It always helps to keep an eye out for free activities at your hotel or around your destination. If you love the outdoors, you can find some amazing campsites (including spots with beaches/water activities, fishing, golf, horseback riding and more) on. Start at, where travelers review thousands of spots.Īnd really nothing says family vacation like a campsite. If you’d prefer a room but don’t need a lot of frills, there are some surprisingly nice hostels to be found if you know where to look. If you live in an interesting spot, look into, where homeowners in 154 countries list homes available for short-term exchange if they are interested in yours. Large families might consider renting a vacation home, which can accommodate big groups at a much lower cost, especially for long stays.Ĭheck out or Airbnb for a list of nearly a half-million rental lodgings all over the world. Think outside the traditional hotel roomĪdventurous families can find plenty of comfortable, low-cost travel alternatives that make for a more interesting vacation. And skip the taxi or ride-share service to the airport in favor of less expensive public transportation. If you’re traveling internationally, make sure you check passport requirements so you have enough time to apply or renew without having to pay a fee to expedite the process. Wherever you travel, remember to exploit any potential discounts-including senior, student, military and, of course, AAA. Drivers can cut gas costs by using Gas Buddy, an app that finds the cheapest gas near you. Or save even more money on meals by scouting hotels or resorts where kids eat or stay free, or booking a room with a kitchen and cooking a few of your own meals.įliers can sign up for a frequent flier program to get waived baggage fees. Stay at a hotel with a substantial free breakfast to eliminate the cost of one meal per day. Often, just trimming some extra expenses will lighten your vacation budget. But before you book a family vacation with one of these sites, check first with the airline, hotel or car rental company directly to make sure you are getting the lowest rate. Aggregator sites are great at helping you find general prices for flights, hotels and rental cars. When you do use travel websites like those mentioned above, check their sources. Around the holidays, however, your best bet is to fly on Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year’s Day. Even changing the day of the week you fly can cut costs-fly mid-week instead of on Friday or Saturday for better rates. If you have some flexibility in your plans, see what a change in date will do to the bottom line. 4. Take advantage of off-peak pricingĮver been to a mountain ski resort in the summertime? Or to a beach resort very early or very late in the season? Some vacation destinations can be even more charming, more relaxing and definitely less expensive during times when fewer fellow tourists are around. It helps to compare prices at different times to find the best airfare deals. This may not always be the case when looking for flights around the holidays, but the point is that rates and availability change throughout the week. ET, which is apparently when airlines put flights on sale. Travel insiders say there is a single best time to find a travel deal: Tuesday at 3 p.m. Look at family vacation packages being offered on discount sites like Groupon and Living Social, which can result in real savings if you have some flexibility in your schedule. Here are some more places you can look for an affordable vacation package. Early birds are also more likely to find seats on nonstop flights. Sometimes airlines offer promotional details that you will not find on comparison travel sites.Īirline prices typically go up as the holidays near and other travelers snatch up the best deals. Sign up for fare alerts at websites like Kayak, TravelZoo or DealBase to get a feel for your price range. 1. Signup for online fare alertsīegin planning your vacation with a long view and you can really develop an eye for good deals. Here’s some ideas for planning a family vacation on a budget. With a little creativity and planning, you can cut vacation costs without missing out on any of the fun. Looking for a perfect family getaway at a budget-friendly price? You do have options beyond the staycation or the grandparents’ house for a getaway.
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