When it comes to planning a family trip that is affordable, the secret is to have a simple and surefire game plan in place. When you are trying to decide on a place to go, consider the time that you are going to go as well as what you want to do while you are there. There are many great deals available online if you are willing to put some time in and search for them. Here are some tips for saving some money on your big family trip.
Sign Up for Special Deals
One way that you can plan a big family trip and save some money is to sign up for special deals from several different websites. There are many websites that offer discounts on hotels, food, and entertainment. Signing up for these deals can help you to save money on the things that you are planning to do while you are on your trip. When it comes to traveling with your family, every little bit that you can save will help. Look for discount tickets to the attractions that you want to go to while you are on your trip as well as coupons for local restaurants and other area attractions. This can go a long way in making your trip more budget friendly.
Consider Camping
Often times one of the most expensive parts of a big family trip is your accommodations. Why not consider camping for a few nights. You can camp for a few nights and then book a hotel for the remainder of your trip. Perhaps your entire vacation can be camping. A multi-person tent does not cost very much and will give you a place to sleep at any campground. The rate per night for a campsite is very affordable and the best part is most campgrounds have plenty of things to do right there. This means that you will not only have a place to stay but things to do while you are there as well.
Travel Off-Peak
When you are traveling as a family it is often easiest to travel during school breaks. Unfortunately, most of those school breaks equal the peak times to travel. If you can swing it, try traveling during off-peak times. October is often a great month to get away as it is not often a time that people travel. Try booking a room at a ski resort during the summer and exploring the area surrounding it. Going to the beach late during the season is a great way to save some money. If a cruise line gets some bad PR, booking a cruise becomes cheaper for a bit. These are all great ways to book a fabulous vacation and save some money at the same time.
Cut Back on the Small Extras
When it comes down to it, one of the best ways to save money and take a big trip for a smaller price tag is to simply cut down on some of those little extras. Stay at a hotel that offers free breakfast as this will save you money on a meal each day. Book a room in a hotel that has a kitchen and makes some of your own meals. If you are camping, cooking over a campfire can be a great way to save some money on meals. If you are driving use an app to make sure that you are getting the best price on gas. You can sign up for a frequent flier program and possibly get baggage fees waived.