Travel Hacks: How to Score Affordable Flights and Hotels for Your Next Trip

① The Cheapest Month to Travel Abroad

Globally, the cost of overseas travel is not cheap. According to a 2023 study by Bankrate, the average cost for one person to spend a week on vacation in the U.S. turned out to be $1,984. If two people take the same vacation, the cost rises to $3,969.

However, travel is also a worthwhile investment in ourselves. Studies suggest that travel can improve our overall health. Fortunately, there are ways to enjoy overseas travel without excessive spending.

Last year, luggage storage company Bounce released the results of a study investigating the cheapest times to visit the most popular travel destinations in the world. To find the exact dates, Bounce started with a list of 70 popular tourist destinations, using Kayak to find the average daily hotel costs by year and day of the week. They then used this data to calculate the average difference between the cheapest and most expensive months of the year for a one-night stay at a 3-star hotel.

After analyzing the data, Bounce stated, “January is the cheapest month to visit 15 cities,” noting a “clear seasonal influence” on travel costs. This includes popular destinations like London, Amsterdam, and Berlin.

February was also a month where you could travel similarly cheaply. It is the cheapest time to visit 12 cities, including New York, Paris, and Milan.

② When Is the Most Expensive Time to Travel?

The Maldives is a notorious travel destination for its high cost of staying. Travelers who visit the capital, Male, can save up to 85% by visiting from January to August. The peak season for travel to the Maldives is from early December to March. Avoiding this period can allow for a slightly cheaper visit.

Regarding the cheapest travel days, Bounce made a somewhat surprising discovery. Contrary to popular belief, the data showed that Saturday was the cheapest day for accommodation in 17 cities, including Las Vegas, Dublin, and Milan. They added that various factors, such as decreased demand for weekend business trips, could be the reason.

In 2022, the cheapest day to travel was Saturday. Sunday, Friday, and Monday were all tied for second place as the cheapest days to travel to 10 cities, including major destinations like Prague, Barcelona, Rome, Singapore, and Miami.

On the other hand, winter and fall travel showed the highest rates in December. They found a trend of the highest prices in many destinations, including Asian cities like Chiang Mai and Phuket in Thailand.

Also, due to Christmas, airfare and hotel prices in Europe are generally much higher in December. Cities like Athens, Lisbon, and Barcelona recorded their highest prices in September.

③ How to Book Airline Tickets at a Cheaper Price

The biggest part of travel costs is the price of airline tickets. It’s a good idea to check how to book airline tickets at a cheaper price in advance. One expert, Kristin McGrath, suggested signing up for email alerts from tools such as Expedia, Travelocity, and Google Flights to receive coupon codes in advance.

Also, if your travel plans are flexible, she suggested checking alternate flight dates to see if you can find a lower fare. You should book in Google Chrome’s incognito mode when purchasing airline tickets.
In incognito mode, cookies are blocked, so your search results are not saved.

If you have travel plans, booking well in advance can help you get airline tickets at a cheaper price.