Originally posted on https://anopensuitcase.com/saving-money-family-vacation/

If you are planning a family get-away, you might get wholly disheartened by how quickly the costs add up. Ranging from transportation, overnight stay to tickets for parks and places for entertainment. And that’s not even including food and drinks!

Photo by Natalya Zaritskaya on Unsplash

Something that was supposed to be fun and relaxing will turn into an absolute money sink and enthusiasm black hole. It’s easy just to throw in the towel right there and then, or to succumb to the high charges associated nowadays with a family vacation. It doesn’t need to be like that at all. You can enjoy a lovely family holiday without breaking the bank.

Here are some tips to go on a lovely family vacation the money smart way.

Pick destinations that have plenty of free activities for kids. Think of museums, parks and other activities that are always available in any destination you can think of.

It’s worthwhile spending some time looking into the kind of activities that are offered on discount and plan your days around them. And if you are really considering tickets for amusement parks, avoid ticket prices at the gate. For example, if you are planning to go to Disneyland, Park Savers has the best pricing if you buy your tickets in advance.

If you are traveling around the U.S., consider extended-stay hotels. Extended-stay hotels offer affordable suites with plenty of complimentary amenities for the money. You usually get more space to kick around in, a refrigerator and microwave, washing machines, free Wi-Fi, and often free breakfast, snacks, and dinner.

If you are traveling around Europe, considerrenting an apartment rather than staying in a hotel. An apartment can often cost less than a hotel and gives you more space and family-friendly equipment. The kitchen can save you a fortune in hotel breakfast charges, and the washing machine means fewer checked-bag fees.

Food and drink costs can add up very quickly on vacations. There are a few ways to make sure you keep these costs under control. The first one would obviously be to pack food with you. A little cooler goes a long way if you are traveling by car.

Also if you are staying in a hotel or apartment, it’s worthwhile making packed lunches for when you go out. Another alternative would be to have a picnic. This beats having to pay restaurant prices, which usually are exorbitantly high in popular vacation destinations.

A different option would be to go to all-inclusive resorts! These type of vacation destinations offer you included breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffets already included in the price. The same principle could also apply to cruises. In most cases, this includes drinks and a limited selection of alcoholic beverages.

The most significant way to save money on traveling is to travel during the off-season. Not only the travel itself will be cheaper, but also overnight stay and entertainment costs are usually a lot lower. This is not always applicable to most families as there are school terms to consider. If you can arrange it, going a few days before the peak season hits (or returning a few days after) can save you serious money.