Family vacations are particularly memorable times. The kids are out of school, mom and dad are off work, and the opportunities for fun and relaxation are everywhere.
Finding a way to keep costs in check can be challenging, but it isn’t impossible. Follow these five tips to help save money on your next family vacation.
1. Don’t Follow the Crowd
Certain destinations are always going to be popular. If you can manage to visit a popular place during the off-season, you’ll save dramatically. Even within certain peak travel times, like summer, you can still save by taking your trip during a less crowded week. Prices skyrocket at the beach around July 4th, so consider visiting a few weeks before or after instead. Or, if your family has their heart set on a camping trip, keep an open mind about which site to visit. Expand your search radius by a couple of extra hours driving, and you might be surprised at the decrease in prices as well as availability, even during peak times.
2. Visit Friends or Family
Sometimes vacations can mean a trip to visit family members in another state.
While you never want to impose on your relatives, working out mutually beneficial travel plans can be a terrific way to keep your vacation budget in check. Alternating years of hosting and visiting can help keep things fair. Or if staying with friends and family isn’t an option, consider renting a vacation home and splitting the cost. Housing swaps are another fun way to save on accommodation while still taking a family trip.
3. Plan Local Excursions
Much vacation spending goes toward transportation and accommodation. If your budget is truly tight, consider skipping straight to the good stuff—the activities. Plan local outings with your kids to enjoy the attractions near your home. The local amusement park, science museum, botanical gardens, aquarium, zoo, or skating rink are all good options.
These excursions are likely to be just as memorable for your kids, but way easier on your wallet. Even spending $100 on admission tickets to an interactive science museum is far more affordable than planning an entire trip across the country.
4. One at a Time
Kids love spending alone time with their parents, and taking just one child on a vacation can make things easier as well as cheaper. Develop a rite of passage vacation, perhaps a special camping trip when each child turns 13. Or, if you have kids with very different interests let them choose the destination, within reason. Leave the rest of the kids with the grandparents so that they have an enjoyable time as well.
Make sure to save enough money for these rite of passage trips so that each child gets an equal experience, regardless of your financial situation when they hit the magic age.
5. Make it a Team Effort
It’s not too soon to start talking about next year’s family vacation. Involving your kids in the planning and saving process is a great way to keep your budget on track, while teaching your kids about money.
Let them help research the next destination, and help estimate the costs associated with the trip. Create a savings goal and let your kids help think of ideas to reach that goal. Hold a garage sale to get rid of toys they’ve outgrown, or create a loose change jar for saving. Let your kids brainstorm ideas to save extra money, you might be surprised at what they come up with on their own. Especially when they’re motivated by a vacation they’re particularly excited about taking.
The above does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. Please consult a licensed professional for recommendations applicable to your specific situation.
TRN00061; Rev. 5-2025
