More Ways to Save on Holiday TravelMonday, November 23, 2020 Despite the CDC’s new recommendations against large gatherings, many people will still opt to travel for Thanksgiving and other holiday celebrations this season. For many, travel is simply a necessity during the holidays. In fact, it’s projected that 50 million Americans will travel this week alone. Are you headed out this holiday season? See how you can save big during your holiday travels. Don’t Pack It, Ship It Many of us may be traveling with extra luggage or bulky presents that could be costing you extra money to transport. A checked bag can run you anywhere between $30 to $200 or more depending on if it’s your second, third, or even fourth. Shipping your luggage or gifts ahead of time can save money and provide you with some much-needed stress relief. Good news is you can calculate the time and cost for shipping ahead of your travel via UPS. Get an Unconventional Place to Stay Our regular readers know that we’re huge fans of Airbnb, especially staying in ones that have a full kitchen allowing you to save even more by cooking your own meals. If you’re new to Airbnb, you can score up to $50 off your first stay with this referral link. If you really need to keep your costs down, then consider filtering your selections to a single room available to rent for the night. Another unconventional option is academic housing which is just what it sounds like… universities renting out rooms while students are away. Check out UniversityRooms or contact the nearest university to your destination and ask if they offer accommodations. Book Rooms Outside of Town This one might depend on where you are traveling to. But if you are visiting friends or family in a major metropolitan area, consider looking for hotels or Airbnbs that are located just outside of town. In some cases, you could save as much as several hundred dollars per night. Be sure to consider the added costs of public transit or rideshares so you don’t end up saving in one area only to overspend in another. Meals-to-Go Nothing can chip away at your travel budget faster than dining out, especially for large families. There are plenty of travel-friendly meals and snacks that you can make ahead of time that are great on the go. If you are flying, consider preparing wraps, trail mix, and granola bars ahead of time. Avoid foods with a strong smell and remember to bring an empty water bottle that you can fill up once you’ve made it past gate security. Traveling by car gives you more options, and we’re not talking about greasy fast-food. Try our favorite camp stove and cooler to prepare all of your favorite meals on the road. Consider an Overnight Trip by Bus or Train While it may not seem very glamorous, traveling by train or bus allows you to sleep while someone else takes the wheel. This may not be the best option for light sleepers, but it could be a smart option for travelers on a tight budget. By spending one night in transit, you might be able to cut one night from your lodging costs. Bonus savings!
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