Cheap Family Vacation Ideas That Are Big on Fun

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Taking a family trip doesn’t have to break the bank. There are plenty of ways to enjoy a time without spending much money! You must be savvy about where you search and how you organize your plans.

We’ve gathered some of our most exciting tips for family getaways that are full of fun and won’t empty your pockets. Whether you explore nature or opt for a staycation, these vacations are brimming with opportunities to create lasting memories with your children while keeping your budget intact.

Affordable Family Vacation Ideas on a Budget

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If money is the biggest factor in a family vacation, then you want to look at these ideas that are really the least expensive options.

• Camping- There is not much less expensive and still a great way to make family memories. Whether you stay in your state or hit the road, camping is a family-friendly budget option.
• Check out some National Parks- Add this to camping and you will have a vacation that can cost as little as the gas to get there and the camping price. Plus, there are so many services at National Parks that you can spend your entire week at one without getting bored.
• Take a Staycation and explore your own area. This may seem like a cop out, but it can be so much fun. Our family tried to visit and new part of our state of Connecticut every other month. We have found some amazing things and enjoyed it almost more than long vacations because our comfy beds await us every night.

Affording to Fly to a Family Vacation

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Traveling with your children doesn’t have to break the bank.

• My best trick for flying your family somewhere is to pick the dates you have to travel, and then look for the cheapest flights anywhere. Our family has taken some amazing Spring Break trips for less than $1500 for a family of 5.
• You can also look for inexpensive airlines that do short flights. For example, Avelo Airlines has round-trip tickets to Florida every winter for less than $100 a person.
• See what Credit Card rewards you may have accumulated, and use them to pay for a flight or two, so the entire price is cheaper.
• Travel during the off-season and prices for flights plummet.

Saving Money on Accommodations

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Hotels can eat up a huge part of your budget, so here are my best tips for staying somewhere affordable.

• Stay outside of the tourist area. Consider searching for accommodations in neighboring communities or the outskirts, where prices are typically more affordable and public transportation is still conveniently available. You might also stumble upon some known attractions that tourists overlook.
• Find a hotel that offers breakfast. While you may not save a ton of money at the hotel, you are also paying for part of the cost of food.
• Check Airbnb, VRBO, and hotel sites before making a decision. Prices vary wildly between all three depending on the location.
• House-sitting is another money-saving option for budget travelers. By house sitting, you reside in someone’s home while they’re away, looking after their pets and plants in return for lodging. There are dozens of sites for house sitting.

Tips for Cutting Costs on Dining

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Indulging in local cuisine while on a trip adds to the enjoyment, though it may strain your finances. The good news is you can savor meals without breaking the bank during your family vacation. Discover ways to cut costs on dining without compromising on flavors. This guide focuses on keeping your stomach and wallet content during your travels.

Clever Snack Ideas and Grocery Hacks

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We invented the term “grocery store dinner” many years ago. When we travel, we choose a few nights when we cook things ourselves (generally at an Airbnb). The kids love it because they get to try new things they find at a foreign store, and I love it because it saves a lot compared to eating out every meal.

We also buy snacks so that we don’t have to stop to eat 3 times a day. We often pack a sandwich or a bakery treat so we can push lunch until 3 and then we generally just have a small snack for dinner. It saves us hundreds of dollars during a 2 week vacation. Plus we can save our money to eat places we really want.

Dining Out on a Budget

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We save so much money doing our grocery store dinners that we don’t worry too much about dining out on a budget; however, here are some great tips.

• Eat your big meal at lunch. Lunch menus are less expensive, and you can have the same dining experience. Then eat a snack for dinner.
• Find restaurants that aren’t near tourist locations. They will always be cheaper and in my opinion, much better.
• Don’t go fancy! Plenty of fabulous meals don’t require you to break the bank. Ask a local; they will generally tell you their family’s favorite spot.

Questions People Often Ask About Affordable Family Vacation Ideas

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These are some of the most common questions I get asked about making family travel affordable. If you want to ask your own questions, send me an email.

What are some cheap family vacation spots?

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Our favorite cheap vacation spot is Prince Edward Island, Canada. We go every other summer and load up the car for the 13-hour drive. We rent an Airbnb for a week and spend most of our time relaxing on the beach. We cook local seafood and eat a lot of ice cream.

The total price for a weeklong vacation for 5 is around $2500.

We also love exploring New England, and we often spend a long weekend in Vermont, Maine, or Massachusetts. A two—to three-day trip generally costs between $200 and $600.

How can we save money on activities during our vacation?

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Much of this depends on your interests and what you want to see and do.

• I love to use Tiqets and Viator to find great deals.
• If you are in a large city, CityPass is generally a great deal and allows you to visit multiple sites for a base price.
• Explore cost activities such as strolling through the city enjoying parks or attending museums during admission days. Various locations offer designated days where entry fees are waived.

Check out my post about Free Things to do in NYC

Is it cheaper to plan our vacation last minute?

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There is no tried-and-true answer for this. We tend to plan well in advance but wait for a good deal to go somewhere fun. While this works for us, it doesn’t work for many people who don’t feel comfortable without a vacation plan.

I would tell you to do what you feel most comfortable with. Prices last minute might be slightly lower, but not a ton.

How Do We Save Money on Luggage?

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This is one of my favorite topics! I love to travel light, and we generally travel with a carry-on only. Even for a week or longer, we only travel with a carry-on. It’s cheaper, and I hate waiting for luggage at the airport.

If you are traveling on a budget airline, you can travel with just a personal item, too. We recently went to Belgium and all carried personal items, but we did check one suitcase so we could bring things home. However, that meant we still only spent $100 in luggage fees.

Easy Vacation Tips for Super Moms

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Taking a vacation doesn’t need to be costly or complex to organize for moms with crazy busy schedules.  Picture not stressing over overspending because you know how to uncover bargains on accommodations and entertainment. The key is creating lasting memories without breaking the bank.

With a little bit of planning,  you can enjoy a fulfilling family getaway without overspending, which is entirely achievable!

When you’re considering a family trip, in the future, don’t be deterred by the expenses. Use these tricks to start organizing without worry and concentrate on creating memories.

Want to learn how to fly for less than half of what you normally spend?

Here is my free ebook to learn how to fly on the cheap.