Tips for Family Travel on a Budget

When I first had Poppy, I had lofty goals of traveling all over the world with my angel. Then reality hit, and I realized I’m a single mom who’s career is in education. (For those of you who aren’t aware, neither one set me up with tons of extra spending money.) Instead of accepting that we wouldn’t travel for a while, I started planning how I would make travel our reality. Here are our tips for family travel on a budget.

1. Make a Plan

The first tip for family travel on a budget is to make a plan. Start with your location, and work from there. Find out how much it would cost for accommodations for the length of your desired stay. Once you have that number, factor in meals, activities, souvenirs, etc. In addition, decide how you’ll arrive to your desired destination, as well as how you’ll get around. If you’ll be driving your own car, you’ll need to factor in gas prices. If you’re flying, you’ll need to factor in flights and perhaps a rental car/gas once you’ve arrived. The costs of each one of these items adds up. This is where you can figure out your non-negotiables and adjust everything else. Please be honest with yourself during the planning stage. If you plan on making meals to cut costs, but know you won’t be happy, don’t do it. This is your vacation. You don’t have to live like a millionaire, but you do want to be comfortable.

2. Be Flexible

Our second tip for family travel on a budget is to be flexible. This could be with accommodations, food, really anything. For instance, if you’re used to traveling and staying in hotels, but you’re a family who’s looking to cut costs, perhaps try an Airbnb or Vrbo. These are great for longer stays, generally afford you more room, and also give you the option to prepare meals to cut down on costs. If your travels include multiple stops, perhaps you spend nights in the city center, where you can walk to activities (and won’t necessarily need a car). Also, don’t be afraid to reach out to friends and family living where you want to travel. There’s a possibility they’ll let you stay with them. At the very least, they will likely be able to make money-saving suggestions when it comes to activities, meals, and accommodations. Allowing yourself the flexibility to look into various options will save you money.

3. Travel during the off season

Guys, I didn’t realize the beauty of traveling during the off season until I started teaching at a year-round school where we get various 3-week breaks during the year. In addition to there being fewer people, there’s also perks for your wallet. Hotels and restaurants actually have higher prices during certain times of the year (and these vary based on destination). Now, I would hate myself if I didn’t clarify this one for you. If there’s a specific activity you’re wanting to attend, please make sure that it’s operating during your scheduled travel dates. While off season travel is less expensive, you don’t want to miss out on your must-see items.

4. Use credit card perks or rewards programs

Did you know that a lot of hotels have a rewards program that will give you extra points after your first stay? In addition, these points even accrue to give you discounts or free nights! Use this to your advantage. Also, look into your credit cards and see what perks they offer. You’re already spending the money, so make those cards work for you. I’ve even been known to get a card based on my travel. For instance, Chase has a Disney Visa card, which has been my go-to card for years. It allows me to earn money back for my everyday purchases and load the money onto a Disney gift card, which I can use during a Disney trip or as payment for one. It also has the perk of different photo opps in the parks (or Disney Springs), discounts, and an extended interest-free payment period for certain Disney items. They even give you free money for signing up! Now, if you don’t care about Disney, then this card isn’t for you. I can guarantee there’s a perfect card out there for your travels (and it might already be in your wallet).

5. Pull out those gift cards

Between student gifts, family holidays, and my birthday, I always have a gift card on hand. I also tend to forget to use them when I have the chance. If this is you, then make use of them on your vacation. This could mean you get a “free” meal, coffee, or necessity. If someone gifted you the card, that means that no money is coming out of your pocket to cover various expenses. I’ve also purchased gift cards for the sole purpose of using them on my trips. It helps me save up over time and isn’t a huge hit to my wallet all at once. If you choose to do this, I highly recommend getting gift cards at places when the face value is more than what you’re paying out of pocket. This happens frequently at places like Sam’s, Costco, and Staples. You can also use a Target Red Card to get gift cards at a lower rate. Look into your credit cards as well. Several offer a gift card option when getting cash back. These can cut some serious costs, so make sure you’re using them!

6. Pack wisely

Okay, some of us are over-packers and always will be. I’ve been guilty of throwing tons of things into a suitcase and not using half of them. This drastically changed when I started traveling with Poppy (at least when it comes to my stuff). Figure out everything you might need before you go. Make a list. Figure out what you’ll need for specific activities. I know this seems obvious, but there’s nothing worse than having to purchase something because you left it at home. It could also mean that you can’t do a specific activity, since it cuts into your budget. Before you pack, make sure you check the weather at your destination so that you can pack accordingly. If you’re trying to save space, figure out if your accommodation has a washing machine/dryer, but don’t forget to budget for those as well. If you’re flying, make sure to weigh your luggage beforehand. Nothing is worse than getting to the counter, being told that your bag is above the weight limit, and having no other option but to pay even more money to take it with you.

7. Buy groceries

If you have the ability to do so, make sure you’re buying groceries at your destination. Depending on the size of your family, you could save hundreds of dollars. If you know you won’t cook meals, then at least consider buying snacks and drinks. My one caveat for this is to make sure you aren’t over-buying. It’s such a waste to throw away food (or use that much needed suitcase space to bring it home).

8. Look into Memberships

My last tip for family travel on a budget is to look into memberships. There are so many reciprocal memberships out there that make locations free or half price. In addition, it might be cheaper to buy a membership depending on the size of your family. The best membership we’ve found has been the Association of Zoos and Aquariums membership. You join a “home” zoo or aquarium and get member perks at locations across the United States. The best part is that each location is different, and has different animal experiences. To find out more, follow this link. There’s also a similar program for Children’s Museums. Check out that info by following this link.

Now, Go Travel

Now that you know how to plan family travel on a budget, get out there and travel. You’ll have a blast, and you’ll feel so much better knowing that you didn’t break the bank to do it.

If you have any tips that weren’t mentioned above, please let us know in the comments!

If you want some more travel tips, check out our blog on 5 Things You Should Do When Traveling with Kids.