Finding Affordable Winter Travel Options: Easier Than You Think

Hoping to escape the cold and dreary weather this winter? You might want to book a winter escape. While many people travel in the summer, that's not the only time to take a trip. Having an exciting vacation to look forward to can make the long winter months more bearable. And guess what? Winter travel doesn't have to break the bank. I'll share some tips to help you find affordable winter travel options so you can start planning a fantastic ultimate getaway. 

1. Be flexible with your travel dates

If you're considering traveling during the winter holidays, you can expect to pay a premium because everyone else has the same idea. There are fewer unoccupied airplane seats and hotel vacancies during popular travel times. 

You'll have better luck keeping your travel spending to a minimum if you have flexibility with your dates. In addition to avoiding winter holiday travel, it can also be beneficial to look at weekday versus weekend date pricing. Doing this allows you to pick more affordable trip dates. 

2. Use a search tool to choose a budget-friendly airfare  

The most costly expense for many travelers is airfare -- unless they're taking a road trip. One of my favorite ways to find affordable flights is to use airfare search tools like Google Flights. 

You may be familiar with tools like this, but there's one hack you may not know. You don't have to enter a specific destination when using Google Flights to research flight costs. Instead, you can search "Anywhere" and compare destinations by price. 

This feature makes it easier to find a winter travel destination that won't leave you feeling broke. But before rushing to buy your plane tickets, research accommodation prices and other local travel costs to ensure you can honor your vacation budget. You don't want to book an incredible flight deal, only to find out later that food and accommodation are overly costly. 

3. Let travel deals inspire you

Another way to find affordable winter travel options is by looking for travel deals. Pay attention to emails from your favorite hotel chains and airlines. There may be winter getaway sales you can book that allow you to take an incredible winter vacation without spending much money. You can also look at each airline's website to see if current deals are being promoted. 

You might consider paying for a flight deals subscription service if you're a frequent traveler. Services like this send airfare alerts via email. After becoming a member, you'll be sent airfare deals throughout the year, including winter.

4. Explore destinations closer to home

A vacation doesn't have to be hundreds or thousands of miles away to be fun. You may want to explore destinations within a few hour's drive of your home. Of course, you'll want to ensure your car is winter-ready and verify that your AAA membership is still active in case you need roadside assistance. 

Some winter getaway options include retreating to a cozy private cabin, booking a few days at a resort with a fantastic spa, or driving a few hours to spend time at a nearby ski lodge. 

Stepping away from your busy routine and everyday environment could be just what you need to feel refreshed. Don't feel pressure to pick a faraway destination when planning your trip. It may be easier to honor your vacation budget by selecting a closer, drivable destination. 

Earn rewards on your spending

One final tip: Don't miss out on the chance to earn valuable credit card rewards. You're likely going to use a credit card to pay for your travel costs, so don't forget to swipe a rewards credit card. You can redeem the rewards you earn for future travel, making your next vacation less expensive. Check out our list of the best travel rewards credit cards to learn more.