Vacation rental services like Vrbo have completely altered how people experience new destinations, opening the doors to lesser-known towns and neighborhoods where hotels are scarce and allowing travelers to better immerse themselves in the everyday lives of the communities they visit. In today’s economy, though, rental listings can be just as expensive as a hotel stay—but that doesn’t mean you should count this type of vacation stay out. Vrbo is offering travelers ways to save with coupon codes and offers that’ll drop the price on family-friendly homes, lodges for large group trips, and tiny homes made for solo travelers. Vrbo rarely offers traditional sitewide promo codes, so it’s key to take advantage of a few saving hacks if you want to book for less–explore our round-up of summer travel deals to complete your itinerary.

Save with Vrbo coupon codes and special offers

The best part of booking your accommodation through Vrbo is the flexibility when it comes to the location and duration of your stay. Vrbo rarely releases sitewide coupon codes, however, they offer discounts on early bookings (reserved over 60 days in advance), last-minute bookings (within 30 days of check-in), extended stays over 1 week, and coupons for rewards members. Individual Vrbo listings can have extra discounts offered by the host, such as mid-week specials, a percent off rates during location off-season months, discounts for certain customer groups such as military members or first responders. For instance, get 10% off rates for this Myrtle Beach oceanfront rental with their High Tides and Good Vibes offer. Also, this seven-bedroom mountain home is nestled into the Smoky Mountains and boasts breathtaking panoramic views—and a 10% discount is available to those who serve in the military, educators, first responders, and church groups.

Get a 10% Vrbo coupon with One Key Rewards

Travelers can create a free Vrbo account to earn up to 10% off bookings with sign up. After each trip, travelers will earn OneKeyCash to use on future hotel stays and car rentals booked through Vrbo, but also Expedia andHotels.com since the brands share the same rewards program. Members receive 2% in OneKeyCash for every dollar spent on eligible hotels, vacation rentals, activities, packages, car rentals, and cruises, and 0.2% in OneKeyCash for every dollar spent on eligible flights.

While the OneKey rewards program doesn’t require a credit card to join, OneKey Mastercard credit card holders have a fast track to discounts and earn an extra 3% in OneKeyCash on purchases. They also skip to the Silver or Gold status and get unique benefits like travel insurance, TSA PreCheck credits, cellphone protection, and annual bonuses. With Vrbo’s limited-time welcome offer now through August 5th, One Key cardholders get $400 when they spend $1,000 in the first 3 months (an extra $100) or $600 in cash rewards if they opt for the One Key+ card with the $99 annual fee.

10% off with Vrbo coupon or 19% off longer stays

Sometimes, a quick weekend getaway just isn’t enough. Perhaps you’re looking for a full recharge and the chance to fully immerse yourself in a new environment without the full responsibility—and price tag—that homeownership would bring. Use Vrbo coupons and enjoy 10% off 7 (or more) day stays. Easily view these deals by filtering for “Weekly discount”, and expect to save approximately $200. Rates on month-long rentals rates are even better; get up to 19% off vacation rentals when you book a stay of 28 days or more, with an average discount of over $1,500. The duration in which you extend your stay is up to the hosts, so dates may vary. From Georgia to Illinois, hosts are opening up their homes for monthly rentals throughout the year, whether you’re a snowbird flocking somewhere warm during the winter or a family looking to call a renovated homestead home for a quiet summer.

Book new Vrbo rentals to save up to 20%

Vrbo unveils fresh listings daily, often offering substantial savings for those quick enough to seize the opportunity. If you’re among the first three guests to book a newly listed property (or one added in the last 90 days), you can enjoy up to 20% off your stay, with some listings offering exclusive, limited-time discounts that can total more than 30%. This is an ideal time to uncover hidden gems in sought-after destinations like Cape Cod, where newly listed waterfront estates are available with discounts as high as $2,600 off. For those seeking a serene retreat, the Poconos offers charming cabins and mountain homes starting at just $132 per night, offering guests a chance to unwind without breaking the bank. Meanwhile, Nashville’s vibrant downtown scene awaits with chic condos, guest houses, and lofts—many offering savings of over $3,400. Whether you’re drawn to the coastal charm of Cape Cod, the tranquil allure of the Poconos, or the urban excitement of Nashville, Vrbo’s new listings promise unforgettable stays at unmatched prices.

I was laid out on a lounge chair next to my sister, piña colada in hand, staring out at the sugar-white beaches in Aruba and debating whether to join in on the beach volleyball game or just keep reading. We were visiting the Divi & Tamarijn All-Inclusive as part of its new Wellness Week—designated days of fitness programming, led by two visiting influencers. That morning, we’d made it to an outdoor yoga sculpt class, and the next day, we had a 7 a.m. strength class with celebrity trainer Sierra Nielsen, before heading back to New York. But we weren’t tied to any of it. We could do as much—or as little—as we wanted, without having to cancel a reservation or flake on a group tour we didn’t feel like doing.

Five years ago, if you told me I would voluntarily sign up for an all-inclusive, I would’ve scoffed. I thought they were the anti-vacation: no culture, no spontaneity, no good food. You showed up, got your wristband, and entered a world of pool aerobics, watered-down frozen daiquiris, and mediocre buffet food left under heat lamps for far too long. But after months of nonstop deadlines and life stress, this kind of low-stakes, fully-planned itinerary actually sounded perfect.

Most of us are collectively exhausted: burnt out from work, from news, and from trying to optimize every waking moment (or all three.) And all-inclusives—once written off as generic or family-oriented—suddenly feel like a smart, restorative choice. Dr. Aerial Cetnar, a licensed therapist, has noticed more and more of clients just wanting to relax. “Many people are experiencing a kind of mental exhaustion, a feeling of being maxed out. In those situations, people are looking for vacations that feel very predictable,” she says. “An all-inclusive can reduce the mental load of worrying about what you’re going to do on this day or the next.”

High stress levels could explain why more travelers, especially Gen Z, are rethinking the all-inclusive. According to Expedia’s 2025 trend report, one-third of Gen Z respondents say their perception of all-inclusives has changed for the better, and 42% say they’d actually prefer an all-inclusive over another accommodation because of the minimal stress and ease of booking.

Resorts are paying attention and upping their game. Instead of frozen margaritas and cheesy entertainment, more are catering to younger, wellness-minded travelers with high-quality meals and creative activities. One example is Alila Ventana Big Sur, a rustic resort set in a redwood grove above the Pacific Ocean. During your stay, you can enjoy Japanese soaking tubs, daily yoga and meditation, and a rotating schedule of guided hikes, beekeeping demos, and foraging walks. You don’t need to plan in advance; the staff will give you a weekly schedule at check-in. If you want to plan your own adventure, you can grab gear, like a Yeti cooler, beach blanket, or daypack, from the front desk. Meals are included at the Sur House, a sit-down restaurant that leans heavily on local and seasonal sourcing—and it’s much better than your typical buffet fare. “Get the chorizo breakfast scramble! I still think about it a year later,” said one traveller on a Reddit thread. Alcohol isn’t covered, which makes it an easy choice for people who don’t drink or prefer to BYOB, but it’s the programming—not the cocktails—that makes it worthy of the all-inclusive title.

Other resorts, like Miraval Resorts, a chain of all-inclusives with locations in Texas, Arizona, and Massachusetts, are encouraging travelers to unplug and escape the work grind. At these resorts, you can use your personal devices in your room and in designated areas, but everywhere else, you have to go phone-free. You’ll have plenty to keep you entertained, though, with a full schedule packed with hikes, bone broth demos, meditations, foam rolling classes, and mountain biking and slacklining lessons (depending on the location.) There’s even a session with a “sleep and dream specialist” to learn about your circadian rhythms.

Although a not a full-on Thomas the Tank Engine fan, I have for 65 years been an out-there and unashamed enthusiast for anything running on rails (‘Thomas the Tank Engine clung to me like a disease’: the film about the choo-choo’s global grownup superfans, 22 July).

My wife and I sometimes do front-of-house at a heritage railway and can confirm the attraction of railways for those with autism, particularly young people. There is a predictability about railways, timetables, signals and all the other paraphernalia that is very attractive.

Also, there is endless scope for studying minutiae and collecting odd bits of information. Numbers and names on the engines, liveries (colours of trains to you), performance records and endless other statistics. And, as honoured by Brannon Carty’s film, discussed in your article, you don’t have to be a loner if you don’t want to: there are millions of others to share your passion.

The study of Thomas’s creator, the Anglican cleric Wilbert Awdry, is recreated at the Narrow Gauge Railway Museum in Tywyn: a small collection of theological texts on one side, a joyful collection of railway books on the other, with a model railway spread across his desk. Wonderful!
Rev David Gibson
Newark-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire