by Rhonda Kim

Created on: January 06, 2011

To save money on a trip, the bottom line is,  when are you going?  All the comparison shopping in the world doesn't make as much of a difference as the answer to this question.  Hotels know even a year in advance when their busy seasons are.  Even if they aren't booked up when you call or click, they will keep the prices high in anticipation of the spike in bookings over a given time period.  So the most frugal strategy, hands down, is to go when the least amount of other people do.  

Often, lower occupancy levels are dictated by the weather.  If you are flexible in that regard, you will save tons of cash.  For example, in 2010, flights from New York to London (usually one of the cheapest routes from the US to Europe) fluctuated wildly between seasons.  Summer fares were over $1,000 - while winter 2010/2011 has seen that figure plummet to $550.          

Another factor contributing to periods of high and low demand is festivals.  It is certain to be more expensive to visit New Orleans, for example, during Mardi Gras, than during other times of year.  If you can find other things to do, you will save - and may find you enjoy a place more without the crowds.       

But what if you're not flexible about when you go?  If you work as a teacher, for example, you may only be off during the busiest travel times of year.  Even so, there are options.  

One idea is to travel with a another couple or family - or more than one.  Instead of staying in small hotel rooms, share a vacation home.  Websites such as homeaway.com have a huge selection of beautiful homes - often with amenities such as a pool, outdoor grill, extra bathroom - for less than you'd pay at a hotel.  The trick is, the more people you travel with, the better the deal.  

Another thing to try is to think about whether you know anyone in the travel business.  Only if you are close with them or they owe you a favor, drop them a line asking if they could possibly get you an employee, or friends-and-family, discount.  This can apply to a hotel, airfare, car rental - - - you never know until you ask.  

Finally, decide whether you absolutely must have a fully escorted tour everywhere you go - often, it's completely unnecessary.  Some museums and government sights cost minimal amounts of money to visit on your own, but can cost 10 times more when a tour outfit takes you there.  

In the end, it's pretty much always better to travel than to regret the trip not taken - so if you must make concessions to save money, by all means do so - you'll be glad you did.

Learn more about this author, Rhonda Kim.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.