You can’t put a price on the benefits of travel. Studies, such as this one from the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, show that exploring new places can garner huge benefits for your brain by reducing stress, promoting emotional intelligence and increasing creativity.

The trick is to break away from your routine without stretching your budget too thin. Here are five strategies for more affordable travel.

Plan Ahead

With any vacation, as the saying goes, getting there is half the fun.

For inspiration, go to the library and borrow books about those locales, ask friends with similar travel interests about their most memorable experiences, and make lists of what you most want to do when you get there.

Once you’ve settled on a location, you can save by booking tickets for travel and events well in advance.

• Travellers can save up to 25 percent off domestic airline ticket prices if booked 34 to 86 days prior to departure. For international flights, 59 to 87 days’ notice is the sweet spot.
• Airlines used to offer discount fares on Tuesdays, but thanks to dynamic pricing — a strategy where businesses adjust prices in real time based on current market demands — this advice is outdated.
• Working with a travel agent, such as a CAA Travel Consultant, can help you avoid costly mistakes and find travel packages that align with your budget and preferences.

Be Flexible

For Canadians, peak vacation season is July and August, which means travelling during these months is going to be more expensive. Sometimes, due to school holidays or work commitments, travelling during peak season is unavoidable. An alternative to choosing a destination and then trying to find a deal is planning a spontaneous trip based on what’s on sale during your preferred dates.

Conversely, if you have more flexibility with your calendar, you can choose the most affordable time to take your dream holiday.

• Saturday is typically the cheapest day to fly domestically. Tuesday and Wednesday departing flights also offer savings of 13 to 20 percent compared to weekend travel.
• Red-eye flights and early morning departures often offer savings, but be aware: arriving at your destination six hours before you can check in has its own costs — especially if you are crossing time zones or travelling with kids.
• CAA Travel Consultants have the know-how to help you book affordable travel packages anywhere you want to go. They’re there to help with complex bookings or navigating cancellations.

Travel Light

Limiting your luggage is economical. You save money on checked baggage fees, porter fees and cab fare. (You do not want to walk to the hotel dragging a heavy rollie behind you!) And if your luggage has ever been lost or delayed, you know you don’t want to waste a day shopping for new socks.

• For a short trip, aim to limit yourself to a small carry-on and a day pack. Then practice packing the essentials in advance.
• What are the essentials? For a 5-day trip, we recommend five pairs of socks and five pairs of underwear, four tops, three bottoms, two pairs of shoes, one hat and one item unique to your trip (for example, a bathing suit for a resort vacation)
• Travel cubes can help to compact the contents of your luggage. Looking for more space-saving options? CAA has special Member prices on luggage and travel accessories at the CAA Store in-person and online.

Home Away from Home

Hotel deals are another great way to economize.

• Location is the greatest luxury. If your hotel is central to your planned activities, this will save you time and money driving from Attraction A to Attraction B.
• You can also save on meals by booking all-inclusive vacations or accommodations that offer breakfast.
• Check out your credit cards or reward programs to see if they offer any perks such as lounge passes at the airport, which may include meals.

When you’re a CAA Member, you can explore exclusive hotel savings and special perks through partnerships with top hotel chains, including Sheraton, Hilton and Marriott.

CAA Membership also provides access to:

• CAA Travel Consultants
• Savings on car rentals, hotels and attractions
• Free passport photos for CAA Plus and above
• Online travel planning tools and TripTiks

You can also redeem CAA Dollars® on CAA Travel, travel accessories, membership renewal and more.

Travel Smart

Travel insurance is one place where you do not want to cut corners.

Whether you are headed on a fun family trip or setting off on a long-awaited adventure, having the right coverage can help protect you from unexpected costs if you experience a medical emergency, lose your bags, or need to cancel or interrupt your trip.

CAA Travel Insurance† can help protect both you and your travel investment when the unexpected happens. Plus, CAA Members save 10 percent on travel insurance plans.

No matter your finances, there is an affordable vacation in your future.

Where to next? CAA Travel Consultants bring first-hand experience from destinations across the globe. Their expert guidance will help turn your ideal vacation into reality. Visit caasco.com/travel to start planning.

†CAA Travel Insurance, an Orion Travel Insurance product, is underwritten by Echelon Insurance. Certain exclusions, limitations and restrictions apply. A Medical Questionnaire may be required if you are 60 years of age and older. Subject to change without notice. See full policy for all terms and conditions at caasco.com/policy.