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25 Great Ways to Save on Family Travel
Make memories together without draining your savings account
A fun trip with your family needn’t cost a fortune. Check out these tips to save big bucks.
Sam Island
Key takeaways
- Smart planning means focusing on total trip costs, not just airfare and hotel prices.
- Flexible timing and choices in destinations and transportation can reduce travel expenses.
- Savings add up through loyalty points, group deals and low-cost activities like cooking your own meals and free events.
When it comes to family vacations, more can be merrier. But as the number of travelers — including your grown children and grandchildren — grows, so do the travel expenses. With a little bit of flexibility and a good amount of planning, you and your family can have a grand time without breaking the bank.
“Something I have learned over decades of travel, from backpacking through Asia to working on cruise ships to traveling with extended family, [is that] the trips people remember most are rarely about extravagance,” says Lisa Niver, author of Brave-ish: One Breakup, Six Continents, and Feeling Fearless After Fifty. “They are about time together, shared adventures and removing enough stress from the logistics that families can actually enjoy one another.”
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As cost remains the top barrier to travel for adults 50-plus, according to AARP’s Travel Trends survey, it’s a good idea to manage your travel budget. Here are 25 great ways to save when planning your next family vacation.
1. Ask yourself what kind of trip you want
One of the most common mistakes families make when planning a vacation is focusing only on the upfront hotel or airfare price rather than the total daily cost once they arrive, says Niver. There’s a lot to factor in, and seemingly small costs (compared to hotels, amusement park tickets and other major items) add up. Ask yourself if you’re willing to cook, clean and do laundry on vacation, all of which are cost-savers. If that sounds like too much work, consider other ways to cut costs and stay relaxed. “Families should prioritize what is most important to them for a particular trip and be flexible on other aspects in order to stay within budget,” says Laurel Brunvoll, founder and owner of the travel agency Unforgettable Trips and a member of the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA), a membership organization of more than 25,000 travel professionals.
2. Be flexible with dates
Traveling during shoulder season — the time between peak and off-peak seasons — reduces crowds and costs at popular destinations. Flying midweek rather than on the weekend can also make a noticeable difference. “Midweek departures are 15 to 25 percent cheaper than Fridays and Sundays. When you’re booking for a whole family, those small shifts add up fast,” says Jesse Neugarten, founder and CEO of Dollar Flight Club, a subscription-based flight-alert service.
3. Stay open-minded about destinations
Just as being smart about your travel dates can save hundreds or more dollars, so can exploring all your available options for the type of vacation you want. If leaving the continental U.S. is important to you, Puerto Rico, for instance, could be a significantly cheaper trip than somewhere in Europe. Likewise, so-called second-tier, or midsized, destinations offer better value through lower prices and better deals than larger metro areas. For instance, 45 hotels and resorts in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, are participating in a promotion through 2026 that offers free extra nights based on the length of your booking.
Stuart Butler, president of Visit Myrtle Beach, which promotes the South Carolina destination, says it’s common for travelers to stretch their dollars by extending their stay and taking advantage of free extra nights. “Families who can adjust their travel dates by even a few days often find meaningful savings on accommodations and attractions,” he says.
4. Work with a travel adviser
Travel advisers are paid a commission — and not by you (hotels, cruise lines or tour operators cover the bill if there’s a booking) — to hunt for discounts, make reservations and book excursions. They may also have access to discounts for large groups. Bridget Edwards, founder of Illumia Travel and an ASTA member, notes that savings can happen even after an initial booking. “One of the benefits of working with a travel adviser is we can then monitor for price adjustments or promotions that may become available and apply them to their booked trips.”
Pile the family into the car for a cost-effective bonding experience.
Sam Island
5. How about a drivable vacation?
Many vacationers are opting to stay closer to home for their getaways, allowing them to book hotels and attractions during less busy, less expensive periods, such as midweek, notes Darley Newman, host of the podcast Travels With Darley. “Road trips can be very economical,” she says. You also gain time to enjoy being with your family, an important factor if you are trying to schedule around children’s school calendars. If it’s a period where gas prices are higher than normal, families may need to shorten driving distances or reduce the number of stops. “Destinations that are simple to reach can reduce overall transportation costs while maximizing time spent together,” says Butler.
6. Book at the right time
For many trips, a planning window of three to six months ahead is practical, says Newman. But for highly competitive destinations such as national parks, families may need to plan up to a year in advance. Katy Nastro, a travel pundit and spokesperson for Going, a flight-alert and deal-finding service, adds that booking too soon runs the risk of inflated early pricing, while booking too close to departure may be too late to find deals. “We have what we call the ‘Goldilocks window’ as our good rule of thumb,” says Nastro. For domestic flights, the sweet spot on the “bell curve” of airfare pricing is one to three months out. The sweet spot for international flights is between four and 10 months, she says.
7. Use hotel loyalty and rewards points
Travelers who’ve had years to build loyalty and rewards points may want to cash in when bringing a big group in tow. Memberships in programs such as Hilton Honors, Marriott Bonvoy and World of Hyatt come with several perks. “I think many families still underestimate how valuable loyalty programs can become over time, especially when booking for multiple generations,” Niver says. “Even casually sticking with one airline or hotel brand can eventually lead to free nights, upgrades or perks like free breakfast and waived fees.” You may also earn points beyond hotel stays through rideshare companies, restaurants, car rentals and eligible credit card purchases.
Pro tip: You can sometimes earn or use hotel points to book rental homes, such as using Hilton points at Evermore Resort in Orlando or booking via Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy, according to Summer Hull, senior director of content at The Points Guy, a travel-media company focused on maximizing rewards programs. The Hyatt also allows you to redeem points for its home-rental brand, Homes & Hideaways by World of Hyatt.
8. Take advantage of membership discounts
Signing up for a membership at AAA, AARP, Costco and others is an easy savings hack. AARP members receive 5 to 10 percent off certain hotels and a discount of up to 35 percent on car rentals from Avis and Budget. AAA offers significant savings at restaurants, kid-friendly attractions like zoos and aquariums (up to 35 percent off), Broadway shows (up to 30 percent discounts), and theme parks like Disney World. Newman adds that military members and veterans often receive lower ticket rates. Shades of Green, an Armed Forces Recreation Center resort located on the Walt Disney World Resort property in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, has discounted room rates for active service members and veterans, as well as discounted tickets to Disney parks and area attractions.
9. Stay on the lookout for car rental savings
Don’t “set it and forget it” after booking a rental car, says Nastro, who encourages families to recheck rental prices repeatedly, since rates fluctuate and are often renegotiable. “Car rentals are some of the most flexible reservations that you can make,” notes Nastro. AutoSlash, Costco Travel and Kayak are among the websites aggregating car deals.
Pro tip: Always refill the gas tank yourself before returning a rental car to avoid inflated refueling charges, adds Nastro.
Traveling for work? Create an economical vacation by bringing the family along and extending your stay.
Sam Island
10. Piggyback on a business trip
Conferences, training sessions and other business-related travel can give you and your family the excuse to explore a city you’ve never been to or have always wanted to go back to — with at least one passenger’s expenses covered by their company.
“Your flight’s being taken care of typically on a business trip,” says Nastro, adding that companies are generally flexible about departure dates after the conference. Businesses may allow conference-goers to bring a guest, which could help you and your family save. Some hotels may also grant the same discounted rate before and after the meeting, based on availability.
11. Look beyond hotels
For groups, renting a large house or villa with multiple bedrooms, pullout couches and space for air mattresses for kids can cost less per person per night than booking several hotel rooms, says Niver. Such accommodations often include perks like free parking, free Wi-Fi and a kitchen. Plus, they offer private, communal living spaces where your family can socialize. Search for larger spaces on Airbnb, Vrbo and Landing. (About 24 percent of Landing’s customers are 55-plus, and 40 percent are 45-plus.) Most of its fully furnished apartments offer amenities typically found in hotels, such as on-site pools and gyms. “It gives you a home feel,” says Valerie Cherry, 67, who uses her long-term Landing rental in Houston as the launching pad for short trips with her grandchildren.
If you are headed to Disney World in Florida, the Disney Vacation Club may be an affordable option, says Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, which researches deals at Walt Disney World and at the Universal Orlando Resort. The vacation club operates on an annual points basis, similar to frequent flyer miles, he explains. Members can “rent” their yearly points allocation to vacationers, who then save on properties they might not otherwise be able to afford.
12. Choose hotels with more
Premium locations and amenities make hotels an appealing option for families, especially if they are trying to make the most of a limited time together. One idea to combine convenience and cost savings is to stay at hotels that include activities and meals in the bill. “Look for properties that include extras you’d otherwise pay for à la carte,” Edwards recommends. “Free breakfast, resort activities, kids’ clubs or even all-inclusive options can simplify budgeting and keep everyone fed and entertained without constant nickel-and-diming.”
13. Look at the suburbs
Staying outside of a city center is a way to find lower hotel rates and cheap, if not free, parking. And your group may enjoy a more local experience, notes Newman. “Especially in really big cities … I think it’s kind of nice to stay not in the busiest, most touristy area, but to look in a more residential area,” she says. If you go this route, be sure to map out your day ahead of time, knowing you may not have time to return to your hotel or rental until your day around town is complete.
14. Shop around for airports
Many major cities have more than one airport that’s within driving distance of a destination. With some smart shopping, you can add money back into your travel budget. “If you’re near multiple airports, check all of them,” says Neugarten of Dollar Flight Club. “Fort Lauderdale consistently runs $100 to $150 cheaper per ticket than Miami. Baltimore regularly beats [Washington,] D.C., and Midway beats O’Hare in Chicago. A 45-minute drive is worth a few hundred bucks when you’re booking for four or five people.”
Hit the grocery store and load up on easy-to-carry bites and beverages for your excursions.
Sam Island
15. Pack snacks and water bottles
Travel only becomes harder and more expensive when hunger and dehydration set in, which is why you need to come prepared, Edwards of Illumia Travel warns. “Hungry kids push adults toward impulse-spending,” she says.
Pack snacks, sandwiches and refillable water bottles, especially for airport travel, Newman suggests. Hotels and attractions like museums may also have stations to replenish water bottles, saving the need for an additional purchase at a gift shop or café.
16. Consider a cruise
If you are looking to make a splash for a milestone birthday or celebrate a graduation, retirement or other notable life event, cruises offer many onboard amenities and help set your budget early, says Hull.
“You know roughly the price well in advance that you are going to pay, and then you don’t have to stress about every soft-serve ice cream, entree, activity, so you can all just have fun together. In that way, they are also sort of inflation-proof once you book,” Hull says. If you book a port that’s drivable, you can save money by not flying, she adds.
17. Set fare alerts
Even if you don’t have a travel adviser, you can put yourself in a position to act quickly on cruises, flights and more by setting fare alerts, say Newman and Niver. You can do this on platforms such as Points Path, Google Flights and Kayak. Newman notes that with this “save the date” approach, families can start looking even as they finalize logistics. “If you’re too far in advance, it’s hard to plan in general,” she says. Niver adds that alerts can also be used to discover add-ons, like excursions, and discounts, such as credits and waived fees.
18. Make lunch your restaurant meal
One of the most enjoyable ways for families, especially adults in your party, to explore a new city is to try well-known, acclaimed restaurants. Going at lunch is more affordable and generally more practical than dinner, Nastro says.
“The lunch menu likely has the greatest hits on it and is going to be a cheaper price point,” she says, adding that in multigenerational trips, everyone generally eats lunch at the same time, while dinners can be at different times.
19. Make good use of a kitchen and refrigerator
Vacation rentals with kitchens and full-size refrigerators open the door to grocery shopping and home-cooked meals. Not only does that provide greater savings than eating out for every meal, but it’s a chance for different generations to bond while baking brownies and cookies, preparing salads or making a soup or stew.
“We stayed in an Airbnb in Nashville for my mom’s birthday with three generations together, and what made it special was togetherness,” Niver recalls. “We shopped and cooked breakfasts and lunches together before or after exploring the city.”
Board games make family vacations more entertaining.
Sam Island
20. Build in game or movie nights
“You don’t always have to be out spending money on an activity to have a good time together,” says Hull of The Points Guy. To that point, Niver says building in time for connection is just as valuable as seeing the sights. During her family’s trip to Nashville for her mother’s birthday, Niver says some of the most enjoyable moments came from playing Rummikub together late into the evening. “It never felt cheap. It felt connected,” she says.
21. Seek out free activities around town
“Many travelers underestimate the value of researching a destination’s local event calendar before arriving,” says Butler. “Free concerts, community festivals, outdoor recreation opportunities and cultural events can add meaningful experiences to an itinerary without increasing vacation costs.” Online forums, social media and travel publications often have useful ideas, adds Nastro. A day at the beach or lounging at the pool can provide respite after a couple of days exploring; it’s an easy win with the kids, too. “Multigenerational travel works best when everyone has activities they genuinely enjoy,” Niver says.
22. Make the most of tours
Tours provide insight into your destination of choice and offer affordable ways to get around town. Hop-on/hop-off buses can double as transportation and sightseeing, potentially replacing transit costs, notes Newman, adding that local tour operators can offer good advice on dining out and other affordable excursions. For a more expansive touring experience, Road Scholar, Colette and Tauck offer itineraries for grandparents and grandchildren, as well as multigenerational family trips, which can save on travel costs and simplify logistics. While there is value in professionally-led tours, fitting them into your schedule and budget can be a challenge. This is where your smartphone comes in handy. Audio tours, podcasts and digital guidebooks provide low-cost, self-guided experiences and allow your group to explore at its own pace, Newman says.
23. Look for group deals
Theme parks, museums and tour operators may offer a discounted rate for larger groups, but you usually must book in advance to get the deal. At Madame Tussauds Orlando, for example, groups receive 25 percent off, while some groups at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City pay about 20 percent less for their tickets.
24. Consider third-party options for tickets
If you know you’ll have the time to see several attractions, third-party agencies that bundle tickets into one price can be worth it, says Newman. CityPass is available in major cities across the United States and in Toronto; travelers can also find deals from Go City. Testa, of TouringPlans.com, says big theme-park operators partner with third-party ticket wholesalers to offer admission discounts not available at their parks. For example, a family of four visiting Disney World for four days this summer could save more than $280 using a third-party supplier instead of buying tickets at the parks, he says.
25. Skip rental cars in transit-friendly cities
Depending on everyone’s mobility and general health, groups can save by relying on public transportation, bikes or scooters, Newman notes. Ridesharing is another option to consider, but estimate costs before booking. “Do the Uber math,” suggests Newman, comparing rideshare costs versus a rental, parking and fuel. She also points out the cheapest option: “It’s so nice to walk, which is a totally free way to get around.”
Contributing: Beth Braverman, AARP
The key takeaways were created with the assistance of generative AI. An AARP editor reviewed and refined the content for accuracy and clarity.
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