Easy Hacks For Saving Money on a Memorial Weekend Getaway
Whether you’ve already arranged a Memorial Day weekend getaway or are waiting until the last minute to make travel plans, whatever you do, you certainly won’t want to miss out on the first opportunity to take a summer vacation. In fact, you’ll be amazed at how much you can see and experience during the long weekend. Learn about three easy ways to save the most money on your getaway, no matter your destination.
Save on Gas for Road Trips
A road trip is among the most popular options for a Memorial Day weekend getaway, mainly because of the money saved by driving versus paying for airfare for one or more people. But before you pack up and hit the road, be sure to take advantage of every opportunity to save even more at the gas pump.
According to The Penny Hoarder, one way to find the lowest price on gas is to search prices ahead of time on www.GasBuddy.com. You can scope out stations with the cheapest gas ahead of time and plan your stops accordingly. Another way to save on gas is to utilize credit cards that give you cashback or rewards for swiping at the pump. You effectively cut the cost by 1 to 3 percent depending on which card you use.
Book Flights Next Week
If you haven’t decided on a location for a long weekend getaway, you’re in luck. According to Travel and Leisure, by analyzing historical airfare for travelers departing from Thursday to Saturday before Memorial Day, and returning between Sunday and Tuesday after, the absolute best time to book a flight is the week of May 15. You could save up to 7 percent by holding off until next week.
Furthermore, procrastinators can score last-minute Memorial Day weekend savings as late as the week-of. Flight reservations that are booked the week of May 22 could still offer savings of 4 percent, which means you still have plenty of time to research cheap destinations for a getaway.
Save on Hotels and Lodging
Another way you can get the most bang for your buck on a Memorial Day weekend getaway is to look at cost-effective lodging options. One of the cheapest ways to go is a good old-fashioned camping trip. A few days of camping is a great way to de-stress, especially if you’re looking to “get away from it all” on your weekend trip. Best of all, according to USA Tourist, the average rate for a well-equipped campground comes in at about $20 to $30 per night.
If the thought of sleeping in a tent isn’t your idea of a relaxing getaway, there are other ways to save on lodging options. Since 2008, Airbnb has enabled people to rent out their houses and apartments to travelers. The benefits of staying in an Airbnb include access to a kitchen and other amenities you might be accustomed to at home. In addition, many people opt for Airbnbs to explore different neighborhoods since hotels tend to be clustered in the most “touristy” parts of a given area. Best of all, depending on the destination, an Airbnb is, on average, 21 percent less than a hotel stay. If you opt for just a private room, you can save an average of 49.5 percent.
Happy traveling everyone!