7 Ways To Save Money When Traveling as a Family
With vacation costs continuing to rise, traveling with the entire family is becoming more and more of a financial strain. As reported by real estate company Pacaso, vacation expenses have gone up by 3% compared with 2023. Additionally, the average weekly cost of a vacation for a family of four is around $7,936, according to Gogo Charters. Compared with a weekly cost of $3,969 for two people, it almost seems like traveling with the whole family is more likely to result in financial stress than fun and relaxation.
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Although vacation expenses have increased, traveling as a family hasn’t become impossible to afford when done wisely. Rather, financial and travel experts say there are still several ways to save money when traveling as a family.
Look For All-Inclusive Packages
Finding travel deals, holiday packages and bundles that include accommodations and meals are a great way to save time, money and effort — especially when traveling with younger children.
“An all-inclusive hotel might seem like a more expensive choice at first, but if you combine all the meals, entertainment and transportation costs together, this option will help you save quite a lot of money at the end of your trip,” said Mercedes Zach, travel expert at ASAP Tickets. “Another benefit of an all-inclusive hotel or resort is that there is a lot to do for every taste and age, and you have access to the beach, pool, saunas, hot tubs, playgrounds and live events at no extra cost.”
All-inclusive hotels, resorts and cruises cater to a wide range of interests and ages, which can be particularly convenient for a multigenerational vacation.
“Instead of planning a trip to the water park for the kids, tickets for a show for the grandparents and a beachside yoga class for yourself — all of which adds up in cost and time — an all-inclusive resort or cruise can offer it all,” said Jeremy Murchland, president of travel insurance company Seven Corners Travel Insurance. “Each family member picks and chooses what they want to do. Everyone is happy, you stay sane and your bank account stays flush.”
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Book Your Flight in Advance
The cost of airfare is usually more expensive around holidays and popular travel seasons compared with other periods throughout the year. Therefore, it’s important to book your flight well in advance if you want to save on travel costs.
“Another approach travelers often use when booking holidays is looking for seasonal sales and last-minute deals,” Zach said. “That is a great way to save money, but unfortunately it doesn’t always guarantee the best price, especially for destinations with increased demand and with several people traveling together.”
Compare Prices With Several Travel Agencies
Since this method doesn’t always result in the best deals, it’s also important for those traveling as a family to compare travel prices with several different agencies, airlines and search engines to find the best deals that match your needs.
Be Flexible
“If a direct flight is too expensive, look into connecting flights,” Zach said. “You may even combine multiple airlines or different modes of transportation. The more flexible you are, the better deals you can score — and remember to pack light to avoid checked baggage fees.”
Know the Best Time To Buy Plane Tickets
Flight rates tend to be cheaper during the middle of the week, so it’s best to buy plane tickets during this time. Also, since fares for the holiday season often fluctuate, it’s beneficial to monitor your route and set up alerts to be notified when prices drop.
“According to industry insights, Sundays are typically the best days to book flights, as that saves you about 5% on domestic flights and up to 15% on international flights compared to other days of the week,” Zach said. “Sunday, however, is not the best day for flying, with lots of people aiming to fly out or go back home for the start of the week. And with increased ticket purchases and flights happening on Fridays, it is considered the worst day for booking flights or accommodations.”
Don’t Overschedule
With family vacations, it’s often tempting to squeeze in as many activities as possible. However, more activities usually mean more money. To save money on family vacations, prioritize fewer expensive activities that everyone will like and allow yourself some time for rest and relaxation.
“If you’re worried about too much downtime and kids getting bored, take advantage of free activities that don’t need to be scheduled,” Murchland said. “Pack a favorite board game. Find local parks nearby where kids can burn off some energy while you relax on a bench. If you never use these activities, you aren’t out any money. But if you do need them, you’ll have a plan ready in your back pocket.”
Resist Dining Out for Every Meal
Enjoying the local cuisine and trying unique restaurants is a great way to enhance your vacation experience and explore your vacation destination. However, when it comes to dining out for the whole family, these costs can quickly add up, especially when the average daily food cost per person while on vacation is $58, per Pacaso.
If you stay somewhere with a kitchen, cooking some meals or stocking up on nonperishable snacks and drinks can help you save on food expenses during your vacation.
“Anything that you can stock up from a grocery store will be cheaper than buying it at a cafe or restaurant,” Zach said. “And you might even consider bringing some snacks from home as well. There are plenty of options that don’t need refrigeration, such as nuts, crisps, dried fruit or cereal bars, and that is a nice and inexpensive meal alternative on the go for both adults and kids.”
Saving the Most Money on Family Travel
Multigenerational trips can be pricey, but not if you know the best ways to cut costs. Setting a budget, not going overboard with additional unnecessary costs, and knowing when to book flights and accommodations will help vacationers enjoy their summer travel without breaking the bank. By following these tips, families can travel together and don’t have to risk financial sorrows for long-lasting family memories.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 7 Ways To Save Money When Traveling as a Family
