Extra tickets, larger rooms, and other expenses make planning a family vacation on a budget challenging. But some crafty parents learned to plan their next adventure without racking up debt. You too can visit iconic spots like New York and Paris, just dive into the hacks they use to stretch your travel budget without sacrificing making memories with your kids.
To lock in the best rates on flights and accommodations, book four to six months in advance. Too early and airlines don’t post their best rates, too late and you pay a premium.
For international trips, you should aim for the 6-month mark. For domestic flights, 4 months is the sweet spot.
If you are booking a flight with credit card rewards, the best reward promos are best 6+ months ahead, but this can vary based on the airline.
Regional airports will cost much more to get to than big hubs. So find a major hub with the best discounts, and weigh your options in taking ground transportation (i.e, train) to finish the journey.
Always use the area option instead of a specific airport. Sometimes airlines run promotions at specific airports within the same city.
One easy way to keep your overall travel budget under control is to plan your budget ahead of time. Just the same way you plan your budget at home, plan your expenses in different categories. It gives the whole family a clear idea of how much they can spend on treats, souvenirs, and activities during the trip.
For instance, if one day you are planning something more expensive, make sure to offset it with free kids’ activities the next day.
Use a simple budgeting app or even a paper tracker to log daily purchases. It helps you spot spending trends and avoid creeping over budget without realizing it.
Just like in real life, emergencies also happen on vacation. A quick trip to the emergency room, some flight delays, or rerouting part of the trip can set you off and generate unplanned debts.
We recommend planning for about 20% of the total cost of your trip to help you handle major expenses. If you never use it, just keep it for your “next vacation” fund!
This doesn’t replace an emergency fund, but it could help with the bigger expenses in case things go sideways. The average insurance premium, for a couple of weeks abroad for a family of 4, is around $300. Just find a great insurance policy and protect your wallet.
If a big, expensive trip is not on budget for your family, plan for many budget-friendly day trips throughout the year. Think outside the box! Unique local playgrounds, free walking tours, pay-by-the-ride carnivals, and other budget-friendly attractions make for a great alternative to expensive theme parks.
Use apps like GoWhee to find affordable, kid-approved spots that aren’t tourist traps.
Want a beach vacation without breaking the bank? Costa Rica or Mexico have family-friendly, inclusive resorts, and low daily expenses. The coasts of North Africa or countries like Croatia are great to find affordable options near Europe.
What usually sets you off during a beach trip are the accommodations. The best budget tip shared by a GoWhee parent is to look at campsites instead of hotels or vacation rentals. Some families decide to purchase a small camper or invest in camping gear, cutting their expenses by half. Others chose the comfort of a glamping tent or cottage, within the campsite, which is still an affordable option compared to brick-and-mortar locations.
Don’t forget that “reverse traveling” is also a great way to cut the cost of your beach trip. Beach trips in the spring or mountain lakes trips in the summer tend to be less expensive and less crowded.
Choose credit cards that offer flexible travel rewards to cover the travel costs, like airfare. Airline credit cards, limit your family to special airline deals.
Be mindful of interest rates and pay off balances to avoid debt. Focus on cards with benefits that align with independent travel and local stays. American Express, for instance, partners with locally run businesses and now offers credit cards without the famously expensive year fee for budget travelers. Make sure that the credit card doesn’t charge a foreign fee when you pay abroad, as these will sink your budget very quickly!
Families in the GoWhee community also warn to stay away from cash-back reward-type cards. The value you get from a reward flight is often a lot more advantageous than the cash savings you get.
Use the credit card benefits, like car rental companies status, to get your car upgraded upon arrival (some rental companies guarantee the upgrade).
Avoid expensive hotel chains and check out Home exchange platforms (like HomeExchange.com) to stay for free in beautiful homes with enough bedrooms for everyone.
Hostels with private family suites make for great budget-friendly options, especially for large families. Revamped motels are also great alternatives, offering, often, beautiful designs, hotel-like amenities, and family-friendly rooms at a reasonable cost.
Local guesthouses and eco-lodges run by families or small businesses will give you more space and perks for the same budget or less than large corporations.
Always compare rates directly on official websites to avoid junk fees from third-party booking sites. They typically show an inaccurate “hook offer” to get bookings, and then charge you additional fees at booking. Moreover, when booking directly, check out the hotel’s promotion tab (sometimes called “special offer”) to get deals.
Download the GoWhee App to find budget-friendly and FREE locations that are recommended by locals. Parents also share tips within the app, which include free days and discounts that are not always advertised online.
Use local reciprocal memberships, like the ASTC program, for free science museum tickets around the world.
Look for the discount or special offers for each major attraction you are planning to visit. They often offer discounts or free days, which add up to some great savings for a family.
Visit local markets for souvenirs and stay away from overpriced tourist stores. On top of supporting the local economy, you connect with locals and make shopping a whole cultural experience for kids. Check for local towns’ official websites or Facebook groups to get the dates and locations of said markets.
Don’t forget that hiking and walking are FREE! Many viewpoints and attractions will be virtually free if you don’t take the convenient tram or cable cars to get to them. Plus, a good hike will tire the kids for a relaxing evening.
Simulate bookings up to checkout to catch hidden fees, always on an incognito window (especially on mobile), and if you are tech-savvy, use a VPN.
If you don’t have time to deal with the regular simulations, set price alerts for flights and vacation packages.
Prioritize value over convenience, small, local spots often offer better service and lower prices. Thanks to the GoWhee App, you can still make sure that the small businesses you visit offer kid-friendly amenities.
Reduce expensive last-minute purchases like water bottles, snacks, and medical items. Simply pack these with you so you don’t have to buy them at a premium.
Always travel with a carry-on instead of a checked suitcase. This will save you money. You can rent a smaller car, hire a smaller taxi, or take public transportation, which cuts down costs quickly.
Thailand is great for families looking for cultural fun, interesting food, and love connecting with locals. It is usually the islands and the beaches, but you will find your budget stretches further in cities like Chang Mai. We love the low-key atmosphere and the surrounding mountains. The whole area gives families plenty of affordable opportunities for unique experiences.
The country is famous for its desert landscapes, cities full of colors, and it is a great spot to experience a mix of African and Arabic cultures safely. There are kid-friendly options for things like desert camping, camel rides, and souk shopping on the GoWhee App. Morocco also offers a great beach scene at a fraction of the cost of the European Rivieras.
Portugal is a top destination for European families wanting some sea and sun. You can enjoy the delicious inexpensive food and wine, in the north, and affordable beach resorts in the south. GoWhee parents report that the locals are welcoming and love kids. It’s pretty easy to explore Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve region on a budget, and flights are usually cheaper to Lisbon than to other major European cities.
The Balkan countries (Albania, Montenegro, and North Macedonia) are hidden gems for families. They offer a lot of the same atmosphere as countries like Greece or Croatia, but on a budget. It is all about natural beauty and culture without the crowds and higher prices.
Stay away from Cancun and Puerto Vallarta, which are touristy and expensive. Instead, look at Baja California. It offers a quieter, less commercial side of Mexico, and is perfect for families. There are unique experiences for kids like releasing turtles, snorkeling in coves, and you can enjoy affordable local food options everywhere. We recommend looking at towns like La Paz and Loreto, to connect with the locals, save money, and still enjoy some English-speaking staff and modern amenities.
Travel insurances are not created equal, with fine prints and ancient sign up system, it gets overwhelming pretty fast. But we found a modern take on travel insurance for families perfect for parents on the go.
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