Over the years I've learned a few tricks about travel. Although we have yet to stay in a 5 Star Hotel, we still go on trips that create wonderful family memories. If you're short on cash, but up for adventure, here's a few pointers.
- Develop a love for the great outdoors. With many campsites costing as little as $12 a night, camping is by far the most economical way to travel. Some of you may have a natural aversion to roughing it, but you should know that camping comes in many shapes and forms ranging from pitching a tent to going all out in a huge RV.
At the lower end, tent camping takes little more than a tent, cooler and possibly a camp stove. All these things can be purchased cheaply at your local discount store or, even better, used at garage sales or Craigslist. If you're willing to make more of an investment, you can look at a wide range of pop up campers, travel trailers and RVs. (see my review of these different options on our sister site Cheap Moms Camping Guide.) If you're still not ready to brave the wilderness, many campgrounds and parks have "Camper Cabins."
- Go on a road trip. Even with the cost of gas and wear and tear, traveling by car has some major advantages. First the obvious. Its cheap. No airfare, airport parking or car rentals to think about. Second, its the ultimate in flexibility. You can stop when and where you want -- and with young kids this is a BIG plus. Third, it really allows you to get out and see the country. Traveling by car allows you to truly taste local culture. For best results, join AAA, Woodall or other travel associations. The maps and discounts alone are worth it. Not to mention the handy roadside assistance should you need it.
- Visit our National Parks. Not only will you behold breathtaking beauty, but national parks offer some of the most reasonable rates around if you know where to look. Camping is one option, but many offer other affordable options like, camper cabins, cabins and yurts. Take the car and, trust me, you'll make memories that your kids will remember for years to come.
- Opt out of hotels for your final destination. This is very simple. Go for the condos or houses. You'll save on lodging, meals, and you have a little more room to roam. Many times you can get the same ammenities (pool, gym, beach front property) at a fraction of the cost. Check out websites like Vacation Rentals By Owner
and others out there. We've personally used VRBO many times and have never had a problem.
- If you must, get your airline tickets and hotel reservations through online services. Kayak, Travelocity, Expedia, Priceline and others out there all can offer some awesome deals. Of these sites, my personal favorite is Kayak. It compares prices from all the other sites and has consistently given us the lowest deal with the least amount of hassle.
For great hotel deals, check out Hotels Combined. It features many small properties the bigger outfits don't.
And now for the more obvious:
- Research your destination. If you camp, sign up for RV.net Open Road forums. Its a great resource for everything camping, including tips on campgrounds and attractions. For other destinations, info is just a Google search away. There is a wealth of knowledge out there, most for free.
- Plan ahead. Depending on where we're going, I usually plan our vacations between a year and 6 months in advance. Planning ahead gives you the most choice.
- Or go last minute. On the flip side, if you're prepared to drop everything and leave, you can get some pretty sweet deals on airfares and lodging. I have made reservations in prime spots due to cancellations. However, just like any type of fire sale, pickin's are slim and its all the luck of the draw.
- Go off season. There's nothing like having a beach all to yourself or no lines at the hottest ride. Not only will you save yourself a ton of dough traveling, but you won't have to fight the crowds once you get there.
