Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. This means, we may receive a small commission if you choose to purchase something from a link we post. Don’t worry, it won’t cost you anything and does not impact our fair and balanced reviews and comparisons. This small percentage just helps us keep the power on and the chips and salsa stocked. We appreciate your support!
Travel can be an enlightening and stunning experience for families of all sizes and children of all ages. With new foods, adventures and breathtaking beauty in all regions of the world, affordable family vacations encourage quality family memories, and also offer amazing and remarkable opportunities to increase and develop knowledge.
But traveling with children may not always be accessible.
To some, family vacations can also be an overwhelming task — erratic schedules, packing for the masses, finding activities to captivate all ages, and cranky kids at all times of the day are just a few of the challenges you may encounter.
Financially speaking, others may have the impression that affordable family vacations are not a reality. A dream that seems unattainable.
Our family is not an extraordinary one. We are not millionaires, nor do we have many fancy things. What sets Big Adventure Fam apart from say, our neighbors, is summed up into one word.
Determination.
That’s right. If you want it bad enough, you will make it happen!
After years of raising a large family and making many dream family vacations a reality, we’d like to share 5 tips for amazing and affordable family vacations.
FIVE TIPS FOR AMAZING AND AFFORDABLE FAMILY VACATIONS
1. PLAN
Imagine with me, if you will, January 1: diet food prices drop, gym membership sales abound, and recorded resolutions pronounced publicly or internalized.
Success stories always come from resolutions made at the New Year and the only key ingredient is DEVOTION.
Planning for an amazing and affordable family vacation means not giving up when it seems too hard.
Making a plan and sticking to it.
Every. Single. Day.
What does this have to do with an amazing and affordable family vacation?
Everything!
Plan and you CAN and WILL make this happen!
Don’t get overwhelmed with planning an amazing family vacation! Sit down as a couple and a family and really hash out the details of your dream family vacation.
We have used a family vacation planner time and time again with so much success to resolve the type of getaway, budget the funds before and during the trip, pack all of the necessities, plan easy meals for vacation or determine which restaurants to enjoy and so many more details to make your dream family vacation a reality.
And remember, that there will be surprises!
These are the times we strengthen family bonds and build memories that last a lifetime — even when things go awry, as they always do when kids are part of the equation. In my family, some of the most memorable moments have come from missteps.
2. FIND THE BEST TIME TO BOOK FLIGHTS
What many families don’t realize is they can make their travel dreams come true if they travel smart with their kids.
Skyscanner analyzes last year’s booking data to predict the best time to book a flight.
Planning an affordable family vacation means finding the best travel prices. Usually the best time to book flights and travel is in the off-season. Hundreds of previous tips have included travel in the off-season, but hear me out.
Two teenagers in our household are a big determinant of when our family travels. They will not miss school because “one day of missed school equals one week of make-up assignments.” Their words not mine. And no they are not straight-A students.
If you are like us and also follow a traditional school schedule, traveling in the off-season can seem close to impossible.
Think outside of the box when it comes to traveling in the off-season. This does not always necessarily mean your children’s school breaks line up with busy season in all locations.
Europe: Travelocity says that families could save as much as 40 percent on airfare if they opt to go to Europe over Thanksgiving rather than over the summer. You’ll avoid the crowds too. Save even more (as much as $525 for two people) if you book your flights and hotel together.
Maybe you could swap houses with a European family and avoid hotel costs altogether. (Check websites like Love Home Swap and Home Exchange)
Hawaii: Even Hawaii has many deals too, especially if you can go before Christmas or after New Year’s. There are even summer specials that frequently pop up. Find the best hotel deals in Hawaii now!
Cruise: Would you take your kids on a cruise if you had the money? Go for it! You can opt to cruise from a port near your home, avoiding the cost and hassles of flight and you can’t beat the price when you figure activities (for the kids and teens), food, entertainment and transportation from port to port are included.
Beach: Don’t wait to get away with the kids and relax on a beach. Most beach destinations in the winter are considerably marked down. We spent Thanksgiving in Gulf Shores, Alabama and would gladly do it over and over again.
3. EXPERIENCE IT LIKE A LOCAL
While vacationing, avoid pricey tourist traps and tours. Instead, find economical places to explore, like interesting neighborhoods. Ask locals where to eat for cheap and enjoy low-cost or free experiences like public beaches, national parks, spice markets and more.
Do some research before you go, and make a list of all the cheap or free amenities for your family vacation that the destination has to offer.
4. BE FLEXIBLE
Every dollar matters when it comes to planning an affordable family vacation! You could save big on flight costs by poking around the internet for a few hours.
Shop Around: For instance, don’t assume a bundled itinerary through a single airline is the cheapest way to go. When you find a flight from Chicago to New York to London, see if you can find a cheaper flight from Chicago to New York through a different carrier.
Research flying into a nearby city and taking a train to your final destination.
If you use a rewards program, apply your rewards to domestic connecting flights. And don’t forget to shop for airlines that allow babies or small children to fly for a free or at a discounted rate.
Set Alerts: Set an alert to notify you when cheap flights become available, you could save hundreds in airline costs just by leaving a few weeks before or after you originally intended.on in your family, even Mom and Dad, a budget (we do $10) to spend on souvenirs during the getaway. The budget will help them make their own good spending decisions, not to mention have fun hunting for “the” souvenir the entire trip.
5. LIMIT SOUVENIR SHOPPING
Saying no to my children is truly so hard sometimes!! Buying trinkets in every shop can take away resources from amazing experiences.
Give each person in your family, even Mom and Dad, a budget (we do $10) to spend on souvenirs during the getaway. The budget will help them make their own good spending decisions, not to mention have fun hunting for “the” souvenir the entire trip.
ENJOY IT!
If you’re like our family, saving up enough to book just one ticket seems challenging, let alone planning a trip for the entire family. But there’s good news… it is ALL WORTH IT!
Planning and executing amazing and affordable family vacations means making memories as a family, and that is ALWAYS worth it!
GREAT ITEMS FOR A FAMILY BEACH TRIP
