We are a Midwestern family and this time of year, things get cold and gloomy. Winter is in full force and I personally dream of getting away. The distraction of the holidays is over and we are just left with cold temperatures and a countdown to spring.
This time of year, I start yearning for warm weather, sun, and an ocean shore. I know I am not the only one! Our family loves taking vacations, and with a family of six we are always looking for ways to travel economically and make the trip as inexpensive as possible.
I thought that since many are probably starting to plan spring break, that I would write about my favorite ways to travel on a budget. A lot of times, you see travel blogs that don’t necessarily give practical ideas for people who are traveling with kids in tow. I wanted to change that and share some of my favorite advice.
Here it goes…
1. Travel in off-season for the destination you are planning to visit. Right now, it’s actually a great time to travel south. Airfare is often cheaper to southern states during this time of year. For mid-westerners like us, even though it is winter in Florida it feels like paradise compared to temps were are used to living in on a daily basis. This week we are expecting temps near -20 degrees!
2. Look for inexpensive airfare. Sign up for alerts from your favorite budget airline and seize the opportunity when a good deal arises. We always fly Frontier because they run amazing deals all the time and often don’t restrict the deals to mid-week travel which often makes get-aways difficult for working families. With Frontier’s rewards credit card, we also collect a sizable amount of airline miles when we travel as a family that can be used towards free trips in trips in the future. If you don’t have a favorite airline, consider signing up for Airfare Watchdog who sends a list of the lowest fares from all major airlines on the regular. Check Google Flights and price out the cheapest fares. In the Frontier app, you can also look for the cheapest destinations by calendar month. It makes it much easier to spot the best deals and destinations if you know what time of the year you’d like to travel. If you want to avoid expensive baggage fees, I have found that most of our quick getaways (3-5 days) can be packed for in a personal item. If everyone packs their own personal item, the savings really adds up. Don’t forget to take snacks on the plane with you because the costs are much higher once in-flight. Kids always get hungry, and we’ve never made it through a flight without snacks.
3. Get the best price on your hotel. I like Hotels.com because they have a program that helps you earn free stays. I have never been disappointed with a booking, and they make it easy to change or cancel your bookings if you travel plans change. Another perk is you can choose to pay for your room when you get to the hotel. This is great for budget travelers who need to save up before the trip, but want the security of knowing the accommodations are reserved well in advance.
4. Make your own meals when you can. This also depends on you reserving accommodations that have the availability to do so. We have done just fine on many trips with a fridge and a microwave. Eating out for every meal on vacation is pretty much one of the largest traveling expenses that can be reduced with thoughtful planning. I often also choose to book a hotel that offers a free breakfast which takes care of one meal each day.
5. When you rent a car, make sure you understand your auto insurance policy. Many of them will cover you when driving a rental. If you purchase the coverage offered by the rental company, it is not only expensive but might also be a waste if your current policy has you covered. Do this with caution though! Don’t forgo the extra coverage if you are not sure that your current auto policy is sufficient first.
6. Use discounts for attractions. I never travel without checking Groupon for deals on the local tourist attractions and restaurants. This has saved me a ton of money! It only takes a few minutes, and it can also in many ways help you find things to do if you aren’t familiar with your vacation spot.
I hope these ideas have been helpful. Drop a comment to let me know what of the above you have tried or if there are tips that weren’t included in this post.
Recent Comments