Knowing how to plan a winter family vacation on a budget can seem like a difficult task. Between holiday flights, cozy accommodations, and fun activities, it can be hard to stay within a realistic budget. And even though it’s one of the more popular times to travel, it is still possible to book an affordable getaway that the whole family can enjoy.
If you’re eager to plan a winter getaway, keep these smart spending strategies in mind when booking your trip.
How to Plan a Winter Family Vacation on a Budget
Set a Budget Beforehand
It’s easy to overspend while on vacation, but creating a budget can help you stay within your spending limit. Start by determining how much you are comfortable with spending on vacation (make sure to factor in transportation, accommodation, meals, and activities). Once you’ve outlined your budget, you can narrow down destinations that fit within those financial limits.
Booking things ahead of time can also help you stick to a budget. Therefore, you won’t be tempted to spend extra on room upgrades or additional activities.
Avoid Hefty Airline Fees
If you’re flying somewhere, pay attention to the additional fees that may not be included with your flight. For example, most carriers (especially low carriers) charge for checked baggage. You can avoid paying for baggage by packing light and taking a carry-on only. If you must check in a bag, make sure to pay in advance, as many airlines charge more to pay at the airport.
Pre-selecting a seat can also incur extra costs. Instead, you can opt for automatic seat assignments at check-in. We also recommend bringing your own food, as in-flight meals can be rather pricey, especially for families. Sometimes, though, the meals are provided for free. While figuring out how to plan a winter family vacation on a budget, please research whether the meals will be offered without expense.
Consider a Staycation
You don’t have to travel halfway across the world in order to enjoy time with your family. Booking a staycation is a great way to save money while also spending quality time with those you love.
Take a few days to be a local in your own town. Book a table at a new restaurant, go see a live show or concert, or have a cozy night in! Without spending money on transportation and hotels, you can splurge on doing fun things you’ve always wanted to try nearby.
Or if you want to explore a new area, consider going on a short road trip. You might be surprised to find out how many fun places there are in your area!
Travel During Off-Peak Times
Compared to the busy summer season, winter can be a great time to travel. However, prices can peak during the holidays, especially around Christmas and New Year’s.
To save money, we recommend traveling outside of this two-week timeframe to take advantage of lower costs. Early December, mid-January, and February are usually much cheaper in terms of flights and hotels. Similarly, look at traveling mid-week, as it’s almost always cheaper than going on a weekend.
Look for Low-Cost or Free Activities
While flights and accommodation are big expenses, activities can also make a significant dent in your budget. And while fun activities are a must for many families, you don’t have to spend a huge amount to keep everyone entertained.
Look at what free activities are offered in your destination. This could be a free walking tour or visiting a museum with free entry days. In the winter, you may also find Christmas markets, festivals, or other special events that are free to visit.
Cook Meals Instead of Eating Out
Dining can be a major expense to those traveling on vacation – but it doesn’t have to be! Instead of eating out three times a day, consider cooking some of your meals in your accommodation. Booking a vacation rental or hotel with a kitchen can help you save a lot of money. And while you don’t need to cook every meal, doing so for breakfast and lunch can drastically cut your travel costs.
On a similar note, you should also pack snacks if you’ll be out for long periods of time. This way, you can avoid expensive convenience stores and also monitor what your kids eat!
Look for Travel Bundles
A bundled package deal isn’t just convenient for families, it can also be a great way to save money. Travel sites allow you to combine flights, hotels, and even rental cars into one affordable package. By bundling your vacation, you can save hundreds of dollars compared to booking each one separately.
If you’re planning a ski trip, many lodges offer package deals with overnight stays and lift tickets. This can result in significant savings if you’re planning to be on the slopes for most of the time.
For even greater savings, look through the travel site for last-minute deals. If you’re flexible on your vacation times, you can find huge savings on last-minute flights and hotels that haven’t sold.
Use Available Discounts
It pays to do your research to see if you can get discounts on certain things like hotels, car rentals, and tickets. For example, Hilton Hotels gives special rates for AAA and AARP members. And when purchasing tickets to museums or tours, look to see if they offer student, military, or senior discounts.
Enjoy Your Trip
Knowing how to plan a winter family vacation on a budget is easy with these tips. There are so many great destinations to take your kids to before they grow up. Yes, even in the winter too! Whether you’re headed to Las Vegas or jet-setting across the globe to Europe, it’s definitely possible to save money and have fun with the fam. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter where you go! As long as you are all together, you’re bound to make lasting memories that you’ll keep for the rest of your life!
