This is a guest post written by Alexis Hall. To learn more about her visit the Featured Authors page.
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Family vacations offer a wonderful opportunity to relax with your kids as well as experience new adventures. Vacations are also a great way to learn about different cultures and bond with your children. Unfortunately, vacations can also be very expensive. But with a little flexibility and research, you can plan a fun-filled family vacation without busting your budget.
Drive instead of flying
When traveling within the country, you can save money by driving instead of flying. If you don't want to use your own vehicle, rent a car with unlimited miles that gets great gas mileage. Also when booking your rental car, don't accept all the extras. For example, most of us don't need to pay for GPS because Google Maps is accessible on our smartphones. Consider declining the insurance offered by the car rental company. Your own auto insurance policy may cover rental cars, or your credit card company may provide rental car insurance as part of its standard benefits. If you really need to fly, use Google Flights to track flight prices, or flight comparison sites like Kayak.
Travel in off-peak seasons
Generally, traveling during holidays and school breaks is more expensive than other times of the year. Therefore, if you are willing and able to pull your kids out of school, then do it. Keep in mind that flying to Europe is more expensive in the summer, while flying to the Caribbean is typically pricier in the winter. Research your destination online to find its off-peak travel season. According to Airfare Watchdog, you should avoid Friday and Sunday as travel days, as you can most likely find cheaper flights and hotel rates if you arrive and depart during the week. When picking a destination, choose a place with a lower cost of living, and thus lower costs for lodging, food, and activities.
Rent an apartment
Instead of staying in hotels, which can be expensive for larger families who would need two rooms or a suite, rent an apartment or house through Airbnb, VRBO, or another vacation rental site. Not only will you have more space, you can also book a place with a kitchen, which will save you money because you won't need to go out to restaurants to eat. In many instances, it makes sense to stay outside the city center or away from popular attractions because accommodations will be cheaper. However, remember to factor in your transportation costs as well.
Consider a house swap
Another way to save big bucks on accommodations is to house swap. If you live in an area where others are likely to visit for vacation, then this is a wonderful option. You can swap houses (and even vehicles) with someone who lives in the destination where you want to visit. Popular house swapping sites include HomeExchange and Love Home Swap.
Hunt for free activities
Instead of going to every single popular tourist attraction at your destination, only spend money on the one attraction you really want to visit. Then, fill the rest of your time with fun, free activities. In most cities, you can find free walking and biking tours and days (or times) when museums are free. Also, visiting beaches and going for hikes are typically free. Geocaching is a free, fun way to make your way around an area as well. Visit forums like TripAdvisor and ask other travelers about their favorite free activities in your destination.
Whether you are planning a weekend away or a month-long adventure, a family vacation doesn’t have to be expensive to be fun. With some flexibility and research, you can find affordable transportation, lodging, and activities that your whole family will enjoy.