In recent months, many Americans are closely monitoring their spending and postponing non-essential purchases while financial futures remain uncertain. Despite the need to curtail costs, the desire to travel remains a hallmark of summertime. Planning upcoming vacations might require a little extra creativity this year, but skimping on expenses doesn’t have to mean trimming back the fun! 

If you need to stick to a budget-friendly travel itinerary this summer, consider these cost-saving strategies. 

Timing

Plan your travel for off-peak times, such as weekday departures. Avoiding weekends and holidays can often yield cheaper flights and accommodations, but it’s always best to use cost-comparison tools such as Google Flights or Hopper to ensure you get the best deal. Early or late summer (May or September) can present smaller crowds than peak months and mean lower prices as well. 

Location

Now might not be the time to take that international vacation you’ve dreamed of. Staying close to home or driving to a nearby town can save money on flights as well as currency exchange. If you’ve never taken a ‘staycation,’ it’s a wonderful way to be a tourist in your own town and see the city with fresh eyes. 

Accommodation

Rather than booking that beautiful luxury hotel, explore budget-friendly places to stay. If you have friends or family in the area, consider staying with people you know, or traveling with friends to split the cost of a vacation rental home. If you enjoy the outdoors, camp in a state park or investigate the efficiency of renting a camper. 

Activities

Enjoying a new place does not have to mean expensive attractions and fancy entertainment. Take advantage of what nature has to offer—visiting public parks or beaches and mapping out a walking tour or hiking trail. Visit local deal websites for community events or discounts from local businesses. 

Meals

Eating out for every meal can rapidly increase the cost of travel. Plan a conservative food budget and save your resources for one or two nice meals at restaurants. Pack snacks for the road, shop for groceries to cook meals at your rental home, or picnic with small bites from a local food truck. 

Travel is an important and enjoyable part of summer, and the experiences almost always outweigh the costs. When it’s a critical time to conserve resources, you don’t have to avoid travel altogether, but you do have to get creative about the trips you plan.