Unexpected Ways to Save Money on Your Family Holiday
Family vacations can take a toll on the budget, no question about it. The average American spends about10% of their annual income on a single vacation; some spend even more.
While most people are familiar with the typical ways that they can save money during their holiday, such as traveling in the offseason, that’s not always possible. The kids have to go to school, the weather conditions might not be the best, etc.
This is why it’s essential to be aware of other, somewhat unexpected ways that money can be saved on family holidays. Let’s take a look.
Think About the Currency Exchange Beforehand
Currency exchange rates can vary from bank to bank and are usually more expensive at airports and kiosks. Exchanging dollars to foreign currency is often the most expensive once the destination has been reached. Not to mention the most difficult as well, as travelers can get scammed by crooks.
This is why it’s best to handle the currency exchange at home. Banks offer better deals to their clients. And it’s easy to check whether they’ll accept to buy back the currency after you’ve returned from the trip.
Travelers will be able to save the most money by using credit cards with no foreign transaction fees.
Avoid Getting the Best Room
There’s nothing better than booking a luxurious room in a hotel with the best amenities. Most travelers find it extremely important to have a good view, a pool, even a fitness gym inside their hotel, but is this really necessary?
Before booking the perfect room, it’s a good idea to consider how much time you will spend there. During family vacations, most people spend the majority of their time sightseeing, visiting the beach, going out, and exploring their destination. They only go to their room to rest.
So, when booking a room, those who don’t plan to spend much time in it should opt for cheaper, yet still comfortable accommodation.
Use a VPN When Booking Your Flight/ Hotel
VPN (Virtual Private Network – http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.nordvpn.android&hl=en_US) is mostly used for ensuring better cybersecurity and protecting the users’ connection. However, it can prove to be quite useful to families trying to save money on their holiday.
When booking flights and accommodation online, the airline companies and hotels check the user’s IP address to determine their location, then offer them prices based on that. Travelers from low-income countries are often given better deals than those from high-income countries for the exact same room, departure and arrival times, and even for the same flight.
By using a VPN, the traveler can change their IP address so that it appears they’re searching from a different country, and get better deals on hotels and flights.
To save the most, it’s best to spend some time researching and using a VPN to change locations a few times to find the most affordable holiday.
Go out for Lunch, and Dine in for Dinner
It’s not always the case, but restaurants in popular travel destinations most commonly offer better prices for lunch rather than dinner. This is typical because lunch comes in smaller portions, and most restaurants have lunch specials.
So, those who’d like to go out for a meal at least once a day during their holiday should do so at lunchtime.
Another way to save money is to avoid restaurants and try street food. Street food isn’t only cheap and appetizing. It can tell travelers more about the culture of the country they’re visiting, and it can offer quite an interesting experience.
Most countries have very unique and culture-specific street foods, and giving it a try is a must.
Shop at the Local Markets
Popular travel destinations often have plenty of big grocery stores and shopping malls where tourists can get around easily.
Those stores are often much more expensive than usual, however. Walking just a few blocks away from the touristy spots is worth the time. Most travelers will find smaller markets with much more affordable prices in less popular locations.
These local markets are often fully stocked with meat, cheese, produce, and more, and they’re where most of the locals do their shopping.
The Bottom Line
No family holiday can truly be cheap, especially when traveling to foreign countries. But following these tips will ensure that it’s much more affordable. Saving just a few dollars here and there can quickly add up, and make for a much more stress-free holiday for the entire family.
