We are often asked how to save money with vacation deals, so we are sharing our favorite sites for discount travel booking. As a network of frequent traveling parents, we do a lot of research and really do use them all. So, after coming to a consensus on quality and efficiency, we’re delighted to unveil our top picks for the best sites for vacation packages.
You can click on any of these site ads, search for your needs and pay for your bookings through them, knowing they are trustworthy.
Through our affiliate relationship with them, we will get a small commission payment. Our commission doesn’t cost you anything; it comes from the vendor and helps support our community. Rest assured, you will pay the exact same price if you visit the site directly. Let’s go!
Favorite Site for Flight Searches: Google Flights
Our favorite place to begin a flight search and check out a variety of options is Google Flights. We use their Calendar Tool to look for alternate dates. We use their Flight Alert option to keep track of rising or falling ticket prices on our preferred routes. If you click on any of Google Flight’s options, you are sent to that airline’s website for booking.
When is the Best Time to Book a Flight
Advice on the best times to book airfare changes every season, because AI and booking algorithms get more sophisticated. Remember, it’s us v. the profit machines! In general, book at least 4 weeks out on off-peak travel and at least 12 weeks for high season. Start a month sooner for international fares. Take a look at this when-to-book flights post and try out their tips.
We find that advance trip planning helps you save, so start at least two months before departure if you can. Last minute deals don’t usually add up, especially if you’re traveling as a family and need several tickets.
Which Days are Cheapest to Travel
Travel pricing relies on a very sophisticated system called yield management. That basically means that prices rise dynamically as more bookers target certain dates and flights. Be strategic in picking your travel dates. For example, you’ll find the cheapest Thanksgiving week fares on the Thursday morning, because fewer people want to risk missing their family supper.
The cheapest days to fly, in general, are usually Tuesday or Wednesday. That’s because business travelers start and end their weeks away, making Sunday, Monday and Friday the busiest travel days. Thursday has become a popular day for starting long weekend trips.
Overall, you’ll save the most if your travel dates are flexible. Check the Fare Calendars on many flight search sites to see the lowest prices in a calendar format.
Favorite Site for Booking Airfare & Vacation Deals: Priceline
In general, we like Priceline and find they have good prices on most travel needs. However, we are often asked if packaging a trip makes more economic sense. The answer usually depends on how many people will be traveling on the same itinerary. While it might make sense to buy a flight-hotel-car rental bundle for two people on the same trip (and these are widely available at all the online travel agencies), this type of all-in-one package would not make sense for three or four people, because the other travelers would pay a premium for a room or rental car that the first two travelers had already paid for.
Spend a Half Hour Searching the Web Before Booking
Almost every travel site has become your one stop shop for “seamless travel.” Hah. If it was seamless we would not spend so much time shopping around, right?
There are so many online travel agencies. One solid option is Expedia, which often creates packages based on exclusive inventory you won’t find elsewhere. Same goes for Booking.com, the cruise line you’re interested in, and membership sites like Costco.
The best advice we have — do your homework. Price your trip a few different ways and make the best choice for your needs.
Favorite Site for Hotel Search & Booking: Booking.com
Our favorite vacation deals site for hotel bookings is Booking.com
When it comes to booking hotels, Booking.com is our top choice. It offers a wide range of accommodations worldwide at competitive prices.
Firstly, Booking.com boasts an extensive database of accommodations covering many hotels, resorts, hostels, and other lodging options worldwide. This diverse selection ensures that travelers find accommodations that align perfectly with their preferences, budget constraints, and desired locations.
What sets Booking.com apart is its consistent offering of competitive pricing. The platform allows users to effortlessly compare rates, promotions, and special offers from various hotels, often securing rooms at more affordable rates than other booking platforms might offer. This affordability extends to a wide range of budgets, ensuring travelers can find options that suit their financial plans.
Lastly, Booking.com simplifies the booking process with its user-friendly interface, allowing travelers to easily filter results based on various criteria such as price range, location, and property type. This streamlines the search for the perfect place to stay, reducing the time and effort required to plan an enjoyable vacation.
Good Alternative for Vacation Rentals: Vrbo
We favor Vrbo (formerly Vacation Rentals by Owner) for several reasons. Vrbo specializes in whole-home rentals, offering properties like houses and condos, making it an excellent choice for travelers seeking spacious and private accommodations. This focus often leads to a more exclusive and comfortable experience, ideal for family trips or group getaways.
Favorite Site for Rental Car Deals: Priceline
Most travelers have deals on rental cars through their loyalty programs. These days, those deals can be tough to find. Look for good rates on the top Rental Car brands at Priceline. We find them pretty transparent about prices compared to sites that obscure all the extra fees. Priceline hotel savings can be up to 60% off
which is very good too.
Favorite Site for Booking Attractions: Viator
Discover and save on things to do with your kids with Viator. Viator is great for booking attractions in advance of arrival, plus you reserve now and pay later. It sure saves time waiting in line.
Viator stands out as an excellent choice for booking attractions for several reasons. Firstly, Viator offers extensive activities and tours in destinations worldwide. Whether you’re interested in cultural experiences, adventure activities, or historical tours, Viator provides diverse options to cater to various interests and preferences. Perusing the site’s offerings can help you figure out what you want to do.
Secondly, Viator simplifies the planning process by allowing travelers to secure their attraction tickets and tours before their arrival. This saves valuable time and ensures that you will experience popular attractions, especially during peak tourist seasons. With Viator, you can easily explore and enjoy the best that a destination has to offer, making it a convenient and reliable choice for travelers seeking memorable experiences.
Pro Tips: Travel Booking Hacks
After working on a roundup of travel hacks to help Bucket List travelers fulfill their dreams, I have a few more pro tips for travel savings.
Credit cards and loyalty programs
Research converting your credit card point to miles rewards at your favorite airline. In some cases, an airline will offer a mileage redemption ticket at much better rates than the cash value of those points. By moving your points to their branded miles wallet, you can pay for a ticket with airline loyalty miles and save.
Use a VPN While Booking
I use a VPN on my phone and laptop all the time, whether at home or traveling. In case you don’t know, VPN (Virtual Private Network) software encrypts your connection to the internet to make it private. That makes it safer to use public WiFi, because your VPN will find the most secure country connection to keep online activity safe from other users on the network.
One day, my home VPN connected to Mexico instead of my New York City home location. I discovered that travel company algorithms sometimes display different pricing depending on where they think the purchaser is based. With my active VPN, I searched for Dallas hotels while logged in to the Marriott Bonvoy member site.
When I checked the same hotel rates on another browser, after pausing the VPN, the rate was higher. When I turned it back on and checked again, the price per room decreased. After a few tries, I saved $48 per night on my Dallas hotel room because the pricing algorithm thought I was a shopper from Mexico, not New York. Try it, you’ll see!
Favorite Site for Camera Gear and Travel Electronics: Amazon
Like the rest of you probably, we begin our travel gear searches on Amazon
More Tips and Recommendations:
To make the most of your travel experience, consider the following tips when seeking the best sites for vacation packages:
1. Compare Multiple Websites: Avoid settling for the first package you find. Prices can vary significantly, so explore several travel websites and employ comparison tools to unearth the finest deals.
2. Embrace Flexibility: Achieve substantial savings by being open to slight adjustments in travel dates and destinations. Flexibility often leads to more budget-friendly vacation packages.
3. Subscribe to Alerts: Stay in the loop by subscribing to newsletters and fare alerts offered by travel websites. These notifications will deliver exclusive deals and discounts straight to your inbox.
4. Review and Ratings: Before finalizing your booking, delve into the reviews and ratings from fellow travelers who have either used the same website or booked similar vacation packages. Their insights can be invaluable.
5. Evaluate Inclusions: Scrutinize the package components, such as flights, accommodations, meals, and activities. Ensure they align with your preferences and budget.
6. Beware of Hidden Fees: Some websites may conceal fees or charges that aren’t immediately apparent. Thoroughly review the fine print to comprehend the total cost before confirming your booking.
7. Leverage Loyalty Programs: If you hold loyalty points or memberships with specific travel companies, maximize their benefits. You may qualify for discounts or upgrades.
8. Plan Ahead: Booking your vacation package well in advance often yields better deals and greater availability, particularly for popular destinations.
With these insights, you can confidently navigate the online travel booking realm while seeking the best sites for vacation packages.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are vacation packages, and why should I consider them?
Vacation packages typically include bundled services such as flights, accommodations, and sometimes activities at a single price. They can often save you money compared to booking each component separately while simplifying the planning process.
How do I find the best sites for vacation packages?
To find the best sites, consider using popular travel search engines like Expedia, Kayak, and TripAdvisor. Also, check out specific airlines’ and hotel chains’ websites, as they may offer exclusive deals.
Are there any specific times of the year when vacation packages are cheaper?
Vacation packages can be more affordable during off-peak travel seasons, which vary by destination. Booking during shoulder seasons or avoiding major holidays can help you find better deals.
Are there any risks associated with booking vacation packages online?
While online booking is generally safe, it’s essential to read the terms and conditions carefully, especially regarding cancellation policies and refund options. Ensure the website is reputable and secure.
Can I customize vacation packages to fit my preferences?
Many websites allow you to customize certain aspects of your package, such as choosing different flight times or upgrading your room. However, complete customization might not always be available.
How can I ensure I’m getting the best deal on a vacation package?
Use comparison tools to compare prices across multiple websites, sign up for fare alerts, and be flexible with your travel dates and destination. Additionally, consider loyalty programs and promotions.
Good luck with your vacation planning, and please share your favorite booking sites in the Comments section below.
If you find this article about the best sites for vacation packages helpful, consider checking out these articles below! –
- More Great Summer Vacation Ideas
- Top Vacation Rental Companies For US And Foreign Villas And Condos
- Beating The High Cost Of Family Vacations
- 10 Tips For Vacationing With A Child Who Has Autism – My Family Travels
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NOTE: Yo u DON"T have to or want to buy into a timeshare, but if you do, you have 3 days to back out of it with no penalty. If you really are interested in buying, there are many foreclosures online that you can find.
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Bangor Maine 1 week road trip any suggestions on where to go from there. Some hiking some leisure and to the coast
We just published this great article about a road trip that starts in Bangor Maine and works its way up through New England to New Brunswick in Canada. There are a lot of things to see, and lots of activities that might interest your kids, with stops for hiking and swimming and offbeat museums.
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What should the letter of consent say if I, a single parent, am taking my daughter to Germany, but then crossing other borders into bordering countries on our vacation? I may not know specifically what other countries we will be visiting until we get into Europe (we are staying with friends in Germany and they will be taking us around Europe for a bit).
It's best to be as specific as possible, because these letters include the dates and destinations for your trip. We would suggest that you note the full date range (from… to ….. and make it a bit longer just in case), then you put down as many countries as you think are possible. List Germany and all the contiguous countries and add a few more, better more than not mentioning one you will visit.
Also, you should carry 2 notarized copies of the Permission to Travel Letter (put one with your passport to show at Immigration and flight check-in; keep the 2nd one in the child's luggage in case you lose one or an Immigration official wants to keep it). Enjoy your trip!
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I know this is an older post, but I just saw it. My kids are 6, 7 and 15 and old pros at road trips. I LOVE road trips and have been known to take "road trip" vacations in which no video games/dvds/electronics are allowed and we pack the tent (to save money on hotels) and just drive to random spots and camp out along the way. If you pack a cooler it can be an affordable vacation if you only pay for gas, food from the supermarket and a few odds and ends. Historic landmarks, national parks, or places like Washington D.C. are full of fun cheap spots to bring the kids! My kids love this and handle being in a car forever very well, we play games, sing, talk, etc. Plus we aren't afraid to take deters and go see things like the worlds biggest chair! It's a bunch of fun!
Sounds like you know how to have fun, and like your kids really get along well. that's the biggest challenge we find in a long trip with a crowded backseat. When everyone starts to 'express' themselves it can get hairy!I love the idea of picking random spots to camp out in. You must be really resourceful!
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The town of Pigeon Forge is great for evening entertainment as it boasts comedy, music, and magic shows, as well as shops and restaurants.
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Always bring a small container of new little toys and a little treat for each child to have in the car or on the plane.
We do this with our sons…we purposely get some new toys and treats that fit into a small container so it is easy for them to carry it on their own. The novelty of new little things keeps it fab fresh and fun for them, which keeps it peaceful and happy for my hubby and me. A little bag of crackers or cookies, a small bottle of water, and a few little toys to play with keeps them happy. If we fly, we even try to find some gum that they may not have had before, as it keeps it interesting for them to try something new.
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