Vacations are a break from the everyday hustle, but planning one on a budget can seem like a hurdle, especially for busy moms. This guide contains tips and tricks for making your next family getaway fun and affordable. We’ll show you how to find deals, save on food, and choose activities that won’t break the bank but will still create priceless memories with your kids. From booking off-season to packing like a pro, these hacks will make your vacation planning hassle-free and let you focus on what’s really important — spending quality time with your family. Cheap Family Vacation Ideas That Are Big on Fun 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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? Our favorite cheap vacation spot is Prince Edward Island, Canada. We go every other summer and load up the car for the 13-hour […]

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