It is widely acknowledged that vacations are good for physical and mental health by reducing chronic stress that can take a toll on the human body and psyche. Unfortunately, many people avoid vacations due to the immense expense. Try not to let cost be a vacation deterrent. Use these tips to plan your budget-friendly family vacation today!
But first know that…
You don’t have to travel abroad, stay at expensive resorts, or dine at upscale restaurants to have a great family vacation. In fact, some of my best childhood memories are of affordable camp trips taken with my family. (Attach internal link to the value of family vacations)
Here are three budget-friendly family vacation planning tips worth considering:
1. Take a daycation with the family to a national park near you!
Vacations that last for days can add up in terms of expenses and time required off work. A daycation, or one-day trip, is a perfect alternative. Not only are daycations affordable, but they allow people to break away from their daily routines and do something fun and exciting with minimal expenditures required. Just for the day – head to a national park near you. National parks are beautiful places that showcase diverse landscapes and ecosystems. They are highly desirable to visit. Some national parks are free, whereas others charge for entry primarily to fund the park. A standard pass is likely best for a single visit to a national park. Those who take multiple trips to national parks may find annual passes to be a better option. America the Beautiful, the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass, offers year and lifetime options for park visitors and typically covers entrance fees and standard amenities. Seniors, members of the military, families with a 4th grader, and visitors with permanent disabilities may be eligible for park discounts or free entry. Learn more about the America the Beautiful Passes. Do note that some parks require reservations or use timed entries, so do your research and plan accordingly.
2. Plan a week-long family vacation to a non-pre-selected destination
Most people choose their travel destination first, then make plans to get there. For example, a family decides, “Hey, let’s go to Hawaii in December.” Due to high demand for that destination at that time, they simply can’t find cheap flights or hotels. This results in overspending for that vacation destination or nixing plans to go. A much more favorable and economical approach is to be flexible with travel locations and dates. This allows you to find deals first and then do the booking. To set this in motion, use multiple travel search engines. A favorite is Google Flights, which allows folks to find cheap flight options to multitudes of locations – and track prices. The search engine can even tell whether the price you see for a trip is high, low, or average. Plus, you can search prices departing from different airports to provide even more options. Being openminded about location and travel dates puts a large variety of price options at your feet. Another clever way to save money is to keep a watchful eye on price changes. Sign up for price alerts to see when fares go up and down and be ready to act when prices drop. Additionally, rather than book round-trip flight tickets, it is generally more affordable to purchase one-way tickets instead with different airlines. Flexibility is key to saving money!
3. Go camping or vacation by RV (Recreational Vehicle)
Staying at a campground can offer affordable vacation options surrounded in nature. Camping is particularly economical for people who own their own tenting gear or RVs and use them year after year. However, camping equipment and RVs may also be borrowed, rented, or purchased used. Campground fees can vary in price, with full hookups typically ranging anywhere from $25 to $100 per night in 2023 per Worldpackers.com. These fees are more affordable than most hotel rooms. Many campgrounds include modern-day amenities such as swimming pools or recreational lakes, playgrounds, hiking trails, hot showers, Wi-Fi, laundry facilities, entertainment, and more. Others offer seclusion away from the hustle and bustle of busy life. Folks can enjoy relaxation benefits and opportunities to commune with nature. Since food expenses can add up on vacations, camping saves money. People mainly bring and cook their own food or plan group meals with fellow campers.
Chances of a lifetime
Family vacations provide chances of a lifetime to make memories and bond. Unfortunately, they are not cheap and can be particularly straining on a large family. Per MovieCultlists.com, the average person will spend about $1,800 to $2,500 on a one-week vacation. Those numbers exclude car expenses, tickets and tours, souvenirs, and so forth. Thus, on top of main trip expenses, additional expenditures can mount. Rather than skip the entire family vacation experience, consider feasible options to possibly include a daycation to a national park or historical site near you, a week-long vacation to an inexpensive destination offering flexible booking options, or less expensive camping or RV opportunities. Remember that taking family vacations carves out special time to spend with those you love, and allows you to kick back, destress, and recharge your energy – all essential to good living.
For years, my son & his wife would drop their change every night into a 5 gallon water bottle. When the bottle was finally overflowing, they had saved enough to take a romantic cruise for themselves, and a less-lavish family vacation later on. As they had 4 children and had never taken an “alone” vacation since their honeymoon, they now got the best of both worlds.