the airport lounge

Airport lounges offer one of the best ways to access food while traveling. Many premium travel credit cards offer lounge access as a perk, typically through the Priority Pass program. Food quality varies, but you can usually expect light snacks like fruit, chips, cookies, and coffee. Some upscale lounges even provide full buffet meals.

Some of the world’s best airport lounges are operated by major banks. These include Capital One lounges, which offer unlimited, complimentary access to cardholders of the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card. There are also Chase lounges and AmEx Centurion Lounges.

Beyond food, lounges often provide Wi-Fi speeds faster than what is available in the terminal. Some locations also offer showers, exercise rooms, or massages. Arrive at the airport early to maximize these amenities.

Give yourself plenty of time to reach the airport. If you are running late, you might panic and hail an overpriced cab instead of taking public transportation for a fraction of the cost. You may also find that rideshare prices are higher for airport routes at certain times; having extra time allows you to avoid surge pricing.

Don’t risk having to rebook a flight at the last minute because you arrived late.

6. Get TSA PreCheck or Global Entry membership fees reimbursed

You can speed through airport security by applying for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry. Both are Trusted Traveler programs managed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

If approved, you can use expedited lanes, which typically have shorter lines because travelers aren’t required to remove laptops, belts, or jackets. According to TSA data, 99% of TSA PreCheck passengers waited less than five minutes in March 2025.

Certain credit cards will reimburse your application fee, which is typically $85 for TSA PreCheck or $120 for Global Entry, though the TSA PreCheck fee has recently changed to $78.

7. Take advantage of credit card free night certificates

Some hotel credit cards, even those with annual fees under $100, offer free hotel night certificates. Assuming the value of your hotel room exceeds the card’s annual fee, which is very common, it can be a smart move to get one of these cards to save money on a stay.

Additionally, these cards typically offer extra benefits like elite status, which makes your stay more enjoyable, and bonus points that can make future stays free or more affordable.

Speaking of bonus points, it is almost always a good idea to spend your hotel points rather than hoard them. luxury-hotels-worth-booking-in-2026/” title=”Miami’s 10 Luxury Hotels Worth Booking in 2026″>Booking rooms with points instead of cash is a smart way to avoid dipping into your savings, but there are other benefits as well.

You may avoid resort fees. These extra charges, which hotels impose to cover amenities like pools and Wi-Fi, are irritating and can sometimes exceed $50 per night. Fortunately, some loyalty programs, including Hilton Honors and World of Hyatt, do not charge them for rooms booked with points.

You might also get extra discounts. For stays booked with points, you may unlock additional savings for longer visits. For example, you receive the lowest point-value night free for every five consecutive nights stayed at a Marriott property using Marriott Bonvoy points. Hilton has a similar policy where members with at least Silver Elite status receive the fifth night free when booking with points.

9. Travel during the offseason or shoulder season

Traveling during the offseason is not only a way to avoid crowds and the associated headaches, but you will usually secure a better deal. A NerdWallet analysis of over 1,110 airfares found that holiday travel is, on average, more expensive than any other booking window.

Airfares for routes during the holiday season average 41% more expensive than flights booked roughly six months out during non-holiday periods.

The shoulder season can be even better than the offseason, providing the best of both worlds: the lower prices of the offseason combined with the better weather and reduced likelihood of closures found during the peak season.

10. Explore free tourist attractions

Even trips to notoriously expensive destinations like San Francisco, New York City, or Walt Disney World don’t have to break the bank.

For example, there are many free and inexpensive things to do at Disney World. You can ride the monorail or watch fireworks from the beach at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. Additionally, you can find free walking tours in most major cities, though guides typically rely on gratuities, so tip accordingly.

Prioritize free tourist attractions over those that charge a fee. For instance, tickets to San Francisco’s de Young Museum cost about $15, but you can visit one of its best rooms, the Hamon Observation Tower, for free panoramic city views.

While there are dozens of excellent cultural institutions in St. Louis, start with those that offer free admission, such as the Saint Louis Art Museum, the Saint Louis Science Center, and the Saint Louis Zoo. If time permits, then consider the attractions that charge a fee.

11. Don’t fall for the tourist tax

Knowing the general price of goods and services can help you avoid being overcharged by an unofficial “tourist tax.”

For instance, research average taxi costs before you travel so you know what price range to expect. Consider looking up typical market prices so you can haggle with confidence. Avoid overpaying for bus fare by learning how to purchase official tickets in advance.

If you are worried about losing the value of upfront travel costs, consider purchasing travel insurance. This optional coverage can be bought separately from your airfare.

However, you might not need to pay out-of-pocket for trip insurance because many credit cards offer it as a built-in benefit when you pay for travel expenses like flights or hotels with that card.

Sometimes, though, even trip insurance won’t guarantee a refund. Unless you have purchased a “Cancel For Any Reason” policy, which is usually more expensive, you are only entitled to a refund if you cancel for a covered reason.

Travel costs can add up. Your vacation might not be as cheap as that initial airfare deal suggested once you factor in other expenses. Often, vacation spending can exceed your budget once you are on the road.

Saving money on travel with these tricks can give you more freedom to spend where you need to, whether that is on this trip or your next one.

To view rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, see this page.

To view rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, see this page.

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what is important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2026:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Wells Fargo Autograph® Card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: American Express Platinum Card®

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card