Family vacations are an iconic part of summer. It’s a multi-day stretch in which parents and children explore the world as a team, having fun and growing closer in the process.
Okay, that might be a rosy way of looking at family vacations. We all know the typical family vacation often includes backseat bickering, waiting in long lines, and spending more than you expected.
We can’t offer much advice in terms of keeping kids quiet and avoiding travel stress. Those are topics for another day. We’re focused on that third problem: how to go on vacation with your family without spending a small fortune.
Here are six tips for planning an affordable family vacation:
Avoid hotspots
Your kids are begging to go to Disney World. Your spouse wants to go to New York. You have your heart set on the Bahamas. All three are guaranteed to please, but they’re also expensive. The same can be said for virtually every popular tourist destination, especially during the summer months. While it might not be as exciting or exotic as your top picks, consider opting for a less popular destination. Airfare, hotel bookings, and dining options will be more affordable.
Book midweek flights
Most vacationers plan their trip to begin and end on the weekend. Given the nature of paid time off and school schedules, it’s often the best option in terms of practical logistics. However, if possible, consider booking flights in the middle of the week. Midweek airfare tends to be much cheaper than tickets for the same routes over the weekend. For your midweek flights, using a big enough suitcase can help you save money and avoid paying for extra weight. A large-sized travel suitcase allows you to pack efficiently for the entire family, potentially reducing the number of bags you need to bring. This can be particularly beneficial when airlines charge for each checked bag. By consolidating your family's belongings into a single, spacious suitcase, you not only save on additional baggage fees but also simplify the process of keeping track of your luggage during your travels. It's a strategic move that complements your savvy flight booking approach.
Multiply the savings by the number of people in your family, and it’s easy to see why this would be an effective way to save money on vacation.
Check multiple booking sites
Don’t make the mistake of going to one hotel booking site and limiting yourself to what they’re offering. With so many online hotel booking sites to choose from, it’s essential to shop around and compare prices before making your final selection. The reason is simple: not every site works in association with every hotel. You could be missing out on a great deal simply because you’ve gotten used to relying on a single booking site.
Pack your snacks
A huge chunk of family vacation spending goes to food and drinks. With this in mind, consider packing as many snacks as possible. Not only will this keep you from buying overpriced snacks at your destination, but it also helps prevent the number of times you or your loved ones mistake mild hunger for the need to eat a whole meal. A granola bar or small bag of chips can tide you over long enough to make it to dinner without stopping for chicken fingers and soda. Those in-between meals add up over several days, but not if you’re avoiding them thanks to the thoughtful packing of snacks from home.
Give your kids a vacation allowance
Rather than stop and debate with yourself and your child every time they ask to buy something, start the trip by assigning your kids a vacation allowance. Whichever sum you deem appropriate will probably be less than what you’d spend otherwise. Keep in mind you don’t have to distribute cash for them to have an allowance; if each child has $50, you can track spending and deduct it from their remaining balance until it’s gone. It has the added benefit of helping teach kids the value of a dollar.
Make the most of free attractions
It’s generally understood that most fun things cost money. And that’s true, for the most part. But from public beaches to state parks to museums, there are plenty of free or nearly-free attractions to experience on vacation. By dedicating an afternoon at the beach or several days camping in the forest, you save money you’d otherwise be spending to keep yourself, and your family entertained and happy.
Family vacations can be exciting and memorable. They can also be stressful and expensive. Fortunately, there are many ways for families to go on vacation without going broke. While it might not be the first destination on your list or the best departure times, it’s affordable. It’s also bound to be just as fun and unforgettable.
About the author: Julie Steinbeck is a freelance writer from Florida. She enjoys covering topics related to business, finance, and travel.
