Its getting expensive to get away.
Many people budget $2,000 to $5,000 for each vacation.
A big chunk of that goes to airfare and lodging.
Taking advantage ofsenior discountscan help you save money on food, transportation and entertainment during your trip.
Thats a lot of money, especially if youre a retiree on a fixed income.
Weve profiled five unique destinations to explore.
Prices are based on one traveler; couples will need to budget more.
Well also discuss some expert tips to save money on airfare and lodging, no matter your destination.
No Interest Til Almost 2027?
Here are five destinations with affordable lodging and airfare options.
Las Vegas, Nevada
Its easy to go broke in Vegas.
Did you know?
Cities like Los Angeles and Dallas had plenty of round-trip flights for less than $75 in May.
Even Denver, Salt Lake City and Kansas City offered budget-airline fares for under $100 round-trip.
This self-described Boomer blogger suggested signing up for the casinos branded credit card to unlock discounted room rates.
Those cards typically dont have annual fees, unlike most hotel-branded cards, Carbone said.
They can also give you higher status, which comes with discounts on items from souvenirs to show tickets.
You might notice that Las Vegas hotel prices look too good to be true.
We came across numerous rooms for$20 to $35.
But its tricky: NotallVegas hotels charge a resort fee, so its worth asking about before you book.
Several budget-friendly hotels in downtown Las Vegas, for example, dont charge resort fees.
Here are some ideas:
2.
And since its a U.S. territory, no passport is required.
The slow season is usually September through February, and January through March tends to enjoy the nicest weather.
East Coast residents will find more airfare deals (and more direct flights) than West Coasters.
We found similar prices for cities like Boston.
If bunk beds arent your thing, Airbnb is also an option.
Theres also tons of budget-friendly motels and hotels in the $90 to $100 range per night.
The cheapest time of year to travel to Mexico City is from May through September.
The weather is hotter and more humid, but youll find better prices on flights, hotels and activities.
Flights to Mexico City are fairly affordable, especially for West Coasters and some Southern residents.
Places like Chicago and Los Angeles offered flights for less than $300.
It costs about $42 a day to stay in Mexico City on a backpacker budget, according toPriceofTravel.com.
It also factors in the U.S. to Mexico currency conversion rate.
You could opt for a shorter three- or four-day stay and still stick to your $1,000 budget.
Some of the best free things to do in Mexico City include:
4.
Justin Hunter is a Wyoming-based journalist whos visited over 40 countries and 20 national parks.
Its a small price for all the natural beauty the park offers.
The park also has several scenic drives that offer breathtaking views of the mountains.
Camping is a great way to experience the parks beauty while saving big on lodging.
There are 10 developed campgrounds in the park for RVs and tents.
Costs range from $17 to $23 per night, depending on the campground and the season.
Stock up on essentials at one of several grocery stores near the park.
Packing a cooler with sandwiches, fruit and snacks is a great way to stretch your $1,000 budget.
We just went hiking and avoided the expensive touristy spots in Gatlinburg, Hunter said.
If youre there for the nature, you’ve got the option to keep costs low.
Summer and holidays tend to be the busiest and most expensive times to visit the Great Smoky Mountains.
Visiting during the shoulder season (spring or fall) can save you money with fewer crowds.
Youll find the cheapest flights to Montreal during chilly and cold months (think October through April).
Flights out of New York City consistently offered the best fares, at around $250.
Montreal is also accessible by car from several major U.S. cities.
Airbnb is another option, with private rooms starting at around $30 per night.
The U.S. dollar is stronger than the Canadian dollar, which means your money goes further in Montreal.
The exchange rate in July 2023 was 1.32 from USD to CAD.
So $100 gets you $132 in Canada.
A little extra money for food and souvenirs is never a bad thing!
Plane tickets and hotel rooms for a week can easily cost $2,000 or more.
And thats before you evendoanything.
With just $1,000 to spend for your entire trip, youll need to get creative.
Consider destinations within driving distance or look for roundtrip plane tickets for under $300.
Aim to get accommodation costs under $500.
Better yet, reach out to old friends and find a place to stay for free.
Racking up points for lodging and airfare is a great way to travel more for less.
For the next year, put every expense on the travel credit card and rack up points.
Look for thebest credit card sign-up bonuses, which offer thousands of free points.
Youll need to spend a certain amount within the first three to six months to get the bonus.
Here are some other ways tomaximize credit card rewardsbefore your big trip.
No amount of airline miles are worth racking up debt.
Consider which accommodations and amenities you really need.
Its a smart way tosave money and travel more.
You might even consider planning your vacation destination around it.
Theyll probably pay for some of your food, too.
But reconnecting with old friends is never a bad idea.
You might be surprised at how excited they are to hear from you and help you plan your visit.
Consider House Sitting
One great hack ishouse sittingfor your stay.
Grabbing some mail and feeding the cats isnt a bad trade for a cheap stay.
Visiting Chicago in February, for example, is frigid but frugal.
Its also important to avoid booking a trip during the holidays or during major events in the city.
Adjust the Length of Your Stay
The longer your stay, the more youll spend on lodging.
You might consider a shorter three- to five-day trip instead.
Certain cities have more hostels than others, and it isnt an option everywhere.
Hostels are a great way to stay in the center of a city, Johnson said.
Unfortunately, youll most likely be sleeping on a bunk bed in a shared room with a shared bathroom.
Airbnb also tends to offer much cheaper rates than hotels.
Just proceed with caution: Airbnb is infamous for hidden fees.
Airbnb properties dont have full-time staff to address issues.
If theres a problem with the rental, youll have to resolve it with the host if theyre available.
If you want to save money on Airbnb, try negotiating a lower price with the host.
Go Camping
Getting closer to nature can save you tons of money on vacation.
Some super minimalist campgrounds go for $10 or less a night.
Its important to be honest about your comfort level with camping.
Or keep your eyes open for an RV or camper on places like Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist.
Camping for two or three nights could make the difference between a seven-day vacation and a four-day vacation.
Budget airlines offer great deals if youre willing to pack light.
Here are some other smart ways to minimize your airfare costs.
Think Regional First
Traveling internationally is pricey.
Airfare to Europe can cost $600 roundtrip if youre really lucky.
Picking a vacation destination a little closer to home can save you a ton of money.
Johnson said she lets Google decide.
you might also check sites likeSkipLaggedto find cheap flights.
Southwest, for example, only sells tickets through its own site.
Taking a minimalist approach can literally save you hundreds of dollars.
You canpack a backpackand avoid baggage fees.
Dont be picky about the airline, either, Hunter said.
Its just a way to get from one place to another.
Consider how much you really need to take with you on your trip.
Budget airlines let you take a personal item on the plane for free.
Some airline loyalty programs also offer free checked bags for members.
Be Flexible
Your schedule is usually more flexible in retirement than it was during your working years.
Use that flexibility to your advantage.
Consider flying midweek, as flights tend to be cheaper on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Book your vacation while everyone else is busy working or in school to beat the crowds and save big.
You might also consider planning your trip backwards, where the airfare deal you find determines where you go.
Sites like Skiplagged let you set your destination to Anywhere when searching for the cheapest flights.
Rachel Christian is a Certified Educator in Personal Finance and a senior writer at The Penny Hoarder.
She focuses on retirement, investing, taxes and life insurance.
(Can you sense my millennial sarcasm there?)
You know which ones were talking about: rent, utilities, cell phone bill, insurance, groceries…
