Of course you can travel just about anywhere with your kids on a budget. Like any travel experience on a budget you need to research and plan well to make the most of your travel dollar. Many places, however, are family or kid friendly and will throw in added extras for the children. So whether you intend traveling at home or abroad, look for places that will cater to your family’s needs.
RV trips are a great way to travel on a budget. In fact, traveling with a car is almost essential for families. It is usually cheaper than buying rail passes or catching taxis everywhere. But more importantly, it gives you that ‘door to door’ freedom that is necessary when traveling with kids.
If you are traveling overseas, have you considered staying in a hostel with your family? This is a much cheaper option than staying in hotels and many hostels are family friendly and have no age limit (except in Bavaria where you can’t be older than twenty six). You can request a room with enough bunk beds to accommodate your family and you can cook your meals in the communal kitchen. Huge savings to be made!
In the USA there are many places to travel with your family on a budget. Consider these options:
1. Camping. The cheapest option around for any travel adventure. Many campsites have activities for kids and if you don’t like the idea of staying in a tent, many places have cabins to rent that are still cheaper than a hotel room. Camping gets you up close and personal with nature and gets the kids outside and running around.
2. What about spending some time at a Working Farm or Dude Ranch? Look around for reasonably priced holidays at these destinations and you will find plenty of activities and atmosphere for kids and adults alike.
3. Head to Disneyland in off peak season for big savings.
4. The same can be said for traveling to Hawaii. Check the packages available in low season and see how affordable it is.
5. You’ll also find some excellent deals in traveling to Mexico. Go for all-inclusive resorts, especially in the low season.
What about if you want to travel overseas? Where are some good places to take the kids on a budget?
* Although Australia is a long way away and can be a bit pricey to get there, it is a very child-friendly place with lots of cost saving adventures to be had for the kids. Australian off peak is different from North America so do some research.
* Europe can be done on a budget with kids. Pick your destinations with the kids in mind. Get them involved in your itinerary. Stay in hostels and travel by car. You’ll be amazed at how much you save and how much you see.
* Some island resorts are very child friendly. In Fiji there are resorts where children under twelve stay and eat for free. Do your research!
* How about a family cruise? Cruises are great because they are all-inclusive, cater for families and you get to explore lots of places. There are some good family package deals to be found with most cruise companies.
So get planning and get packed. Plan your family vacation and check out the deals available. Going off peak is the best way to save money. If you are going to take the kids out of school buy them a journal so they can record their experiences. It’s amazing how much they’ll learn by traveling with their family.
This article is brought to you by: Stuart S. Travel – Your Online Travel Guru
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I use EF College Break. They have some good deals, I've found. You should take a look at them. And I have their discount code too, if you want to use them, its hesseln1188 and it gets you $50 off. The packages include round trip airfare, hotels and other stuff.
The only coupons available are in coupon books that you can get if you stay at a casino hotel.
But there are discounted tickets on certain days of the week. Check out these cool deals for the summer!
Sunday Special – 4 waterpark admissions $67.99
Monday Special – 1 waterpark admission $16.99
Tuesday Special – 2 waterpark admissions $33.99
Wednesday Special – 2 waterpark admissions+
1 double tube (plus $1.50 refundable deposit) $37.99
Have FUN!!!!!!
if you can do with out the level 2 dining it can be done.
dates: dec 1-4
check in dec 1
check out dec 4
this is for 3 nights
i would suggest 4 nights cuz with 3 nights it means you have to get to disney super early so that on day 1 you can go to a park, day 2 go to a park, day 3 go to a park, day 4 checkout and go home. but i guess its all about what your budget will allow and if you can run over just a little.
and i'm not sure how you would even have time to do the water parks but i'll put them in.
pop century:
3 nights=$277
2 3 day park hopper tickets=$658
which includes the water park fun and more option. *you can't just get water park tickets you get the tickets by adding on that option to your ticket options.
deluxe dining=$420
which is not level 1 dining but level 2
giving you
3 meals per day per person at whatever type of restaurant you want
table service or quick service you can mix them up or do just table service or just quick service what ever you'd like.
2 snacks per day per person
grand total=$1355
now if you only did the level 1 dining which is what my family does and we find that there is more than enough food.
you get:
1 table service meal per day per person
1 quick service meal per day per person
1snack per day per person
then if you just bring breakfast from home like cerial, poptarts, fruit bars, what ever and buy the $12 refillable mug that you can use as many times as you want at your hotle fo rht duration of your stay then you def won't be hungry.
what we do:
breakfast-pop tarts from home and refillable mug with juice, milk, coffee, what ever.
lunch-table service
snack-pop, ice cream, chips, what ever
dinner-quick service
we are always really full.
if you did level 1 dining it would bring you within your $1000 budget.
the total then would be:
=$935!
leaving you with some extra money to work with like to buy your breakfast food to take with you and to buy 2 refillable mugs at $12 each.
ps. that free dining plan deal is over you had to book it for between august 12th to september 24th but you had to book it by june 26th to get the free dining so you are too late for that promotion.
Always pack some snacks, sandwiches, and/or a cooler with drinks. Those quick stops at the 7-eleven or fast food restaraunt really add up. Plus, you control the nutrition. Also, look into annual memberships to zoos or national parks. Often when you have a membership at one, you get free entrance and/or discounts at parks and zoos all over the nation.
If you need airline tickets, rental cars, etc. http://www.sidestep.com is a great site that searches multiple travel sites at once.
1st off, Disney is not for little kids, sure, they have stuff for the little ones but I would recommend Disney to a 100 year old man! Everyone should visit Disney at least once in their life. It is way more then just a theme park.
But, I know if u stay in Orlando and want to stay at one of the resorts, try the value resorts. You still have transportation to and from the parks.
Also, something else to do, since ur going to be 21, you can "drink around the world" at Epcot. Its so cool. Just go to the World showcase there and every country has their own "drink" Its something fun to do and to say u've done it.
I dont think ur from FL but if u are u can get a Florida Resident discount. Other then that, just look online to see if their are any coupons but I wouldnt advise buyinjg "discount" tickets offline unless its off a Disney sight. A lot of those places end up ripping u off.
But HAVE FUN, I know you will if ur going to Disney!
Hi, I go on long road trips each year, and we do not have a lot of money either. I have learned that with time and research you can have great trips on little money. The biggest most important tip I can give you is ALWAY contact the Chamber of Commerce and the Visitors Center for their free travel packets. Why, because they send you coupons, maps and they know of the good travel deals!! The coupons they send save you TONS of money!! Very helpful on food. I have learned not to be embaressed to use the coupons, these places what you to check them out. Also using the visitors center to plan your trip is like having a free travel agent. Call or email them with questions, these people are locals they know what to do. If you only have $500 tell them say I need help with a 3 day trip on $500. Trust me this is their job, they want you to spend the money in their town. I cannot stress enough how much money I have saved because of this!
Okay you live in Nashville which is a great place to be located. Look at a map there are tons of places that are only 5-8 hour drive for you. How about Memphis, St. Louis, Springfield IL or MO. Gaitlinberg, Savannah, Destin, Atlanta, they are all pretty close and every single one of these places has a ton of stuff to do. If it is your first road trip find a city that is about 5 hours away, research the place find out what there is to do, again contact the visitors center. Also be sure to research some of the other towns along your route, you might find some interesting places to stop and see things. When planning a trip on a budget you have to think, do you like to camp? What outdoor things do you like to do? Do you like walking/driving tours? When you are researching you have to think about free fun things that are in the area. Walking is free ect….
Okay here are some sites that I like….makes me think outside the box when looking for fun things to do:
http://www.roadsideamerica.com
http://www.listsofbests.com
http://www.westernroadtrips.com
frommers.com
AAA.com —–You do not need to be a member to use their site. Your acess is limited but, still a very helpful site!!!!
http://maps.google.com
http://www.mapquest.com
http://www.randmcnally.com
http://www.byways.org —-This site is also wonderful! Be sure to check it out, run by the national department of transportation. Has maps, list of great highways and good "side" and "backroads" to take I have learned that if you can it is better to travel small highways and local roads you get to see a lot more than just driving on the interstate. You also get to go through towns you may have never known about. Some of the best things that I have done on road trips have been from places off the beaten path! You reallly get to experience more and you stumble upon the greatest things!
http://www.roadfood.com
http://www.gasbuddy.com
http://www.gaspricewatch.com
Be sure to use the gas sites to help make your budget more accurate. A lot of times on road trips people under estimate the cost of the gas.
Well I hope that helps you. I agree you need to do some traveling and experience new things before the kids ect.. I am in my late 20's and I have been doing roadtrips since I was 18. Again with a little time and effort you will have a great trip. I start planning at least 2 months a head of time. This allows time for all of my visitor info to get here. Remeber coupons, coupons, coupons! Oh yeah keep the souveners to a small amount. Trust me 5 years from now you won't remember most of them. Just find one or two things that really respresent the trip. and you like a lot! Have a great trip I know you are going to have a blast!
I would have to disagree with Jaymepow on a few points.
First, Sea World is open through New Years and Fiesta Texas closes for the winter from the end of the Christmas Break until March. However, both decrease the hours to weekends only due to the decreased attendence after schools restart in the fall.
It has gotten warm already, and July and August are normally the hottest months of the year. I would suggest coming after mid September as the weather starts to cool down, but is still nice for the early fall.
The top 10 Riverwalk hotels in order are as follows:
1. Omni La Mansion Del Rio
Originally built along the banks of the San Antonio River in 1852 to serve as a school, the La Mansion Del Rio opened as a hotel in 1968. Today it is San Antonio's most elegant hotel, offering wonderful views of the world famous Riverwalk.
2. Hilton Palacio Del Rio is right in the heart of San Antonio's most popular visitor area.
visitors.
3. Watermark Hotel & Spa has long been recognized as one Texas' most luxurious hotels.
4. Westin Riverwalk Hotel
5. Hotel Contessa incoporates a Mediterranean design and excellent views of the Riverwalk.
6. Hotel Valencia River Walk
7. Marriott River Center Hotel
8. The Fairmount
Established in 1906, the Fairmount claims to be "The Jewel of San Antonio." Its Victorian elegance and Riverwalk location certainly offer enough to back up that claim.
9. Crowne Plaza Riverwalk
10. Holiday Inn Riverwalk
However, if you want to save some money on the hotel,and still have one of the better hotels in the downtown area, consider the St. Anthony, The Gunther, or the Menger all historic hotels which are well maintained and close to the Riverwalk (across the street) but without the direct access which increases the price.
Another excellent downtown hotel choice is the Plaza San Antonio.
If you look at the Convention and Visitors Bureau Calendar, the hotel rates usually drop when there is not a major event in the city.
http://www.visitsanantonio.com/index.aspx
after summer vacation between sept-november avoiding holidays… go to travelocity.com for cheapest rates… call disney directly to see if they have purchase discounts
My choice would be Peter Island Resort on Peter Island BVI. It's a small and intimate resort.
Here is the website
http://www.peterisland.com
For reviews and photos check out this site
http://www.tripadvisor.com
click on Caribbean, than BVI, go to Peter Island
Enjoy and congratulations)