With a little planning, large families can have inexpensive budget vacations that are just as fun and relaxing as those that cost much more.
Do you have a large family? Traveling with several family members can be expensive, but there are many ways to cut travel costs. Try these ideas to lower travel costs for a large family.
Staying in a hotel or motel is usually not a good idea for large families. If only one room is booked, the family is terribly crowded and lacks privacy; if separate rooms are booked for children, costs go up and parental supervision is lessened. Renting a larger space where all family members can have privacy but stay together is a much better arrangement for large families.
Renting a house can be less expensive than hotel rooms if the family vacation is going to last a week or more. Many resort areas near beaches, lakes, and mountains have homes for rent by the week, month, or season. A beach vacation can be quite inexpensive and fun for the whole family; by renting a house the family can bring food, sports equipment, inflatable toys, bicycles, etc. and save money on rentals and dining out.
Condos are also a good idea for large families and are similar to houses in that food and equipment such as ski gear can be easily accommodated. Many condos have lofts that hold a number of children and a master bedroom that provides privacy for parents, and they are reasonable in price when compared to renting hotel rooms. Purchasing a time share condo can be a good buy for large families if care is taken to compare the different options. The time shares usually provide a week each year at a certain location or the week can be deposited and exchanged for a condo in a different area. Good deals can be found on time shares that are being resold; check online auctions for prices as low as $100. The time share will have maintenance fees payable each year; they usually range from $500-$800, depending on the management company, and a small rental fee is paid when booking a condo. Some time shares also allow extra vacation rentals at very reasonable prices. Families can also respond to mailings from time share companies that allow a free stay in a home or condo if the parents attend a sales presentation; make sure to read the fine print for conditions.
Camping is another good budget idea for large families. There are beautiful, scenic places to camp in state and national parks, and camping is allowed in many RV parks in cities. Even large tents can be purchased inexpensively, and additional camping gear can be accumulated over the years. For families who like nature and the outdoors, a camping trip can be a great bonding experience. Camping near a river or lake can allow the family to canoe, raft, fish, swim, or otherwise enjoy inexpensive recreation. Camping in a travel trailer or RV is also an option for large families; they can be rented if the family does not want to purchase one and can be stocked with all the necessities a family will need to vacation.
For large families on a very low budget, visiting other family members can be an option for a low cost vacation. Grandparents usually love to have all the grandchildren together for a few days, and extended family get-togethers are always fun for kids, especially if they don't get to see some of their relatives frequently. Trading homes with friends or relatives can be fun too; for instance, if one family lives on a ranch in Texas and another lives in a suburb of Chicago, the families could switch homes for a week and each family would get to vacation in a new area. There are also agencies that arrange house-swapping for families that want to try this idea but don't have friends in a place they want to visit.
Although driving to vacation destinations is usually less expensive for large families than flying, sometimes great deals on prices are available with airlines. Special promotions, fan fares, low prices when opening a new route, and two-for-one specials are all ways to save money when flying; check websites of airlines for current promotions and use frequent flyer cards when flying. Flying in off-peak times and airfare-and-accommodation packages can also save lots of money for large families.
For large families who live in areas with a large number of attractions, having a vacation at home is a good option. Most people who live in such areas have never been to all the attractions, and choosing some of the more interesting places to visit during a certain week can be fun for the whole family. Parents can take their vacation time for that week, and the week can be treated strictly as vacation time. Visiting museums, amusement parks, zoos, parks, sporting events, beaches and lakes, or engaging in sports such as long bike rides, horseback riding, water skiing, cross-country skiing, or snowmobiling are all fun activities for vacationing at home. Finding new restaurants and dining out is interesting if the budget allows, or building a campfire in the backyard and roasting hot dogs and s'mores provides a great time for smaller kids at a very low cost. Posting an itinerary will enable all family members to know what is planned for the week.
With a little planning, large families can have inexpensive vacations that are just as fun and relaxing as those that cost much more. Choosing larger spaces to accommodate the whole family can be less inexpensive than cramped hotel rooms and can allow for more privacy and space for children to play. Parents with large families should look at many options before traveling with children; choosing the right locations and accommodations can allow the whole family to have a relaxing and entertaining vacation.
