5 tips for low-cost travel with your family

Family low cost travel: useful tips

1.     Defining a budget

Since low cost is going to be the priority when planning this vacation, the first step is what will set the tone for everything else: setting the budget. It is important that you understand how much you want to spend on the trip and during the trip.

Prepare a list of what you need and ask yourself the following questions:

- How much will I spend daily on food?

- Will the accommodation include breakfast or not?

- Can we prepare meals at the accommodation?

- How much will I spend on stays?

- How much will I spend on transportation and / or car rental?

- How much do I want to spend on souvenirs and extra purchases?

Consider other specific expenses that you think you will have during the trip and establish the budget, which should also include expenses for the round trip to the destination.

This does not mean that you cannot enjoy an extra expense or an activity that was not planned. The goal of this preparation is that you can do it, if you wish, without worrying about essential needs.

2.     Choosing where and when to travel

For the trip to be in fact low cost, choosing the low season to travel is the most recommended solution. If you have this freedom of choice, you already know that traveling in February is much cheaper than traveling in August.

However, if it is not possible to move vacation dates, traveling in the high season on a low cost basis is not impossible. The choice of destination, the place of stay, the means of transport chosen, and other factors contribute to this.

If you have children in school, under a more defined schedule, consider taking long weekends for trips that in the high season could be later, during the Christmas or Easter vacation periods.

Planning and booking trips and accommodation well in advance, even for the traditionally high season, is a great savings strategy.

3.     Keep an eye on promotions and campaigns

There is no shortage of online platforms that provide invaluable help when planning a trip. Take advantage of the various search engines to search for flights and hotels.

These platforms, such as Momondo, Trivago or Booking.com, present the most competitive offers for flights, hotels, hostels, etc.

Also take advantage of rent-a-car campaigns, if driving is the preferred mean of transportation for your low cost travel. Follow Enterprise on social media so you don't miss an opportunity.

4.     Plan all the places to visit

Another solution to keep your trip low cost is to plan a route or at least a general layout of the activities that can fill the days and nights of your vacation.

If you have a prior plan outlined, you can buy tickets to attractions and museums in advance, which allows you to save some money. Explore the available offers, what discounts are accepted and what kind of visitation packages are available for families.

5.     Preparing a strategy for accommodation and location

Without a doubt, planning is the best way to save money, also regarding vacations and leisure time.

If you are planning a trip that encompasses different cities and points of interest, renting a car may be the ideal solution. This way you avoid booking several different accommodations (which turns out to be more expensive) and spend precious time of your vacation in public transport.

This being just one example, there are several planning and savings strategies. Low cost travel, whether with family, as a couple, with friends, or even solo, is possible.

Family low-cost trip: useful tips 

1. Defining a budget 

Since low cost is going to be the priority when planning this vacation, the first step is what will set the tone for everything else: setting the budget. It is important that you understand how much you want to spend on the trip and during the trip.

Prepare a list of what you need and ask yourself the following questions:

- How much will I spend daily on food?

- Will the accommodation include breakfast or not?

- Can we prepare meals at the accommodation?

- How much will I spend on stays?

- How much will I spend on transportation and / or car rental?

- How much do I want to spend on souvenirs and extra purchases?

Consider other specific expenses that you think you will have during the trip and establish the budget, which should also include expenses for the round trip to the destination.

This does not mean that you cannot enjoy an extra expense or an activity that was not planned. The goal of this preparation is that you can do it, if you wish, without worrying about essential needs.

2. Choosing where and when to travel 

For the trip to be in fact low cost, choosing the low season to travel is the most recommended solution. If you have this freedom of choice, you already know that traveling in February is much cheaper than traveling in August.

However, if it is not possible to move vacation dates, traveling in the high season on a low-cost basis is not impossible. The choice of destination, the place of stay, the means of transport chosen, and other factors contribute to this.

If you have children in school, under a more defined schedule, consider taking long weekends for trips that in the high season could be later, during the Christmas or Easter vacation periods.

Planning and booking trips and accommodation well in advance, even for the traditionally high season, is a great savings strategy.

3. Keep an eye on promotions and campaigns 

There is no shortage of online platforms that provide invaluable help when planning a trip. Take advantage of the various search engines to search for flights and hotels.

These platforms, such as Momondo, Trivago or Booking.com, present the most competitive offers for flights, hotels, hostels, etc.

Also take advantage of rent-a-car campaigns, if driving is the preferred mean of transportation for low cost trips. Follow Enterprise on social media so you don't miss an opportunity.

4. Plan all the places to visit 

Another solution to keep your trip low cost is to plan a route or at least a general layout of the activities that can fill the days and nights of your vacation.

If you have a prior plan outlined, you can buy tickets to attractions and museums in advance, which allows you to save some money. Explore the available offers, what discounts are accepted and what kind of visitation packages are available for families.

5. Preparing a strategy for accommodation and location 

Without a doubt, planning is the best way to save money, also regarding vacations and leisure time.

If you are planning a trip that encompasses different cities and points of interest, renting a car may be the ideal solution. This way you avoid booking several different accommodations (which turns out to be more expensive) and spend precious time of your vacation in public transport.

This being just one example, there are several planning and savings strategies. A low-cost trip, whether with family, as a couple, with friends, or even solo, is possible.