Going on a trip takes a lot of planning, especially when you have a family. There are so many details to take care of, and having kids means things are more complicated. You will want to be sure that you are completely prepared. From local travel to far away, planning is key when it comes to road trips. Your goal is to have the best experience, and all it takes it being prepared.

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Start planning early

Planning early is going to be your best approach. This gives you enough time to do a lot of research and make sure all of the details are squared away. We usually start by researching destinations, often watching travel videos as a family. Then we choose dates and book our flights, car, and hotel. Afterwards, we work on our itinerary and list of things to bring. Planning early also gives you time to purchase things you might need, such as rash guards or luggage.

Have a budget and research how to be cost effective

Budgeting is so important with family trips, as costs can add up quite quickly. When you plan early, you give yourself time to compare your options and find the most economical as well. Let’s say you are a family of four. Eating out on a daily basis can add up quite quickly, so you might want to explore things like all inclusive resorts, meal plans, staying in a place that has a kitchenette, or other economical options.

Look for family friendly hotels

You will want to find a good hotel for your family. Decide on what kind of amenities you would like, such as an all inclusive plan, pool, beachfront, and so on. Use a website like Ebooking, which will make it easy to narrow down your choices depending on the features you are looking for, and in your price range. All you need to do is select what you are looking for in a room, and in what city, and the website will do the work for you.

Come up with an itinerary

An itinerary is especially important when you have kids. You will want a lot of options, even if you aren’t sure you will end up visiting all of the places on the itinerary. It is good to have some extra ideas so that the kids don’t end up bored. For your itinerary, weigh in with your family members to see what each person wants to do. It is good to find the right balance between activities and what everyone wants to do. For example, rotate activities that everyone wants to do, and include a variety of things on your itinerary. Keep in mind that many activities will require a reservation. Some require reservations well in advance, such as Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, while others like Niagara Falls can be made in person.