How to save money on Family Vacation A family holiday can involve spending a great deal of money. When you add up the airfares, hotel costs, food expenses, and the dozens of other payments that you need to make while on your trip, the total amount could be surprisingly high. Fortunately, there are several ways to cut down on your expenses. All it requires is a little planning and foresight. Here are five techniques to save money on your next vacation. Not only will you spend less, you will also have the satisfaction of knowing that you have got your money’s worth.
Smart Ways To Save On Family Trips
Save on hotel costs
Practically any destination that you plan to travel to will have dozens of hotels. Making a choice can be difficult, especially when many of them offer similar facilities. How can you find a place that has all the amenities that you need and is also reasonably priced?
The first rule that you must follow is to check for online reviews. The hotel may not be all that its website says it is. Genuine customer reviews usually provide a good picture of what you can expect.
Once you have shortlisted a few hotels check on different sites for the best rates. You can use an aggregator like Trivago.com. It is also a good idea to call the hotel directly and ask if they have any special offers around the time of your holiday.
Another way that you save a great deal of money is to travel in the off-season if that’s possible.
Plan ahead
Last minute bookings can set you back by a large amount. This applies to both airfares and hotel charges. Plan your trip well in advance. This will allow you to lock in low rates.
Remember that midweek flights usually cost less than those on weekends. Even hotel rates are lower during the week. If your holiday dates are flexible, you can easily save a significant amount by timing your trip to match the lowest airfares and hotel costs.
You can also save by utilizing the flexible travel date option when making your online travel booking. The website will display fares for your date of travel as well as for several days before and after that date. This will allow you to select the lowest cost option.
Cut down on food costs
Eating all your meals at restaurants every day can quickly add to your holiday expenses. Instead, consider some low-cost options. Stay at a hotel where it is possible to make a simple meal yourself.
Even better, you can explore the idea of renting a house for the duration of your trip. You can use the kitchen to cook breakfast every day and even some other meals on a few days.
Explore the area around your hotel. Many large grocery stores have hot buffets and salad bars where it is possible to eat at a fraction of the cost that you would pay at a restaurant.
Planning to rent a car?
If you intend renting a car, remember that you will usually spend more if you pick it up from the airport. Check the rental firm’s locations near your hotel. You could save by taking a taxi to the hotel and renting a car from a nearby branch.
Another precaution that you must take is to confirm your total cost before you finalize the rental. You will probably be paying additional amounts for insurance, GPS, and a child safety seat, if you need one. Inquire about these costs and the options that you have to minimize them.
Don’t forget to ask for an upgrade for the car model. Most firms will be happy to oblige, especially if you are a member of their loyalty program.
Get to the airport early
Missing your flight can lead to great inconvenience. It can also set you back by a substantial sum because of the flight change fees that you may have to pay. More importantly, it is not a good way to start your holiday.
It is advisable to arrive well before your scheduled departure time. Remember that the cutoff time is earlier if you are planning on checking your bags. Additionally, the timings may not be the same at different airports.
What if you get delayed and are likely to miss your flight? If this happens, you should call the airline and inform them that you are on the way. Remember to tell them that you are late because of factors beyond your control. They may rebook you without charging you at all.
Budget for extra expenses
Despite all the plans that you make, it is likely that your holiday will cost more than you originally budgeted for. You should provide a cushion for additional expenditure. This will allow you to enjoy your holiday and not feel guilty about spending more than you intended to.
Resources:
1. https://www.moneywehave.com/10-ways-to-save-money-on-family-vacations/
2. https://travelmamas.com/save-money-on-family-vacation/
3. http://money.com/money/4254230/family-travel-vacations-ways-to-save/
