Budget Friendly Tips for Family Travel

From a young age I was given multiple opportunities to explore the world beyond my backyard, beyond my city and beyond any conceivable notions of what I thought laid abroad. From the luxury of a fully stocked motor home to pounding the pavement with just what we could haul on our backs, we took the opportunities, soaked up the family experience and thoroughly explored what the world had to offer.  We were by no means wealthy, or even comfortable for that matter.  We were just average Americans, with a desire to experience new places and bond as a family.

As I grew older and became a mother myself, I knew that family travel was simply a necessity and one I wasn’t willing to negotiate.  With little money and a drive to provide my children with the same experiences I once shared with my parents, we set out to explore the world beyond in a way that wouldn’t scar us financially, yet allow us to travel comfortably.

These affordable family travel tips will have your family surfing the waves at a beach nearby or exploring an off beaten path you never knew existed, in no time

Preparation is Key– traveling on a budget takes a little planning, so gathering ideas and researching rates in advance will ensure that you stay within your budget and give you time to explore what options are available.  Making a checklist of items you’ll need to pack is the best way to stick to your budget and ensure that you won’t be paying a visit to a local drugstore once you arrive at your destination. 

Choose Destinations Nearby -  who ever said you had to travel to the far side of the world to enjoy a family vacation?  With a little online research and tank full of gas, you can charter new territory just a few hours away from your hometown.  To save even more, ditch the hotel and opt for a camping trip instead. A tent, a few blankets and a little food and your family will be heading out to explore the best that nature has to offer!

BYOF – Bring.Your.Own.Food. This could save you hundreds of dollars in the course of just a few days and better yet, you know exactly what you’re feeding your family!  Empty your refrigerator into a cold case before you leave and stop at new places along the way, for a family picnic!  While booking your stay at hotels or resorts, you can request a refrigerator and often times, microwaves, allowing you to stick to your budget and eat in!

Consider a Travel Package  – Packaged deals are much more affordable than you may have thought! All inclusive packages typically offer accommodations, meals, flight and more and one price covers it all. Consider a cruise for example, where a family of four can sail a 7-day Mexican Rivera Cruise for under $1000..now that’s an affordable vacation!  Search the internet for additional discounts and promotions that can be applied towards travel packages to maximize your savings.

Get Friendly – traveling with multiple families will allow you to split the costs involved with travel!  The more friends you bring along, the less you’ll be required to spend, as families can split everything from food to hotel rooms.  If you’ll be traveling with a large group of ten people or more, you can often times find group deals on everything from hotels to tours!

With a little preparation and some solid research skills, your family may soon be heading out to explore the world beyond and build memories that will last a lifetime!  Setting a clear budget and discussing it as a family, will allow everyone to be on the same page and allow you to stay within your means!

Safe Travels!

Candace Trino is a freelance writer and mom blogger extraordinaire at “Deal”ectible Mommies.