Traveling with the family can be a serious pain. What seemed like a joyous opportunity to take on the world with the little ones can easily turn into something out of a nightmare vacation movie. How can you keep your travel budget low and still take the family on vacation?
Take these ideas into consideration:
Go Camping
If you plan your trip well, camping can cost next to nothing. Camping gives you a chance to escape the daily grind and play with your family out in the wilderness. Few family experiences compare to sitting underneath the stars, roasting marshmallows accompanied only by the sounds of rustling leaves, soft voices, and a crackling fire. To find a campsite near you, go online and search the national park directory. You’re likely to find one in your area. If not, just search for the nearest public campsites in your area. GoCampingAmerica.com provides great online resources for finding parks, campsites, and rental properties. You can also find RV and cabin rentals.
If you’re going camping for the first time, be sure to buy a good, sturdy tent. Whether you think so or not, you’re likely to use it again down the road. Like many activities, camping can grow on the unlikeliest of outdoor people. A quality tent can last years, while cheap superstore tents may only last a trip or two. If you’re picky about comfort, purchase a sleeping pad. According to Kurt Repanchek, founder of nationalparkstraveler.com, “The camping standards are standard for a reason: Tarps, rope or cords, a first-aid kit, waterproof matches, a whistle, and a Swiss Army knife or multi-tool inevitably come in handy.[1]” For a full list of supplies, visit lovetheoutdoors.com.
Stay at Family-Friendly Hotels and Resorts
If you’re looking to stay at a hotel or resort, make sure they’re family friendly. Many resorts and hotels feature restaurants that offer free meals for children 12 and under. Before you book your room, call the hotel directly and consult with the front desk agent in regards to family discounts. You may be able to negotiate for a lower price. If they won’t bargain, mention a nearby hotel’s price to see if they’ll shave off a few dollars to get your business. If they do not offer discounts to family, ask them about AAA discounts. If you’re not currently a AAA member, consider joining—it pays off in the long run.
Skip the flight and Stay Outside the City
Even with gas prices fluctuating by the day, driving could still be your best bet, especially if your destination is less than 500 miles away and you’re traveling with the family. If you plan on visiting a big city, stay in a hotel just outside of town. For instance, if you’re planning to visit San Francisco, you could stay in Oakland and take the train into town every morning, instead of having to pay astronomical prices for a hotel right in the city. And, you could wake up in the East bay sun, as opposed to the Frisco Bay fog. As you’ll find, such options exist in most areas. If you’re heading to New York City, look for hotels outside of Manhattan. You may even want to consider New Jersey. If you’re planning on making a trip to the nation’s capital, include Arlington and Alexandria, Virginia in your hotel search, as well as Bethesda, Maryland.
Visit Convention and Visitors Bureau Websites
Check out convention and visitors bureau websites before you plan your itinerary. Many of these sites feature online deals and group discounts. Also, you may want to go to the visitor center when you arrive. You may be able to pick up a discount booklet, which could save you big money on event admissions, food, hotels, campsites, and activities. Not only can you save a lot of money, but you won’t have to worry about waiting in long ticket lines.
Don’t forget about vacation packages. Most aggregate travel sites allow you to book your hotel, airfare, and rental car with one payment. Always compare rates between sites before moving forward. You may be able to find deals; however, you may want to book your room directly through the hotel. And the same goes for airfare; book through the airline directly to ensure optimal customer service at the airport.
About the Author
Check ‘n Go, the fourth largest consumer financial service institution in the United States, offers installment loans, online payday loans, check cashing, and cash advances as part of their commitment to ethical and responsible lending. Check ‘n Go has consistently set high standards for their payday loan and installment loan services to ensure that their customers continue to have options available for whatever financial circumstances come their way.
[1] Tuttle, Brad. “4 Things Every Camper Should Know | Travel Deals, Travel Tips, Vacation Ideas | Budget Travel.” Budget Travel | Travel Deals, Travel Tips, Vacation Ideas. Web. 27 Oct. 2011. <http://www.budgettravel.com/
“Top Ten Cheap Family Vacations | Away.com.” Travel Guides, Advice from Experts | Away.com. Web. 27 Oct. 2011. <http://away.com/features/top-
“Ways to Save on Family Travel – Family Vacation Critic.” Family Vacations – Ideas and Hotel Reviews – Family Vacation Critic. Web. 27 Oct. 2011. <http://www.
