7 Ways to Save Money When Going Abroad with Kids

Even though the borders remain closed, planning a trip is a great way to channel your adventurous energy to a good purpose. Instead of being frustrated, start planning your next trip now, so once the travel restrictions have been lifted, you can immediately get on the plane. 

Despite the increased costs, traveling with kids is a great way to create amazing family memories and learn about new cultures. It is especially useful for children since they can pick up new languages much easier and quicker than adults.

This skill will give them new mental and cultural perspectives as well as make it easier to learn languages in the future. Nonetheless, the question still stands: how do you save money on traveling with children? 

Go for a Cheaper Destination

Instead of planning your next vacation to Spain or Hawaii, take a look at more affordable options, like Southeast Asia. Thailand and Vietnam will offer you amazing spots for a fraction of the price you would pay anywhere else in the world. This part of the world will give access to breathtaking beaches and mountains, tons of international eateries, and ancient Asian cultural legacies. 

Look for Affordable Flights

Save Money When Going Abroad with Kids

The cost of tickets would make up a big portion of your overall expenses. So, if you can save money on a flight, go for it! Monitor cheap flights and special discounts on Skyscanner. Try to plan your vacation for an off-season which means skipping Christmas time and traveling in January or February.

Besides that, booking your flight for Tuesday or Wednesday instead of Monday or the weekend will save you an immense amount of money. Additionally, keep in mind that extra luggage might be quite expensive, so pack light and take only the necessities. 

Make Visa Photos by Yourself

Traveling requires a valid passport as well as a tourist visa for which you will need your latest photos. Instead of going to a photo studio, stressing your children out, and spending a substantial amount of money on photos for the entire family, consider preparing images on your own.

It’s easier than you think: get the best passport photo software, take shots with your camera or phone, upload them to the program, and it will do the magic. You simply select the type of document and the country of destination, and the program will automatically crop the image to the right size.

Check out more inspirational travel articles!

Consider Alternative Housing Options

When you travel to another country you want to immerse yourself in the local culture and learn as much about it as you can. You will not achieve this goal by staying at a hotel. Instead, check out HomeExchange – a platform that allows you to swap houses with travelers from the country of your destination who would like to visit your home country.

Not only you will save a ton of money on accommodation and eating out, but also will be living like a local which is a great adventure by itself.

If you don’t have your own house to exchange, we highly recommend trying house sitting – i.e. taking care of someone’s property and his pets while the owner’s away. We’ve been house sitting for over 5 years and visited loads of amazing places thanks to it. Give it a try and check out our Ultimate Guide to House Sitting with practical tips that will help you to start with house sitting,

Research Group Discounts

Save Money When Going Abroad with Kids

Many countries offer special group discounts. For example, Switzerland has such a discount for group transportation within the country: trains, buses, subway. It will come in handy if you are planning on exploring the entire country and visiting many places during your stay.

Germany also offers a travel pass for groups which gives you a discounted entrance to museums, amusement parks, and other tourist attractions next to transportation. Take your time and research the country of destination to find the best offers for big groups and families.

Take it Slow

You open a page on TripAdvisor and see the ten most popular tourist attractions, and think to yourself that you need to visit every single one of them. Well, don’t. Instead of visiting a generic amusement park built specifically to allure tourists, spend an afternoon at a local park.

Your children will learn how to overcome the language barrier and play with kids with different cultural backgrounds whereas you can have a coffee and talk to other parents. This activity is free and easy to organize but your family will preserve these memories for years to come.

Travel with Another Family

It is a truly amazing idea for two main reasons. First, you will save money on car rentals and accommodation. Second and the most important, you can share looking after children, so you can both have some alone time and take a break from parenthood. 

The final advice is to take a deep breath and actually try to enjoy your vacation. Don’t let small things bother you and don’t get obsessed with sticking to your plan. If something goes wrong, just go with the flow and make the best out of it.

Essential Travel Planning Resources

Planning your next adventure?

Here are some of our go-to resources that we’ve personally tested over the years.

Find Your Accommodation

Whether you’re looking for hotels or hostels Booking.com is ideal for finding great hotel deals worldwide, with a wide range of options to suit any budget.

Book Your Flights

For unbeatable flight deals, we also recommend Booking.com Flights as they search across airlines and travel sites to ensure you get the best prices. It’s our favorite tool for finding affordable flights, no matter your destination.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is a must-have! Protect yourself from unexpected events like illness, injury, or cancellations. Here’s what we recommend:

* TrueTraveler (only EU citizens): Perfect for long term travelers looking for comprehensive and affordable coverage.
* SafetyWing (for everyone) Great for digital nomads, long and short term travelers.

Rent a Car for Your Trip

Need the freedom to explore at your own pace? Renting a car is a great way to travel off the beaten path. We recommend Discovercars.com a fantastic comparison website that helps you find the cheapest rates from all the major rental companies worldwide.

Book Your Activities

From guided tours to skip-the-line tickets, use Get Your Guide to plan unforgettable experiences wherever you’re going. It’s one of the best platforms for activities and tours.

Try Housesitting

If you love animals and you prefer going local during your travels, try housesitting, which is an amazing way to travel the world while taking care of the pets whose owners are on vacation. If you use TrustedHousesitters with this link you’ll get $25 discount on annual membership.

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