Instilled in us by popular movies like the “National Lampoon” series and hits such as “Are We There Yet,” moms and dads have expectations that family road trips will build long-lasting memories and cement the bond between them and their littles. But in today’s economy, these extended trips may be too expensive to become a reality.
However, that doesn’t have to be true! Depending on your preferences, there are plenty of budget-friendly ways to hit the road without the National Lampoon-esque problems plaguing you. For instance, avoiding the expensive costs of hotels and eating out is easy if you travel by camper. With a visit to your nearest pop-up camper dealer, you can rent or buy a temporary home on wheels. This investment keeps your kids and pets happy and reduces costs while you travel.
With or without a camper, consider these 5 family trip ideas just right for traveling on a budget.
1. Cruises
If you’re within driving distance or a quick flight to a cruise port, you might be surprised at how budget-friendly this type of vacation can be. Many cruise lines discount more than two travelers in the same room or offer kids-sail-free options. Once you’ve paid for the cruise, the rest of the trip is covered.
There’s no extra cost unless you choose to take part in optional excursions or buy souvenirs. Meals, entertainment, and port visits are free! As a bonus, kid-friendly cruise lines like Carnival have free children’s clubs where your little ones can make friends and enjoy all the perks of the ship without you entertaining them.
2. Resort Hotels
Looking to stay at a hotel for a few nights? Consider spending a little extra to reduce the overall cost of your trip by choosing a hotel on a resort property. This choice can mean the difference between everyone holing up in the room bored and fighting versus an entire hotel worth of entertainment, shopping, meals, and relaxation within walking distance.
Family resorts usually offer organized activities such as outdoor games, comedy clubs, trivia, and more. For a better guarantee of how much you’ll spend, look into all-inclusive trips. Then, you’ll know that your meals and entertainment are already paid for, minus any extras you choose to buy.
3. Camping
Ahhh, there’s nothing like roughing it in the wilderness to build family bonds — and character! With campgrounds in every state, finding a place to go that fits your idea of camping or glamping is as simple as researching the location you’re traveling to.
If you have a camper, be sure the campground has the proper hookups for your particular model vehicle. Note that if your camper is extra long, you’ll want to ensure the campground has easily accessible sites that fit your vehicle.
4. Off-the-Beaten-Track Stays
Considering a trip to a theme park or another pricy vacation option? You can reduce the overall cost of your trip by staying out of the heart of the city. The hotels, resorts, shops, and restaurants in a tourist city are usually more expensive than those in less populated regions.
You might not realize that tourist cities like Orlando and Los Angeles charge a tourist tax on every hotel transaction and even restaurant meals and groceries! This might only be a few cents or a dollar, but those extra fees add up.
5. Multi-Family Trips
Vacations are always cheaper and more fun when you have other adults joining you! Grab your favorite relatives or friends and book a large condo or home on the beach. Something that wouldn’t be affordable on your own becomes doable when you’re splitting the cost with others.
Since there are multiple people staying in one place, divvy up the meal planning, shopping, and cleaning to make it fair for everyone. With a few ground rules in place and a plan for the trip, you’ll have more fun — and less fighting — than you would if it was just you and your kids!
