The holiday season isn’t just about shopping and gifts; a great deal of travel also takes place during this time of year. Unfortunately, holiday travel can get expensive fast—faster than the wrapping paper flies off those gifts. These 11 tips will help you keep your travel spending under control. (See also: 7 Ways to Get the Best Fall and Holiday Travel Deals)
1. Plan Ahead
One of the best things you can do to save money on holiday travel is to plan ahead. The earlier you book your travel, from airfare to hotels, the easier it is to find good deals. Plus, booking earlier can save you money.
In general, your best prices on airfare come when you book three weeks before the plane leaves for domestic flights. For international flights, consider booking about 30 days in advance.
While there are last-minute deals that can save you money, you can’t assume that things will always work—especially during the holidays when there is more travel happening. In fact, many experts point out that you should book travel between one month and three months out for high-traffic holidays. Plan ahead, so you have more opportunities to find the best deals, and so that you know what you will be doing.
2. Book Your Air Travel on Cheaper Days
Whenever you travel by air, some days are cheaper than others. Travel on Tuesdays and Wednesdays often costs less than travel on Fridays and Sundays.
During the holidays, though, it’s not just about a specific day of the week. You also need to consider the days surrounding the holiday. Days immediately before and after a holiday can be expensive.
One of the best ways to save is to actually plan your air travel on the day of the holiday. If you can adjust your plans so that you travel on Thanksgiving Day or Christmas Day, you might be able to find an even better deal.
3. Consider Traveling Overnight
Red-eye flights and overnight flights often cost less than those at more convenient times. Other alternatives include sleeper trains, as well as overnight ferries. Depending on where you are going, and the options for getting there, overnight travel can help you avoid a night in the hotel, as well as save you money on…
Read more:Miranda Marquit, Wise Bread
