Planning a family holiday is an exciting prospect, that will provide you with endless possibilities to learn new things and have new experiences as a family. However, it can also come with a unique set of challenges, that you will need to handle, such as managing costs. There are lots of great ways to plan a budget-friendly family holiday and have a great time. Below you will find our best tips on creating unforgettable memories without breaking the bank. From setting a clear budget to getting travel insurance, you will learn how to save some money on your next family trip.
Set A Budget
Before anything else, it’s important to establish a clear budget, that can help you stay on track during your holiday. For instance, you could begin by noting down all possible costs like accommodation, travel, food, and fun. Make sure you define your spending limits so that you can make informed decisions and allocate your resources properly. This will ensure that you can enjoy your holiday without additional financial stress. It can be useful to create a spreadsheet or download a budgeting app to keep track of your planned expenses and compare them with your actual spending later on. Look for package deals or flash sales that can result in bigger savings.
Look At Different Transportation Options
Transportation is another crucial part of every holiday, so it might be worth looking into different options, that might be more affordable for your family, such as cheap bus tickets. Experts such as Wanderu can help you find the best bus ticket prices and schedules with hundreds of bus companies. It’s good to compare bus prices so that you get the best value. What’s more, taking a bus means that you can save the hassle of finding parking or renting a car, if you don’t have one. Moreover, you will find that most bus companies offer some great discounts, so you will be able to save some money. Bus ticket prices and schedules may vary, so it’s advisable to do some research in advance.
Choose The Right Accommodation
Also, you should look for the right accommodation that will suit you and your family best. Keep in mind that hotels aren’t the only options available, so it can be a good idea to look for more affordable alternatives as well. For example, you may want to consider vacation rentals, hostels, and campgrounds. There are lots of great rental services online, that offer homes that can accommodate larger groups at a fraction of the price that you would pay in a traditional hotel. What is more, they even include additional amenities, such as a kitchen where you can prepare your family meals.
Consider A DIY Itinerary
Tour packages can be a convenient option, but they often come with a high price tag, that you may want to avoid. Instead, it could be a better idea to create a do-it-yourself itinerary, which will allow you to tailor your plans to your family’s interests and budget. If you are unsure where to begin with your do-it-yourself itinerary, it can be helpful to check out online travel blogs and other resources, that may have more guidance and information on crafting your own adventure.
Book In Advance
Another great money-saving tip can be to always try to book transport and accommodation in advance. Rates can often increase as the departure date nears, so you should always look for tickets as early as possible to help you secure the best deals. This is especially important, if there will be any events or festivals in the destination that you are visiting. If you want to find significantly lower prices than usual, consider booking in the off-peak season, when it’s also likely to be less crowded in most tourist destinations.
Use Travel Apps
If you know the right apps and tools to use, technology can help you in many situations. There are many great travel apps that you can rely on to provide maps, navigate unfamiliar routes, translate local languages, or even locate the nearest public restrooms. Also, travel apps can be used to compare prices for flights, accommodation, or car rentals. Most of the time, you will have the option to set price alerts to notify you when fares drop, potentially saving you a significant amount of money.
Visit Free Attractions
It can also be a great idea to determine which attractions you are going to visit beforehand. Many cities have free attractions that you can take advantage of, such as parks, museums with no admission fees, or historical sites. Make sure you research those before you head off and include them in your itinerary. They can offer a great way to spend your time, providing your family with a rich cultural experience without adding to your expenditure. Alternatively, you can look for attractions, that may have discounted fees for families, which will help you stay on top of your budget.
Cook Your Meals
Eating out can easily become one of your biggest expenses on holiday, so it might be beneficial to look for ways to cook your own meals instead of eating out at restaurants every night.
For example, you can prepare some snacks before you leave, such as:
- whole grain crackers
- sandwiches
- pizza rolls
- overnight oats
- cereal bars
Also, you may want to visit local markets for fresh produce and try traditional food at local restaurants and cafes as opposed to big chains. So, this can be a fun cultural experience for the family that also boosts the local economy.
Get Travel Insurance
While this might seem like an additional expense, travel insurance is crucial when traveling with your family. It will provide you with financial protection against a number of unforeseen situations, such as losing your luggage or someone getting sick. Although nobody likes to think that things might go wrong, it’s essential to be prepared by choosing the right travel insurance policy. This will ease your worries, preventing major money problems and stress in the future. Therefore, it’s advisable to use comparison websites to understand what different policies cover and possibly find family or group discounts.
