Traveling with a family lately seems to cost an arm and a leg. When you add up the costs of airfare, lodging, meals, getting around and activities the costs make me wish I would win the lottery!!
Vacations provide everyone a break from the daily hustle of life, allow the mind a chance to unwind and create memories with your family. Here are a few tips to take a bargain family vacation on while making these memories.
Transportation
- Look for airfare sales! If you sign up for perks or are a miles member with an airline, they will often advertise airfare sales to you as their best customers. These memberships are usually free and can save lots of money.
- Travel during non-peak times. If you have flexibility, try leaving on a Tuesday or Wednesday – you will save lots!
- Drive! If you have the time, and the desire take a road trip! Find some funky places to stop along the way. Have you seen the giant ball of string?
Lodging
- Use a timeshare. They are great to family vacations because they usually have more room than a hotel, there is always a refrigerator and usually a small kitchen. If you do not have a timeshare, borrow a friend’s or rent from someone else.
Meals
- Assuming you are staying in accommodations with a small kitchen and refrigerator, eat two out of your three meals a day in the room. Breakfast is the easiest, cereal and eggs are easy to purchase and to eat! A simple lunch is also easy to eat in the room!
- Pack and/or buy snacks to take around with you. This can save lots of money for families!
Getting Around
- If you are vacationing in a urban area, don’t rent a car unless you need to drive to activities that are not nearby. Use the shuttle provided by the hotel, or use taxis and Uber. The other option is to walk!
Activities
- Find the discounts on activities!
- Have a military ID? Ask if there are discounts for military!
- Other memberships and associations also give discounts such as AAA and AARP.
- Groupon has some great deals on activities in their Things to Do section
- Attend the least popular time slots. For example, early movies or productions, late in the day whale watching, etc.
- Attend a timeshare presentation to get the freebies. You must be a strong willed person to be able to say no to the timeshare presenter. If you are not, DO NOT GO!
- Ask a local for the best places to go see.
Using a few of these tips should help the budget and maybe even allow for more chances to take a family vacation and explore some new areas together!