A family vacation is an excellent way to bond with your children, have new experiences, and escape the stresses of everyday life. A trip can be pricey these days, but you can still plan an affordable family vacation for everyone to enjoy. From travel to excursions, here’s how to save on your next family vacation.
Your Travel
One of the first things to consider when planning a family vacation is how you will get there. A little research can help you save money on your journey between flights and fuel prices.
Get Online Airfare Alerts
As soon as you decide which location you’re going to, sign up for online airfare alerts. Flights are expensive, especially during peak travels times like spring breaks, summer, and the holidays.
You can sign up for alerts on websites like Kayak and Travelzoo to know when a deal is available. Some airlines also offer additional discounts on their websites that you won’t find on other travel sites.
With these notifications, you can decide which days to travel. The alerts can get you the best deal if you’re planning to travel at a specific time, like during school breaks. These alerts work best when you intend to book early. The earlier you search for flights, the more likely you’ll book non-stop flights and get the best seats.
Booking and traveling mid-week can also help you score deals because rates tend to be higher on other days and there’s more demand for weekend travel. Research finds that booking your flight on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday can get you the best rates.
Know Gas Prices
If you’re driving to your destination, know which times of the year to expect to see high fuel prices.
Gas prices usually peak around Labor Day, but drivers tend to see commercial gas prices fluctuate throughout the year. Try to plan your drive during a time when gas prices are stable. If you are traveling at peak times, plan your stops around gas stations that offer the lowest prices.
Your Stay
Between vacation rentals and activities, there are many ways you can save at your destination.
Choose a Location
If you have more than four people in your family or like to spread out, you might be booking multiple hotel rooms or expensive suites.
While there are affordable hotel options, you could get more bang for your buck by looking into less conventional options.
Popular vacation destinations often have homes listed on rental services in the surrounding area. Using sites like Airbnb and Vrbo, you can find listings that give you more privacy and space than a hotel.
You could also see if there are campgrounds where you want to go. It’s a fun way to enjoy the outdoors, stay on-site, and make more memories.
Look for Packages
Many resorts and theme parks offer different packages throughout the year. These offer a combined price for a room, food, and tickets to various experiences. The price of a package is typically more affordable than if you get each component separately.
Some aggregator websites offer packages with specialized deals for the resort and special experiences.
Go Off-Season
Have you ever considered going to a ski resort in the summertime? You might be surprised at the opportunities you find when visiting areas outside of their popular season.
Many resorts have off-season opportunities you wouldn’t experience otherwise. It’s also a much more relaxing time with less crowding than other times of the year. Different ski resorts offer zip-lining, rock climbing, hiking, and water activities. Beaches offer more intense surfing, stargazing, and boating adventures.
Theme parks offer special activities and prices during less popular times to entice families to visit them. You can have a unique experience that your family will surely enjoy by venturing out during these windows.
Your Extras
When you plan out your trip budget, be sure to take into account all of the extra expenses you’ll run into.
Many airlines offer frequent flyers waived baggage fees and some companies offer discounts for students, seniors, and military members. Be sure to take advantage of any perks available to your family.
Plan out your meals ahead of time to save money. Consider making a trip to a local grocery store to stock up on snacks or easy meal items. Search for the area’s restaurants to decide which ones you want to try. Many hotels offer free breakfasts, saving you funds on at least one meal a day.
Kids – and many adults – are suckers for souvenirs, so it’s essential to plan on collecting a few on your trip. Take advantage of free or low-cost items such as notepads, pressed pennies, and spare pieces of foreign currency. You can research any special souvenirs offered at your destination and save for those specifically.
Other costs include rental cars, cab fares, travel insurance, passport renewals, and extra excursions.
Planning Your Next Family Trip
A family vacation can get expensive when you consider all your expenses. By starting your planning process early, taking advantage of deals and discounts, and anticipating your extra expenses, you can plan an excellent family trip that doesn’t break the bank.
