Traveling with your kids is a wonderful way to spend your vacation making memories and forging strong bonds. But if you’re not careful, those family vacations can be pretty expensive. Thankfully, there are several ways to enjoy a fun getaway without breaking the bank—or losing your mind! Your family vacation should give you a chance to relax, after all. Here are some great ways to reduce stress and save big on your next family trip.
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Keep Your Luggage Organized
Keeping your luggage organized is essential for avoiding stress during travel. With good packing organization, you and your family will have an easier time packing light and—ideally—taking one suitcase per person. Use packing cubes, bring versatile clothing pieces, and wear your heaviest layers on the plane. Try to take only carry-on suitcases so you won’t have to pay extra to check your bags. If you need to buy some new carry-on sized bags for your gang, go with rolling suitcases so your young kids will be able to carry their own luggage through the airport. Save money on new luggage by searching for deals and coupons on sites like Rakuten so you can make your investment even more worthwhile.
Stay in a Vacation Rental
When reviewing your accommodation options, look into vacation rentals instead of setting your sights on a hotel. As Vacationkids points out, renting a vacation home might meet your space needs and budget better, especially for larger families and parents traveling with older kids. Vacation homes typically have a couple of rooms which will give your family members a chance to spread out and enjoy some privacy. Plus, they often include kitchen areas where you can prepare your own meals. This will help you save tons of money keeping your family fed away from home. If you decide to cook for your family on your trip, stick to quick and easy meals like tacos or pasta salad.
Be Flexible
One of the most important things to remember about traveling with kids is that nothing is set in stone. A tired child can throw your entire itinerary off-course, so it’s important to be flexible. Try not to pack too many sights and activities into your day. A flexible schedule will allow you to veer off your itinerary when you come across other fun things to do! For example, if you’re taking a road trip, budget extra time to stop at scenic viewpoints and roadside attractions that you come across. Limiting your family activities while traveling will also help you save a lot of money on attractions—which can really add up when paying for several children. And if you’re flying, being flexible with your travel dates will open you up to cheap flights during off-peak travel days.
Find Free Activities
When traveling on a budget with kids, finding free things to do at your destination is a must! Fortunately, you’ll come across no shortage of free activities to fill your days. For example, look up some walking tours of the city and take on the role of a personal tour guide for your family. You’ll also find museums around the world that ask for donations instead of charging entry fees. Some are even completely free on certain days of the month—including the world-famous Louvre in Paris, which is free on the first Sunday of every month. If you need a break from city life, Points Family recommends embracing free activities like taking a hike or enjoying a day at the beach. Save your money for just a few of those paid attractions that your family is the most excited about.
Keep these money-saving tips in mind as you prepare for your next family vacation. Traveling is a time to relax and make memories with your loved ones, so don’t let financial stress drag you down. Find ways to save money on everything from flights to food, and you’ll be able to spend more time enjoying your fun adventure and less time checking your bank balance.