Tips for Budget-Friendly Family Travel
By Mark Harris
There’s nothing like a good vacation to help you unwind and reset. In fact, going on a trip and taking time away from your daily life has proven medical benefits for every member of your family. However, many of us don’t manage to take as much time away as we really need. Vacations are pricey, and when you’re a family on a budget, there’s only so much money to go around. Particularly if you’ve already had to fork over quite a bit for summer camps.
Fortunately, there are plenty of low-cost tricks available to help you afford the vacation you deserve, whether it’s stateside or abroad. Here, The Scott-Free Scholarship Foundation shares a few budget-friendly travel tips you can use to hit the road without breaking the bank.
Drive, Don’t Fly
Plane tickets are pricey, and it’s almost always a better deal to drive, especially if you’re traveling with a large group. However, you may wind up spending more if your car can’t handle the drive—spending extra on car repairs or a long-distance tow will not come out in your favor. Consider checking out online deals on rental cars from companies like Sixt or Enterprise to avoid putting your own vehicle on the line. You can turbo-charge your savings by tapping into deal aggregator sites for car rentals.
Not only will you spend less traveling on the road, you’ll also be able to build in plenty of stops along the way. This is a great way to explore multiple locations on a single trip. Do plenty of planning beforehand to find interesting roadside stops and little towns along the path to your final destination. You should also bring along some entertainment to keep kids occupied as you’re driving. Older children might prefer to dive into video games or movies on their devices, but younger kids may need more attention. One great option is picking up an audiobook the whole family can enjoy.
Pack Right
Packing is a tricky thing when traveling with kids. Pack too little, and you’ll be out buying extras when you arrive, and tourist prices always seem higher! Pack too much, and you’re lugging around more than you planned, and that can ruin a vacation. Be intentional with what goes into your suitcase, and make a point to bring a diaper bag backpack along for the ride.
Choose a Rental, Eat In
Restaurants are one of the most expensive parts of going on vacation. More often than not, travelers wind up eating almost every meal out. This usually boils down to not having access to a stove in your hotel. However, if you get a vacation rental rather than a hotel room, you’ll be able to buy your own groceries and prepare your own food. Not only will this save you serious cash, but a home-cooked favorite can be the perfect remedy to any mid-trip homesickness. Plus, it’s easy to find affordable vacation rentals near attractions or activities. You can even find rentals with private pools, which can be perfect for winding down after a long day.
Look for Tourist Deals
Most major tourist destinations offer several deals to people traveling in from out of town. For example, many major cities have museum multi-passes, which give you access to several museums in the area at a heavily discounted price. This is a great option for families, who can explore all the interesting educational sites without shelling out at every single one.
Travel With a Group
Another great way to cut costs on vacation is to travel with another family as a large group. This allows you to split costs on groceries, vacation rentals, and gas. It can also be particularly useful for families with children in multiple age groups. If the older kids want to hit up the local haunted house and the younger kids are dying to check out the petting zoo, parents can split up and maximize time.
Consider Travel Insurance
Although it’s not right for everyone and every trip, it may make sense to consider travel insurance. This is a low-cost insurance policy that can get you money back if you have to cancel some or all of your trip due to some kind of emergency, such as dangerous weather or a medical event. If you know you’re traveling to a risky weather zone, or there’s a chance for a medical emergency that may pull you home, a travel insurance policy may give you peace of mind—and get you some money back, if it comes to that.
Have an Emergency Plan
Nothing spoils a vacation faster than a lost wallet or stolen passport. Obviously, if you’re vacationing stateside, it can be easier to access funds and you won’t need to worry about carrying your passport. However, if your family is taking advantage of travel deals to favorite destinations like the Dominican Republic, Jamaica or Turks and Caicos, you always need a plan B. This means taking an extra stash of cash and hiding it and your passport in a portable safe or your hotel’s safe. You should also take extra copies of everyone’s passport. If your wallet is stolen and your cash stash won’t be enough, family or friends can easily wire you money through a secure remittance service. Look up a few before your trip to get an idea of fees, expediency and cash pickup locations.
Going on vacation doesn’t have to be overpriced. By making savvy travel decisions, you can hit the road and save money all at once. You and your kids will greatly benefit from the time to recharge, and you’ll come back ready to take on the world!
