Five Tips for Traveling on a Budget

I’ve been meaning to write this post for quite some time so I’m glad I finally organized my thoughts about this topic.  As a family of six with four kids, we definitely cannot afford to take luxury vacations.  Admittedly, I wistfully scroll through my instagram feed and wish I could jet away to some of the exotic locations many top bloggers have the opportunity to visit.  Specifically, the Maldives, Greece, and Italy are currently at the top of my list (sigh).  One day, when the kiddos are older and it’s just my husband and I again, I undoubtedly want to explore certain parts of the world and experience a variety of cultures.  However, until then, we are grateful and content with our family road trips that we take a few times a year.  I love how our kids get so excited the night before we leave and although I don’t enjoy packing, I do look forward to loading up the car knowing we are about to embark on another adventure.  So, if you’re anything like me insofar as you love to travel but you need to adhere to a budget, I’ve got five tips that will help you afford your next vacation without breaking the bank.

1. Drive: This is the number 1 way to save money when traveling.  We don’t even think about flying anywhere with four kids.  It’s astronomical.  That’s basically how we initially started vacationing in Hilton Head, SC.  It was the furthest south we were willing to drive to get away from the long winters here in New York.  It takes about 13-15 hours (depending on how many times we stop plus traffic) to drive from New York to Hilton Head.  Our friends think we are crazy to subject ourselves to such a long car ride with four kids but they are so used to it and we have it down to a science (which you can read about here).  We are so accustomed to long road trips that now a five hour car trip is nothing to our family.  I would also recommend a roof rack to hold the majority of your bags, packing breakfast and lunch in coolers (this saves money and it’s much healthier than drive through options) and make sure the kids’ kindles or ipads are fully charged and ready to go!
2. Travel During the Off Season: We typically go down to Hilton Head once in the winter and once during the late summer.  Their high season runs between April through the beginning of August so we typically avoid traveling there during these times.  It saves on the cost of our vacation rental as well as renting bikes or kayaks plus it’s not as crowded at the beach, near the pool, or when we go out to eat.  We recently went down to Hilton Head for Easter week to coincide with out kids’ spring break and we paid considerably more for our condo, to rent bikes, and the island was very crowded.  My husband vowed he would never do that again ha ha!
3. Rent a Home Away from Home: We usually rent a condo when traveling for the space, the use of a kitchen, and most importantly, it’s significantly less money.  If we are only staying somewhere for a weekend, we stay at either a Residence Inn or Homewood Suites because these hotels offer one and two bedroom suites pus free breakfast.  I’ve had luck with VRBO, Wyndham Vacation Rentals, and InterhomeUSA.  I think it’s important to have a check list of the things that are a priority to you such as a washer/dryer, a spacious kitchen, a pool, a location that’s close to restaurants, the beach, etc., an outdoor space, a gas grill, or whether it’s pet friendly to name a few.  The best way to research a rental is to read the reviews, make sure there are a plethora of high quality photos that show every room, and be aware of additional costs like security deposits, cleaning fees, resort fees, and taxes.  I prefer to choose condos that include all the taxes and fees upfront so there are no surprises!
4. Eat Most Meals In: The first day we arrive, we head straight to the supermarket and buy our groceries for the week.  This is such a huge cost saver!  Dining out, especially as a family of six, is super expensive.  Having said that, it is a treat to forgo the cooking and the clean up a night or two so we eat out twice on our vacations.  It’s always best to do your homework beforehand so if you have kids, make sure there is a children’s menu (with free drink refills).  Also, go out for lunch versus dinner which is less expensive or look out for certain specials restaurants run during the week.  For instance, when we were in Washington DC recently, we found a terrific family friendly restaurant that offered $8 burgers.
5. Plan Activities Ahead of Time: We take advantage of coupons and deals whenever we are booking an outing.  So, it’s important to plan ahead of time and compare prices.  We especially love Groupon and have used it for bus tours in DC, trolley tours in Savannah, museum tickets, and even restaurants.  I’ve been burned by not planning out our days and just winging it.  Whenever you buy tickets on the spot, you always end up paying more so be warned!  Also, be sure to pack snacks, drinks, and even lunch when you’re planning an excursion as an additional money saver.  This is particularly useful when traveling to major tourist destinations where the food stands, museum cafeterias, and nearby restaurants can be considerably pricey.

For all you mamas, be sure to check out this post for my tips on traveling with kids.