Why ‘Gig Tripping’ is a popular travel trend in 2024
Some of music’s biggest superstars, including Taylor Swift and Olivia Rodrigo, have announced international tours for 2024. And according to recent reports, many fans are willing to fly overseas to see them.
This is called “gig tripping” and is one of the key trends in Skyscanner’s 2024 Travel Trends report. Nearly half (44%) of U.S. travelers said they would take a short-haul flight to see their favorite artist perform live, while 18% said they would take a long-haul flight.
People are much more willing to do this if it helps them pay for expensive concert tickets. A whopping 60% said they would consider attending a show or festival in another country if it helped them save money.
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It makes sense why gig tripping is so popular. Travel and live music are especially popular among young adults. A concert tour allows you to do both: meet your favorite artists and have a fun vacation. Saving money in the process is the most important thing. If you’re interested in trying this type of travel this year, here are the cheapest places to go and ways to save on travel and concert costs.
Cheapest Cities for Concerts
Skyscanner’s report includes the top destinations with the most shows under $25, according to data from ticketing platform DICE. If you want to know what artists you’re seeing in concert, head to one of these hotspots:
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- leeds england
- bordeaux france
- Rome, Italy
- Milan, Italy
- Paris, France
- London, UK
- Seattle, Washington
- Manchester, England
- Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Nashville, Tennessee
- Toronto, Canada
- Los Angeles, California
- Hamburg, Germany
- Barcelona, Spain
- Chicago, Illinois
Whether you want to travel abroad or stay closer to home, there are many cities where you can enjoy cheap concerts. This is a great option to enjoy live music without putting a huge dent in your finances.
How to save on gig trips
A gig trip may seem expensive. Between flights, hotels, food, and other costs, travel costs can add up quickly, especially if you’re going abroad. Concert tickets for popular artists are also not that cheap.
If you want to see a specific artist, Start planning and booking as early as possible. For travel reservations and concert tickets, prices often go up the longer you wait. If you give yourself enough time to look, you’ll have a better chance of finding a deal. According to CheapAir.com, the “best booking window” for flights to get a low price is 1.5 to 5.5 months in advance.
Along with starting your search early, another way to save money on travel is to use a travel credit card. Earn points that can be used for travel expenses, including airfare and hotel stays. Many people, myself included, save thousands of dollars on travel each year thanks to credit card points.
Saving money on concerts can be tricky, especially when tickets are in high demand. However, there are some strategies to get the tickets you want without overpaying.
- Pre-sale registration: This increases your chances of finding a ticket at face value. Pre-sale availability varies depending on the artist and performance, but you can generally sign up through the artist’s website or ticket platform.
- Make sure your credit card includes access to pre-sale offers. American Express, Capital One, and Citi all have entertainment portals where cardholders can access presales for select concerts. If you have a good credit card that allows you to purchase concert tickets, you can also access presales that way.
- Compare prices across multiple ticket platforms. Because there are many concerts, you can purchase tickets from several sites. Ticketmaster, StubHub, and VividSeats are some of the most popular options. There is no better place to get concert tickets. You’ll need to compare listings from multiple platforms to see which one offers the cheapest price for the seats you want.
Performance travel requires a bit more planning, but seeing a great concert can add to your travel experience. Ticket prices may be cheaper overseas, so if you’re lucky, you may be able to see your favorite artist for less than buying them domestically.
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