According to Deloitte’s annual Holiday Travel Survey, travel intent for the holiday season has increased, while budgets have decreased. The survey found that over half (54%) of respondents planned to travel between Thanksgiving and mid-January.
However, budgets dropped 18% annually to an average of $2,334. With approximately 31% of respondents admitting that their financial situation is worse than it was a year ago, many travelers are opting for shorter stays and fewer flights in their travel plans.
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As many Americans plan to travel this holiday season and into 2026, it’s essential to find ways to maximize travel deals and save money on your next vacation. GOBankingRates consulted with travel experts to explore the various ways people can maximize amazing deals during winter and save money on their travel plans in 2026.
Consider Shoulder Season
Vanessa Gordon, an expert in curating unforgettable experiences and the founder of East End Taste, advises booking now for shoulder-season stays, whether that’s a cozy off-season weekend getaway or a European wellness retreat, which can yield rates up to 40% lower than peak periods.
“The key is to plan ahead, stay flexible with travel dates, and use these seasonal deals to experience destinations that might otherwise be out of reach during high season,” she added.
With this strategy, you can plan a dream getaway on a much lower budget to help you save money in 2026.
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Don’t Rely on Last-Minute Deals
“Last-minute deals can be great for booking cheap, impromptu trips, but relying on them for a planned holiday is a huge risk that no travel agent would recommend,” remarked Gavin Lapidus, a travel expert and the company director at eShores.
Lapidus stressed that you may occasionally find a decent deal at the last minute, but that it’s very dependent on how many seats are left. If demand is high for that flight, prices may spike closer to the date, costing you more.
Book Summer Trips Ten Months in Advance
Lapidus noted that for long-haul flights, 10 to 11 months in advance is when you’ll find the cheapest deals, while eight to 10 months in advance is best for European trips. If you have a trip idea for next summer, you’ll want to book in advance so that you don’t end up paying more as the date gets closer.
Be Flexible With Airports
The travel experts agreed that you’ll want to be flexible when searching for flight options, allowing you to have more choices and potentially lower prices. By clicking on the “Add Nearby Airports” feature, you’ll expand your availability.
Book One-Way Tickets
Lapidus noted that by booking two one-way tickets, you get the flexibility of mixing and matching airlines, meaning you’re not tied to a single carrier and their prices. There are many options to choose from, as long as you ensure that luggage requirements are the same across different airlines.
Use Price Alerts To Track Flights
“While many platforms offer this feature, Google Flights and Google Hotels are both super helpful, as you set up email updates for various price changes with specific filters and dates,” shared Kanika Puri, a travel expert and COO at Fast Cover Travel Insurance. “So, if a destination suddenly experiences a price drop, travelers get an instant notification that gives them the chance to buy at a lower price than usual.”
This underrated strategy for saving money is also ideal for those who have a little more flexibility in their schedules, since you never know what a fantastic deal can open up for a flight.
Book Your Accommodations Directly With Owners
“If I could only give one tip for travelers in 2026, it would be to stop overpaying for their rental accommodations and book directly with the owner,” noted Rebecca Ward, a travel expert and CEO of Simply Owners. “Not only will you save money, booking direct means you’ll also start your holiday right with that personal connection, building trust with the owner and ensuring you’ll have a great stay.”
Ward noted that by saving on booking platform fees, you can save approximately 20% of the cost, and she believes that opting for traditional methods is the best way to save money on accommodations. She also emphasized that you can start by revisiting previous stays and reach out to owners from those trips to see if they would offer a discount to return customers.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 7 Winter Travel Deals To Save Money on Your Vacation in 2026
