SEATTLE -- It's not too late to book a trip for spring break. In fact, travel agents say by having waited until now, you might actually get the best bargains.

"This is probably best year seen in years for last minute deals to exciting places," said travel expert Steve Danishek.

Danishek has several cost-saving secrets to share.

First, compare costs at each airport near your destination.

"In the L.A. area, Long Beach has the fewest flights, so it has some of the lowest fares. Ontario is struggling as an airport and they have some pretty good flights right now," he said.

Flexibility on airlines, as well as airports and dates, can sweeten your deal. Consider one-way pricing over a round-trip ticket.

"You're not at a disadvantage booking one way on airline and coming back on a different airline. I just did that for a family of four going down to Disneyland on Southwest to L.A. and flew back out of Long Beach on JetBlue and we saved about $200 for the family," he said.

The Walder family cut travel costs by vacation swapping. The Walders posted their house on HomeExchange.com, and found folks in France willing to trade places. The French family's car and kitchen saved them money.

"We got to just buy some food at the supermarket, and then go home and kind of cook it there," said Amy Walder.

But hotels in Hawaii are hot for your dollar these days.

"We have seen, for instance, in Hawaii a gold mine. Going airfares are half of what they were last year, and (the deal) used to be a fifth or sixth night free, now it's a third night free," said Danishek.

Danishek suggests scoping out options on LastMinute.com, Travelocity, Expedia or Orbitz.

"But then go to the supplier sites to test those fares to see if airlines have a lower fare than those being displayed," he said.