Some travel is ‘off the charts’ expensive, experts say. Here are 3 ways to cut some costs

Here are some of the top ways Americans may be able to reduce the overall cost of a trip, according to travel experts.

1. Be flexible with trip timing, location

Being flexible with your plans is one of the major ways to save money, travel experts said.

That flexibility can take many forms. For example, instead of Paris, perhaps consider a different city or region of France, said Markovich, the travel advisor. Going to Normandy might cost a traveler half what Paris would, she said.

Or, weigh a trip to another area of Europe, like Scandinavia, which is “very underrated, beautiful and has a lot to offer — history, culture, culinary experiences and so on,” she said.

These general principles apply across the globe. They may also yield an equally or even more rewarding experience, especially if your initially desired destination is overcrowded, Markovich said.

“I like to suggest to clients to perhaps look at different options,” Markovich said. “Paris and Rome aren’t going away. They will be there [later].”

Being flexible on travel day and time of year can also make a big financial difference, French said. That might mean traveling during a shoulder season instead of high season for a particular area, or adjusting the days during which you’re traveling.

Instead of traveling on a Friday or Sunday — which tend to be the highest-volume days — midweek is generally lighter-trafficked and less expensive for airfare, she said.

Price “is more about the day you’re traveling, not the day you’re buying the ticket,” French said. “Even adjusting by a few days can make a big difference.”

A service like Google Flights can help travelers compare dates, prices and how ticket costs compare to a historical average, French said.

Sometimes, if flying a multileg journey — especially to Europe — you may instead be able to substitute a layover for a short train ride and save some cash, Markovich said. For example, instead of flying from the U.S. to Paris and then on to Geneva, you can fly to Paris and then take a train to Geneva, she said.

2. Book early

Your options and pricing are often better when planning ahead instead of waiting until the last minute, experts said.

For example, the typical sweet spot for lower-cost international airfare is buying three to five months out from a trip, Berg said.

“For summer, if you’re traveling internationally, you should really be booking right now,” Berg said.

For domestic flights, the window is a bit shorter. Book by the end of April if traveling in June or July, and sometime by the first or second week of May if traveling in August, Berg said.

The one exception to buying well ahead: Big cities like Chicago, London or New York, which have ample hotels competing for business, Berg added. In these locales, hotel operators often discount rooms at the last minute; travelers who can be flexible on neighborhood and type of room might save as much as 25%, Berg said.

One note of caution: That wait-it-out strategy may not work well in resorts or popular leisure destinations like Miami, Orlando (i.e., Walt Disney World Resort) or Nice, France, that may not have a huge supply of available hotel rooms, she added.

3. Use your travel card benefits

Certain credit cards — especially ones geared toward travelers — carry benefits that might help you save. (The caveat: You must use the card to fund your purchase).

For example, some waive international transaction fees (generally around 3% per transaction) for charges abroad. Some have travel insurance benefits for trip delays or lost baggage. Others might carry rental car perks like auto insurance collision coverage.

Further, for travelers who have credit-card points and miles, “this is definitely the best year to spend them,” French said. The points are generally more valuable (i.e., they can buy you more) right now because many travel operators like hotels haven’t yet reset their rewards programs to reflect current prices; they take some time to catch up, French said.