9 Simple Ways To Make Family Travel Cheaper

After my daughter was born, I have been focusing more on how to maximize family travel.

Sure, traveling with a baby ain’t easy. But I’m expecting it to get easier with time. And at least it doesn’t have to be expensive!

In today’s guest post, Greg Johnson shares 9 simple ways to make family travel cheaper and more affordable. Greg created the award-winning blog Club Thrifty with his wife Holly. They blog about personal finance, frugal travel hacks, and traveling the world with their two beautiful daughters. That’s what I call living the dream!

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9 Simple Ways to Make Family Travel Cheaper

Kids are expensive, right? Between school supplies, swim lessons, braces, and birthday presents, it may seem impossible to squeeze vacations into the budget.

Well, guess what? It’s totally possible to travel on a budget, even with a large family. Let’s take a look at some easy ways families can make lasting vacation memories without breaking the bank!

 

Credit Card Rewards

Plenty of credit cards, like the Southwest Visa, offer fantastic benefits to the travel enthusiast. In addition to earning huge signup bonuses, you can score free or discounted flights – as well as other travel perks – just for putting purchases on the card that you were going to make anyway.

 

Start a Designated Travel Fund

This one doesn’t make the actual trip cheaper, but it sure makes it feel that way! Create a separate vacation fund and start socking away money all year until your trip. Save a little bit of each paycheck in the fund, and supersize your savings with any bonus money you may get. Also, don’t forget to take advantage of “free money” you can earn through things like taking paid surveys or selling your old stuff. Earmarking that money gives it a purpose, and then it’s like getting a bonus at the end of the year!

 

Flexible Travel Dates

This is tricky if you have kids and don’t want them to miss much school, but whenever possible, travel during off-peak times. Avoid high-traffic holidays and weekends whenever you can, thus saving big on airline tickets and other expenses. Search online for flexible dates and your wallet will thank you.

 

Travel Close to Home

Regardless of where you live, chances are good that you live within a few hours’ drive from some pretty cool attractions. Why not take your next family trip close to home and explore some of the great things that are available right out your own back door? You can save both time and money by hopping in the car and getting to know your local region.

Traveling near home will save you money because you won’t need pricey airline tickets. Plus, driving shorter distances means less to spend on filling up the gas tank. You also minimize lodging costs by cutting out that extra night or two in a hotel.

Plenty of people swear by staycations where they explore their own city or somewhere less than a few hours’ drive. I bet you’ll be pleasantly surprised by all the great sights you can see just down the road!

 

Stay with Relatives or Go Camping

Here’s another way to keep travel costs down: Skip the hotels and crash with relatives or friends. This, of course, comes with its own challenges, but for many families, it can be a great option for saving money.

For those who are in tune with nature, or for those who would like to be, camping is also a great budget-friendly choice. It’s like a built-in adventure of its own!

 

A Kitchen is Key

Maybe you’re not a fan of roughing it in the great outdoors, and there’s nothing wrong with that! Family travelers have plenty of lodging options that are comfortable. Many of them even include a vital component of saving money during an inexpensive trip – a kitchen.

That’s right: If you want to save money on travel, rent a condo or apartment with a kitchen. This allows you to pack or shop for groceries for your trip. Then, you can make most of your meals right there.

Eating in saves a ton of money compared to constantly eating at restaurants. My family loves to have simple foods on hand for breakfast (like fruit or cereal), basic lunch items (like food for sandwiches), and then go out to dinner. The larger the family, the more money you’ll save by preparing your own meals. As a bonus, you’ll probably eat healthier this way, too!

 

Snacks on the Go

When it comes to food, don’t just think about meals. You’ll spend a whole lot less if you plan for those inevitable snack attacks. Whether flying or driving, it’s wise to bring a few (or a lot!) of munchie items to prevent succumbing to overpriced airport food and snack bars.

If you’re driving, you can even bring your own cooler stocked with plenty of ice, drinks, and food for the road. Trust me, spending $3 on a small bottle of water adds up when you have a lot of thirsty family members! Plan ahead and save some dough.

 

Coupons and Discounts

Check out Groupon and other similar sites for discounted admissions to attractions and restaurants. Be sure to hit up the area’s Chamber of Commerce or Visitor’s Center to see if they have any coupons or recommended discount resources. Don’t forget about those brochures in the hotel lobby which often include valuable discounts as well!

Are you a member of an organization that could help you save money? Educators and military personnel, for example, often receive special deals. Heck, even having a AAA membership entitles you to discounts at certain hotel chains!

As always, planning ahead helps. Research which attractions you’d like to visit, read travel blogs for tips about your destination, and search for ways to save on tickets before you get there. Also, if you’ve already got membership status at one museum, that often includes discounts at “sister” museums and attractions around the country. Remember to use your perks because every dollar counts!

 

Explore the Great Outdoors

Who doesn’t need an opportunity to unplug? We all could stand to get away from the pressures of our tech-obsessed world. So, take advantage of your travel time by getting outdoors.

Both kids and adults can get excited about hiking through breathtaking forests and underneath waterfalls. There are oodles of places around the country (and the world) that offer amazing natural wonders, many of which can be enjoyed for free (or almost free)!

 

Final Thoughts: Family Travel May Be Cheaper Than You Think

Family travel doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. No matter the size of your family, using the steps above can help build a lifetime of memories without breaking the bank!

Thanks for reading and happy traveling!

 

What are your favorite ways to save money on family travel? Let us know in the comments.

 

About the author

Greg Johnson is a personal finance and frugal travel expert who leveraged his online business to quit his 9-5 job, spend more time with his family, and travel the world. He is the co-owner of the popular blog Club Thrifty, where he teaches others how to spend less and travel more.