How to plan a budget-friendly beach vacation

Lounging in a beach chair with the sun on your face, the sand between your toes, and the sound of waves crashing in the background can make you feel like you’re right in the lap of luxury—and that blissful beach getaway can come with an eye-popping price tag to match. But with some strategic planning, you can get all the perks of a seaside holiday without breaking the bank. Read on for tips on scoring budget-friendly transportation, accommodations, and more for your next beach vacation.

Many popular beach destinations such as Maui, Miami Beach, and Nassau draw millions of visitors year after year for their miles of white sand coastline. By heading to less-frequented locations near these hotspots, you’ll find a similar experience at a much lower price point.

If you’re eyeing Miami Beach, where hotel rooms average $263 a night on weekends (according to figures from Kayak), consider nearby Daytona Beach, FL (where weekends tend to command around $136 a night) or Jacksonville, FL ($131 per night). South Padre Island, TX ($168 a night) can be a great Gulf Coast alternative to Gulf Shores, AL ($203 a night), and Long Beach, CA ($181 a night) is typically more wallet-friendly than Los Angeles ($289 a night) or Malibu (an hour's drive away, but where rooms average $644 a night).

Another creative way to get beachy vibes on a budget is to vacation at a lake instead of the ocean. Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri, Lake Coeur d'Alene in Idaho, and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Michigan all offer sandy shores without the typical costs associated with beaches.

Off-peak times are typically far cheaper and much less crowded, but you’ll likely have to contend with less-than-stellar weather conditions and, sometimes, limited service from tour operators, hotels, and restaurants. That’s why shoulder season is the sweet spot: The weather is still pleasant and the crowds and prices aren't at their upper limits.

Florida's shoulder seasons tend to be April and May and September through November; shoulder season in the Caribbean is late spring and late fall—right after and before hurricane season. You can also consider destinations with temperate weather year-round, such as Southern California or Caribbean islands outside of the hurricane belt, like Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao.

Everyone loves the weekend, and beach-goers are no exception: Crowd size and pricing often tick up on weekends and holidays. If you can swing a midweek trip, you'll typically save money on flights, accommodations, rental cars, and more, simply because there's less demand. As an added bonus, you’re likely to spend much less time struggling to find a spot on the beach once you arrive.

If you have specific dates in mind for your trip, you can use Tripadvisor's flight tool to streamline your search and compare prices across multiple flight tracker websites like Kayak and Priceline. If you haven’t decided on a particular destination, consider using Google Flights. There, you can enter your departure airport along with a few dates you're considering, and you'll be able to see the best flight deals around the world for those dates.

Though not as widespread in the United States as they are abroad, hostels, which typically cost less than $50 a night and involve some form of shared accommodations, are a staple in many international beach destinations like Tulum, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and Jamaica. They’re also on the rise; revenue for the accomadation category is forecasted to rise by $80 billion in 2022, according to the Hostels Global Market Report.

If you're traveling with small kids or seniors, you may be able to enjoy discounts on lodgings, attraction tickets, meals, and other activities. Denny's, Red Robin, Applebee's, and other chains often let kids eat free on certain days of the week at select locations. If you're an AARP member or are traveling with one, call ahead to ask about discounts.

Road-trippers can bring their own beach chairs, water sports gear, and other supplies so you don't have to shell out for rentals. If you’re flying, pack smaller items if space permits, such as snorkeling gear or (deflated) inflatable pool toys for kids.

Many hotels charge for parking, and some may even require you to use the onsite valet service, which can easily cost upwards of $30 per night. If long-term parking lots are available nearby, consider keeping your car there instead. Less expensive beach parking is also usually available if you arrive early or park a bit further inland.