The dollar is on a tear. That means a spring break abroad could be a sound move.

Now is a good time to consider visiting many foreign locales because your dollar will go further than usual, travel experts told Investopedia. The U.S. currency has shot up in value in recent months as the domestic economy outperformed its peers’ and many economists’ predictions. 

Americans are finding that dream destinations are now within their budgets—and, in some cases, may be cheaper than domestic alternatives, said Leigh Rowan, founder of travel management firm Savanti Travel. 

“We’re seeing a lot more people this winter going to ski abroad,” said Rowan, noting that it can cost a family of four $15,000 to spend a week skiing in Aspen, Colo., making places like Switzerland more attractive. “If you go to Verbier, in the Alps, it’s less than that,” he said, “including your flights.”

The dollar will likely retain its strength through the first half of 2025, according to Bank of America analysts, who said the greenback’s trajectory could then be altered by interest rate cuts brought on by an economy adapting to new tariff, tax and immigration policies.

The dollar has gained on currencies in a number of popular destinations, rising roughly 14% in value relative to the Mexican peso and roughly 6% relative to the British pound and euro over the past six months, according to TradingView data. The dollar has made nominal gains on the Japanese yen and Vietnamese dong over this period, but American currency remains well-positioned by recent historical standards, per TradingView.

Tips From Travel Pros on Budgeting for Overseas Trips

Travel experts say you should evaluate factors beyond exchange rates when booking overseas travel to make the most of your dollars. For example, they recommend considering how much lodging, transit, museum admission and food will cost at your top destinations, using sites like Fodor’s Travel Guide and GuideGeek. 

Travelers are most likely to see significant savings on the cost of drinking, dining and experiences, Rowan said, and can consult guides like Viator and Context Travel to get a feel for prices at places they would expect to visit. 

And the cost of specific items may vary significantly because of regional trade and supply flows, said Amir Eylon, president and CEO of Longwoods International, a market research firm focused on travel. Comparing prices offered by international brands can offer a point of reference, according to Eylon. 

“What’s a meal in a McDonald’s in a certain country cost versus a McDonald’s here?” Eylon said. Most people don’t travel abroad to eat at McDonald’s, he said, but travelers could still benefit from knowing that a hamburger “might be more expensive, to begin with, in a certain market.”

Here are more tips for money-minded travelers contemplating international destinations:

• Selecting destinations near famed locales, as opposed to in the center of them, can be economical—and more enjoyable, Rowan said. Staying a few towns away from Portofino in the Italian Riviera, for instance, can be cheaper and less crowded, he said.
• Once you choose a destination, map out an ideal transit route. Those who travel frequently may want to buy one-way departure tickets with credit card points or airline rewards, Rowan said. They can then book a round-trip ticket that takes them home, and months later, brings them back to the vacation spot, he said. Round-trip flights that take off abroad are often far cheaper than those that begin in the U.S., according to Rowan. (Some international airfares have lately fallen, according to a recent report.)
• Make sure to check whether your debit and credit cards will charge extra fees on transactions outside the country before you leave. Alert your bank and credit card carrier that you’ll be traveling, so they don’t suspect fraud and freeze your account.
• Often, it’s more expensive to exchange money in the U.S., experts said. Travelers are often charged competitive rates when using ATMs in or near the airport upon arrival, Rowan said. So long as swiping won’t come with extra fees, credit cards are likely to be your best bet since their carriers offer competitive exchange rates, he added.

And remember that local practices  may be different when it comes to tipping, processing fees, taxes and other charges, Eylon said. Americans should research the nuances of payments in the region, and not be shy about clarifying what their final bill will look like, he said.

“It doesn’t matter what country you’re in or what culture and so forth, it’s okay to ask: is that the total price?” Eylon said.