12 Ways to Save Money While Traveling With Family!
Looking to save money while traveling with family? Here’s some ideas so you and your brood can have an amazing time without breaking the bank.
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Living in Florida, I have the opportunity to travel all year round within the state.
I love the weather here, as well as the beautiful beaches. However, vacations, even short ones, can get expensive really fast.
Thankfully, as the designated tour guide for my out-of-town relatives, I have plenty of experience on family vacations.
If you’re looking for ideas on how to save money while traveling with a big bunch, here’s how I’ve been able to save a ton of money on my family vacations.
Lodging
Lodge for Free
When it comes to lodging and accommodations, you could save money while traveling by staying with families or friends whenever possible.
This normally works better if you’re traveling with a small group though.
Rewards Programs
If that’s not an option, get great deals by signing up for rewards programs with your favorite hotel chain.
I recommend the Wyndham Rewards program.
It’s free to sign up, and easy to accumulate points that you can then redeem for free or discounted night stays.
I have personally used this program to earn over 10 free nights!
Points expire after 4 years, so even if you are an infrequent vacationer, chances are, your points won’t go to waste.
Other rewards programs include Choice Privileges and Best Western Rewards.
If you have a preferred hotel chain, be sure to check if they have a rewards program as well!
If you’re booking your accommodations using a card, check if the credit card will award you any rewards or points for the transaction.
If you have a choice of which card to use, make sure to check the various rewards programs so you can get the most bang for your buck.
A word of caution: If the card that will give you the most points is nearly maxed out, use a different one!
Don’t compromise your credit card utilization rate for the sake of a few more points.
Keep in mind that your credit score is affected by how much you owe versus how much credit you have available. This applies as a whole and on each line of credit individually.
Give Airbnb a Try
Airbnb is a great option for affordable accommodations.
If you feel skeptical about it, read the reviews and policies for any property you are considering.
Most properties have reasonable cancellation policies in case you change your mind.
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Entertainment
City Passes
Thinking of exploring a big metropolitan area?
one of the best ways to see all the main attractions for an affordable price is to get a city pass such as the Go City Card or the CityPass.
These passes, which are available for all major cities, let you choose which attractions you’d like to visit. They provide significant discounts off the in-person and even online price for each separate attraction.
Plan in Advance
There’s something about vacations that makes us overspend.
Perhaps we think of vacations as our time to be care-free and throw our worries (and budgets) out the window.
Knowing this, however, before you finish packing, draw up a plan to help you stay on course.
A great option for this is to check out available entertainment options in the area you’ll be visiting through sites like Travelocity or Viator.
Once you’ve decided on the activities you’ll do, be sure to set the kids’ expectations beforehand.
If you’re not going to see their favorite show or go to their favorite attraction, be sure to let them know ahead of time to avoid a last minute meltdown.
Don’t Try to Do It All
When it comes to vacationing, entertainment choices can vary greatly in price.
Although it’s very tempting to want to do and see it all, this can quickly derail your finances!
Before you go, have a family “council” where together you can choose one family-favorite activity.
Be sure to take its price into consideration, and budget for it. Then, stick to less expensive, or free entertainment, the rest of the trips
Dining
Choose a Continental Breakfast
When possible, choose a hotel that includes free continental breakfast.
This could save you a lot of money, especially if you’re traveling with a big group.
If allowed, grab a couple of extra fruits to snack on later.
Prepare Meals at the Hotel
If traveling for several days, make sure to choose a hotel with a fridge and microwave.
On the first day, hit the local supermarket and stock up on snacks and easy-to-make items. These can include lunch meat, bread, egg beaters, and ready-made or microwavable pasta.
Pack up sandwiches, cold pasta salads, and snacks for during the day.
For dinner, try rotisserie chicken or other precooked items from the nearest deli.
Eating Out
If you’re in the mood for eating out, check out the menus beforehand for various restaurants in the area.
If available, stick to places that offer family meals or combo-type specials.
Additionally, skip the sodas or ice teas – water is not only cheaper but healthier for you as well.
Speaking of water, most places that don’t allow outside drinks will accept empty water bottles that can later be refilled at a water fountain – for free!
Transportation
Airfare
To get a cheaper airfare, avoid purchasing your tickets on the weekend.
Typically, this is when everyone else is also buying, which increases competition.
Airlines will often discount leftover tickets after the weekend rush is over.
Tuesday afternoon is often a good time to get great deals.
The idea is to book during non-peak hours.
Another way to get amazing deals is checking discounted fare websites like OneTravel.com or CheapOAir.
Whenever possible, set an alert for the itinerary you’re looking for, and purchase when the prices drop.
Trip Insurance
Additionally, consider protecting your trip by getting trip insurance. Trip insurance protects you in case your trip is cancelled, delayed, or interrupted, if your baggage gets lost, or if your rental car is damaged.
Trip insurance can be a lifesaver!
My mom once lost her bag at the Miami airport and her trip insurance reimbursed her for all her related expenses.
I highly recommend it – I also highly recommend keeping an eye on your bags at all times 🙁
Car Rentals
If your company offers employee discounts, check if car rental discounts are offered.
Additionally, avoid picking up the rental at an airport if possible. These locations are often more expensive than a place just down the street.
If you do have to pick up the car at an airport location, I recommend using AirportRentalCars.com. I’ve used them multiple times and I can say they have great customer service.
As a side anecdote, I once forgot to deactivate the toll transponder that came with a car I had rented from them. I attached my own transponder instead.
Although it was my mistake, they reimbursed me for the toll charges originally stated in the contract, no questions asked. I’ve also been able to find great prices through CarRentals.com.
Side Note:
If you need to park your own car at the airport for the duration of your trip, save money on parking by booking through Airport Parking Reservations.
They’re available at all major airports and they have the best prices.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re traveling locally or around the world with your family, a little foresight and planning will help you make the most of your trip.
All while ensuring you don’t deplete your entire life’s savings in the process!
In the end, remember that a vacation only lasts a few days, while financial stress can last a lifetime.
Keep this in mind so you don’t over-extend yourself. If you need a little help coming up with a budget, check out my Free Guide to Budgeting here!
Remember that by applying these tips, having fun while on vacation and staying within your budget don’t have to be mutually exclusive.
Which of these tips is your favorite to save money while traveling? Let us know in the comments below!
