Want to cut costs on the road Pack peanut butter and follow these other tips
1 Choose a destination based on its restaurant week
Samantha Brown, AARP Travel Expert. These are held during a city's slack season for tourism. You'll eat at top restaurants at a fraction of the regular cost. Be sure to reserve!
2 Be a house sitter
The website matches travelers with homeowners needing their pets and homes looked after while away.
3 Last-minute deals
The mobile app finds big discounts on hotels without having to book ahead of time.
4 Update your documents
Be sure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your overseas travel dates. Otherwise you may be turned back by countries strictly enforcing entry requirements—which could add to the cost of a trip.
5 Don t pay for pricey massages on the road
I travel with pinky balls (sold in toy stores for about $4). Stand on a ball to work out your arches, or use one for a back massage.
6 Travel with peanut butter
It's cheaper than buying airport or airline food, plus you can pair it with lots of foods, like pretzels or bananas. Just remember, it will count as a carry-on liquid.
7 Buy second-class train seats
Rick Steves, Travel Show Host. Throughout Europe, first-class tickets cost about 50 percent more than second-class ones. The difference in comfort is usually minimal.
8 Get cash overseas at ATMs
On average, you pay 8 percent for foreign cash at an ATM. At currency exchange booths, you tend to lose around 15 percent.
9 Check for last-minute deals at business hotels
Hotels in commerce centers like Brussels or Oslo offer deep discounts when traffic is slow. During summer and weekends you can get a fancy $300 double room for $100.
10 Get your rental car in town
You might pay up to 25 percent more to pick up a car at the airport or train station instead of in the town center.
11 Use local cash
You might be drawn to a store advertising "we accept dollars." But your purchase costs about 20 percent more when paid that way.
12 Go carless in urban centers
Why pay rental and parking fees while touring a city on foot? Pick up your rental car after the first big city and drop it off before the final big city of your trip.
View More Ways to Save
on shopping, dining and entertainment as an Samantha Brown is expert. is a European guidebook author and TV travel show host. Video: AARP's Travel Expert Samantha Brown reveals a little-known website for finding inexpensive travel accommodations. Spend less on your daily expenses, car, travel, insurance, taxes, groceries, shopping and more
Visit the AARP state page for information about events, news and resources near you. Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures
Close In the next 24 hours, you will receive an email to confirm your subscription to receive emails related to AARP volunteering. Once you confirm that subscription, you will regularly receive communications related to AARP volunteering. In the meantime, please feel free to search for ways to make a difference in your community at Javascript must be enabled to use this site. Please enable Javascript in your browser and try again.