Winter Travel Tips: How to Save on Your Next Vacation in 2025

While summer is traditionally the time to travel, the winter season offers a ton of exciting vacation possibilities. If you’re looking to take a cost-effective getaway in the next few months, read on for six winter travel tips so you can save on your next vacation. 

Do a House Swap 

Reach out to friends who live in another part of the country—or the world!—and see if anyone’s interested in a house swap. The benefits of doing a house swap, as opposed to taking a traditional vacation, are plentiful. You’ll save hundreds of dollars on lodging, with the peace-of-mind to know you won’t be disappointed by a sub-par hotel room upon arrival. House swappers often share cars as well, cutting down on transportation costs and enabling you to explore the local surroundings without shelling out for a rental. Of course, having access to a kitchen means you can also cut down on dining costs during your vacation.  

Avoid Weekends 

Centering your trip around weekday fun, and avoiding the weekends, can greatly reduce your winter travel spending. Plane tickets are often cheaper if you fly on a Monday or Tuesday, rather than a Friday or Sunday. What’s more, many restaurants, bars, museums and other attractions offer mid-week specials on food, drinks and fun to further stretch your vacation budget. Search for two-for-one dinner offers, free comedy or music events, and mid-week hotel discounts to help you determine when might be the best time to travel.  

Consider Travel Insurance 

Sometimes, paying a little more money up front can protect your finances in the long run. Travel insurance is fairly affordable and typically reimburses the traveler for lost luggage, missed flights, or trip cancellation is a problem arises and you need to forgo the vacation altogether. Depending on the climate in which you live and climate where you’re headed, weather could interrupt winter travel. Some winter travelers may take out additional insurance to cover winter sports, including equipment protection, coverage for injuries, or emergency evacuation. 

Keep It Domestic 

If your heart is set on a winter vacation overseas but your budget says otherwise, consider finding a substitute destination closer to home. Instead of flying to the Swiss Alps, check out Leavenworth, Washington, where you’ll find Bavarian-style architecture, German beer and restaurants, and ski areas nearby. South Carolina, Alabama and Florida offer sand and surf on the cheap, if it’s a beach vacation you’re after (just check the weather report before booking!). And, take a look at cities in New Mexico and Arizona for south-of-the-border cuisine and artwork. 

Find Free Activities 

The most famous attractions in any destination aren’t always the most fun. Instead of spending the day in an aquarium, you might explore local tidepools. Museums often have free admission on certain days, or sometimes hold events which are free for the public. Libraries are another great place to find free entertainment for kids and adults alike. Look up parks, local hikes, community arts events, university cinema nights and so on for more ideas about how to fill your vacation with entertainment on the cheap.   

Use Credit Cards Wisely 

An affordable vacation isn’t really affordable if you end up with sky-high credit card bills after the trip is done. Use credit cards wisely to fund your winter getaway. It’s a good idea to put plane tickets and accommodation on a credit card, as many offer more rewards points for travel purchases. However, make sure you have enough money in your checking account to pay off those balances before they start accruing interest. Once on the ground at your travel destination, you might continue paying with a card for points, or take out a certain amount of cash to keep your spending in check. Either way, make a travel budget before you hit the road.