We all know that traveling can be expensive. Add a couple kiddos to the mix, and that expense just doubled! As a couple, you loved your adventures, but now you have kids. You might be thinking, how will you afford to travel now?
But don’t worry! All is not lost! You can still get out there and explore the world! Plus, you will be giving your kiddos an awesome childhood by doing so!
Here are some ways to save a bit of money on your travels.
1). Split the Cost of Lodging
Invite some family or friends to come along with you, and split the cost of a rental. We travel a lot with my parents, and usually rent a house with enough bedrooms to share, which usually ends up being less expensive than a hotel when we split the cost. We use homeaway.com to find houses for rent. It is easy and user friendly, and every home we have stayed at through HomeAway has been clean and awesome!
2). Go Camping
We love camping! We also recently bought a campervan, so it’s kinda like camping in style! Campsites are much cheaper than hotel rooms, and you can find some pretty good ones out there! We are members at KOA and love their campgrounds. There are hundreds of KOA’s across the United States, so it would be hard NOT to find one where you’re planning to visit. If you plan on camping often, I recommend becoming a member. If you sign up ($30/year), you save 10% off each reservation, plus other perks. Some KOA campgrounds also have additional types of accomodations, such as glamping tents, cabins, teepees, covered wagons, airstream trailers, or a caboose to stay in! Click here to download the KOA App on your Apple or Android device, and start exploring! KOA App
3). Bring Your Own Food
Bring your own food, or go grocery shopping when you reach your destination and cook your own meals. Pre-plan your meals before your trip, and purchase only what you need. Whether you are cooking over a campfire, or have a house rental with a full kitchen, this option is definitely cheaper than eating out at a restaurant three times a day! Plus if you are sharing the cost of lodging with others, you can share the cost of the groceries too!
4). Visit Free Attractions
This one might be a no-brainer, but really sometimes I forget to check for places that are free. There are so many places throughout our country that are free admission, or at least free admission for children. I grew up outside St. Louis, Missouri, and it is such a wonderful place to explore with children, mainly because a lot of it’s awesome attractions don’t cost anything! Did you know that the St. Louis Zoo was voted the #1 zoo in the country last year… and admission is free for everyone?! So before you travel, try googling your destination + free admission, and see what comes up!
5). Travel at the Right Time
A lot of destinations are much cheaper if you travel during the off season. The fall seems to be a good time to travel with discounts. For example, if traveling to the Caribbean, you can save up to 60% on a hotel room if you go in the late fall. Remember to check the weather also though. You wouldn’t want to be there during hurricane season! Also, avoid holidays, as those are much more expensive. If possible, traveling during the week as opposed to on a weekend also helps save money (and is usually less crowded at popular destinations).
6). Be Smart About Airline Travel
Flights are so expensive! We went from purchasing two tickets, to having to purchase four now that our two kiddos are two and three years old! Yikes! If you are flying to your travel destination, here are some tips to keep in mind. The cheapest days to fly are on Tuesday or Wednesday. Sunday is usually the most expensive day to fly. Avoid flying around the holidays, as prices sky rocket then! Choose an airline that allows you to check your bag for free, or carry on your luggage. If you fly often and use the same airline, sign up for their mileage plan and earn miles to get free flights.
I hope these tips have encouraged you to get back out there, kids and all, and explore our wonderful world! If you’re planning a vacation, check out our 3 Super Simple Ways to Save Money for Vacation! Feel free to leave any comments below with your own money saving travel tips!
