11 budget friendly family travel hacks

Travelling as a family on a budget doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice the fun, try these tips for making the most of your next getaway, without breaking the bank.

  • 12 December 2018

    Australians love to travel overseas, with Indonesia, China, Thailand, Japan and New Zealand among our favourite destinations. We’re also some of the highest spenders according to research conducted by Visa, splashing out around USD $2,700 (approximately AUD $3,700 at the time of writing this article) each time we head overseas. When you’re travelling as a family, finding the best deals can make all the difference in your holiday experience. Here are eleven things you can do to stretch your family travel budget a little further.

    Young boy and girl sitting on a couch and looking at a globe of the world

    Do your research and plan

    Take the time to research and plan your trip. Having a good idea of the things you want to see and do means you can pre-book tickets, look for cheaper souvenirs online and scope out your meal options so you can plan your budget.

    There are plenty of trip planning apps for your smartphone that can hold your itineraries, tickets and confirmations, or consider working with a travel agent for expert advice, opinions and help with bookings.

    Beg, borrow and steal (okay, don’t steal)

    If you’re going camping, skiing, snorkelling or to a beach where there is surfing, you might be tempted to buy all of the gear you need. While you can rent skis, snorkels and surfboards, you could also ask family and friends if they have any equipment they could lend you. This way you aren’t shelling out for items you might not use that often. Or, you could check local classifieds and buy, swap and sell pages when you get to your destination for cheap second-hand items that you can donate to charity if you don’t want to take them home with you.

    Pack light

    Unexpected fees for oversized or overweight bags can put a damper on your holiday before you even get off the ground. Checking the baggage restrictions ahead of time for the airlines you’ll be travelling with will give you peace of mind that you won’t get stung at the check-in counter. Some airlines will have different allowances if you have an international or domestic connection with partner airlines, so it’s worth keeping that in mind too.

    Make the travel part of the adventure

    If you’re travelling domestically, consider driving and make the road trip part of the fun – there are plenty of ‘big’ things to see around Australia to keep the kids entertained. This will save airport transportation and parking costs, and you won’t need to hire a car when you get to your destination.

    If you’re heading overseas, booking a flight with a layover or two can also offer cost savings. Some airports, such as Singapore’s Changi International Airport with its shopping and entertainment options, might make the layover the best part of the trip.

    Be flexible with your travel dates

    Travelling outside of peak season is one of the go-to hacks for saving money on a family holiday, but it isn’t always possible. The next best option is knowing when airlines have sales or release discounted tickets. All of the major Australian airlines have a newsletter or other regular alerts that you can sign up for to keep an eye on new deals as they are released.

    Another trick is to stay longer, some hotels will offer discounts if you stay for a week or more.

    Be flexible with where you stay

    A traditional hotel room isn’t the only accommodation option. A house through Airbnb or a serviced apartment are ideal for larger families where you’ll need extra space to spread out. You’ll also be able to save by cooking some of your meals.

    Be a bargain hunter

    Don’t be afraid to ask for an upgrade or try to negotiate the price of a hotel room or car hire, especially if you’re booking close to the travel dates. Many major cities around the world offer discounted bulk attraction tickets, and will have other tourist-specific deals and offers available. This is where doing your research early on can add value. Even simple things like buying snacks from the corner store and carrying a refillable water bottle can make a huge difference in the amount you spend on food and drinks during your trip.

    Organise your travel money before you leave

    Waiting until you get to the airport to change your currency will usually result in either a poor exchange rate, high fees or both. Organising your travel money before you go gives you the best chance of securing a good exchange rate and minimal fees1.

    Share the love

    Positive reviews and customer experience are worth their weight in gold to restaurants and hotels. They rely on the feedback from their guests to improve their services and stay ahead of the competition. Check to see if the hotel you want to stay at or the attractions you want to visit have referral or feedback programs that will give you a discount or points towards your next visit.

    Reap the rewards

    As long as they aren’t costing you extra interest on a credit card or charging membership fees, rewards and loyalty programs can help you save if you know you always want to fly a particular airline or stay at a specific hotel. These range from earning points through everyday shopping that you can use to help pay for flights to discounts when you book a hotel.

    Don’t forget the insurance

    Yes, this is an extra expense on top of the flights, meals and accommodation, but what might cost you a few hundred dollars up front has the potential to save you thousands. Flights get cancelled, bags go missing, and people get sick while travelling so knowing that you have some coverage in case disaster strikes will help make your holiday more enjoyable2.

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