10 Smart Ways to Save Money on Family Vacations

Summer may seem like the perfect time for a family vacation, but peak-season travel can cost you a pretty penny. The warm weather, coupled with the fact that the kids are out of school, can bring costly flights and car rentals, less availability at hotels and resorts and bigger crowds at theme parks. 

Luckily, there are lots of ways to take family trips together without racking up credit card debt or even spending too heavily. Take advantage of some of the following tips to have a fun summer trip without breaking the bank.

Be flexible

If you can make a flexible travel schedule work, you will save considerably on airfare and hotels. Plan a vacation for a mid-week stay, rather than one that spans a weekend. Or choose your destination and then price out the cost of the hotel for the length of your trip over multiple different time frames to spot the lowest rates. Compare costs for a stay that begins a day or two earlier, or ends a day or two later than you’d originally planned. The savings may be considerable.

Stay outside the city center

You can often save a lot of money by staying a bit outside the center of a city with all the tourist attractions and then taking public transit or traveling in to see the sites. These sleeping arrangements might also give you a quieter spot at night and give you a chance to see part of a city you wouldn’t visit otherwise. And the travel to the city center on public transit can be part of the fun.

Know where to look for deals

Lots of airlines, hotels and other travel companies offer deals through social media, newsletters and mobile apps that you can use to your advantage. Companies like Priceline offer exclusive deals to followers on Twitter and newsletter subscribers. Priceline also offers mobile-only deals if you search for hotel accommodations via its app or your mobile browser.

Book early

If you are planning trips around big summer holidays like Memorial Day, Fourth of July or Labor Day, it’s best to plan ahead and book early. Data shows that hotels and flight prices hold steady until about 10-16 days before the holiday, when prices start to rise.

Or book at the last minute

If you can hold off on booking hotels until right before your trip, you may save some serious money. Try apps like HotelTonight that allow you to search for last-minute deals or use features like Priceline’s Express Deals search.

Road trip

Depending on where you’re headed, it might be much cheaper to drive than to fly. Road trips take longer but can save you a ton of money and see sites along the way you wouldn’t have if you took a flight. If you’re ready to pack your car, check out our road trip packing list to ensure you have everything you need.

Rent an apartment

Hotels are convenient, but they may not be practical for all families. Instead, consider renting an apartment. Airbnb is the obvious choice to get you started, but Booking.com is also a great resource since you can search for hotels and apartments at the same time.

The best things in life are free

Regardless of where you end up, always look for free attractions. Many museums and art galleries around the world offer free admission on certain days. Parks won’t cost you anything, and sometimes exploring local neighborhoods is the best way to learn about the local culture.

Use a travel rewards credit card

When used responsibly, credit cards can be a useful tool for bringing down the cost of your holiday. Travel rewards credit cards often have generous sign-up bonuses in addition to the points you’ll earn on your everyday purchases, which you can then use for travel. Just remember that those points are only worth it if you’re paying off your full balance every month.

Skip the summer

This may be impossible for some families, but avoiding travel during the summer months when it’s most expensive is the best way to save. In May, October or November, you can often pay up to 25 percent less on flights and hotels compared to peak season.