• Introduction
• 1. Factor New Airline Fees into Travel Costs
• 2. Monitor Your Route for Best Fares
• 3. Don’t Hold Out for Last-Minute Deals
• 4. Be Flexible: Avoid Peak Travel Days
• 5. Book a Flight & Hotel Package for Overall Value
• 6. Fly on the Holiday Itself
• 7. Consider Alternate Airports
• 8. Shop Around on Many Sites, Including Airlines’
• 9. Be Prepared to Layover to Cut Costs
• 10. Get Grounded: Look into Trains, Buses & Cars

Get Grounded: Look into Trains, Buses & Cars

If you’re within a reasonable distance of your destination, prudent travelers should look into modes of ground transportation as alternatives to flying. Gas costs have dipped down quite a bit since their shocking highs last year (averaging about $2.67 a gallon as of late October 2009 press time ), and if you’re traveling with several family members, car-pooling can be a really economic option – look into a site like AAA’s Fuel Cost Calculator (www.fuelcostcalculator.com) for an estimate on gas costs based on your car model and itinerary. Bus travel is another good option, especially given the newer breed of “boutique” bus lines that have popped up in recent years between popular cities, like DC2NY (routes between Washington, D.C. and NYC; www.dc2ny.com) or Lux Bus America (routes between Boston and NYC; www.limoliner.com). And lastly, don’t overlook hassle-free trains: They’re rarely delayed, don’t contend with traffic, and will allow you to kick back, relax, and enjoy that pretty winter scenery.

See United States Travel Guide