How to do family travel on a budget: 5 practical tips

Some things you can't learn in school. As anyone who has studied abroad or spent significant time in another country can tell you, there's no education quite like traveling. Seeing the world is an amazing way to immerse your kids in other cultures, expand their worldviews, and help them build valuable skills like empathy.

However, travel is expensive and is only getting more expensive by the year. As such, family travel on a budget may seem out of reach. We're here to tell you it's not! If you're wondering how to travel on a budget with family, you've come to the right place. Below, we’ve gathered some easy and practical tips so you can travel with your family without breaking the bank. 

1. Calculate the transportation costs

Good preparation is key when exploring how to travel with a family on a budget. From road trips to international vacations, calculating the costs ahead of time will help you keep your budget in mind when planning and enjoy the trip. Budget family travel isn't easy, but it's a lot easier to stick to a budget if you calculate travel costs ahead of time.

Remember to include a little discretionary spending for the kids in your calculations. For instance, between chores and allowance, they may have earned a little money to buy a souvenir or check out a kid-friendly activity. You can use a Greenlight pay link to send them money while you're at your destination.

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2. Consider traveling during the off-season

Lots of people want to travel during the summer or over school holidays. As you might expect, those are the most expensive times to travel. The easiest way to reduce your travel costs is to go during the off-season.

However, that doesn't mean you have to take the kids out of school to go on a trip. You can still travel with the family during school breaks, but consider going places that others might not think of. Scandinavia in December might sound crazy, but the Northern Lights may be in full effect and flights may be cheaper. Brazil's winter may run from June to September, but it's probably warm enough for a beach vacation if you're coming from the more temperate United States.

In addition to off-season travel, think about booking one-way tickets. Sometimes, it's cheaper to book one leg of your journey at a time rather than all at once.

3. Look for discounts and rewards

Most credit cards have travel rewards programs these days. Some are better than others, however, and some have outstanding introductory offers. If you're thinking about taking a vacation in the near future, opening a credit card to take advantage of bonus points could be a good idea. You can redeem those points to book flights or hotels, giving you some more spending money while at your destination.

In addition, many employers offer travel perks, built on partnerships with hotels, airlines, and car rental agencies, so check with yours to see if you might be able to get discounts. Veterans of the U.S. armed forces and members of organizations like AARP and AAA may also be eligible for travel discounts.

Additionally, there are many cheap flight services on the market today. So if you're flexible about where and when you want to travel, you could find a great deal on flights.

4. Check out fun and free experiences

If you've met Greenlight's Savings Goals, you might have a little more disposable income to enjoy your family travel on a budget. However, don't feel like you have to spend boatloads of money to have a good time while traveling.

There are plenty of great destinations that are completely free when you get there. Consider beach vacations, national parks like the Grand Canyon or Zion, or cities like Washington, D.C., or St. Louis, Missouri, which are famous for their free museums.

Wherever you're going, do some research to find free activities and low-cost entertainment. Local online groups and tourism boards advertise family-friendly events. Your hotel might even offer some cool experiences that are included in the price of your room.

5. Dine on a dime: Stock up on food supplies in supermarkets

Foodie families may struggle to cut back on the local cuisine, but it's one of the easiest ways to travel with a family on a budget. Dining out is often expensive, and it can be even worse when you're visiting somewhere with a higher cost of living.

Instead, consider getting a hotel or Airbnb with a kitchen. Shopping at the local market can be a cultural experience in itself, and cooking a local dish together is a fun family experience you won't forget. (And sure, you may want to sample a restaurant afterward to see how the professional dish compares to your home-cooked version.)

FAQs about traveling with your family on a budget

What is a good budget for a family vacation?

Forbes Advisor estimated the average cost of a three-day vacation for a family of four in 2023 was $3,609.39.

How can I make my family vacation affordable?

There are several ways to save money on your family vacation, including traveling in the off-season, using credit card points to book travel, enjoying free experiences, and cooking your own meals rather than dining out while you're there.

How can I travel with kids without money?

You don't have to sacrifice travel if you're tight on cash. Some of the best ways to travel on a budget include traveling in the off-season, looking for discounted flights, and saving while you're at your destination by taking advantage of free fun and experiences.

Create amazing family memories affordably

Travel can be expensive these days, especially for families. However, you don't have to cut it out entirely. With this guide, you can save on travel costs and maintain a budget while you're at your destination. Traveling is one of the most fun things families can do together, so whether you take a road trip to a national park or you're flying to an international city, these tips will help you enjoy family travel on a budget.

Want to budget as a family? Teach your kids essential budgeting skills with Greenlight’s award-winning educational money app. Try Greenlight today.