- March 30, 2023
- Kaitlyn
10 Budget–Friendly
Family Travel Tips
Trying to travel while on a budget can be difficult, especially when you are traveling with your family. It doesn’t need to be! There are plenty of ways to save money while still having a great time and making amazing memories with your family. Here are 10 budget-friendly family travel tips!
Table of Contents
Note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you click a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I appreciate your support! You can read my full disclaimer here.
Plan a Year Ahead
Planning ahead is a given for any trip, but when you plan at least a year in advance, you can get special offers and discounts! It’s a great idea to sign up for your ideal vacation’s email list. That way, you are always notified when a deal will happen. Consider booking your dates around a holiday as well, like Memorial Day or Black Friday. There are lots of deals during the holidays!
Use a Travel Rewards Credit Card
Budgeting your family travel can be tricky, but a great way to get your money back ASAP is to use a travel rewards credit card. Capital One Venture X from Capital One is, according to Forbes, the best travel credit card to sign up for. You receive 75,000 miles as a welcome bonus, a $395 annual fee, and a regular APR of 21%-28%. However, you do need an excellent credit score of 750-850.
Book your hotels and travel arrangements with your credit card, then use the money you earned in rewards for souvenirs!
Travel During Off-Peak Season
When you’re trying to budget your family travel, be sure to check out prices during the off-peak season. For the northern hemisphere, that’s roughly November – February. For the southern hemisphere, it’s June – August. Because people aren’t traveling much during these times, prices for transportation and tourism attractions are usually cheaper to drive more interest. This is a great way to travel if you’re on a tight budget.
But be sure to pack appropriately! It may not be as warm or cold when you travel during the off-season. Check the weather!
Look for Package Deals
Although package deals may look very expensive, they’re a great way to take advantage of your vacation while saving money at the same time. Consider finding a travel agent as well. They will be able to help you find the best deals for your ideal vacation, and they don’t charge for their service!
Consider Alternative Accommodations
Depending on the length of your stay and the size of your family, consider staying in a vacation rental or Airbnb. These options can often be cheaper! If these options aren’t within your budget, consider staying in a hotel much farther away than your vacation spot. The closer lodging is to popular destinations, the more expensive they most likely are.
BYOS – Bring Your Own Snacks
Food gets expensive FAST! The easiest way to have a great vacation while on a budget is to bring your own snacks, drinks, and food. The best way to ensure you’re saving as much as possible is to bring your own food to cook in your hotel or Airbnb. However, most hotels don’t have a way for you to cook food. Instead, consider bringing frozen foods or heating up leftovers in a microwave.
Shop Local
Instead of buying souvenirs and gifts at tourist shops, consider buying from local markets. These are often cheaper, and you’re helping out the local economy! Win-win! If you need help locating these markets, check out this article that guides you through the process.
Use Discount Apps
Discount and cashback apps are a great way to budget your family travel while still having a great vacation! Apps like Groupon will not only give you discounts on local activities, but you may find things to do through the app that you otherwise wouldn’t have thought of! Here is a list of some other great apps like Groupon.
Cashback apps are also a great way to get a few extra dollars before or during your vacation. Apps like Ibotta and Fetch will give you cash in return for receipts. Check out Upside to get cash back every time you get gas!
Consider Budget-Friendly Locations
Although, for some, the ideal vacation would be Disney World or a cruise, it’s okay to go somewhere else that the budget allows. Your family will be grateful for the vacation no matter what! Consider going somewhere that’s very budget-friendly, like a camping site, national park, or a city with free attractions!
Stick to a Budget!
As obvious as this seems, this is the most important! To ensure you’re saving as much money as possible, write out all of your expenses (including travel, food, activities, etc.) in an excel sheet. This will not only encourage you to stick to a budget but give you the confidence to have a guilt-free vacation. If you’re looking for more ways to save money, check out this article!
If you need some extra cash, here are 5 side hustles that you can try out before your vacation!
Hope this helped! If you have any questions or concerns, my email is always open! hello@strivehustles.com