Are you planning to have a vacation with your family soon? Traveling on a budget with a family doesn't sound very fun, is it? Would you believe it if someone says that traveling with your family on a budget is doable and extremely easy? With some planning and the right strategies, this is extremely possible.
Of course, the first thing you need it to plan your budget. It is important to figure out exactly how much your limit is as daily expenses. Some of the expenses you may have when traveling on a daily basis include food, attractions, tipping, hotel, transportation, and other miscellaneous things you stumble upon like souvenirs and little snacks. When you finally decide how much you would like to spend on a daily basis, stick to it as much as possible. If you happen to spend a little less than your budget for the day, you will have a bigger budget the next day.
By planning your trips earlier, say, at least 6 months or even a year earlier, you can take advantage of promo fares. Subscribe to airline newsletters; get updates on promos through their social media channels. However, you have to know that these travel deals entirely depend on availability and because more people travel during the weekend, you're likely to find the cheapest airfare deals if you choose to pick a date on a weekday. If you think nonstop flights are too expensive, you may want to try adding a stopover and see if it's cheaper. Direct flights can also be cheaper than nonstop flights, especially if you're flying long haul with the same airline. So, it's best to use flight comparison websites to help you.
Plane tickets can be the most expensive spending when traveling as a family – so, to cut down your expenses on flights, it' best to travel during the off-season. By planning your vacation during the summer season, it' going to be a little more challenging to stay within your budget limitation. The best time to travel to save money is during the off-season. This is the time of the year where you can normally find the best deals including exceptional package deals and hotel discounts. Airfares are usually cheaper too.
If you're planning to take a trip somewhere in places where there are theme parks and other attractions, consider buying an annual pass rather than daily tickets if it makes more sense. Sometimes, these passes are almost the same as a couple of days' worth of entrance fee. So, if you're going to be there for over a couple of days, an annual pass can be a bit cheaper.
Most hotels are designed for couples. So, if you are a family with kids and want to stay in one room to save, then consider renting a condo or apartment unit, especially if you are staying for an extended period of time. A week-long stay in a hotel is going to be pretty expensive compared to renting an apartment, so, you will be able to save a lot of money.
If you're a senior or traveling with a senior, make sure to ask for your senior discount anywhere you go. Many people just forget to ask, so they don't get the discounts for which they're entitled. You'll also want to make sure to ask if there's an AAA discount, if applicable. Doing these, you'll never miss a discount again!
Traveling at night can save you money in two ways. First of all, it is not the most common option, so it's normally cheaper. Secondly, because you are likely to sleep on the trip, you no longer have to pay for the night's accommodation. Most red-eye flights and night trains are the cheapest forms of travel. Sleeping on a train is not bad as well.
Install a money tracker app or if you want it the traditional way, bring a little notebook and list down your everyday expenses. Write down all the things you spent on such as transportation, meals, accommodations, and every little thing. It will help you keep track of where your money goes, so you know how to adjust.
A big chunk of your travel expenses will go towards food. So, how can you eat properly without going beyond your limit? One good idea is to ask the locals where to get cheap, authentic recommendations. Normally, if you see a place that is packed, it's likely that the food there is cheap and delicious. Don't be afraid to try local foods not only because it is your cheapest option, but also because it makes your trip better overall.
Traveling with a group is stressful enough, and it could be even worse if you're traveling with your family! In order to minimize your stress while traveling, getting travel insurance is a good option.
Many people overlook the benefits offered by travel insurance because for them, it's just another expense that could be avoided. However, getting insurance can actually save you a lot of money.
Lost luggage, change of flight, last-minute cancellations, and flight delays could be rather troublesome on your own, but imagine if your whole family is involved! Where do you take your family for the night over flight delay? And can you even imagine your kids crying because their hungry but you can't do anything because you lost your wallet? Family travel insurance can help you make sure that every member of your family is covered for unwanted events.
Accidents and other emergencies while traveling are not something you want to imagine, but you'll never know if they are going to happen. A great policy can help ensure that every member of the family has access to the best medical care without having to worry about the possible bill. Furthermore, contacting the emergency hotline stated in your family policy can help you with the stressful particulars, such as looking for the best hospitals and getting admission for whoever requires medical care. This is an enormous help in a situation where it could be difficult to think and make decisions on your own.
If ever any member of your family has to be flown back home for recovery or more treatment, family travel insurance can ensure that you would not break a bank.
With all things that can possibly go wrong, you will surely want to have coverage for all member of your family. Single insurance can be quite expensive, so it is certainly much easier and affordable to get one policy to cover each member of the family. If you're traveling with your family once a year, a single trip policy would be a smarter option. On the other hand, the annual policy is more ideal if you are traveling a lot.
With the technological age today, traveling has become easier and more and more people are encouraged to travel. This means that you and your family can benefit from the fact that you can all travel without sacrificing a lot of your savings. So, hopefully, the tips in this article have helped you decide the things to consider when traveling on a budget with family.
If you have any questions related to this topic or you have some more tips that will help other families to save money on their trip, then let us know in the comment below! If you want to read more articles that are going to be helpful with your travel, visit more of ForTravelista.com.