Black Friday Sales For Travel and Hiking : Our Top 2024 Picks

Created by Colleen | Updated : 24 May 2024 |

I’m not a great shopper; never have been. Truth be told, I don’t enjoy it. But if there’s a way to save money on hiking gear or travel deals, I’m all over it!

Black Friday is here, and it’s followed by Cyber Monday, then Travel Tuesday, and soon after, Christmas and winter sales. Of course, the January sales are just around the corner, too!

There has never been a better time to find great deals. Whether you’re planning your next Camino, hunting for hiking gear, or booking accommodation, this year’s sales have plenty to offer.

rickshaw drivers pushing their rickshaws in the old part of delhi in India

Before You Shop Set Some Ground Rules

Before we show you how to make these savings, ask yourself three key questions:

  1. Do you really need this? : It’s so easy to overspend when things seem cheap. Don’t buy something unless you truly need it. Overspending will only leave you with buyer’s remorse when you check your bank account!
  2. Is it a good product? : Ever walked down the aisle in a shop like Lidl, seen all kinds of wonderful gadgets, and tossed them into your basket without knowing they’re any good? Ikea is another great example of how we impulse-buy! Sales are a great opportunity to buy things that you need, but do your research first to make sure the quality and value are up to scratch.
  3. Is it the cheapest option? Don’t assume that a 30% off automatically means it’s the best price. Some items are heavily discounted because they were overpriced to begin with. Shop around, compare prices, and make sure you’re truly getting a good deal.

Key Dates to Remember

  • Black Friday: Friday, 29th November 2024
  • Cyber Monday: Monday, 2nd December 2024
  • Travel Tuesday: Tuesday, 3rd December 2024

Want to learn more about the Camino? Then hop over to my Free Private Facebook Group | Walking The Camino De Santiago.

Colleen and Gerry watching the train go by in Train Street in Hanoi

Best Black Friday Travel Deals for 2024

Booking.com and Hostelworld are offering big discounts, while Get Your Guide has similar sales. Amazon always hosts Black Friday sales, making it the perfect time to grab some hiking gear!

Without further ado, let’s go straight to the deals. Our list isn’t exhaustive; it would go on forever! Instead, I’ve highlighted the sites we personally use:

Booking.com

If you know you’ll be traveling between now and the end of next year, head to Booking.com and check the prices! For the next two weeks, they’re offering up to 35% off stays worldwide; that’s a huge saving.

Here’s an example: we’re spending a week in the UK next summer, and we saved 20% on a week’s accommodation. If you’re planning a trip for next year, you’d be crazy not to at least check the prices.

And if you’re reserving accommodation for your 2025 Camino, this could save you a considerable amount of money over the course of your walk.

  • Booking window: November 21–December 4, 2024
  • Travel window: November 21, 2024–December 31, 2025
view from my window in the Burgos hotel, looking out at burgos cathedral

Get Your Guide

We often use sites like Viator and Get Your Guide when we travel. By choosing one or two “must-do” activities, we compare prices and book in advance to make the most of our stay.

Booking early has saved us from disappointment more than once (looking at you, Japanese Tea Ceremony!) Some of our favorite activities include boat trips, walking tours, and cooking classes; these are usually our go-to searches when exploring a new place.

What we love about Get Your Guide is the reliable reviews. The feedback comes from people who’ve actually taken the tours, which isn’t always the case with other sites.

While not offering across the site sales, there are still plenty of reductions. For example, we’ve just booked Flamenco Theatre tickets in Malaga, saving €5 each.

If you’re planning a trip, search your destination on Get Your Guide to see what’s available. Just don’t wait too long as these discounts won’t last forever!

Cooking class with Asma, traditional tagine

G Adventures

G Adventures is currently offering up to 30% off select small-group tours for departures before April 30, 2025. To take advantage of these discounts, bookings must be made between October 30 and December 3, 2024.

While we haven’t yet experienced a G Adventures trip ourselves, we met some Canadians who raved about their tours, which has us planning our own South American adventure.

If you’re considering a trip, now is an excellent time to explore their offerings and potentially secure a significant discount.

our tour bus and tents in a campsite at night with the last of the sunset and the stars appearing

Hostel World

We’re often asked how we can afford to travel as much as we do, and the truth is, we look for bargains and choose affordable options. For example, we spent nearly a month in Japan, staying in hostels. In Kyoto and Tokyo, we had private rooms with shared bathrooms (which were immaculate, by the way), as well as access to shared lounges and excellent kitchens where we could prepare our own meals.

Hostels are no longer just for the young; they offer some incredible places to stay around the globe, catering to all ages and budgets.

After Christmas, we’re heading to Valencia. While we’re staying outside the city for most of our trip (it’s cheaper), but we wanted a few nights in the thick of it all. Thanks to Hostelworld, I just saved 40% on a private room in one of the city’s highest-rated hostels!

If you’re planning a trip, don’t overlook Hostelworld. You might surprise yourself and, like us, love the experience!

view of ethnic houses and distant mountains from our homestay on the Ha Giang Loop

Flights

If you’re planning a trip, now is the perfect time to check out the latest flight deals. Many major airlines are offering Black Friday discounts.

Love them or hate them, EasyJet and Ryanair are also offering deals. Honestly, we use low-cost airlines all the time; travel in Europe would be so much harder (and pricier) without them!

If you’re traveling in Spain, take a look at Vueling. They fly out of Santiago de Compostela, which might come in handy for your journey home after completing the Camino.

Keep in mind, many airlines don’t release their deals until the last minute. For example, we’re planning a trip to South America and have already done our homework. In the coming days, I’ll be checking Air France, LATAM, and Iberia for flights to Rio!

Top Tip: Not sure where to find the best flight deals? Start by searching on Google Flights, Skyscanner, and Kiwi. I like to compare prices across these platforms to find the best options, then head to the airline’s website to book directly.

Colleen and Gerry at Isabela island airport waiting to board our tiny plane to fly us to San Cristobal in the Galapagos

Top Hiking Gear Deals for 2024

And now, my favourite part; shopping for new hiking gear! I’ve found some incredible bargains during sales, and I rarely pay full price for branded products. For instance, my SKINS compression leggings and Black Diamond hiking poles were both bought with significant discounts.

If you’re walking the Camino and need gear, these sales are a gift! Make a list, set a budget, and start searching. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Backpacks

  • Look for discounts on trusted brands like Osprey, Deuter, and Gregory. These are reliable for long-distance walking. Osprey, my go-to pack for the past 11 years, is having an excellent sale right now!
  • Amazon often features lightning deals. If you spot one, don’t hesitate—grab it while you can!

Walking Shoes

  • Camino-tested favourites such as Salomon, Merrell, Hoka, and Altra are all available on Amazon and frequently go on sale. I’ve bought most of my Lone Peak shoes there, but I always shop around for the best price.
  • Compare prices carefully and check whether postage and returns are included in the cost before purchasing.

Trekking Poles

  • Lightweight, collapsible poles are essential for uneven terrain. Look for deals on brands like Black Diamond and Leki, which often feature in sales.
  • I adore my Black Diamond collapsible poles—they’re easy to stow in my pack and incredibly durable!

Waterproof Jackets

  • The big question: Poncho or coat? Or perhaps trousers as well? Major brands such as Patagonia, North Face, Berghaus, and my favourite, RAB, are all on Amazon and frequently discounted.
  • Don’t forget to check out Ivar’s Camino Forum Store. He currently has a fantastic deal on the Altus Poncho, which is a Camino classic.

Accessories

  • Gadgets are handy but don’t go overboard; don’t buy “just in case” items that take up space and cost money unnecessarily. Look for deals on headlamps, dry bags, water bottles, and lightweight essentials.
  • One of my favourite accessories is my Sea to Summit washing line; compact, lightweight, and perfect for multi-day trips. These are inexpensive, but a good sale makes them even better value!

Top Tip : If you order a lot from Amazon it can make sense to have an Amazon prime membership. You get free delivery on a lot of Amazon products and also a subscription to Amazon Prime Video streaming service. You can easily save the annual fee with 10 deliveries and with this offer you get the first month free ! We use this a lot and it has saved us considerably over the course of the membership!

Want to learn more about the Camino? Then hop over to my Free Private Facebook Group | Walking The Camino De Santiago.

pilgrims puppet attached to a rucksack

Tips for Making the Most of Black Friday Sales

Whilst bargain hunting is fun you should always make a budget and stick to it.  When we travel we have a budget and it’s non-negotiable.  The only way we can keep travelling as we do is by having this rule.  You should do the same! 

  • Do Your Research: Make a list of what you need before the sales start. This avoids impulse purchases and helps you focus on deals that matter. A bargain is only a bargain if you were actually going to buy it!
  • Sign Up for Alerts: Many retailers and platforms offer early access to deals if you’re on their email lists.
  • Compare Prices: Use tools like CamelCamelCamel for Amazon or other price-comparison websites to ensure you’re getting genuine discounts.
  • Check Return Policies: Especially important for clothing and shoes; ensure you can return items if they’re not a perfect fit.  If you have to pay to return it’s not a bargain.
  • Book Flexibly: If travel plans might change, look for deals with free cancellation or flexible dates. Things change.  I never book accommodation that I can’t cancel.  Although I never cancel short notice as that’s not fair either!
one of the many small shops that line the Mall in Shimla, this one selling old maps. Even with only one day in Shimla you will have time to explore the Mall fully

Why Black Friday Deals Matter

For those of us who travel independently, the value of Black Friday sales can’t be overstated. And for those of us who love to hike, including waking the Camino, will know that buying gear is expensive. 

Planning ahead and finding a few bargains will always be welcome.  Search and save on high-quality essentials that will last longer on the trail and serve you better.  

And if you’re like us and book their own accommodation, flights and transport, making discounts on trusted platforms like Booking.com and Get Your Guide could save you a small fortune!  

So make a list, check it twice and start searching for your savings! And remember to shop smart, stay flexible, and make the most of this year’s sales.

colleen and gerry both very happy after our shark watching tour

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance

Whenever you travel, you should have great travel and medical insurance.  None of us expect anything bad to happen, but in the event of an incident, you want to be sure that your insurance will cover you.

I’ve ended up in hospital in Peru, Indonesia, Portugal, Japan and Ireland. Every time my insurance took care of everything. I would never leave home without full and comprehensive insurance.

TrueTraveller : We have this policy and are very happy with the cover, especially considering our ages and pre-existing conditions.

Globelink: We have used and recommended Globelink for years and not heard of any issues. They are a great choice for European and UK Residents.

Genki : This is an EU based company offering long term policies for nomads and travellers. Their monthly rates are very competitive for longer trips too.

Safety Wing : Many of my travelling buddies from the USA recommended Safety Wing; we’ve not used them personally but know folks who have.

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Colleen in Salamanca on the Via de la Plata

Hey I’m Colleen. I’m married to Gerry, we’ve three fabulous kids and been living in France for almost two decades. I fell in love with Spain in the 1980s and I’ve walked 1000s of miles along the Camino de Santiago. Now we’re exploring and walking the world and I can’t wait to share what we’ve learned!

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