By Michelle Fox - CNBC
Americans want their summer vacation.
After a year of restrictions on movement due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 80% of people who participated in a survey conducted by tourism market research firm Destination Analysts said they are ready to travel.
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However, with that demand, prices go up.
Airline tickets were up 7% and 24% from a year earlier, according to the consumer price index for May, the Labor Department reported Thursday.
Car and truck rental rates were up 12.1% in May, 110% from a year earlier, and gasoline was up 56.2% last year.
Robert W. Crown Memorial State Beach with the San Francisco skyline as a backdrop in Alameda, California on May 26, 2020.AP Photo / Ben Margot
However, there are still ways to spend wisely.
"Whether international or domestic, it is best to plan each stage of your trip in advance to ensure there are no surprises," advised Jordan Staab, president of travel website SmarterTravel Media.
Here's how you can save money when planning your next vacation.
1. Road trip
The best way to save money is to drive your own car to your destination, according to Staab.
To find the cheapest fuel prices during your road trip he suggests downloading the GasBuddy app.
2. Don't wait until the last minute
Staab anticipates that the cost of flying will continue to rise until July 4, so if you want to book a summer trip, do so immediately, he advised.
If you have more flexibility and are comfortable waiting, there is a chance that prices will start to drop after Independence Day.
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But if you book the flight too close to the actual date of travel, you could end up paying more.
The best time to buy your airline tickets is in what Scott Keyes, founder of the travel deals website and Scott's Cheap Flights newsletter, calls the "Goldilocks window," not too early, not too late.
For domestic travel, cheap flights are more likely to appear one to three months before your travel date.
If you are traveling internationally, they are more likely to occur two to eight months in advance.
You can control rates by setting up price alerts.
3. Be flexible
Typically, people choose a destination, when the trip will take place, and then search for airfares.
Turn this routine around.
Search for cheap flights from your airport of origin and choose the destination that interests you the most.
Then see which dates fit your calendar the best.
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"To get cheap flights you have to set price as the top priority rather than the last," Keyes said.
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You can also find cheaper airfares at another nearby airport.
It may mean a longer journey in kilometers, but it will not necessarily be a longer journey time.
If you are traveling to a distant destination, you can also find less expensive airfares to a major city and then take a local cheap airline, ferry or train to your final destination.
4. Remember the days
It's no longer true that there's a better day of the week to book a flight, as new prices are constantly popping up online, according to Keyes.
However, there are usually cheaper days to fly: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.
5. Think different
Beaches and national parks are very popular in summer.
In fact, if you want to visit a national park, Staab advises to make a reservation first.
In many parks, they are mandatory.
To save money, consider a place that is not your usual destination, such as the mountains instead of the beach.
"If it's something that everyone wants to do, it will be expensive," Staab said.
6. Don't forget about COVID-19 tests
You may need a coronavirus test before you travel, so research your destination to find out what is required.
Some pharmacy chains offer PCR testing at no additional cost if you use insurance or enroll in a federal program.
You can also get rapid and PCR tests at some airports for a fee.
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While you often have to pay for the test before you travel, many hotels and destinations offer free tests, according to Staab.
Some destinations will even pay you for a negative COVID-19 test.
For example, the Azores Islands of Portugal offer a 35 euro voucher to offset the cost of the mandatory coronavirus test.
7. Wait until fall
If you don't have school-age children or don't mind missing a few days of school, consider waiting to travel until the summer is over.
"If you travel outside the peak season, you can find great deals," recalled Staab, noting that one of his favorite times to travel is in September.
