Travel can be expensive, there’s no debating that! Having a family doesn’t mean you need to ditch the dreams of showing them the world. There are lots of tips and tricks that can much it much cheaper and enjoyable for everyone! Here are a few of our tips for how a family can save money when traveling with kids.
Eating Out
Eating out as a family can be one of the biggest travel expenses. Try picking accommodation that has a kitchen or self-catering options. You can pick up supplies at local markets or supermarkets. Saving money when traveling with kids in this area lets you surly on the fun stuff like ice cream or activities!
Do Your Research
The last thing you want to do is sightsee out in the blistering sun. Heat zaps everyone from kids to adult of their energy and patience. This can make exploring during the day hard work and you may even end up spending more to do activities inside. Try booking your trips for shoulder seasons like autumn or fall, just remember its easier to keep warm them cool down!
You can also plan your trip around major events and holidays, which could be excellent learning experiences for you and your family. For example, you can plan a visit to China in February, where there are tons of educational Chinese New Year activities for you and your family to partake in. Who knows? You might pick up some Mandarin or Cantonese during your visit!
Free Museum Days
If you’re heading to a city, check if they have free museum days. Sometimes it isn’t worth paying for a ticket if you know the kids will only last an hour, so this is a great option. You might find that they can be a little bit busier, so try to head in early to beat crowds!
Pick Ferries over Planes
Have a look at destinations that you can reach by ferry or car. This means you don’t have to worry about renting a car or paying for expensive taxis. Most ferry companies also sell family tickets so you don’t have to worry about getting tickets for everyone.
Pick Your Dates Wisely!
Try to travel out of school holidays. This is much easier said than done if you have young children but it means you can avoid the crowds and inflated costs. You might also find that airlines and resorts run promotion between school holidays to increase bookings.
Other things to watch out for are public holidays and events. The last thing you want is to pay top dollar for a hotel because they are hosting The Olympics or F1 event! For Chinese New Year, people usually travel home to be with family, with millions of people booking up trains and planes it can drive prices up for your family.
Location, Location, Location
Picking a location where your money goes further is key. No need to travel around the world to a location like Asia, just find places where you have the option to enjoy free outdoor activities, like visiting the beach or exploring a national park.
Give Kids Their Own Money to Spend
If your kids are older enough try giving them a daily allowance for food and activities. You might find that they will make a smarter decision and more conscious of what traveling costs.
We found we get barely any “can I have” or “I want that” after we implemented this. It’s like as soon as the money becomes “theirs”, the think twice before spending or asking lightbulb gets switched on.
Snack time
No matter whether your children are 3 or 13, they need to eat often. The last thing you want to deal with while traveling (or even at home) is a hungry child! There is no need for wasting money going to restaurants or picking up takeaway, just pack snacks for on the go. It can be as simple as grabbing a bag of apples and bananas or cutting up local veggies to munch on. Having a few dry items is also a good idea, so pick up a few bags of nuts or muesli bars.
Try Overnight Travel
A good way to save on accommodation is by taking night trains. Rather than paying for as hotel and transport you can combine both. A cozy train berth for the night means you arrive at your destination in the morning ready to explore. It also means you eliminate the need to pay for a hotel in that location. Not only that kids love getting to explore the train and watching out the window for new sights!
Final Thoughts
Showing your children, the world is one of the greatest gifts. By implementing some of these ideas will ensure traveling as a family is much easier and cheaper!
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