Whether it’s vacation season or not, traveling can get pretty expensive especially if you like to take family trips. Since traveling is a highly sought after experience and a great way to bond with your family and friends and experience new things, it’s no wonder why you might want to take your kids on a trip even though it might cause costs to shoot up.
If you plan on doing any traveling with kids over the next few months, make sure you utilize these tips to save money.
1.Pack Snacks
Whether you are flying or driving, be sure to pack plenty of snacks because kids get hungry often. You can stop by the dollar store and load up on a few snacks for a long car ride, or stuff some items into your carry-on so you won’t want to worry about paying for expensive food. Most airlines will offer complimentary drinks and a light snack at minimum, but it doesn’t hurt to bring along your child’s favorite crackers in case they get a little hungry later.
2. Purchase Souvenirs Ahead of Time
My son loves getting toys and whenever I travel he always asks me to bring him back something which is completely fine and I’m happy to do it. While I avoid gift shops in the airport because they are expensive, I don’t mind checking out local discount shops for souvenirs because they have some great prices.
On the other hand, souvenirs at resorts and amusement parks tend to be super high. If you are planning to visit somewhere like the San Diego Zoo or Disney World, you might actually want to order some souvenirs online that match the theme for a cheaper price, like play animals, Disney characters, etc. That way when your child asks for something, you’ll already have it on hand so they don’t feel left out.
3. Try Driving Instead of Flying
Unless you have credit card reward points, driving may be cheaper than flying because you just have to pay for gas and/or a rental car and you can bring as many people as you can fit in the car instead of paying for just one person.
If you do need to fly to get to your destination, cash in any credit card rewards and frequent flier miles, start saving up early, and be on the lookout for flash sales. I know the Southwest Rapid Rewards card offer the Southwest companion pass to frequent fliers so you can allow one person to fly with you for free.
4. Consider AirBnb
If you have a busy itinerary and want to focus your budget on spending for activities, you might want to save a significant amount on lodging by trying AirBnb. AirBnb allows you to rent local rooms, houses, and apartments often for a cheaper rate than hotels in the area.
Plus, most properties are equipped with things you would regularly have in your home like a television, cable, internet, a fully functional kitchen with dishes and more. This will allow you to save even more money by cooking some of your meals at the property.
5. Take Advantage of Kids’ Specials and Discounts
Since you might do some dining out during your trip, try to check out restaurants that have ‘kids eat free’ specials and discounts. Depending on which attractions are on your list, you might be able to receive free admission or discounted admission for younger kids as long as there is a paid adult for each free ticket.
There are quite a few ways to save money when traveling with kids so if you’ve been longing to take a family trip, don’t let fear of costs hold you back from traveling.
How do you save money when traveling with kids?