Affordable Family Vacation Ideas

Taking the family on a vacation can be pretty expensive. Thankfully, there are things you can do to save money on your trip. Based on my own experiences and conversations with other parents, I’ve pulled together a list of some great money-saving tips.

Save Up Money

My partner and I each put $5 in an empty coffee tin every evening all year round. By the time the holiday season comes around, we’ve saved up more than $3,500. That helps cover our vacation expenses. If $5 a day is above your budget, putting aside any amount on a daily basis can quickly add up to a nice chunk of change.

Create A Budget

Create a detailed budget for what you’re able, and willing, to spend on your vacation – and then stick to it. Overspending often occurs because people don’t have a budget, and instead, pay for things without considering how much they’re spending in total. Divide your budget into transportation, accommodations and food, and factor in money for things that’ll make the vacation extra memorable for the kids, like amusement park entrance fees. You want to have fun but not to go broke!

Know The Exchange Rate

When choosing your vacation destination, it’s important for your family to discuss and decide together where you’d like to go. It can be challenging to have an enjoyable vacation if no one is excited about the chosen location. The foreign exchange rate is a helpful indicator of expenses. Exchange rates vary significantly, so make sure to obtain the most current information. The more foreign currency you receive for each dollar, the more economical your vacation will be.

Choose Your Accommodation Wisely

You can save significant money by opting for a house swap or renting a home, such as through Airbnb. If you prefer to stay in a hotel, consider booking accommodations farther from the city center. Look for places that have kitchenettes or offer complimentary breakfasts. Staying outside the city center not only reduces costs but also provides an opportunity to see how local residents live while you drive to explore the area’s attractions.

Invite Family or Friends to Join You

If you are considering swapping or renting a place, invite family or friends to join you. This will significantly reduce the cost of accommodations per person. If your kids bring some of their closest friends along, they will have someone to hang out with, making everything much more enjoyable.

Reserve Activities Online

Save money by creating a detailed itinerary of what you plan to do when you arrive, and then make reservations online before you go. Most tourist sites offer discounts if you reserve your tickets online and in advance. Also, look for family passes for extra discounts and tourist passes that cover multiple attractions. By reserving everything online before you go, you also avoid standing in long lines, which leaves everyone tired and frustrated.

Look For Free Activities

Some of the most fun things you can do on any vacation won’t cost you anything. Most vacation spots have special celebrations during the holidays. Do a little online prep to learn about free activities at your destination or pick up brochures at the local visitor’s bureau.

Plan Your Meals

When it comes to food, plan your meals in advance and limit the number of times you eat out. One option is to eat breakfast in, pack your lunch to go, and only eat out for dinner. Another way to reduce expenses is to look for restaurants where kids eat free or at a discount. Many restaurants allow kids ages 12 or younger to eat for free; other restaurants offer a kids’ menu with smaller portions at lower prices.

The Credit Cards

Only use credit cards if you’re absolutely sure you can pay them off as soon as you return – and beware of sky-high interest rates.

Some credit cards offer discounts on local attractions and don’t charge any foreign transaction fees. And, you can collect points for your next vacation.

Buy Post Cards Instead of Souvenirs

Many people spend a ton of money on souvenirs. They’re exciting at first, but  kids quickly lose interest in them and they ultimately end up unused or in the garbage. As an alternative, encourage the kids buyone postcard from each destination, which they can use to write down their favorite memories, and then mail it home. It’ll make for a great collection that they can keep in an album and look back on to reminisce about their vacation.