Traveling across the USA can be a dream come true, but the cost of flights, hotels, and activities can quickly add up. Fortunately, there are plenty of apps designed to help you save money while you explore popular destinations from coast to coast. Whether you’re booking last-minute flights, finding budget-friendly accommodations, or looking for discounts on local activities, apps like Groupon, Hopper, and other money-saving tools can make your trip more affordable.
In this blog, we’ll explore how to use these apps effectively to save money on your next U.S. trip, so you can focus on the fun and excitement of your adventure without breaking the bank.
1. Groupon: The Best App for Local Deals and Discounts
Why Choose Groupon: Groupon is a popular app that offers exclusive deals and discounts on travel, activities, food, shopping, and more. It’s perfect for travelers looking to save money on experiences, attractions, and even accommodations in U.S. cities.
Features:
- Local Travel Deals: Groupon allows you to search for discounts in specific cities, whether you’re planning to visit New York City, Los Angeles, or a smaller U.S. destination. From discounted tickets to local attractions to deals on city tours, Groupon is a goldmine for travelers.
- Travel Packages and Getaways: Groupon offers great deals on travel packages, including airfare, hotel stays, and rental cars. These bundles often include significant discounts, making them a fantastic option for those who prefer booking everything in one go.
- Dining Deals: If you’re looking to save on meals while exploring, Groupon frequently offers discounted dining options at local restaurants, allowing you to enjoy delicious meals at a fraction of the cost.
- Last-Minute Travel Offers: Groupon also has last-minute travel offers, which can be perfect for spontaneous trips or when you’re looking to score a great deal on your upcoming travel plans.
Budget Tip: Check Groupon daily for new deals and subscribe to get notifications for your preferred destinations. You can often find limited-time offers that are too good to pass up, whether it’s for discounted tours or budget-friendly weekend getaways.
2. Hopper: Predict the Best Time to Book Flights and Hotels
Why Choose Hopper: Hopper is a flight and hotel booking app that uses advanced technology to predict the best time to book for the lowest prices. It’s ideal for budget-conscious travelers who want to ensure they’re getting the best deals on airfare and accommodations.
Features:
- Flight Predictions: Hopper analyzes historical flight prices and trends to predict the best time to book your flight. By using this app, you can get alerts when prices are expected to drop, ensuring you book your tickets at the lowest possible rate.
- Price Alerts: Hopper allows you to set up price alerts for specific flights, so you’ll be notified when the price of your desired route drops. This feature helps you avoid booking too early or too late, both of which can lead to higher costs.
- Hotel Deals: In addition to flights, Hopper also helps you find the best hotel deals. It shows price trends for hotel bookings in specific cities, allowing you to plan your trip accordingly to save on accommodations.
- Flexibility and Budget Options: Hopper provides insights on which dates are most affordable for your trip, helping you adjust your itinerary to match the lowest prices. You can often save money by shifting your travel dates by just a few days.
Budget Tip: Set up price alerts for both flights and hotels, especially for popular travel periods like summer or holidays. This way, you can book at the right time and avoid paying inflated prices.
3. Skyscanner: Compare Flights and Find the Best Airfare Deals
Why Choose Skyscanner: Skyscanner is a flight comparison app that allows you to compare prices across multiple airlines and booking websites. It’s an essential tool for finding the best flight deals when traveling within the USA or internationally.
Features:
- Flight Comparison: Skyscanner aggregates flight prices from hundreds of airlines, travel agencies, and booking sites, helping you find the cheapest airfare for your desired route.
- Flexible Dates Search: You can search for flights on flexible dates to see which days have the lowest prices. If you’re flexible with your travel dates, Skyscanner can help you save a lot of money.
- Price Alerts: Like Hopper, Skyscanner also allows you to set up price alerts for specific flights, ensuring you get notified when ticket prices drop.
- Hotels and Car Rentals: Skyscanner isn’t just for flights; it also lets you compare hotel prices and car rental options, helping you save money on all aspects of your travel.
Budget Tip: Use Skyscanner’s “whole month” search option to see a calendar view of flight prices. This is especially useful for long trips or when you’re flexible with your departure and return dates.
4. HotelTonight: Last-Minute Hotel Deals for Spontaneous Travelers
Why Choose HotelTonight: HotelTonight is a great app for last-minute bookings, allowing you to find discounted hotel rooms for same-day or next-day stays. It’s perfect for travelers who enjoy spontaneous trips or need a place to stay during their travels but haven’t yet booked accommodations.
Features:
- Last-Minute Deals: HotelTonight specializes in discounted rates for last-minute hotel bookings. If you’re traveling through the USA and need a place to stay unexpectedly, this app will help you find affordable rooms in your current location.
- Hand-Picked Hotels: The app only offers rooms from vetted, highly-rated hotels, so you can be sure that the places you book through HotelTonight meet quality standards.
- Filter by Budget: You can easily filter search results by price range, ensuring that you stay within your budget while still enjoying a comfortable and clean hotel room.
- Easy Booking Process: HotelTonight allows you to book a hotel in just a few taps, making it quick and convenient for travelers on the go.
Budget Tip: If you’re flexible with your travel schedule, check out HotelTonight for spontaneous trips. You can often snag great last-minute deals and save significantly on accommodations.
5. Rome2Rio: Find the Cheapest Ways to Get Around
Why Choose Rome2Rio: Rome2Rio is a transportation app that shows you all the available travel options between your starting point and destination. Whether you’re looking for flights, buses, trains, ferries, or car rentals, Rome2Rio helps you compare the costs and find the most affordable travel options.
Features:
- Comprehensive Travel Routes: Rome2Rio covers a wide range of transportation methods, giving you a complete view of the most affordable ways to travel between cities in the USA.
- Multiple Options: You can compare flights, trains, buses, and even ride-sharing services like Uber, allowing you to choose the best option for your budget and preferences.
- Booking Links: Once you find the best deal, Rome2Rio provides links to booking websites, making it easy to finalize your reservations.
- Real-Time Data: The app provides real-time data for transportation schedules and prices, ensuring that you can plan your travel efficiently.
Budget Tip: Use Rome2Rio when traveling between cities to compare costs for flights, trains, and buses. You might find that taking a bus or train is significantly cheaper than flying.
6. Turo: Rent a Car Like a Local
Why Choose Turo: Turo is a car rental app that connects travelers with local car owners who want to rent out their vehicles. Instead of going through traditional car rental agencies, you can rent a car from a local host at a much lower cost.
Features:
- Affordable Car Rentals: Turo often offers lower rates compared to traditional rental agencies, especially for short-term rentals.
- Variety of Vehicles: Whether you need a compact car, SUV, or luxury vehicle, Turo provides a wide selection of cars to choose from.
- Local Experience: Renting a car through Turo means you get to connect with locals, and the process is often more personal and flexible than with traditional car rental companies.
Budget Tip: Use Turo to rent a car for your trip if you’re looking for affordable options and want to avoid the high prices often associated with traditional rental agencies.
