Family vacations are the best, aren’t they? They provide quality time away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life where you can make unforgettable memories with your loved ones.
Of course, all that fun can come with a hefty price tag. Vacations can get pricey—especially when you’re traveling with the whole crew.
These easy ways to save money on flights, accommodations, and activities during your next family getaway ensure you don’t need to leave anyone at home.
Be Flexible with Your Travel Dates
Being flexible with your travel dates can save you big bucks. Use fare comparison websites like Skyscanner or KAYAK to find the cheapest days to fly.
Tuesdays and Wednesdays are usually least expensive for domestic roundtrip flights, according to a recent NerdWallet study. A little flexibility will go a long way in saving those precious pennies!
Opt for Vacation Rentals
Hotels are great, but vacation rentals are often more budget-friendly, especially for families. Websites like Airbnb and Vrbo offer a variety of affordable and spacious accommodations that can make your family feel right at home—even when you’re miles away.
Book Activities in Advance
Booking your activities in advance will not only help you avoid last-minute stress but will also allow you to take advantage of early-bird discounts.
Websites like Musement offer great deals on tours, attractions, and experiences in popular destinations. Plus, it helps to have an itinerary so you know exactly what you’ll be doing each day!
Check Groupon for Deals
Groupon, a popular platform for saving on local activities and services, is still alive and well!
Before you embark on your family vacation, check Groupon for deals and discounts on restaurants, activities, and attractions at your destination. You’d be surprised at the amazing savings you can find!
Use a VPN to Find Cheaper Flights
Here’s a sneaky little hack for you: a VPN, short for “virtual private network,” can help you save big on airfare.
With a VPN, you can change your online location to countries such as Nepal and Thailand to find cheaper flight prices. While this travel hack isn’t foolproof, airlines sometimes offer lower fares to travelers from specific regions, so it’s worth trying!
Earn and Redeem Rewards Points
Signing up for loyalty programs and credit cards that offer travel rewards is one of the easiest ways to earn free trips.
Platforms like Booking.com and large hotel chains often have rewards programs that allow you to earn points on your hotel reservations. These points can be redeemed for future discounts or even free stays!
Most major airlines have similar loyalty programs that give frequent flyers perks like free checked bags, miles to use towards free flights and priority boarding.
To rack up points quickly, stick to flying with just one airline alliance and staying with one hotel group.
Read Reviews Before Booking
Unfortunately, travel scams are all too common. When you’re trying to save money on a family vacation, there’s nothing worse than feeling like you’re being extorted with surprise fees.
Always read reviews before booking accommodations and activities. Websites like TripAdvisor provide valuable insights from fellow travelers, helping you make informed decisions and avoid any unpleasant surprises.
Use Public Transportation
Taking public transportation instead of taxis can make even the most expensive destinations, like New York City, Paris, and Tokyo, much more affordable.
For example, NYC’s taxis start with a $3.00 initial fare and charge 70 cents per 1/5 mile or every 60 seconds. A mandatory $1.00 improvement surcharge is added to every trip, as is a $2.50 New York State Congestion Surcharge. Additional charges are applied if you’re traveling in rush hour or overnight, as are tolls and tips.
In contrast, the city’s entire subway system is just $2.90 a ride, regardless of how far you go. Major savings if you’re going long distances or traveling during peak hours!
Taking public transportation will give you more money for experiences and can be a fun way to explore the city like a local!
Book Mystery Hotels for Discounts
Feeling adventurous? Book a mystery hotel through websites like Hotwire and get significant discounts on luxury accommodations. The hotel name is revealed after booking, adding a bit of excitement to your trip!
Bundle Flights and Accommodations
Consider bundling your flights and accommodations together for extra savings. Websites like Expedia offer package deals that can save you a bundle on your family vacation.
If you book one of these deals, you should be 100% certain that you’re taking the trip. Third-party booking platforms make it notoriously difficult to cancel vacations for a full or partial refund.
Explore Free Activities and Attractions
Look for free activities and attractions at your destination. Many cities offer free museum days, parks, and cultural events that can be both fun and educational for the whole family.
Some museums that require paid tickets offer monthly “pay-as-you-wish” or free nights, so look out for those. Art galleries are almost always free.
Pricey destinations, such as tropical islands, can be made more affordable by opting to go to free public beaches instead of private resort day clubs.
Consider House Swapping
If you’re open to it, house swapping can be a fantastic way to save money on accommodations.
Websites like HomeExchange connect you with other travelers looking to swap homes for vacation, making it a win-win for everyone!
Use Skiplagged for Hidden-City Ticketing
For savvy travelers willing to take a bit of a risk, Skiplagged offers hidden-city ticketing, where you book a flight with a layover at your actual destination. It can sometimes be cheaper than booking a direct flight!
Never book one of these flights using your frequent flyer number or on an airline that you fly frequently with. Airlines are increasingly cracking down on these tickets, sometimes banning travelers who try to skirt the rules.
Dine Like a Local
Avoid touristy restaurants and dine like a local to save money on food. Websites like Eatwith connect travelers with local hosts for authentic dining experiences, often at a fraction of the cost of restaurants.
If you’re not picky, try Too Good To Go, a platform combatting food waste. Mystery bags of food are sold by local restaurants for $4 to $10 and are guaranteed to be worth at least three times their purchase price.
Alternatively, seek out street food stalls and casual eateries geared towards locals in your destination, which are often the most inexpensive dining options.
Set Fare Alerts
Set fare alerts on flight booking websites to monitor price changes and snag the best deals as soon as they pop up. Platforms often will send emails straight to you, including warnings when fares might go up or down.
This proactive approach can save you a significant amount of money on airfare.
Use CityPASS for Attractions
Many major US cities offer CityPASS, a service that allows you to pay one flat fee for access to several top attractions and activities.
These passes can be a cost-effective way to explore the best things to do in your destination without breaking the bank.
Looking for the best family vacations to take this year?
You don’t need to leave the United States to have an incredible family vacation. Staying close to home by traveling domestically can help save on pricey international airfare.
These are the best family vacations to take in every US state.
Elise Armitage is an entrepreneur and founder of What The Fab, a travel + lifestyle blog based in California. At the beginning of 2019, Elise left her corporate job at Google to chase her dreams: being an entrepreneur and helping women find fabulous in the everyday. Since then, she’s launched her SEO course Six-Figure SEO, where she teaches bloggers how to create a passive revenue stream from their website using SEO. Featured in publications like Forbes, Elle, HerMoney, and Real Simple, Elise is a firm believer that you can be of both substance and style.
