To know me is to know that I love planning vacations. I always like to say planning vacations is one of my spiritual gifts—it’s so much fun. Seriously, my in-laws even ask me to plan their vacations! Couple that with my other passion for finding a good deal and I’m in heaven. I say all of this because if you’re looking for the cheapest places to travel, I can help.
There are tons of ways to save money when you travel, but let’s start with choosing places that have plenty of things for you and your family to do that won’t break your budget. I do want to mention I made my list of cheap places to travel based on how easy it is to get there, along with how many free or cheap things there are to do once you’re there.
Of course, finding cheap places to travel in the U.S. might feel hard right now (looking at you, inflation) but they’re still out there. Here are my top 12 favorites.
12. San Antonio, Texas
Looking for a Texas-size adventure in the Lone Star State? San Antonio has got it all, y’all. Visiting the Alamo is a must. But you’ll also want to eat lots of Tex-Mex cuisine. Fajitas? Breakfast tacos? Yes, please!
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11. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Steel City isn’t just about steel mills and factories anymore. Pittsburgh has undergone a transformation, and you’ll find world-class museums and parks there. It’s pretty in the fall, but you’ll freeze in the winter—so keep that in mind when planning your trip.
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10. Raleigh, North Carolina
The Raleigh-Durham area is beautiful, trendy and great for both families and couples, making it a no-brainer for my cheap places to travel list. You won’t have to spend too much to get a decent hotel room, and they have reasonably priced nonstop flights from many cities in the South and Midwest.
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9. Gatlinburg, Tennessee
You know I can’t make a list of cheap places to travel without including a destination from my home state of Tennessee. The Great Smoky Mountains are a popular tourist destination year round, and here are a few reasons why.
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8. Tulsa, Oklahoma
Despite Chandler’s complaints in Season 9 of Friends, Tulsa is actually a gem. There’s so much to explore while spending little to no money. And the hotel rates are some of the best of any major city out there!
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7. Seaside, Oregon
Seaside is a charming, family-friendly town right on the water. It made my cheap places to travel list because it has so many unique things to do at little or no cost. Flights into Portland International Airport are on the cheaper side—you’ll just need to find a good deal on a rental car to drive to the coast when you land. Make sure to book in advance for an even better rate.
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6. Virginia Beach, Virginia
Virginia Beach is beautiful and makes my list of cheap places to travel because there are plenty of affordable lodging options: camping in the woods, camping at the beach, and renting a cozy cabin or an Airbnb.
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5. Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix has a lot to offer. Go for the desert landscape, shopping and architecture, and—if you’re a fan of queso like I am—stay for the Mexican food. If you’re adventurous, you could purchase an annual national park pass and tour any of Arizona’s beautiful parks. Plus, those passes will get you into any national park in the country! And if you’re even more adventurous, you can go camping for $26 per night in Sedona (that’s one way to make your vacation really cheap).17
Here’s another way to make it cheap: Visit Phoenix during the summer months. That’s when hotel prices are slashed in half because most people flock to Arizona when it’s cold everywhere else. But be warned: Those summer months get hot (with a capital H)!
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4. New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans made my cheap places to travel list because it’s so rich in history, music and delicious food. And you don’t have to be rich to go—unless it’s during Mardi Gras (hotels like to double and triple their nightly rates to cash in on the party).
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3. Sleeping Bear Dunes, Michigan
You might not think of the beach as a cheap place to travel, but this one still makes the cut. This beautiful lakeshore on Lake Michigan is full of things to do! Named after an Ojibwe legend of the sleeping bear, the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore covers over 50,000 acres along Lake Michigan. The dunes are great for families thanks to the scenic hikes, drives, campsites, and canoeing and kayaking trips. The park does charge an entrance fee of $25 per vehicle.24 But once you’re in the park, the opportunities for good old-fashioned (free) fun are endless!
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2. Washington, D.C.
Our nation’s capital may not come to mind when you’re thinking about cheapest places to vacation (and save money). But if you book an inexpensive flight and an affordable Airbnb, this is one of the cheapest places to go! That’s because there are so many incredible things to do in this city, like exploring museums, going on tours and visiting the nation’s coolest landmarks.
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1. St. Louis, Missouri
Okay, guys, I’m ranking St. Louis at the top of the cheapest places to travel because it’s a drivable destination for so many people in the South and Midwest. The best part is that the Gateway City (as they like to call it) has a lot of free things to do when you get there. Now that’s my kind of city!
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What to Do Before You Travel
Finding cheap places to travel is what this article is all about—because problems start when you go on vacations that you can’t afford. Keep your financial goals on track by doing these things before you travel (and make sure you get the best bang for your buck).
1. Budget.
You guys, a budget is so important! I can’t stress this enough. You might think a budget is a set of rules for you to follow. But that couldn’t be further from the truth! Your budget gives you permission to spend. And if you’re not doing a regular budget, you need to. EveryDollar is my favorite budgeting app. It helps you create your zero-based budget (where your income minus your expenses equals zero) in no time. Get started today!
2. Research all the free or low-cost attractions.
Like I said earlier, this list of cheap places to travel is just a start. There are so many more places to visit that will help you make those sweet family memories for less! But the key to a cheap vacation is making sure you have your itinerary of free (or cheap) things to do before you get there. A plan helps you stay on track and on budget!
3. Stay with friends or family.
Besides the flight (or gas), you want to think about how expensive your accommodations are. One of the ways to get around that is by staying with friends or family. If your family and friends live in a really cool city, staying with them will cut your costs in half. (Just make sure to be good houseguests.)
4. Travel with others to share the cost.
One of the best ways to travel is with friends or extended family. Not only do you get to share a vacation together, but you can also split the bill! That’s a win-win in my book.
5. Pack snacks.
When it comes to traveling with kids (or even your husband), one of the best things you can do is pack snacks and drinks. Nothing adds up more quickly than constantly buying food on the road. Gas station Doritos are pricey! You can save so much money by stocking up at your favorite grocery store before piling in the car.
6. Always compare airlines.
This is a big one. I’m not quiet about how much I love Southwest Airlines. But just because they’re my favorite, it doesn’t mean they’re always going to have the best deals for your next cheap vacation. Make sure to compare flight prices on sites like Google Flights, Hopper or even Scott’s Cheap Flights before you buy!
7. Book your stay during the week.
So many people love to travel over the weekend (makes sense with work, right?), but many times, room rates go up on Fridays and Saturdays. Listen: It’s so much cheaper to stay during the week! Schedule your trip to begin on a Sunday instead of a Friday, and you’ll save so much cash.
8. Check out Airbnb.
Many times, staying in an Airbnb can be cheaper than staying in a hotel (depending on location and seasonal rates). Before you book your stay at the Holiday Inn, compare prices with nearby Airbnbs. Not only can you potentially save money, but you can also negotiate the price with the owner. What do you have to lose? The worst they can say is no (but many times they say yes).
If you want more travel tips where these came from, check out this video:
And don’t forget: Plan for everything. Things always cost more than you expect, so build a buffer in your budget to cover the unexpected stuff.
Give your vacation budget a head start by using my 14-Day Money Finder to free up extra money! And keep track of that money (and your budget) with EveryDollar! Download it right here.
This content was originally published here.
