Travel budgets continue to stretch thinner for American families. According to the Consumer Price Index’s January 2025 report, airline fares rose 7.1% from the prior year, further increasing a trip’s cost. The rising cost burdens families with tight vacation budgets who already feel pressure to put cost first when planning to travel.

The rising cost of airfare stresses an already burdensome process of pricing out travel. According to a recent study from Skyscanner, 51% of Americans say the price of airfare impacts travel decisions, while 50% point to hotel accommodations as a primary cost consideration. With so much worry about making vacation dreams a reality, experts step in to provide insight when booking.

When budgeting travel in 2025, much of the money saved comes from booking early and with as much flexibility as possible. Heightening one’s awareness of add-ons and upcharges helps to keep those high costs at bay. By keeping these tips in mind, travelers will find a vacation more accessible and affordable than before.

Book Early and Maintain Flexibility

One of the simplest ways to save money requires planning to book a trip far in advance. The earlier a family books the trip, the more likely they will come across deals and promotions to lower costs.

Jessica Garnder, The Theme Parkette on Instagram, notes that families get the options they want when booking early. “Whether it’s seat selection on flights, hotel room types, park reservations, or show tickets, year after year, this remains true.” 

While Garnder acknowledges the occasional last-minute deal, those do not always align with a family’s availability. That availability varies throughout the year, with weekends and school vacations associated with higher travel costs. 

Maintaining flexibility and considering traveling during the week yields lower costs. As long as the vacation aligns with everyone’s schedule, traveling during these off-peak times makes the most significant difference in saving money.

Once a family books their vacation, experts urge travelers to diligently research discounts. Theme park journalist Megan duBois shares, “Watch for better rates to pop up, and you can book under a new booking, then cancel the old one.”

Another way to remain flexible involves rethinking the travel experience. Transportation takes up a sizeable chunk of the vacation budget, and experts advise travelers to consider alternate means of arriving at their destination. 

DuBois chooses to drive to any spot within eight hours of her home. “Road trips are a fun way to travel and can often be cheaper than flying.”

Anticipate Added Costs

Flights, hotel accommodations, and major expenses like theme park tickets represent the largest line items in a vacation budget. Even after making these purchases, travelers must remain cautious not to overspend if the goal involves saving the most money on vacation.

As Gardner warns, seemingly smaller costs add up quickly and often eclipse the cost of some of the larger-ticket items. “Travelers always underestimate what food and transportation will cost because they don’t price things out ahead of time,” she says. Defaulting to taking rideshares, for example, often adds to double the cost of renting a car or choosing a hotel closer to attractions.

The same logic applies to dining. While a necessity, eating introduces opportunities for overspending. Gardner urges travelers to pack items to help alleviate food and drink costs. “If you have to buy a drink every time you get thirsty because you didn’t pack a refillable water bottle, or a snack for your kids because you didn’t pack granola bars, those little costs add up to hefty bill at the end of your trip. These small, thoughtful considerations can go a long way in stretching the family vacation dollars.”

Gardner also advises travelers to look for hotels that offer complimentary breakfast to account for one meal per day that otherwise requires spending money.

Experts also warn travelers to look at each upcharge with discernment. Particularly with destinations like Walt Disney World, add-ons like Lightning Lane Multi-Pass or extended evening park hours offer convenience to families at a cost. For example, Disney limits access to those evening extended park hours to guests staying at the top-priced resort hotels.

DuBois recommends travelers think about the benefits versus the cost of these add-ons. “If you stay at a deluxe resort, will you take advantage of the extra evening hours, or would you rather go to bed early to be first at a park the next day?”

DuBois also suggests putting together a good strategy to get the most out of add-ons like Disney’s Lightning Lane Pass system if a family chooses to buy in.