How To Plan A Budget Friendly Family Vacation And Cheap Places To Visit
SHARING IS CARING :)
Disclaimer: Je’Ana C. curates the Shades of Tatiana product selections. We only recommend products we genuinely love. If you buy something through our affiliate links, we may earn a small commission at no cost to you.
DON’T FORGET TO SHARE :)
Can I have a budget-friendly vacation with a small travel budget? YES, you can plan a trip to your dream destinations, even if you have little money.
Planning and organizing a vacation can often be overwhelming with many options, things to do, places to eat, and more! The hard part about planning a budget-friendly travel trip is that there is just no correct answer. Everyone has different opinions of what is cheap, and some of us are willing to pay for a luxurious trip while others want the adventure without the luxury.
What matters is saving for the things that matter, even if you can enjoy a few indulgences and treats on the way there. Now that inflation is rising, and the cost of living expenditure is rising, many people are indeed considering limiting certain spending to enjoy more affordability in other places. Perhaps the very idea of how much a vacation adds up is why so many of us are scared off from traveling.
The good news is that we’ll discuss a few ways on how you can plan cheap vacations that will give your family a unique experience. Keep reading to discover everything from amazing places to visit and how to get a great deal to the best times to travel!
RELATED:
SHOP OUR FAVORITE TRAVEL GEAR:
How To Have The Best Family Vacations On A Tight Budget
IMAGE SOURCE: PEXELS
Research Cheap Vacation Ideas
Planning a budget-friendly family vacation can be exciting! It can also be stressful if you're not careful. However, careful planning is the best way to have a good time on your family trip with a small budget. Researching travel sites within the vacation budget is a good idea. Before booking anything, take time researching different travel sites and comparing prices. This can help you find the best deals and avoid paying extra fees.
Lastly, make a bucket list. Write down all the things you want to do on your trip. Then cross off items as you go through them, so you don't forget about them later when making plans for future vacations!
Cheapest Places To Visit In The United States
Cape Cod
San Diego
New Jersey
Grand Canyon
Myrtle Beach
New York City
Mount Rushmore
Yellowstone National Park
Break Down The Costs
When planning a vacation, it can be tempting to throw caution to the wind and just spend whatever you have. But, there’s no sense in making any financial predictions or final decisions unless you know the exact sums and figures you’re working with. That’s why having a professional like Stan Bae, and his insight can be so worthwhile. For instance, the full breakdown cost of the average Disney World trip can be thoroughly helpful. This way, you can understand if your funds will stretch comfortably or if you may wish to commit to saving just a little more to justify that choice.
Next, buy plane tickets online ahead of time. Sometimes airlines offer discounts just by booking online but not at an airport location! You'll usually save money if you buy your tickets online ahead of time rather than at the airport or train station — especially if more than one person is traveling together.
Popular Destinations For Your Vacation Budget
Water park
State parks
Theme parks
Amusement parks
Costa Rica
White House
Historical sites
South Padre Island
Consider Vacation Packages & Bundle Deals
Of course, there are a plethora of ways to get around paying full price in any capacity. Loyalty schemes and bundle deals can help you get there, especially as that relates to building points or getting exclusive offers from clubs you might be part of. A bundle or a last-minute deal might also be a good way of heading on an impromptu vacation at a much lower price than you would have. This is why it’s worth checking for last-minute cancellations and offers provided by travel companies and full-scale packages at discounted rates nearer their date.
Take advantage of loyalty schemes. Loyalty schemes will often give you more benefits the longer you stay with them and spend more with them. If this interests you, joining up with an airline or hotel chain might be worth it for the long run if it gets you discounts on future trips and extras like free checked bags, priority boarding, lounge access, and so on. Loyalty programs also allow you to earn points based on how much money you spend on flights or hotels, which can then be redeemed for free flights or nights away.
Book Next Trip Early
If you have kids and want them to enjoy their trip without any stress, book early and avoid peak season periods. This way, you can get better deals on flights and hotels as well as save yourself from any potential disappointments if something doesn’t work out as expected!
Sometimes, it’s just all about the timing and how that timing relates to the changing tides of tourism wherever you head. Sure, the summer is where the weather might be nicest, but does that mean you must travel during peak tourism season where everything is expensive? You can get a much cheaper vacation near the start of autumn or perhaps in the middle of Spring. For example, visiting smaller beaches and camping at a site nearby during these months can save you even more money. A worthwhile balance like this could help you stretch your money further and do so with utmost confidence.
Expedia surveyed 1,000 American adults who had booked trips within the past three years and found that 54% purchased their travel plans more than two months in advance (compared to 42% who did so less than two weeks before departure). The average length of time between booking and departure was an even month.
Look For Free Activities
There are lots of free fun activities to do when traveling with kids — no matter where you're going or what time of year it is! For example, visit local attractions like the Space Museum. Many museums offer free admission on certain days each month, and some parks have free days too.
MORE TRAVEL TIPS
IMAGE SOURCE: PEXELS
Check travel sites. Look at sites like Expedia or Travelocity, which offer many different airlines, and compare prices accordingly.
Stay closer to home. Consider going somewhere closer to home instead of heading across the country or overseas for your next vacation. You might not get as much sunshine or experience as culture, but it's still a great trip that won't break the bank like flying across the ocean or renting a resort villa in the Caribbean. It's easier on your wallet and convenient if it's closer.
Splurge strategically. You don't have to give up all luxuries on your next vacation. For example, eating out every meal isn't necessary if you can make meals at home beforehand and bring them along with you so that everyone can eat healthy without breaking the bank!