You are probably wondering, “How can I save money when traveling with my kids? The truth is, traveling as a family helps parents connect with their children, but it can be very costly. However, you don’t have to break the bank to enjoy some quality family time.
You need to enjoy your family trip without stressing yourself over funds. Thankfully, there are many ways to save money when traveling with kids. We’ve come up with some incredible ideas to help you save money during a family trip or vacation.
Tips to Save Money when Traveling with Kids
Are you planning to go on a vacation as a family? Here are the best tips to save money when traveling with kids. Keep reading to learn more!
- Create a Detailed Budget for Your Travel
Preparing a strict budget and sticking to it can help you save hundreds of dollars during your family trip. Get a spreadsheet and note down all expenses you’ll incur, including flight tickets, car rentals (we recommend rentagile), and accommodation for every person in your family.
What are your destinations? You also have to identify the places you plan to visit and the activities you intend to do. That will help you estimate the total cost you’ll incur. Consider travelling to more budget-friendly places.
- Make the Most Out of Your Currency Exchange
If you are traveling to a foreign country, there’s no doubt you’ll have to acquire its local currency to pay for services. So, you need to look for favorable exchange rates to save more money from your currency exchange.
If you are travelling from Canada, you can exchange money in Toronto at a specialized foreign exchange company like KnightsbridgeFX. With its consistent bank-beating rates, rest assured you’ll save hundreds of dollars when you transact in the company.
- Travel Mid-Week and Off-Seasons
Travelling during weekends can be very costly, especially during peak seasons, such as summer. That means you can save a significant amount of money when you travel off-season. So, you need to plan your trips around October when prices are relatively low.
To even save more money during off-season travels, consider travelling mid-week, and not weekends. The only challenge is that your kids might be in school at that time. Seek permission from their teachers before pulling the kids out of class.
- Pack Own Snacks during a Trip
Buying snacks every time for your kids can be costly. At the same time, you wouldn’t want them to get hungry as you adventure. That’s why you need to pack some home-made snacks, whether you’re traveling by car or plane.
You can also pack a few snacks from your vacation rentals instead of buying them at a pricey restaurant. Make sure you pack your kids’ favorite snacks to liven them up during the trip. You’ll save a few bucks of money by bringing snacks along with you.
- Consider Home Exchange for Accommodations
To save money on accommodation, you can swap homes with another traveling family visiting your town. That can happen simultaneously (reciprocal exchange) or at different times (non-reciprocal exchange), depending on the type of homes the two parties own.
Besides saving money, your family will enjoy the convenience of a fully equipped home without paying for it. Some homes even have toys to keep your kids busy during your stay. Sites like HomeExchange.com can help you swap homes but at a minimal fee.
- Camp with Your Kids
Camping is another excellent and interesting way to save money when travelling with kids. You can opt for cabin-camping, tent-camping, or RV-camping. Thankfully, many campsites offer affordable rates to travelers. Choose the cheapest and safest option.
Here are the tips to help you save more money on a camping trip with kids.
- Rent or borrow camping equipment from a friend instead of buying new ones
- Take advantage of free camping activities, like fishing and biking
- Cook food to save money you would have spent on pre-packaged foods
- Take Advantage of Free Attractions
Another great way to save money during family trips is by visiting free kids’ attraction sites. Figure out the opportunities available in the places you plan to visit. Thankfully, you can find free parks, museums, hiking trails, and walking tours in many cities.
Wherever you stay during your trip, request your host to give you the area’s map. You can also ask for recommendations on free tourist attractions in the area. Note that your host will be ready to give you helpful information about the place.
- Take Advantage of “Kids Eat Free” Promotions
Wherever you travel, search for restaurants that allow kids to eat free to save more money. However, such offers are only guaranteed after you’ve purchased food for yourself. The good news is, such family-friendly restaurants are available in plenty.
Your kids must be below 12 years old to get free meals. However, different restaurants offer free food packages based on the kids’ age groups. For instance, free foods for kids aged 3-5 years can be different from the free meals offered to kids aged 6-12 years.
Final Words
Going on a vacation with kids is usually demanding and expensive. The good news is that you now know the best ways to save money when travelling with kids. Make sure you implement all the tips on your next family trip to save hundreds of dollars.
