Traveling on a budget requires preplanning and research. Prices are crazy these days, which makes our article on how to travel on a budget all the more essential.
Road Trip To Travel On A Budget
A family road trip is one of our favorite options when trying to travel on a budget. As a family of five, getting air travel anywhere adds up quickly. We enjoy spending time together; long road trips do not tend to bother us. Our family enjoys seeing how the countryside changes as we move to our destination. Sometimes we don’t always take the most direct route if we think that another way may be a more enjoyable drive than the interstate. If you want to learn more about tips for taking road trips, check out our article here.
Hotel vs. Airbnb
Deciding between a hotel or Airbnb is something you will have to do the math on and price out to figure out which is best for your family. Some Airbnb or VRBO locations look very appealing, but you must ensure you include the total cost of the stay. Both Airbnb and VRBO often require additional cleaning fees and other charges. They also don’t include additional meals like some hotels (more on that in a bit). They usually have a kitchen, and you can generally get multiple bedrooms.
Hotels have gone out of favor in recent years, but we think it is time to give them another look. Hotels could be a great option depending on your destination, the length of your stay, the number of people in your family, and other factors.
Use Hotel Meals To Travel On A Budget
Many hotels offer a complimentary breakfast! This can be a huge money saver, especially for larger families or those trying to feed older children.
Some hotels like the Drury Inn also include a dinner option with included drinks. As a bonus tip, most Drury Inns also accept pets. Not having to board an animal is a significant saving!
Staying With Others
We have friends and family throughout the US, many of whom we don’t get to see often. We have been known to go a couple of hours out of our way to stay with friends or family along our route that we haven’t seen in a while. This allows you to spend time with people you know and save money along the way.
It is recommended that you call first and don’t plan to stay too long! We call the friend or family member and let them know when we will be in the area; if they extend the invite, great! If they don’t, no problem! After all, not everyone is up for an extra five people in their house! Having company can be stressful, so sometimes we offer just to meet up for dinner instead.
Along this line, joining vacations with another family to split an Airbnb or VRBO at your destination can also save money. This is especially true if you can split grocery bills. This option is a great way to be on vacation and spend time with family or close friends. It is always a bonus if the friends have kids that your kids can play with. It also gives extra sets of hands to help with dinners and more eyes on the kids.
Grocery Store
Nothing saves money like not having to pay restaurant prices. When we travel, we pack food for the road and try to cook meals when we arrive (more road tips here). This is where you need to put some thought into your trip.
Is it cheaper to get a room with a kitchenette or a small apartment with a kitchen? Do your research. We find that the answer depends on where you are going and how long you are staying.
Either way, picking up snacks and drinks at the grocery store will save you way more money than trying to purchase things at the gas station or convenience store.
Cooler
Bring a cooler for drinks and cold food items you picked up at the grocery store. It doesn’t have to be a large cooler. Just budget the space in your vehicle so that you can save money on your trip. We have this one, and it has done well for us on longer week-long trips or for camping. If we have access to a refrigerator at our destination, we tend to take a smaller one that takes up less room in the car. Remember to pack many things in ziplock bags to protect the food from getting soggy after you open them as the ice melts.
Travel Rewards Cards
Many years ago, we decided to get a credit card, and its primary function would be to use the points for travel. We researched the cards known for having the best rewards systems and were geared for the type of travel we typically did or were interested in doing. Cards usually have an introductory period where if you spend a certain amount within the first few months, they will give you bonus points. We knew we had some big purchases we had to make, and we saved to make them once we received our new card to be sure we would fulfill our requirements.
Today, we use our travel rewards cards to pay for many hotel stays or even stays in Airbnb-type properties. Our spending habits throughout the year allow us to use points for things like hotel stays or airfare for those super long-distance trips. This trick can save you a lot of money, but research to see what card is suitable for you and your family’s needs.
Having a credit card help pay for your travel is a travel hack that takes a long time to build. It takes thoughtful research and time to allow yourself to build the points needed for a trip. You must also know what your card’s strengths are. We have cards that are better for cash back and some for travel points. One card we get more points back at the grocery store, while another is for eating out and restaurants. We use a different card specifically to pay while booking trips because it has built-in trip insurance. The most important piece of advice here is to do your research.
Gas Buddy
Gas Buddy is a free app that has saved us money over the last few years. When the tank starts to get in the quarter tank range, the passenger looks at the app to see where along our future route provides the cheapest gas. We never go out of our way and still save money each time. It amazes me how different gas prices can be within a few miles of each other. The app will also rate the gas stations and often comment on their restroom facilities.
Free Activities
Taking advantage of free activities could potentially be your most significant cost savings. Places like free museums, public beaches, parks, etc., are a great way to provide experiences without the cost. We all know it is fun to go to the big amusement parks but don’t be afraid to mix it up a little to save money and provide a change of pace. If you have an annual membership back home, check to see if there are any reciprocal places in the area you are going or along your route that could provide a free entrance.
Budget and Analyze Costs
As you saw through many of these tips, it is essential to do your research. Hotels across the street from one another can offer different amenities at wildly different prices. Don’t be locked into what you think will be cheaper.
Set up a budget early and make it more of a game to see if you can find ways to get your costs down while still providing your family with a memorable experience.
Conclusion
There are tons of ways to cut costs while traveling with your family. You just need to put the energy into finding them. If this article was helpful, please feel free to leave us a comment. Also, check out our article, Travel Hacks To Try While On The Road.