Guests relax on the beach of a private island owned by Philippine Airlines President, Benigno Toda … [+]
It’s not too late to take advantage of summer travel. And you don’t have to stretch out your seasonal budget to make it happen. Major price drops and travel hacks can help travelers save money and make the most of some time off. One major tip: Don’t worry mostly about the flight cost, but factor in the best value in accommodations and other attractions to get the most value.
New data from Skyscanner, the metasearch travel engine, shows that several popular destinations domestically and abroad are dropping in cost, with hotel accomodations down by 65% in Santa Clara, California; down by 49% in Stafford, Texas; down 48% in Gothenburg, Sweden; 32% in Lucerne, Switzerland; and 27% in Wenatchee, Washington.
Cool off in Lucerne, Switzerland this summer
“Most US travelers agonize over finding the cheapest flight but are missing out on huge savings by not applying the same hacks to their accommodation searches,” says Laura Lindsay, travel expert and Skyscanner accommodation expert. “With some simple hacks, like comparing the costs of hotels to vacation rentals, using Skyscanner’s handy filters, travelers can save up to 35% (a potential $777 saving for a 7-night stay) by swapping their hotel stay for a vacation rental in Myrtle Beach this August. Americans can find 5-star luxe-for-less stays in Siem Reap, Cambodia for as low as $54 per night and Pattaya, Thailand for as low as $86 per night this August.”
Those who want to hotel hack a bit and visit top properties on the cheap may want to check out some of the cheapest 5-star destinations, globally. In Siem Reap, Cambodia, the average nightly rate for a 5-star property is $54. Five-star accomodations in Pattaya, Thailand go for an average of $86 and in Manila, Philippines top accomodations cost an average of $94. Malaysia may be another great destination for top savings – $96 is the average price of a stay at a five-star property in Kuala Lumpur or $52 per night in Kuala Lumpur gets a four-star hotel.
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Thai traditional wooden longtail boat and sand Railay Beach in Krabi province, Ao Nang, Thailand.
Prefer a vacation rental? Skyscanner calculated a few spots where you’ll get the most bang for your buck in a weeklong rental. The top spot for savings is Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where the nightly home rental price is just $206 and a hotel is $317, so you’ll be saving 35% or $777 over the course of a week.
Staying in a home also allows more flexibility with food preparation and can lead to some savings. But Gen Z travelers are up on a hack to save money on meals, even at a hotel.
Google searches for ‘Can I order food to a hotel?’ increased by 44% globally this year and Skyscanner delved into the data to find that nearly two-thirds (60%) of 18–24-year-olds in the US say they are likely to use a food delivery service while on vacation abroad. Boomers, however, are still overpaying for room service: Just 1 in 10 travelers 65-year-old or older will order takeout to their hotel.
Hotel pizza always hits
“Room service can be expensive, and ordering is so much more in,” Francis Dominiic, a TikTok travel influencer who posts on his eponymous account @francisdominiic. “Try something new and break out of your comfort zone. You’re in a new area, don’t be shy about trying something local,” Dominiic suggests. Also, don’t offer your hotel room number to driver, meet them in the lobby or at the entrance of the property, and don’t forget to tip.