Traveling can be hard on everyone….or it can be a dream come true. Here are some tips for traveling with family that will help you plan a stress free and enjoyable vacation.
Tips for Traveling with Family
Decide What Is Best For Your Family
Choosing the right hotel or resort for your family to stay in should be a well thought out decision. It will not only depend on your children’s ages and interests but what you family will need over their vacation time. A condo or house rental may be a better choice than a hotel. Do you have hotel points that you can use to bring the cost down?
Pack Lightly
Packing lightly can prove to be very beneficial to family travelers especially if you’re traveling to several cities and switching hotels often. Choosing what you pack to conserve space will save you some trouble of having to lug around baggage from hotel to hotel. And you will have less laundry to do when you get home! No matter how hard I try all my laundry needs to be washed after vacation even if I didn’t wear it
While you can’t avoid historical sights and attractions, you can still avoid tourist traps when it comes to restaurants and shops. Travel another 10-15 minutes down the road and see if there is a hidden gem tucked away. If you have a smart phone download Yelp and read the reviews for local places. Stick with the higher ranked places for the better experience.
Look For Many Options When Traveling
While a pool or indoor attraction may be great for a little while, children can soon get bored with the same thing. This is why it is good to plan a vacation that will offer many different attractions for the whole family. Are there nearby parks, beaches, sports fields, or shopper centers? Keep your children entertained and smiling the whole trip through!
A few days may not give you enough time to see all the places you’d like to visit. Some attractions may only be open certain days so plan accordingly. You will want to plan your vacation at least 5-7 days, if not longer. This will help ensure you are not rushed through the majority of the trip and you will have plenty of time to relax and make many memories with your children.
You Can Have A Great Time Even On A Smaller Budget
Budget often plays a large role in how most parents plan their family vacations. However, you can still have a great time even on a smaller budget. Making plans in advance you can sometimes find deals at resorts and hotels, cheaper airfare, and car rentals. Purchasing some of your own meals from a local grocery store instead of eating out every night at a different restaurant can also help reduce overall cost.
Overall, traveling is one big adventure. Things might not go your way, or you may get lost from time to time. But make the most of your vacation and enjoy making all those new memories with your family that you’ll remember for years to come.
Be sure to check out other Way I Save for frugal tips and more. If traveling is not an option you can always have Summer Fun on a Budget!
Leandrea is a married mom of two girls, ages 13 and 12, living in Atlanta, GA. She is passionate about helping people save money one coupon at a time. Read more