{"id":97874,"date":"2026-05-12T14:59:09","date_gmt":"2026-05-12T18:59:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/?post_type=rbc_my_money_matter&#038;p=97874"},"modified":"2026-05-12T14:59:12","modified_gmt":"2026-05-12T18:59:12","slug":"how-to-save-for-your-next-vacation","status":"publish","type":"rbc_my_money_matter","link":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/goals-aspirations\/travel-and-cross-border\/planning-for-a-big-trip\/how-to-save-for-your-next-vacation\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Save for Your Next Vacation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<section class=\"wp-block-rbc-section-block  pos-rel\" style=\"border-radius:0px\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-rbc-section-inner-block  section-inner\" style=\"border-radius:0x\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-rbc-rbc-block drop-shadow pos-rel top-line-blue block-wpr\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-rbc-rbc-block-inner-block block-inner\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-tldr\">TLDR<\/h4>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-rbc-list is-style-blue-disc\">\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\"><p>Travel costs have risen, so setting a savings goal and budgeting early helps reduce financial stress and prevents relying on credit cards<\/p><\/li>\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\"><p>Beyond flights and hotels, expenses like insurance, baggage fees, roaming charges and currency exchange can significantly increase your trip budget<\/p><\/li>\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\"><p>Use a dedicated savings account, redirect everyday spending, try savings challenges and use rewards or side income to reach your vacation fund faster<\/p><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><br>\n\n\n\n<p>Planning a vacation is exciting and fun \u2013 figuring out the finances for it is another story entirely. Make it easier by carefully budgeting and saving in advance. With the right strategy, you can set a realistic savings goal, manage hidden expenses and be airborne without financial stress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-why-saving-for-vacation-really-matters-in-2026\">Why saving for vacation really matters in 2026<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The average cost of a vacation has risen significantly over the past few years because of high inflation and increased demand. With the average Canadian vacation budget reaching $4,169 in 2026 (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.allianz-assistance.ca\/en_CA\/press-and-media\/vacation-spending-expected-as-canadians-prioritize-bigger-trips.html\" target=\"_blank\" data-dig-id=\"LP-97874-b41d8f5d\" data-dig-category=\"LP\" data-dig-action=\"link click\" data-dig-label=\"according to Allianz Global Assistance\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"rbc-link-format\">according to Allianz Global Assistance<\/a>), many families need a smart savings plan to make travel affordable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Having a dedicated savings plan helps you travel without debt, reduces financial stress and allows you to fully enjoy your experience knowing you&#8217;ve planned ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With the cost of travel at an all-time high, spontaneous getaways have become increasingly difficult for families. Planning ahead with enough buffer time can&nbsp;<strong>save you from the stress<\/strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>increased expense of booking last-minute<\/strong>. Advanced planning can help you find better deals while giving you a greater opportunity to book your top choice locations, especially if they\u2019re popular.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-rbc-list is-style-blue-disc\">\n    <li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\"><strong>Guilt-free spending<\/strong>: Guilt-free spending and pre-planning go hand-in-hand. The former transforms your impulsive purchases into intentional, well-thought-out, budgeted experiences. By creating a dedicated travel fund and planning costs beforehand, travellers eliminate the anxiety of overspending and avoid the dreaded post-vacation credit card hangover.<\/li>\n    <li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\"><strong>Improving overall financial wellness<\/strong>: Vacation savings budgeting helps build skills like tracking expenses and setting financial goals. This can develop into a habit of budgeting in your everyday life, helping you gain financial confidence and security while steadily growing your savings account.<\/li>\n    <li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\"><strong>Being aware of travel advisories<\/strong>: Planning vacations ahead of time also provides you with the opportunity to find out more about where you\u2019re about to visit. This way you can research not only the best deals on lodging, but the safest areas to visit, health requirements and anything else to adjust your plans for the best vacation possible.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-understanding-the-true-cost-of-travelling\">Understanding the true cost of travelling<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A vacation includes other accompanying costs&nbsp;<strong>besides travel and lodging<\/strong>. Taking these expenses into account provides a more comprehensive look at the true cost so you can adjust your budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-comprehensive-vacation-cost-breakdown\">Comprehensive Vacation Cost Breakdown<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"h-\"><strong>Single Traveller: Toronto to New York City (4 days\/3 nights)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-text-reg-font-size is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-ad2f72ca wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<table class=\"table-swipe wp-block-rbc-responsive-table-block is-style-table-striped\"><thead><tr><th scope=\"col\"><strong>Expense Category<\/strong><\/th><th scope=\"col\"><strong>Example Costs Included<\/strong><\/th><th scope=\"col\"><strong>Estimated Cost (CAD)<\/strong><\/th><th scope=\"col\"><strong>Notes<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Transportation<\/strong><\/td><td>Round-trip flight Toronto to NYC ($400-$600), airport transit ($40-$80), NYC Metro 7-day pass ($50 USD = $70 CAD)<\/td><td>$510-$750<\/td><td>Book 1-3 months ahead for best rates<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Accommodation<\/strong><\/td><td>Mid-range hotel or Airbnb in Manhattan or Brooklyn ($200-$400 USD per night \u00d7 3 nights = $280-$560 CAD per night)<\/td><td>$840-$1,680<\/td><td>Prices vary significantly by neighbourhood<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Food and Dining<\/strong><\/td><td>Breakfast ($15-25 USD), lunch ($20-35 USD), dinner ($35-60 USD), coffee\/snacks ($10-15 USD) per day \u00d7 4 days, converted to CAD at ~1.40 exchange rate<\/td><td>$450-$750<\/td><td>NYC dining is expensive; budget $80-$135 USD\/day minimum<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Activities and Excursions<\/strong><\/td><td>Broadway show ($100-$250 USD), museums ($20-$30 USD each), walking tours ($20-$40 USD), converted to CAD<\/td><td>$250-$550<\/td><td>Many museums offer &#8220;pay what you wish&#8221; hours.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Travel Insurance<\/strong><\/td><td>Single-trip policy covering medical emergencies, trip interruption, evacuation, and baggage<\/td><td>$80-$150<\/td><td>Essential for U.S. travel due to healthcare costs<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Shopping and Souvenirs<\/strong><\/td><td>Clothing, gifts, memorabilia (clothing prices higher in USD)<\/td><td>$100-$300<\/td><td>Sales tax in NYC is 8.875%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Miscellaneous<\/strong><\/td><td>Tips (15-20% on meals mandatory), baggage fees, phone roaming, toiletries<\/td><td>$150-$250<\/td><td>Tipping culture is strong in NYC<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Pet Care During Travel<\/strong><\/td><td>Pet boarding, sitter, or drop-in visits (if applicable)<\/td><td>$120-$240<\/td><td>$30-$60 per day for professional care<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Emergency Buffer (15%)<\/strong><\/td><td>Recommended contingency for unexpected costs<\/td><td>$375-$701<\/td><td>Based on 15% of subtotal<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Subtotal<\/strong><\/td><td><\/td><td>$2,500\u2013$4,670<\/td><td><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Estimated Total Cost<\/strong><\/td><td>Solo traveller (4-day trip to NYC)<\/td><td>$2,875\u2013$5,371<strong>&nbsp;<\/strong>CAD<\/td><td>Actual cost depends on travel style and USD exchange rate<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-sm-font-size\"><strong><em>Source: Expedia<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"h-important-note-about-currency-conversion\"><strong>Important Note About Currency Conversion:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>All USD amounts in this table use an approximate exchange rate of 1.40 CAD = 1 USD. The Canadian dollar&#8217;s value fluctuates, so always check current rates when budgeting for U.S. travel. A weaker CAD means higher costs \u2013 for example, a $100 USD meal becomes $140 CAD, not $100 CAD. Use RBC&#8217;s&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/banking-services\/foreign-exchange\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" data-dig-id=\"LP-97874-e9124949\" data-dig-category=\"LP\" data-dig-action=\"link click\" data-dig-label=\"currency converter\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"rbc-link-format\">currency converter<\/a>&nbsp;to calculate real-time costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-average-costs-based-on-your-travel-style\">Average costs based on your travel style<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Everyone has a different style of travelling, whether it\u2019s domestic or international. For those who would rather not break the bank on a trip, there are a multitude of options and ways to save money. On the other hand, five-star hotel hoppers prioritize upscale amenities and premier service, often willing to pay a premium to make sure their trip fits their vision of luxury.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-text-reg-font-size is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-ad2f72ca wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<table class=\"table-swipe wp-block-rbc-responsive-table-block is-style-table-striped\"><thead><tr><th scope=\"col\"><strong>Traveller Type<\/strong><\/th><th scope=\"col\"><strong>Approximate Daily Budget (CAD)<\/strong><\/th><th scope=\"col\"><strong>What This Travel Style Typically Includes<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Budget Traveller<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>~$130<\/strong>&nbsp;per day<\/td><td>Stays in hostels or budget accommodations, eats inexpensive meals like street food or groceries, focuses on free or low-cost attractions (parks, walking tours, museums with free hours), and relies on public transit.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Mid-Range Traveller<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>~$185<\/strong>&nbsp;per day<\/td><td>Books mid-tier hotels or affordable short-term rentals, mixes restaurant meals with grocery purchases, pays for a few attractions or tours, and primarily uses public transit with occasional taxis or rideshares.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Upscale Traveller<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>~$310<\/strong>&nbsp;per day<\/td><td>Stays in higher-end hotels, dines out regularly at sit-down restaurants, books popular attractions or guided experiences, and may use taxis or rideshares more frequently for convenience<strong>.<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Luxury Traveller<\/strong><\/td><td>No fixed limit<\/td><td>Five-star hotels, fine dining, private tours or exclusive experiences, premium transportation and little emphasis on budgeting \u2013 comfort and convenience take priority over cost.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-hidden-costs-travellers-often-forget\">The hidden costs travellers often forget<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Overlooked expenses often hit travellers when they least expect. That\u2019s why it\u2019s worth considering what you might be forgetting while you plan for your long-awaited vacation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-text-reg-font-size is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-ad2f72ca wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<table class=\"table-swipe wp-block-rbc-responsive-table-block is-style-table-striped\"><thead><tr><th scope=\"col\">Overlooked Expense<\/th><th scope=\"col\">What it is<\/th><th scope=\"col\">Typical Cost (CAD)<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Airport Parking<\/td><td>Leaving your vehicle at the airport while you travel. Long-term parking rates at major airports can reach about&nbsp;<strong>$235<\/strong>&nbsp;per week for on-site parking.&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>$150<\/strong>&nbsp;to&nbsp;<strong>$250<\/strong>&nbsp;per week depending on lot type and proximity to the terminal.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Foreign Transaction Fees<\/td><td>Many Canadian credit cards add an extra fee when purchases are made in a foreign currency, even if you pay in USD while travelling.<\/td><td>~2.5% added to each purchase (<strong>about $25 on every $1,000 spent<\/strong>).<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Resort Fees and Mandatory Tips<\/td><td>Some hotels charge mandatory nightly resort or facility fees that aren\u2019t included in the initial room rate. Service charges or automatic gratuities may also apply.<\/td><td><strong>$25<\/strong>&nbsp;to&nbsp;<strong>$60+<\/strong>&nbsp;per night depending on the property.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Baggage Fees<\/td><td>Many airlines charge for checked luggage on economy fares, especially on short-haul international flights.<\/td><td><strong>$50<\/strong>&nbsp;to&nbsp;<strong>$100+<\/strong>&nbsp;each way for one checked bag.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Currency Exchange Spreads<\/td><td>When exchanging cash, banks and exchange counters often apply a markup to the market exchange rate.<\/td><td>2% to 4% markup on the exchange rate.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Travel Visas and Documentation<\/td><td>Some destinations require visas, electronic travel authorizations or documentation fees before arrival.<\/td><td><strong>$0<\/strong>&nbsp;to&nbsp;<strong>$200+<\/strong>&nbsp;depending on the country and visa type.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Vaccination and Health Requirements<\/td><td>Certain destinations recommend or require vaccines that may not be covered by provincial health insurance.<\/td><td><strong>$50<\/strong>&nbsp;to&nbsp;<strong>$200+<\/strong>&nbsp;per vaccine if paid out of pocket.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Phone and Data Roaming<\/td><td>Using your phone abroad without a travel plan can trigger daily roaming fees from Canadian carriers.<\/td><td><strong>$10&nbsp;<\/strong>to&nbsp;<strong>$16<\/strong>&nbsp;per day for many international roaming plans.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-setting-your-vacation-savings-goal\">Setting your vacation savings goal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The dream of a Euro trip or white-sand beach should start with pen and paper. When you set a specific savings goal, you&#8217;re already halfway there \u2013 you just have to draft a plan and set aside money for that vacation. Turn your dream into something tangible with some basic calculations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-calculate-your-target-amount\">Calculate your target amount<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Say you&#8217;re planning a ten-day trip to Costa Rica, leaving in 12 months\u2019 time. Start with basic estimates:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-rbc-list is-style-blue-disc\">\n    <li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">Flights: <strong>$800 roundtrip<\/strong> from Toronto<\/li>\n    <li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">Accommodation: <strong>$1,200<\/strong> (10 nights at mid-range hotels, averaging $120\/night)<\/li>\n    <li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">Food: <strong>$400<\/strong> (roughly $40\/day for meals)<\/li>\n    <li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">Activities: <strong>$500<\/strong> (zip-lining, national park tours, beach excursions)<\/li>\n    <li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">Ground transportation: <strong>$200<\/strong> (shuttles, taxis, local buses)<\/li>\n<\/ul><br>\n\n\n\n<p>That&#8217;s&nbsp;<strong>$3,100 (CAD)<\/strong>&nbsp;before you think about currency exchange. You\u2019ll likely be using USD during your trip, so factor in that your Canadian dollar likely won&#8217;t stretch quite as far as it would at home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now add your buffer. Unexpected costs always show up like that snorkeling trip you didn&#8217;t plan for, higher restaurant prices in tourist areas or souvenirs you can&#8217;t resist. Add 15 per cent extra for peace of mind:&nbsp;<strong>$3,100 \u00d7 1.15 = $3,565<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Break it down into something achievable like money to set aside periodically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here&#8217;s your monthly target:&nbsp;<strong>$3,565 \u00f7 12 months = $297.08\/month<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Be consistent with your figure and put it aside every month so that your dream vacation will become an achievable reality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Your calculations will look different depending on where you&#8217;re going and how you like to travel. A Costa Rica visit isn\u2019t a trip to Vancouver, which also isn\u2019t a two-week Mediterranean cruise, which could run $8,000. Remember that the formula stays the same:&nbsp;<strong>destination costs&nbsp;<\/strong>+&nbsp;<strong>currency considerations<\/strong>&nbsp;+&nbsp;<strong>15% buffer<\/strong>,&nbsp;<strong>divided by your timeline<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When you break it down this way, that dream trip becomes a series of manageable monthly deposits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-break-it-down-into-manageable-chunks\">Break it down into manageable chunks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If managing monthly deposits is still overwhelming, you can still break it down some more so you can achieve the vacation you deserve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Weekly savings goal<\/strong>: That&nbsp;<strong>$297.08 monthly goal<\/strong>&nbsp;could be divided even further into weekly targets of&nbsp;<strong>$74.27.<\/strong>&nbsp;Dividing it into a weekly amount can give you some perspective on the type of spending habits you\u2019d need to adopt to achieve this. Or it can help you realize you may need to make some cuts in your weekly expenses to help out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Daily saving strategies<\/strong>: With an amount of&nbsp;<strong>$10.61 per day<\/strong>&nbsp;to save for one year, you can decide where your financial cuts can come from. Maybe taking lunch to work or making your own coffee at home rather than buying out? While you don\u2019t have to sacrifice what you love completely, you can pick and choose day by day so that saving will be easier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Match savings to pay schedule<\/strong>: It might be easier to align your transfer of savings funds with your bi-weekly or monthly paycheque. This way you won\u2019t notice the money being set aside if it\u2019s just part of your regular earnings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Adjusting goals as needed<\/strong>: Don\u2019t despair if you\u2019re 11 months into your 12-month timeline and it looks like you won\u2019t have enough saved up. Readjust and modify your timeline and finances to make your vacation happen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-creating-a-dedicated-vacation-savings-account\">Creating a dedicated vacation savings account<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When you separate your vacation money from your everyday spending, the money feels more purposeful and protected. It&#8217;s no longer just cash sitting in your account. It&#8217;s your beach weekend. Your ski trip. Your dream getaway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This&nbsp;<strong>psychological shift<\/strong>&nbsp;makes all the difference. Money earmarked for travel feels like &#8220;sacred funds&#8221; and you\u2019re less likely to touch it for impulse purchases or routine expenses. Out of sight really does mean out of mind, and that&#8217;s exactly what you want when you&#8217;re building something exciting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A dedicated account also makes tracking progress effortless. You&#8217;ll see exactly how close you are to booking that flight or reserving that hotel. There&#8217;s no mental math required, no confusion about what&#8217;s available to spend. Your vacation fund is clear, visible, and growing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Most importantly, separation prevents accidents. You&#8217;re&nbsp;<strong>not risking your travel budget on groceries or bills<\/strong>. You&#8217;re creating a boundary that protects your goal and builds your discipline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What\u2019s more, you can make that dedicated account work harder for you. A&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/bank-accounts\/savings-accounts\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" data-dig-id=\"LP-97874-c247bb39\" data-dig-category=\"LP\" data-dig-action=\"link click\" data-dig-label=\"savings account\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"rbc-link-format\">savings account<\/a>&nbsp;that earns interest can help you save and build your vacation fund. Some savings accounts, such as the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/bank-accounts\/savings-accounts\/high-interest-savings-account.html\" target=\"_blank\" data-dig-id=\"LP-97874-cdb4e418\" data-dig-category=\"LP\" data-dig-action=\"link click\" data-dig-label=\"RBC High Interest eSavings Account\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"rbc-link-format\">RBC High Interest eSavings Account<\/a>&nbsp;offer higher interest rates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-to-set-up-your-travel-fund\">How to set up your travel fund<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Getting started takes minutes. Open your&nbsp;<strong>high interest savings account<\/strong>,&nbsp;<strong>link it to your main account chequing account to your savings account for instant transfers<\/strong>,&nbsp;<strong>then set up automatic deposits<\/strong>&nbsp;through RBC Mobile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Schedule transfers on payday, before other spending kicks in. You can start with as little as $25 weekly and watch it grow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The advantage of&nbsp;<strong>compound interest<\/strong>&nbsp;is the &#8220;interest on interest,&#8221; where you earn returns on both your initial principal and the accumulated interest from previous periods, creating exponential growth and accelerating your progress. Track everything in the app and watch your balance climb toward your goal in no time. Use&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/bank-accounts\/savings-accounts\/savings-interest-calculator.html\" target=\"_blank\" data-dig-id=\"LP-97874-1f3707dd\" data-dig-category=\"LP\" data-dig-action=\"link click\" data-dig-label=\"RBC\u2019s Savings Calculator\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"rbc-link-format\">RBC\u2019s Savings Calculator<\/a>&nbsp;to calculate your potential savings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-smart-strategies-to-save-money-faster-for-your-next-trip\">Smart strategies to save money faster for your next trip<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want to reach your travel goal sooner, a few simple savings strategies can help you build your vacation fund faster while staying in tune with your lifestyle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-set-up-a-saving-for-vacation-challenge\">Set up a saving for vacation challenge<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You already have the headspace, now it\u2019s just a matter of turning it into action with a progressive savings challenge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here&#8217;s how it works: Week 1, save $1. Week 2, save $2. Week 3, save $3. Each week, add a dollar to what you saved before. You&#8217;re building real momentum here, and it adds up faster than you&#8217;d think.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By week 52,&nbsp;<strong>you&#8217;ll have saved $1,378<\/strong>, which is a solid foundation for a vacation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You could achieve the same result by going backwards. Start at $52 and work your way down. You might find it easier to stay motivated when you start with a challenge that gets progressively easier. Adjust as needed to make it work for your budget. The challenge adapts to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-redirect-existing-expenses\">Redirect existing expenses<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Look at where you\u2019re losing money. That&nbsp;<strong>gym membership<\/strong>&nbsp;you forget about can be redirected into your travel fund.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Your least favourite&nbsp;<strong>streaming service<\/strong>&nbsp;costs $16.99 a month, totalling $204 a year that could instead go toward your next adventure. One fewer dinner out saves $60 to $100 monthly. Pack your own lunch five days a week, and you&#8217;re saving roughly $12 a day \u2014 adding up to about $240 more each month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Skip the daily&nbsp;<strong>coffee shop run<\/strong>. That $5 habit tallies up to $150 monthly. Cut restaurant visits in half through meal prep. Find free entertainment at libraries, parks and community events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Don\u2019t cut out all expenditures from your life, just remember that a few small redirects add up to big trips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-increase-your-income-for-travel\">Increase your income for travel<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Working side gigs is an ideal way to bring in extra cash, specifically for your vacation or just earn money with your disposable time. Here are some&nbsp;<strong>options for supplemental income<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-rbc-list is-style-blue-disc\">\n    <li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">Finding side gigs or freelance work on Upwork or Fiverr<\/li>\n    <li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">Picking up seasonal part-time work when it\u2019s available<\/li>\n    <li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">Sell items on Facebook Marketplace or Kijiji<\/li>\n    <li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">Rent out your parking space or extra storage unit<\/li>\n    <li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">Use cash back or rebate programs<\/li>\n    <li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">Put your tax refund straight into your travel fund<\/li>\n    <li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">Ask for a raise at work<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-use-windfalls-strategically\">Use windfalls strategically<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Unexpected money can be a tremendous help while you\u2019re saving up. Tax returns, performance bonuses, birthday cash and holiday gifts are just some examples of opportunities to add to your vacation fund. Don\u2019t let it get absorbed with any other money.&nbsp;<strong>Use it wisely to fast-track your trip<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-travel-booking-strategies-that-save-you-money\">Travel booking strategies that save you money<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Timing your booking right is crucial<\/strong>&nbsp;for securing cheap flights.&nbsp;For the best prices,&nbsp;<strong>book domestic flights<\/strong>&nbsp;<strong>one to three months ahead<\/strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>international trips two to six months in advance<\/strong>. Avoid expensive Sunday departures; instead, opt for mid-week travel to save significantly. Flying during off-season periods can also offer&nbsp;<strong>30% to 50% savings<\/strong>&nbsp;on airfare and accommodation. Use&nbsp;Google Flights price alerts&nbsp;to monitor fluctuations and Skyscanner to compare across airlines. Maximize savings by stacking rewards points through credit cards by collecting&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/rbcrewards\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-dig-id=\"LP-97874-e8abf249\" data-dig-category=\"LP\" data-dig-action=\"link click\" data-dig-label=\"Avion Rewards\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"rbc-link-format\">Avion Rewards<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With a clear savings plan and smart spending habits, your long-awaited vacation can become a realistic financial goal rather than a last-minute expense. Don\u2019t let your dream trip fly away \u2013 start saving so you can be the one taking off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-frequently-asked-questions\">Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rbc-rbc-collapsible-accordion accordion\" id=\"&quot;accordionSet1\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-rbc-rbc-collapsible-panel\"><div class=\"accordion-panel\"><button id=\"accordion-titleb67f1f20\" class=\"collapse-toggle collapsed\" data-target=\"#accordionb67f1f20\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-parent=\"#accordionSet1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" data-dig-id=\"LP-97874-b67f1f20\" aria-controls=\"accordionb67f1f20\" data-dig-category=\"LP\" data-dig-action=\"collapsible closed\" data-dig-label=\"How much should I save monthly for my vacation?\" action-closed=\"collapsible closed\" action-opened=\"collapsible open\"><div>How much should I save monthly for my vacation?<\/div><\/button><div class=\"collapse-content collapse\" id=\"accordionb67f1f20\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"accordion-titleb67f1f20\"><div class=\"collapse-inner\">\n<p>You can determine your monthly vacation savings by first finding out how much it\u2019ll cost and then do a simple calculation. Divide your total estimated trip cost by the number of months left until departure. For example,<strong>&nbsp;$3,000&nbsp;<\/strong>in&nbsp;<strong>6 months<\/strong>&nbsp;=&nbsp;<strong>3,000\/6<\/strong>&nbsp;=&nbsp;<strong>$500 per month<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rbc-rbc-collapsible-panel\"><div class=\"accordion-panel\"><button id=\"accordion-titlecccced1e\" class=\"collapse-toggle collapsed\" data-target=\"#accordioncccced1e\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-parent=\"#accordionSet1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" data-dig-id=\"LP-97874-cccced1e\" aria-controls=\"accordioncccced1e\" data-dig-category=\"LP\" data-dig-action=\"collapsible closed\" data-dig-label=\"What is the best savings account for putting away my vacation funds?\" action-closed=\"collapsible closed\" action-opened=\"collapsible open\"><div>What is the best savings account for putting away my vacation funds?<\/div><\/button><div class=\"collapse-content collapse\" id=\"accordioncccced1e\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"accordion-titlecccced1e\"><div class=\"collapse-inner\">\n<p>Any account that allows you to save separately could be a good fit. A savings account with higher interest rates, such as&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/bank-accounts\/savings-accounts\/high-interest-savings-account.html\" target=\"_blank\" data-dig-id=\"LP-97874-99b77dd3\" data-dig-category=\"LP\" data-dig-action=\"link click\" data-dig-label=\"High-Interest Savings Accounts (HISAs)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"rbc-link-format\">High-Interest Savings Accounts (HISAs)<\/a>&nbsp;may be suitable for vacation funds, as your money will typically earn a higher rate of interest than a standard savings account.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rbc-rbc-collapsible-panel\"><div class=\"accordion-panel\"><button id=\"accordion-title19c68fe6\" class=\"collapse-toggle collapsed\" data-target=\"#accordion19c68fe6\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-parent=\"#accordionSet1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" data-dig-id=\"LP-97874-19c68fe6\" aria-controls=\"accordion19c68fe6\" data-dig-category=\"LP\" data-dig-action=\"collapsible closed\" data-dig-label=\"How can I save for vacation on a tight budget?\" action-closed=\"collapsible closed\" action-opened=\"collapsible open\"><div>How can I save for vacation on a tight budget?<\/div><\/button><div class=\"collapse-content collapse\" id=\"accordion19c68fe6\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"accordion-title19c68fe6\"><div class=\"collapse-inner\">\n<p>You can help save for a vacation on a tight budget by setting aside money periodically, taking advantage of credit card cash back and rewards, finding alternate income sources and taking advantage of savings account features.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rbc-rbc-collapsible-panel\"><div class=\"accordion-panel\"><button id=\"accordion-titled82c2bc4\" class=\"collapse-toggle collapsed\" data-target=\"#accordiond82c2bc4\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-parent=\"#accordionSet1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" data-dig-id=\"LP-97874-d82c2bc4\" aria-controls=\"accordiond82c2bc4\" data-dig-category=\"LP\" data-dig-action=\"collapsible closed\" data-dig-label=\"Is it better to save cash or use travel rewards for booking my trip?\" action-closed=\"collapsible closed\" action-opened=\"collapsible open\"><div>Is it better to save cash or use travel rewards for booking my trip?<\/div><\/button><div class=\"collapse-content collapse\" id=\"accordiond82c2bc4\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"accordion-titled82c2bc4\"><div class=\"collapse-inner\">\n<p>Using travel rewards is usually better for high-value redemptions like flights or luxury hotels. On the other hand, saving cash is better for low-cost, flexible bookings. &#8220;Earning and burning&#8221; points quickly avoids devaluation from inflation, whereas saving cash is ideal when rewards aren\u2019t enough to cover the full cost or if flexibility is limited.&nbsp;Always weigh different options to decide.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rbc-rbc-collapsible-panel\"><div class=\"accordion-panel\"><button id=\"accordion-titleb6dbf3bd\" class=\"collapse-toggle collapsed\" data-target=\"#accordionb6dbf3bd\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-parent=\"#accordionSet1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" data-dig-id=\"LP-97874-b6dbf3bd\" aria-controls=\"accordionb6dbf3bd\" data-dig-category=\"LP\" data-dig-action=\"collapsible closed\" data-dig-label=\"What percentage of my income should go to vacation savings?\" action-closed=\"collapsible closed\" action-opened=\"collapsible open\"><div>What percentage of my income should go to vacation savings?<\/div><\/button><div class=\"collapse-content collapse\" id=\"accordionb6dbf3bd\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"accordion-titleb6dbf3bd\"><div class=\"collapse-inner\">\n<p>A general rule of thumb is to set aside&nbsp;<strong>five to 10 per cent of your take-home income<\/strong>&nbsp;for vacation savings. You should go with what works best for your financial wellbeing. Be sure to talk to a financial advisor if you need help with money management.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rbc-rbc-collapsible-panel\"><div class=\"accordion-panel\"><button id=\"accordion-titlea8e335f0\" class=\"collapse-toggle collapsed\" data-target=\"#accordiona8e335f0\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-parent=\"#accordionSet1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" data-dig-id=\"LP-97874-a8e335f0\" aria-controls=\"accordiona8e335f0\" data-dig-category=\"LP\" data-dig-action=\"collapsible closed\" data-dig-label=\"How do I avoid overspending on vacation?\" action-closed=\"collapsible closed\" action-opened=\"collapsible open\"><div>How do I avoid overspending on vacation?<\/div><\/button><div class=\"collapse-content collapse\" id=\"accordiona8e335f0\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"accordion-titlea8e335f0\"><div class=\"collapse-inner\">\n<p>You can avoid overspending on vacation by setting a strict budget for yourself and setting up a financial tracker in your banking app.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rbc-rbc-collapsible-panel\"><div class=\"accordion-panel\"><button id=\"accordion-titlea20e56ff\" class=\"collapse-toggle collapsed\" data-target=\"#accordiona20e56ff\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-parent=\"#accordionSet1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" data-dig-id=\"LP-97874-a20e56ff\" aria-controls=\"accordiona20e56ff\" data-dig-category=\"LP\" data-dig-action=\"collapsible closed\" data-dig-label=\"Can I use my TFSA for vacation savings?\" action-closed=\"collapsible closed\" action-opened=\"collapsible open\"><div>Can I use my TFSA for vacation savings?<\/div><\/button><div class=\"collapse-content collapse\" id=\"accordiona20e56ff\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"accordion-titlea20e56ff\"><div class=\"collapse-inner\">\n<p>Yes, you can use your TFSA for vacation savings because you can withdraw funds anytime, tax-free, making it ideal for short-term goals. Just remember that the contribution room from a withdrawal is not added back until January 1 of the following calendar year, so you cannot immediately redeposit the same funds in the same year without sufficient available room.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rbc-rbc-default-collapsible\"><p><button class=\"collapse-toggle collapsed\" data-target=\"#collapse834a1009\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"collapse834a1009\" data-dig-id=\"LP-57738-834a1009\" data-dig-category=\"LP\" data-dig-action=\"accordion closed\" action-closed=\"accordion closed\" action-opened=\"accordion open\" data-dig-label=\"Things our lawyers want you to know\"><span>Things our lawyers want you to know<\/span><span>Things our lawyers want you to know<\/span><\/button><\/p><div class=\"collapse-content collapse\" id=\"collapse834a1009\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-rbc-collapsible-inner-block collapse-inner\">\n<p>This article is intended as general information only and is not to be relied upon as constituting legal, financial or other professional advice. A professional advisor should be consulted regarding your specific situation. Information presented is believed to be factual and up-to-date but we do not guarantee its accuracy and it should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subjects discussed. All expressions of opinion reflect the judgment of the authors as of the date of publication and are subject to change. No endorsement of any third parties or their advice, opinions, information, products or services is expressly given or implied by Royal Bank of Canada or any of its affiliates.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Learn how to save money for your dream vacation. Discover the best savings strategies, tips, and RBC tools to make your travel dreams a reality.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":90,"featured_media":97881,"parent":57290,"menu_order":0,"template":"wp-custom-template-mmm-sticky-nav","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"advgb_blocks_editor_width":"","advgb_blocks_columns_visual_guide":"","footnotes":""},"tags":[517,121],"rbc_content_type":[31],"rbc_audience":[],"rbc_lob_group":[509],"rbc_difficulty_level":[33],"rbc_mmm_category":[303,343,311],"class_list":["post-97874","rbc_my_money_matter","type-rbc_my_money_matter","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-budgeting","tag-travel-tips","rbc_content_type-article","rbc_lob_group-accounts","rbc_difficulty_level-beginner","rbc_mmm_category-goals-aspirations","rbc_mmm_category-planning-for-a-big-trip","rbc_mmm_category-travel-and-cross-border"],"acf":{"contently_publication_id":"","custom_author":"Royal Bank of Canada","rbc_video_header":"","rbc_media_duration":"","rbc_video_keywords":"","rbc_video_description":"","rbc_video_upload_date":"","rbc_toc_for_mmm_tag":"h2","rbc_toc_for_mmm_limit":6,"rbc_toc_for_mmm":[{"title":"Why saving for vacation really matters in 2026","url":"#h-why-saving-for-vacation-really-matters-in-2026"},{"title":"Understanding the true cost of travelling","url":"#h-understanding-the-true-cost-of-travelling"},{"title":"Setting your vacation savings goal","url":"#h-setting-your-vacation-savings-goal"},{"title":"Creating a dedicated vacation savings account","url":"#h-creating-a-dedicated-vacation-savings-account"},{"title":"Smart strategies to save money faster for your next trip","url":"#h-smart-strategies-to-save-money-faster-for-your-next-trip"},{"title":"Travel booking strategies that save you money","url":"#h-travel-booking-strategies-that-save-you-money"}],"rbc_toc_for_mmm_action":"Generate Table Of Contents"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.4 (Yoast SEO v27.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn how to save money for your dream vacation. Discover the best savings strategies, tips, and RBC tools to make your travel dreams a reality.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/goals-aspirations\/travel-and-cross-border\/planning-for-a-big-trip\/how-to-save-for-your-next-vacation\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Learn how to save money for your dream vacation. Discover the best savings strategies, tips, and RBC tools to make your travel dreams a reality.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/goals-aspirations\/travel-and-cross-border\/planning-for-a-big-trip\/how-to-save-for-your-next-vacation\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"RBC Royal Bank\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-05-12T18:59:12+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2026\/05\/Woman-on-vacation.jpg?quality=80\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"15 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\\\/en-ca\\\/my-money-matters\\\/goals-aspirations\\\/travel-and-cross-border\\\/planning-for-a-big-trip\\\/how-to-save-for-your-next-vacation\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\\\/en-ca\\\/my-money-matters\\\/goals-aspirations\\\/travel-and-cross-border\\\/planning-for-a-big-trip\\\/how-to-save-for-your-next-vacation\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Md Miraz Kabir\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\\\/en-ca\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/3dd4d6b89786bef9ec09bb85220150a4\"},\"headline\":\"How to Save for Your Next Vacation\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-05-12T18:59:09+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-05-12T18:59:12+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\\\/en-ca\\\/my-money-matters\\\/goals-aspirations\\\/travel-and-cross-border\\\/planning-for-a-big-trip\\\/how-to-save-for-your-next-vacation\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":3137,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\\\/en-ca\\\/my-money-matters\\\/goals-aspirations\\\/travel-and-cross-border\\\/planning-for-a-big-trip\\\/how-to-save-for-your-next-vacation\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\\\/en-ca\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/12\\\/2026\\\/05\\\/Woman-on-vacation.jpg?quality=80\",\"keywords\":[\"Budgeting\",\"Travel Tips\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\\\/en-ca\\\/my-money-matters\\\/goals-aspirations\\\/travel-and-cross-border\\\/planning-for-a-big-trip\\\/how-to-save-for-your-next-vacation\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\\\/en-ca\\\/my-money-matters\\\/goals-aspirations\\\/travel-and-cross-border\\\/planning-for-a-big-trip\\\/how-to-save-for-your-next-vacation\\\/\",\"name\":\"How to Save for Your Next Vacation - My Money Matters\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\\\/en-ca\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\\\/en-ca\\\/my-money-matters\\\/goals-aspirations\\\/travel-and-cross-border\\\/planning-for-a-big-trip\\\/how-to-save-for-your-next-vacation\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\\\/en-ca\\\/my-money-matters\\\/goals-aspirations\\\/travel-and-cross-border\\\/planning-for-a-big-trip\\\/how-to-save-for-your-next-vacation\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\\\/en-ca\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/12\\\/2026\\\/05\\\/Woman-on-vacation.jpg?quality=80\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-05-12T18:59:09+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-05-12T18:59:12+00:00\",\"description\":\"Learn how to save money for your dream vacation. Discover the best savings strategies, tips, and RBC tools to make your travel dreams a reality.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\\\/en-ca\\\/my-money-matters\\\/goals-aspirations\\\/travel-and-cross-border\\\/planning-for-a-big-trip\\\/how-to-save-for-your-next-vacation\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\\\/en-ca\\\/my-money-matters\\\/goals-aspirations\\\/travel-and-cross-border\\\/planning-for-a-big-trip\\\/how-to-save-for-your-next-vacation\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\\\/en-ca\\\/my-money-matters\\\/goals-aspirations\\\/travel-and-cross-border\\\/planning-for-a-big-trip\\\/how-to-save-for-your-next-vacation\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\\\/en-ca\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/12\\\/2026\\\/05\\\/Woman-on-vacation.jpg?quality=80\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\\\/en-ca\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/12\\\/2026\\\/05\\\/Woman-on-vacation.jpg?quality=80\",\"width\":8256,\"height\":5504,\"caption\":\"Woman on a summer vacation using her phone. She is enjoying the beautiful view.\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\\\/en-ca\\\/my-money-matters\\\/goals-aspirations\\\/travel-and-cross-border\\\/planning-for-a-big-trip\\\/how-to-save-for-your-next-vacation\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"My Money Matters\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\\\/en-ca\\\/my-money-matters\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Goals and Aspirations\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\\\/en-ca\\\/my-money-matters\\\/goals-aspirations\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Travel and Cross Border\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\\\/en-ca\\\/my-money-matters\\\/goals-aspirations\\\/travel-and-cross-border\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":4,\"name\":\"Planning for a Big Trip\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\\\/en-ca\\\/my-money-matters\\\/goals-aspirations\\\/travel-and-cross-border\\\/planning-for-a-big-trip\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":5,\"name\":\"How to Save for Your Next Vacation\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\\\/en-ca\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\\\/en-ca\\\/\",\"name\":\"RBC Royal Bank\",\"description\":\"\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\\\/en-ca\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\\\/en-ca\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/3dd4d6b89786bef9ec09bb85220150a4\",\"name\":\"Md Miraz Kabir\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/6ad7746723544ad2e37dcebddfb31e77e2a79526c8dc509d41f200ffe75e2799?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/6ad7746723544ad2e37dcebddfb31e77e2a79526c8dc509d41f200ffe75e2799?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/6ad7746723544ad2e37dcebddfb31e77e2a79526c8dc509d41f200ffe75e2799?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Md Miraz Kabir\"}}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"description":"Learn how to save money for your dream vacation. Discover the best savings strategies, tips, and RBC tools to make your travel dreams a reality.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/goals-aspirations\/travel-and-cross-border\/planning-for-a-big-trip\/how-to-save-for-your-next-vacation\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_description":"Learn how to save money for your dream vacation. Discover the best savings strategies, tips, and RBC tools to make your travel dreams a reality.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/goals-aspirations\/travel-and-cross-border\/planning-for-a-big-trip\/how-to-save-for-your-next-vacation\/","og_site_name":"RBC Royal Bank","article_modified_time":"2026-05-12T18:59:12+00:00","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_image":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2026\/05\/Woman-on-vacation.jpg?quality=80","twitter_misc":{"Est. reading time":"15 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/goals-aspirations\/travel-and-cross-border\/planning-for-a-big-trip\/how-to-save-for-your-next-vacation\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/goals-aspirations\/travel-and-cross-border\/planning-for-a-big-trip\/how-to-save-for-your-next-vacation\/"},"author":{"name":"Md Miraz Kabir","@id":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/#\/schema\/person\/3dd4d6b89786bef9ec09bb85220150a4"},"headline":"How to Save for Your Next Vacation","datePublished":"2026-05-12T18:59:09+00:00","dateModified":"2026-05-12T18:59:12+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/goals-aspirations\/travel-and-cross-border\/planning-for-a-big-trip\/how-to-save-for-your-next-vacation\/"},"wordCount":3137,"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/goals-aspirations\/travel-and-cross-border\/planning-for-a-big-trip\/how-to-save-for-your-next-vacation\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2026\/05\/Woman-on-vacation.jpg?quality=80","keywords":["Budgeting","Travel Tips"],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/goals-aspirations\/travel-and-cross-border\/planning-for-a-big-trip\/how-to-save-for-your-next-vacation\/","url":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/goals-aspirations\/travel-and-cross-border\/planning-for-a-big-trip\/how-to-save-for-your-next-vacation\/","name":"How to Save for Your Next Vacation - My Money Matters","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/goals-aspirations\/travel-and-cross-border\/planning-for-a-big-trip\/how-to-save-for-your-next-vacation\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/goals-aspirations\/travel-and-cross-border\/planning-for-a-big-trip\/how-to-save-for-your-next-vacation\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2026\/05\/Woman-on-vacation.jpg?quality=80","datePublished":"2026-05-12T18:59:09+00:00","dateModified":"2026-05-12T18:59:12+00:00","description":"Learn how to save money for your dream vacation. Discover the best savings strategies, tips, and RBC tools to make your travel dreams a reality.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/goals-aspirations\/travel-and-cross-border\/planning-for-a-big-trip\/how-to-save-for-your-next-vacation\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/goals-aspirations\/travel-and-cross-border\/planning-for-a-big-trip\/how-to-save-for-your-next-vacation\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/goals-aspirations\/travel-and-cross-border\/planning-for-a-big-trip\/how-to-save-for-your-next-vacation\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2026\/05\/Woman-on-vacation.jpg?quality=80","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2026\/05\/Woman-on-vacation.jpg?quality=80","width":8256,"height":5504,"caption":"Woman on a summer vacation using her phone. She is enjoying the beautiful view."},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/goals-aspirations\/travel-and-cross-border\/planning-for-a-big-trip\/how-to-save-for-your-next-vacation\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"My Money Matters","item":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Goals and Aspirations","item":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/goals-aspirations\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Travel and Cross Border","item":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/goals-aspirations\/travel-and-cross-border\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"Planning for a Big Trip","item":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/goals-aspirations\/travel-and-cross-border\/planning-for-a-big-trip\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":5,"name":"How to Save for Your Next Vacation"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/","name":"RBC Royal Bank","description":"","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/#\/schema\/person\/3dd4d6b89786bef9ec09bb85220150a4","name":"Md Miraz Kabir","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/6ad7746723544ad2e37dcebddfb31e77e2a79526c8dc509d41f200ffe75e2799?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/6ad7746723544ad2e37dcebddfb31e77e2a79526c8dc509d41f200ffe75e2799?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/6ad7746723544ad2e37dcebddfb31e77e2a79526c8dc509d41f200ffe75e2799?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Md Miraz Kabir"}}]}},"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","canonical_url":"https:\/\/rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/goals-aspirations\/travel-and-cross-border\/planning-for-a-big-trip\/how-to-save-for-your-next-vacation\/","smart_links":{"inbound":0,"outbound":0},"traffic_boost_suggestions_count":0,"meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"How to Save for Your Next Vacation","url":"http:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/goals-aspirations\/travel-and-cross-border\/planning-for-a-big-trip\/how-to-save-for-your-next-vacation\/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"http:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/goals-aspirations\/travel-and-cross-border\/planning-for-a-big-trip\/how-to-save-for-your-next-vacation\/"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2026\/05\/Woman-on-vacation.jpg?quality=80&w=150&h=150&crop=1","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2026\/05\/Woman-on-vacation.jpg?quality=80"},"articleSection":"Uncategorized","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Md Miraz Kabir"}],"creator":["Md Miraz Kabir"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"RBC Royal Bank","logo":""},"keywords":["budgeting","travel tips"],"dateCreated":"2026-05-12T18:59:09Z","datePublished":"2026-05-12T18:59:09Z","dateModified":"2026-05-12T18:59:12Z"},"rendered":"<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"wp-parsely-metadata\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"NewsArticle\",\"headline\":\"How to Save for Your Next Vacation\",\"url\":\"http:\\\/\\\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\\\/en-ca\\\/my-money-matters\\\/goals-aspirations\\\/travel-and-cross-border\\\/planning-for-a-big-trip\\\/how-to-save-for-your-next-vacation\\\/\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"http:\\\/\\\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\\\/en-ca\\\/my-money-matters\\\/goals-aspirations\\\/travel-and-cross-border\\\/planning-for-a-big-trip\\\/how-to-save-for-your-next-vacation\\\/\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\\\/en-ca\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/12\\\/2026\\\/05\\\/Woman-on-vacation.jpg?quality=80&w=150&h=150&crop=1\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\\\/en-ca\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/12\\\/2026\\\/05\\\/Woman-on-vacation.jpg?quality=80\"},\"articleSection\":\"Uncategorized\",\"author\":[{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Md Miraz Kabir\"}],\"creator\":[\"Md Miraz Kabir\"],\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"RBC Royal Bank\",\"logo\":\"\"},\"keywords\":[\"budgeting\",\"travel tips\"],\"dateCreated\":\"2026-05-12T18:59:09Z\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-05-12T18:59:09Z\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-05-12T18:59:12Z\"}<\/script>","tracker_url":"https:\/\/cdn.parsely.com\/keys\/rbcroyalbank.com\/p.js"},"featured_img":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2026\/05\/Woman-on-vacation.jpg?quality=80&w=1024","coauthors":[],"author_meta":{"author_link":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/author\/mirazkabir\/","display_name":"Md Miraz Kabir"},"relative_dates":{"created":"Posted 3 days ago","modified":"Updated 3 days ago"},"absolute_dates":{"created":"Posted on May 12, 2026","modified":"Updated on May 12, 2026"},"absolute_dates_time":{"created":"Posted on May 12, 2026 2:59 pm","modified":"Updated on May 12, 2026 2:59 pm"},"featured_img_caption":"Woman on a summer vacation using her phone. She is enjoying the beautiful view.","tax_additional":{"post_tag":{"linked":["<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/topic\/budgeting\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Budgeting<\/a>","<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/topic\/travel-tips\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Travel Tips<\/a>"],"unlinked":["<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Budgeting<\/span>","<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Travel Tips<\/span>"],"slug":"post_tag","name":"Tags"},"rbc_content_type":{"linked":["<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/content-type\/article\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Article<\/a>"],"unlinked":["<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Article<\/span>"],"slug":"rbc_content_type","name":"Content Types"},"rbc_audience":{"linked":[],"unlinked":[],"slug":"rbc_audience","name":"Audiences"},"rbc_lob_group":{"linked":["<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/lob-group\/accounts\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Accounts<\/a>"],"unlinked":["<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Accounts<\/span>"],"slug":"rbc_lob_group","name":"LOB Groups"},"rbc_difficulty_level":{"linked":["<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/difficulty-level\/beginner\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Beginner<\/a>"],"unlinked":["<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Beginner<\/span>"],"slug":"rbc_difficulty_level","name":"Difficulty Levels"},"rbc_mmm_category":{"linked":["<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/mmm-category\/goals-aspirations\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Goals &amp; Aspirations<\/a>","<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/mmm-category\/planning-for-a-big-trip\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Planning for a Big Trip<\/a>","<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/mmm-category\/travel-and-cross-border\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Travel and Cross Border<\/a>"],"unlinked":["<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Goals &amp; Aspirations<\/span>","<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Planning for a Big Trip<\/span>","<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Travel and Cross Border<\/span>"],"slug":"rbc_mmm_category","name":"Categories"},"ep_custom_result":{"linked":[],"unlinked":[],"slug":"ep_custom_result","name":"Custom Results"}},"series_order":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"primary_tag":"517","primary_rbc_mmm_category":"343","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rbc_my_money_matter\/97874","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rbc_my_money_matter"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/rbc_my_money_matter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/90"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rbc_my_money_matter\/97874\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":97882,"href":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rbc_my_money_matter\/97874\/revisions\/97882"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rbc_my_money_matter\/57290"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/97881"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=97874"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=97874"},{"taxonomy":"rbc_content_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rbc_content_type?post=97874"},{"taxonomy":"rbc_audience","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rbc_audience?post=97874"},{"taxonomy":"rbc_lob_group","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rbc_lob_group?post=97874"},{"taxonomy":"rbc_difficulty_level","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rbc_difficulty_level?post=97874"},{"taxonomy":"rbc_mmm_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rbc_mmm_category?post=97874"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}