{"id":17883,"date":"2026-01-23T09:52:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-23T15:52:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/?p=17883"},"modified":"2026-02-06T17:38:57","modified_gmt":"2026-02-06T23:38:57","slug":"how-to-save-money-for-travel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/how-to-save-money-for-travel\/","title":{"rendered":"How to save money for travel: Start building your travel fund today"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Whether you\u2019re dreaming of beaches in the Caribbean or roaming the streets of Paris, one thing\u2019s for sure: Traveling is expensive. Factor in the cost of flights, food, and lodging, and it\u2019s no wonder some people feel like traveling is reserved only for the rich and famous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The good news? Traveling doesn\u2019t have to break the bank. Saving enough money for your next holiday is totally doable, and it all starts with proper budgeting for travel. With a defined vacation budget and some planning, you could request time off for travel sooner than you think. Here\u2019s how to do it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-to-build-a-travel-fund\">How to build a travel fund<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Before you start booking plane tickets and buying museum tickets, you\u2019ll need to determine what\u2019s realistic for your current financial state, according to Athena Valentine Lent, author and founder of a personal finance blog. If this is your first time budgeting for travel, Lent says these three steps can help you get started:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-1-set-a-savings-goal-for-your-trip\">1. Set a savings goal for your trip<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Budgeting for travel starts with identifying where you want to go and calculating the total amount of money you\u2019ll need to cover that trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cDecide where you\u2019d like to go, and start from there,\u201d Lent says. \u201cResearch the best times to visit your travel destinations, so you can take advantage of any off-peak seasons. If you\u2019re unable to visit during that time, consider another place.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition to researching prices of big-ticket items like airplane tickets, Lent recommends researching all potential expenses to paint an accurate picture of your total cost. \u201cLook into how much you\u2019ll pay for lodging, food, transportation to get there\u2014plus transportation while there\u2014and any other exhibits or bucket items you want to check off while you\u2019re there,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Vacations can and should include plenty of spontaneity, so Lent recommends giving yourself some extra wiggle room in your travel fund to cover other possible expenses (think: last-minute excursions and souvenirs). As you continue to plan, creating a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/financial-vision-board\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">financial vision board<\/a> can help you visualize your dream vacation and keep you motivated during your savings journey.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2120\" height=\"869\" src=\"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/How-to-save-money-for-travel_1-InArticle-e1700593756225.jpg\" alt=\"A woman sits on the floor and smiles while packing clothes in a suitcase.\" class=\"wp-image-17893\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/How-to-save-money-for-travel_1-InArticle-e1700593756225.jpg 2120w, https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/How-to-save-money-for-travel_1-InArticle-e1700593756225-300x123.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/How-to-save-money-for-travel_1-InArticle-e1700593756225-780x320.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/How-to-save-money-for-travel_1-InArticle-e1700593756225-768x315.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/How-to-save-money-for-travel_1-InArticle-e1700593756225-1536x630.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/How-to-save-money-for-travel_1-InArticle-e1700593756225-2048x839.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2120px) 100vw, 2120px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-2-turn-one-big-goal-into-multiple-smaller-goals\">2. Turn one big goal into multiple smaller goals<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you\u2019ve established how much your trip will cost, determine the amount you need to save on a monthly, bi-weekly, or weekly cadence until you can fully fund your goal, Lent says. For example, if you\u2019ve figured out that you need $1,000 for a trip coming up in five months, you\u2019d want to save $200 a month. Or if you wanted to break it up into even smaller chunks, you could have a savings goal of $50 a week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Breaking your goal into smaller steps makes it appear more manageable, Lent says. Saving $200 a month feels much more attainable than trying to put away $1,000 all at once. Psychologically, splitting up a large goal into multiple smaller ones gives you a sense of accomplishment every time you cross one of your funding milestones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-3-keep-your-travel-fund-in-a-separate-savings-account\">3. Keep your travel fund in a separate savings account<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>There are ways to make your money work harder for you. With a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/what-is-a-high-yield-savings-account\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">savings account<\/a>, you\u2019ll earn a specific percentage of interest on your money, known as an annual percentage yield (APY). That interest is compounded, too, so you\u2019ll grow your savings even faster.<br><br>Keeping your travel fund in a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/multiple-savings-accounts-save-more\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">separate savings account<\/a> is another helpful strategy. It can streamline your efforts, making it easier to track progress and know exactly when you\u2019ve reached your goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe ability to put cash aside into a different account labeled with a goal motivates me to call it \u2018my precious\u2019 and protect it,&#8221; Lent says. &#8220;I\u2019m also a firm believer in making your money work for you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-tips-for-keeping-your-travel-fund-on-track\">Tips for keeping your travel fund on track<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Making a plan and budgeting for travel is a critical first step, but if you want to make your dream vacation a reality, you\u2019ll need to stay on track. To keep your momentum going, consider these three tips for how to save money for travel:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-1-curb-your-spending-habits\">1. Curb your spending habits<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Looking for some low-hanging fruit? Lent says to try reducing nonessential spending first. While that might mean spending less money on things like dining out or new clothes, it doesn\u2019t mean you need to live like a hermit to achieve your financial goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cCutting back on your discretionary spending can seem brutal when all you want to do is live your current lifestyle,\u201d says Lent. \u201cMy advice is to cut spending in small amounts at first and then look for cheaper ways to do the things you want to do. As you begin to cut back while still doing the things you love, you won\u2019t be depriving yourself, which makes it easier to stick to your budget.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1870\" height=\"770\" src=\"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/How-to-save-money-for-travel_2-InArticle-e1700593824453.jpg\" alt=\"Three friends sit at a caf\u00e9 table and talk over cups of coffee and orange juice.\" class=\"wp-image-17894\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/How-to-save-money-for-travel_2-InArticle-e1700593824453.jpg 1870w, https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/How-to-save-money-for-travel_2-InArticle-e1700593824453-300x124.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/How-to-save-money-for-travel_2-InArticle-e1700593824453-780x321.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/How-to-save-money-for-travel_2-InArticle-e1700593824453-768x316.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/How-to-save-money-for-travel_2-InArticle-e1700593824453-1536x632.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1870px) 100vw, 1870px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-2-take-advantage-of-freebies-and-discounts-nbsp\">2. Take advantage of freebies and discounts&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Just because you\u2019re budgeting for travel doesn\u2019t mean you have to give up on fun entirely. These days you can find coupons or discount codes for almost any activity, from festivals and sporting events to restaurants and bars. \u201cFor example, if you want to go to a concert, look for it on a group coupon site,\u201d says Lent. \u201cPlan on drinking with friends? Ask your friends to check out a happy hour with you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are also plenty of ways to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/13-ways-to-have-fun-without-spending-money\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">have fun without spending money<\/a>. Look no further than your local community for meetup groups, free museum or zoo days, or music nights hosted by your city or town. Depending on where you live, getting out into nature is often free, and many national parks even offer free entry on certain days. Entertaining yourself doesn\u2019t have to be expensive \u2013 finding no-cost alternatives will enable you to put even more money away in your travel fund.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-3-consider-a-side-hustle\">3. Consider a side hustle<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you feel like you\u2019re not making as much headway as you\u2019d like on your travel fund, you might want to explore some side hustle ideas to earn extra income. Side hustles can range from freelance projects on the weekend to driving for a ride-sharing company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Pursuing a side hustle isn\u2019t for everyone, but if you have the time and ability to take on additional work, Lent says, you can use the extra cash to fund your travels without dipping too much into your primary source of income.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-your-next-vacation-is-one-travel-fund-away\">Your next vacation is one travel fund away<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Planning a vacation can be intimidating, especially once you start calculating how much everything will cost. But just like any financial goal, saving money for travel is doable if you have a clearly defined budget and stick to your plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"mx-auto block-quote block-quote--5back bg-fixed bg-center bg-no-repeat bg-cover z-0\">\n    <div class=\"block-quote__glow\"><\/div>\n    <blockquote class=\"post--constrain-large\">\n        <p>&#8220;Research the best times to visit your travel destinations, so you can take advantage of any off-peak seasons. If you\u2019re unable to visit during that time, consider another place.&#8221;<\/p>\n                    <footer class=\"block-quote__source\">Athena Valentine Lent, author<\/footer>\n            <\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n    <div class=\"post__content\">\n\n\n\n\n<p>Take Lent\u2019s advice: If you want to know how to save money for traveling, determine where you want to go, research how much it\u2019ll cost, and break your savings goal into manageable chunks. You\u2019ll be jet-setting off to your next adventure in no time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"disclaimer\">Articles may contain information from third parties. The inclusion of such information does not imply an affiliation with the bank or bank sponsorship, endorsement, or verification regarding the third party or information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"disclaimer\">The information provided herein is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be construed as professional advice. Nothing contained in this article shall give rise to, or be construed to give rise to, any obligation or liability whatsoever on the part of Discover, a division of Capital One, N.A., or its affiliates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Thinking about where you want to travel next? Learn how to align your budget with your travel goals so you can make your next vacation a reality. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":17892,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[84,87],"tags":[34,3497,55,131,127,105,32,39,99,3439],"class_list":["post-17883","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-life-planning","category-travel-leisure","tag-budgeting","tag-debit-card","tag-financial-goals","tag-high-interest-rate-accounts","tag-how-to","tag-money-saving-tips","tag-online-savings-account","tag-saving","tag-savings-strategies","tag-side-hustle"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17883","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17883"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17883\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":23130,"href":"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17883\/revisions\/23130"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/17892"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17883"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17883"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17883"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}