10 ways to save on weekend trips
A weekend away can be a wonderful alternative to shelling out for a long vacation. But just because the travel is short and sweet doesn't mean it will always come cheap. Some flexibility and a few creative purchases can help you save big money on even the smallest journeys.
Avoid peak weekends
It's always a good idea to check high- versus low-season rates, especially for quick weekend trips. Traveling during popular holiday weekends, when hotel prices are at their peak, can kill even the best-planned budget. And while you may get that Monday off from work, you'll break the bank just trying to get away. Advanced research can help. Think off-peak and be flexible with your departure date. For example, Circus Circus in Las Vegas offers rooms from $46 per night on Dec. 22. But wait until the 29th and you could be spending up to $144 for the same room.
Drive, don't fly
Gas may not be cheap, but unless you're embarking on the Great American Road Trip, driving will almost always be more economical than flying (even more so if you have a hybrid or fuel-efficient vehicle). Use BeFrugal.com's Fly or Drive Calculator to estimate and compare your travel costs—and carbon footprint—between both methods. And before you hit the road, download the GasBuddy app, which will direct you to the cheapest gas stations along your route.
Hop a bus
"If you're looking for minimum cost, you should give buses serious consideration for a trip of less than 400 miles," recommends SmarterTravel's Ed Perkins. Indeed, travelers are rediscovering city-to-city buses—and for good reason. Low-cost carriers like MegaBus and BoltBus offer quick, comfy, and cheap transportation that is perfect for a weekend away. A recent search for roundtrip weekend flights between Boston and New York turned up average prices of around $150, but a ticket on MegaBus could cost as little as $1 a pop. When you factor in airport security lines and possible flight delays, bus travel won't likely take much longer than flying, making it a great low-cost—and lower-stress—alternative.
Bring a carry-on
Some airlines charge astronomical checked-bag fees, so if you must jet to your destination, pack smart and limit yourself to the maximum allowable carry-on. (Check SmarterTravel's Ultimate Guide to Carry-On Luggage for an up-to-date list of fees and allowances.) Usually, a small rolling bag will have ample room for several days' worth of clothing and travel-sized bath amenities. A handful of airlines even allow passengers to carry on sports equipment, which could be a nice boon for a weekend ski trip.
Take the subway
Public transportation is a money-saver for big-city-bound travelers, whether you arrive by plane, train, or automobile. If you're exploring a metropolitan area like Chicago or Washington, D.C., purchasing a one- or three-day public-transportation pass rather than fares for each individual trip can add up to big savings. For instance, a one-day CTA Unlimited Ride Card in Chicago costs $5.75, whereas a single trip on the L costs $2.25 each way—visit four or five attractions and you could easily find yourself overspending.
Go with a group
While traveling solo or with just one other person might seem ideal for a quickie vacation, traveling with a larger group can bring the per-person cost down dramatically, especially when it comes to accommodations. Plus, a weekend trip is a wonderful way to reconnect with old friends or embark on a girls' getaway. Stay in a multi-bedroom suite or a room with two queen-sized beds, or opt for an inexpensive rollaway. Share the cost of renting a car and fueling up. And remember that traveling in a pack may also net you nifty group discounts on theater tickets, entrance fees, meals, and more.
Use flash-sale sites
Flash-sale sites like JetSetter or SmarterTravel's sister site SniqueAway are perfect for nabbing a last-minute vacation with a deeply discounted price tag. With short windows of availability and price cuts of up to 40 or 50%, these offers can be a great way to stay in a luxury property on the fly—and on the cheap. For instance, a recent SniqueAway sale offered the Castle Hill Resort and Spa in Cavendish, Vermont, for $139 per night (regularly priced at $239).
Purchase local deals
Groupon, LivingSocial, and their ilk offer location-specific deals that can save you money on everything from museum admission to airport transportation. Before you travel, sign up for email deals for your destination and watch savings pile up in your inbox. Often, the deals are for quirky or lesser-known attractions and can provide more local flavor than you might otherwise experience during your weekend. Recent offers have included discounts on nightclub admission, a free 24-hour city bicycle rental, and half off at upscale restaurants.
Bundle admission tickets
Museum admissions can add up quickly, even if you're only seeing a handful of exhibits during your weekend getaway. Ease the pain with an admission-ticket bundle like CityPass, which conveniently packages discounted admissions to your destination's top attractions. CityPass Seattle, for example, includes admission to six big-city draws, including the Space Needle and the Seattle Aquarium, for $69 (if you paid a la carte, you'd be forking over $128). Plus, you can buy your pass in advance, saving precious time by skipping busy ticketing lines.
Bring Fido (or Mittens)
Pet sitters can be pricey, even for a couple days' work. Sittercity.com estimates that it costs, on average, $10 to $20 per visit to hire a caretaker. So wrangle the menagerie and bring them along. PetsWelcome.com offers a comprehensive, searchable database of pet-friendly properties around the world, plus applicable fees and deposits. (Some hotels, like Kimpton properties, charge no fees at all for bunking with your animal pal.) This can be a wise way to save, especially if you're driving to your weekend destination.
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