Want to take your family on holiday without blowing the budget?
Family travel can suck your savings quick – what with flights, hotels and dining out. In fact, a recent survey found that the average family spent around $8,052 on travel in 2024, and affordability is a concern for 73% of parents.
The good news?
You don’t have to break the bank to give your family an incredible vacation. Learn how to book smarter and you’ll discover great vacation deals for any budget, from weekend getaways to two-week abroad.
Here is how to do it…
Here’s What’s Coming Up:
- Why Family Travel Costs Are So High
- Best Time To Book For Vacation Deals
- Smart Booking Habits That Save Money
- Tools And Tricks For Bigger Savings
Why Family Travel Costs Are So High
Family travel is expensive. There is no way around it.
Connecting flights. Larger rooms. Additional meals. Freebies. It all can add up. Especially when children factor in.
Here is the kicker:
The average family spends too much money on their vacations. They have a solid budget at first, but then they start throwing on add-ons. Next thing you know they’re abusing their credit card.
So what can you do about it?
Simple. Book smarter. Booking your vacation wisely is the easiest way to score deals and save money so you can do more with your travel dollars. Book wisely and you can save hundreds…sometimes even thousands just by booking at the right time.
Little changes to your booking habits can make a big difference when it comes to saving money on a year of family holidays. Looking for a quick win? Simply pick up an Expedia holiday discount code before your next family getaway. Coupling voucher codes with travelling during off-peak times is one of the simplest ways to secure killer deals on family vacations.
Best Time To Book For Vacation Deals
Timing is everything when it comes to finding vacation deals.
Book too early and you may overpay. Book too late and the prices skyrocket. Somewhere in between those two options is the perfect time to book that will get you the lowest price.
When searching for tickets, experts in airfare recommend booking domestic flights 1-3 months ahead and international flights 2-8 months beforehand.
Here is what to remember:
- Domestic trips: Book 45-60 days out
- International trips: Book 3-5 months ahead
- Peak holidays: Book 4-10 months early
- Last-minute deals: Rare for family travel – don’t count on them
The day you fly matters too…
Flying Tuesday or Wednesday instead of on the weekend saves you approximately $56 per ticket on average. Four people times that and you just saved over $200 on plane tickets.
That is cash in your pocket you can use towards a nice dinner or activities for the kids.
Smart Booking Habits That Save Money
Now to the booking habits that actually move the needle.
Be Flexible With Dates
Flexibility is the secret weapon for unlocking vacation deals.
If you have flexibility in your travel dates by a day or two prices can be substantially lower. Travel prices are highest during school holidays. Prices increase by about 18% per person during school holidays in the UK.
Some quick tips:
- Travel just before or just after school holidays
- Use the “whole month” view on flight search tools
- Set price alerts for your favourite destinations
- Consider flying on a Saturday for cheaper fares
Book Accommodation With A Kitchen
Eating out is one of the biggest hidden costs of family travel.
Close to 50% of families will reserve lodging that comes with a kitchen these days. That allows you to make your own breakfast, pack lunches, and only dine out for dinner. Making that one alteration will save you hundreds of dollars for the week-long vacation.
Bundle Flights And Hotels
Booking flights and hotels together usually gives you the best vacation deals.
Travel websites love to give you discounts for bundling. You can save significant money over booking everything individually. The savings really add up when you have four or five people in your family.
Bundles also save time. There’s no need to jump from site to site looking for flights, hotels and rental cars. You do it all in one booking.
Compare Prices Across Multiple Sites
Don’t just check one booking site and call it done.
Prices can differ greatly from site to site. You can sometimes find the exact same hotel for half the price on a different site. Take 10-15 minutes to comparison shop before you purchase – its the easiest money you’ll earn.
Tools And Tricks For Bigger Savings
Here are tools that will optimize your booking experience and find you better deals on vacations.
Price Tracking Tools
Set up price alerts and let the tools do the work for you.
Some good options include:
- Google Flights “Track Prices”
- Skyscanner Price Alerts
- Hopper “Watch This Trip”
- Kayak Price Alerts
You’ll receive email or notifications instantly when prices fall. Then you just reserve.
Use Discount Codes And Vouchers
Discount codes are one of the easiest ways to shave money off your booking.
Always google for a discount code on the site you are using before you click book. There will often be a valid code that saves you 5-15% off your total.
It takes 2 minutes and can save you a packet.
Loyalty Programs
If your family travels regularly, sign up for loyalty programs.
Hotel points, airline miles and credit card points can equal free vacations if you allow them to accumulate. Even one free night at a hotel can save you more than $200 on your next family vacation.
The coolest thing? You’re already spending the money. Might as well earn rewards while you do it.
Choose one or two programs that best fit your travel habits. Points really add up over a few years.
Bringing It All Together
Family travel does not have to break the bank.
By building these simple booking habits into your travel planning, you can:
- Find more vacation deals
- Stretch your budget further
- Travel more often as a family
To quickly recap:
- Book at the right time (1-3 months domestic, 2-8 months international)
- Be flexible with dates and travel midweek
- Use discount codes and loyalty programs
- Compare prices across multiple sites
- Book accommodation with a kitchen to save on food
Family travel is really one of the best investments you’ll ever make. Spending time with your kids creating memories is priceless. When you travel smart with your bookings you can do it more often without breaking the bank.
Begin with one or two of these habits during your next journey. After you see the savings, you will never travel the old way again.
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