How to keep travel costs down as a family of five
Travel can be a lot of fun, and many people feel like it’s a way to broaden their horizons. Some families prioritize traveling when they can afford it, but if you have a larger family, it stands to reason that travel will become more expensive.
If you’re planning a vacation as a family of five, there are some ways you can keep your travel costs down. Here are a few ideas.
The right credit cards
Before you think about traveling, you should make sure any debt you have is under control. For example, if you’re using a debt consolidation loan calculator, it’s probably best not to go on any lavish vacations right now.
Assuming you’re in a financial position to do so, the first way to keep travel costs down is by using particular credit cards. The right credit card can be a tool to reduce your travel costs.
If you know you’re going to travel regularly along with several family members, you can look into opening up credit card accounts that give you bonus points for travel-related purchases. Those might include gas, hotels, and food purchases at restaurants. If you make sure to prioritize these credit cards, it can help offset the cost of your vacation.
Private home rental
Another strategy, if you want to travel as a family of five, is to rent private homes instead of hotels. On average, a private home will not cost per night as much as multiple hotel rooms, and often, they’re quite comfortable.
With a private home, you’re probably going to get more space than a hotel room will afford you too. And you’ll likely get a larger and more functional kitchen, instead of just a mini-fridge that comes with the average hotel.
This could help you save more money while on the trip by shopping for food at a grocery store and preparing it in the kitchen rather than eating out for every meal. Plus, cooking as a family is a fun bonding activity.
Driving
You can also travel as a family of five on the cheap by driving instead of flying. Flying is convenient in the sense that it gets you to where you’re going faster, but it’s also generally more expensive than driving, especially when you need five plane tickets. If you’re trying to plan a budget-conscious trip, driving should reduce the overall price tag.
If you have multiple family members who are licensed drivers, this plan makes sense. Also, if you drive instead of fly, you will often find some funny roadside attractions that you might otherwise miss.
Traveling with a larger family doesn’t have to be expensive
If you take time to plan your vacation beforehand, traveling as a family of five doesn’t have to break the bank. If you have multiple adults with driver’s licenses, you can split up the driving legs and save money over flying, which is often more expensive.
You can rent private homes instead of hotels whenever possible. It’s usually cheaper, and you get more space. You can then use a private home’s full kitchen to prepare meals as a family a few times instead of eating out.
Finally, you can figure out what credit cards will reward you for things like gas, eating out, or hotel stays. If finding a private residence to rent isn’t possible, you’ll at least get cash back or points for the hotel, which will lower the cost of your travel.
Even with a family of five, travel is doable if you take the steps we mentioned. Your family members will doubtless appreciate the change of scenery, and you’ll probably like the break in your routine. You can return refreshed, and you’ll have new memories to look back on for years to come.