These 9 Cheap Travel Sites Save Me Thousands Each Year

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Every year, I spend three to six months living out of a backpack, chasing cheap flights and chasing down even cheaper stays. After 69 countries and counting, I’ve learned this: the internet is flooded with travel deals, but most of them are noise. What actually saves me money—over $7,000 a year on flights alone—comes from just a handful of sites I return to again and again.

I’m talking about mistake fares to Europe for under $200 roundtrip. Five-star hotels for the price of a hostel. Tours that cost half what you’d pay booking locally. These aren’t gimmicks or shady hacks—they’re tools I’ve tested relentlessly on the road, from Tokyo to Tulum. If you’re serious about seeing the world on the cheap, these are the nine sites that can make it happen.

• Read also: My Favorite Travel Websites for Trip Planning in 2025

My Favorite Affordable Travel Sites (and How I Actually Use Them)

If you’re short on time and just want the quick rundown, here’s how I personally use each of these cheap travel websites to save thousands every year. From mistake fares to bundled hotel deals, these are the tools I rely on before every single trip. When you use them together, the savings stack up fast.

• Going.com (Scott’s Cheap Flights) – My #1 for finding insane flight deals (think $300 roundtrip to Europe). I use the Elite plan to get alerts on mistake fares and premium cabin deals.
• Skyscanner – My favorite search engine for comparing airfare across budget airlines and flexible dates. I’ve used this since 2014 to scope out cheap destinations when I’m flexible on where to go.
• Dollar Flight Club – A solid backup to Going. I use it to catch region-specific deals, especially to Europe and Central America, and I like the clean dashboard layout.
• Kayak – Best for all-in-one searches. I use it to compare flight + hotel packages when I want to bundle everything fast and keep costs low.
• CheapOair – Surprisingly useful for last-minute bookings. I check it when other sites come up empty or when I want to compare lesser-known airlines.
• Booking.com – My go-to for hotels. I’ve scored deals up to 25% cheaper here vs. hotel websites – recently used it for a waterfront stay in Cape Cod that beat every other platform.
• Travelocity – Great for quick trip bundles. I use it when I need to lock in a flight + hotel deal in one smooth booking, especially for domestic trips.
• Priceline – My secret weapon for last-minute hotel deals. Express Deals and Pricebreakers have saved me 40%+ when I don’t care which hotel I get as long as it’s 4 stars.
• Travelzoo – My pick for curated, limited-time travel experiences. I use this for flash deals, spa getaways, and luxury packages with perks like dining credits and upgrades.

These are sites I’ve personally used over and over again across 69 countries. Whether you’re planning a big international trip or a weekend escape, these tools make travel way more affordable.

• Pro Tip: At the end of this blog post, I’ll show you how I use these 9 websites together to save the most! Don’t miss it!

1. Going.com

Going is hands-down one of the best tools I’ve found for saving money on airfare. They’re not just another deal site. Their team of flight experts combines smart algorithms with human curation to find real flight deals. Think mistake fares, unadvertised sales, and massive price drops you’d never find on your own.

What I love is that they don’t just send you a bunch of random low fares. Every deal is vetted to make sure it’s actually worth booking, and they tailor alerts based on your departure airports. That means no fluff, just legit cheap flights.

They also don’t play games with affiliate links or ads. Going is fully member-supported, which keeps the deals unbiased. I’ve personally used it to book roundtrips to Europe for under $300 and Asia for under $400.

Their free plan gives you a taste, but the Premium and Elite tiers unlock the full arsenal…like mistake fares and peak-season deals to international destinations. Elite is what I use to find business and first class deals (I’ve actually paid less than $700 to Bali on business class with Emirates). If you’re serious about traveling more for less, it’s 100% worth trying their 14-day free trial. And if you love it? Use my code JON25 for 25% off.

2. Skyscanner

I’ve been using Skyscanner religiously since 2014, and it’s still the first site I check before planning any trip. In my experience, it often surfaces better flight deals than Google Flights, especially on budget airlines or lesser-known carriers.

What makes Skyscanner stand out is its flexible search features. You can search by “cheapest month,” explore flights to anywhere, and quickly compare prices across dozens of booking sites in seconds. It’s perfect for spontaneous getaways or price-sensitive planning.

Unlike some platforms, Skyscanner doesn’t sell you flights directly. It acts as a powerful search engine and redirects you to book with the airline or OTA offering the best deal. That means more transparency and fewer surprise fees. If you’re trying to stretch your travel budget or just want to see where you can fly for cheap, Skyscanner is a must. After a decade of use, I still rely on it to kick off every travel search.

3. Dollar Flight Club

I’ve tested Dollar Flight Club alongside several other deal services, and while I personally rely more heavily on Going.com, DFC has surfaced some solid flight deals over the years…especially to Europe and Central America.

What I like about DFC is how clean and easy the dashboard is. You get curated flight alerts straight to your inbox based on your home airport, and they’re usually organized by trip type. Think international deals, weekend getaways, or mistake fares. It’s great for travelers who want quick, actionable deals without having to dig.

They also offer perks like hotel discounts and travel insurance deals in their Premium+ tier, which adds more value if you travel frequently. From my experience, some of their best deals have come from secondary airports and lesser-known carriers. So if you’re flexible and open to alternate routes, this is worth having in your toolkit. Their free plan is limited, but it’s a good way to test the waters. I recommend trying Premium for a month and comparing it to other services to see which one consistently delivers for your routes.

As covered in my review of Dollar Flight Club, the savings and personalized options make this a must-have tool.

• Pro Tip: Try Premium for $1 for member only flight deals in 2025-2026

4. Kayak

When I want to compare everything in one place—flights, hotels, rental cars, and even full vacation packages, Kayak is usually where I start. I’ve used it countless times when I’m piecing together trips on a budget or trying to find last-minute hotel + flight bundles.

Kayak isn’t just a flight search engine. It pulls data from dozens of booking sites, giving you a full snapshot of what’s available across multiple categories. You can filter by flexible dates, set price alerts, and even track fare trends to know when to book.

What sets Kayak apart is the “Explore” map and their vacation package deals, where you can bundle flights and hotels for extra savings. For me, it’s especially useful if you’re booking a trip to places like Mexico, the Caribbean, or Europe. It’s a solid way to get ideas for booking flights to cheap destinations when you’re feeling spontaneous.

I’ve also found their mobile app to be one of the smoothest for tracking trips and rechecking prices on the go. Kayak may not always have the absolute lowest price, but it’s one of the best all-around tools for comparing your options fast.

5. CheapOair

CheapOair is one of those underrated tools that consistently delivers solid flight and hotel deals…especially if you’re booking last minute or traveling on a tight budget. I’ve used it on and off over the years, and what really sold me is that nearly every travel blogger I follow swears by it too.

Unlike standard aggregators, CheapOair sometimes pulls up fares you won’t see on sites like Google Flights or even Skyscanner. That’s because they partner directly with certain airlines and OTAs, giving you access to exclusive web-only rates.

They also have 24/7 phone support, which can be a lifesaver if your plans change or if you’re booking a complex multi-city itinerary. I’ve found their flight + hotel bundles especially helpful when I want to lock in a full trip quickly without bouncing between different sites. While the interface feels a bit more old-school than newer platforms, the deals are real. If you’re comparing prices across multiple sites, CheapOair is definitely worth having in the rotation.

6. Booking.com

Booking.com is hands-down my go-to for hotels. I’ve used it for years, and I consistently find better prices here than on any other platform…especially for smaller boutique properties and international stays.

Just recently, I booked a last-minute trip to Cape Cod and scored a waterfront inn in Chatham that was $60 cheaper per night than what I saw on Expedia or the hotel’s own website. The whole process took under five minutes, and I was able to filter by free cancellation, guest ratings, and price in one smooth interface.

Some of the key features that keep me coming back:

• Genius loyalty program: After just a couple bookings, I started unlocking discounts up to 15% and free perks like room upgrades and late checkout.
• Verified reviews: Only guests who actually stayed can leave reviews, which makes it much easier to trust the feedback.
• Flexible filters: You can sort by amenities (like pools, pet-friendly, or parking), price range, and cancellation policies with zero hassle.

If you travel often and want reliability plus real savings, Booking.com is an absolute must.

7. Travelocity

I’ve used Travelocity a few times when I wanted to bundle a flight and hotel quickly, and it saved me both time and money…especially for domestic trips.

In 2025, Travelocity remains a strong all-in-one platform where you can book flights, hotels, rental cars, and even cruises or full vacation packages in one streamlined interface. One standout feature this year is their updated “Price Match Guarantee,” which refunds the difference if you find a lower price elsewhere within 24 hours of booking. They also offer 24/7 trip support, which can come in clutch during travel hiccups.

Travelocity’s hotel filters are pretty robust – letting you sort by amenities, reviews, and flexible cancellation options. It’s powered by the same engine as Expedia. So you’ll often find similar inventory, but with occasional promo codes and bundles that make it worth checking both. If you’re planning a complete trip and want convenience in a single booking, Travelocity is a solid option as one of the best travel apps for budget travelers.

8. Priceline

If you’re looking to save money on travel, especially on hotels and car rentals, Priceline is one of the most powerful tools out there. I’ve used it several times for last-minute hotel bookings, and the Express Deals have saved me over 40% compared to other sites.

One of Priceline’s standout features is its “Express Deals” and “Pricebreakers”, which give you steep discounts by keeping the hotel name hidden until after booking. It’s ideal if you’re flexible and just want a highly-rated place at a bargain. They also offer Name Your Own Price (for rental cars), which lets you bid on rates…still a unique feature in 2025.

You can bundle flights, hotels, and rental cars into one package. And their mobile app makes it easy to manage bookings or find last-minute deals on the go. If you’re willing to trade a little control for big savings, Priceline is one of the best places to start.

9. Travelzoo

I’ve used Travelzoo over the years to find some truly unique travel deals…like a wine country escape in California that included a hotel stay, tastings, and credits for half the price you’d normally pay.

What makes Travelzoo different is that it’s not just a search engine…it’s a curated deal site. Their team handpicks the best travel, hotel, and experience deals each week, so instead of endless scrolling, you’re seeing vetted offers with serious value. In 2025, their Top 20 weekly email is still one of my favorite travel resources when I’m looking for trip inspiration or limited-time packages.

You’ll find everything from all-inclusive getaways and boutique hotel stays to spa packages, guided tours, and Broadway tickets…often bundled with extras like dining credits or late checkout. If you’re the kind of traveler who likes exclusive, high-value deals without doing all the hunting yourself, Travelzoo is absolutely worth bookmarking.

How I Use These Sites Together to Save the Most

After more than a decade of travel planning—and booking trips to 69 countries—I’ve developed a pretty streamlined system. I don’t just rely on one cheap travel site. I use them together, each for their specific strengths, to squeeze the most value out of every trip.

Here’s how my process usually looks:

1. Start with Skyscanner
   This is my go-to for exploring flight options when I’m still flexible. I’ll plug in my home airport and search “Everywhere” or sort by “Cheapest Month” to get a sense of what’s possible. Skyscanner is great for spotting budget carriers and lesser-known routes that other sites miss.
2. Check Going.com (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights)
   Once I have a destination in mind, I check Going to see if there are any mistake fares or price drops I can jump on. Their Elite tier often finds premium economy and business class deals I wouldn’t catch anywhere else. I’ve saved hundreds—sometimes over $1,000—just by watching these alerts.
3. Cross-check with Dollar Flight Club
   As a backup, I’ll glance at DFC to see if they’re picking up anything different from Going. Occasionally I’ll find a region-specific deal, especially for Europe or Central America, that’s not on my radar yet.
4. Use Kayak for Flight + Hotel Bundles
   If I’m planning a weekend trip or just want to book everything in one go, I’ll use Kayak to price out vacation packages. Their bundle deals can shave off hundreds compared to booking flights and hotels separately.
5. Book Hotels on Booking.com
   Unless I’m bundling, I nearly always use Booking.com to book my accommodations. I find the best deals there 9 out of 10 times…especially on boutique hotels and guesthouses. Their Genius perks (like free breakfast or late checkout) often seal the deal.
6. Use Priceline or Travelocity for Last-Minute Trips
   When I’m traveling on short notice, I’ll turn to Priceline’s Express Deals or Travelocity’s vacation bundles. They’re perfect for locking in something quickly and affordably without compromising too much on quality.
7. Check Travelzoo for Experiences
   Finally, if I want to add something extra—like a spa getaway, guided tour, or theater package—I check Travelzoo’s Top 20. It’s great for finding limited-time offers with added perks that make a trip feel more elevated without the high price tag.

By combining these tools, I save thousands every year…not just on flights and hotels, but on the entire experience. This workflow has helped me travel more often, more comfortably, and with way less stress. Got any questions? Leave me a comment below and I’ll do my best to get back to you! Cheers, -Jon!