With airline staff shortages, soaring gas prices and inflation making everything more expensive, many families are turning to stays and cheap weekend getaways close to home as an alternative to visiting the country’s most popular family vacation destinations.
Shorter layovers and no flights mean you can avoid the most painful expenses (and hassles) associated with family travel and still create great memories. Here are 10 easy ways to save on cheap family vacations close to home.
‘Book your dream trip now. Pay later’:“Book your dream trip now. Pay Later: Airlines, hotels, and cruise lines offer monthly payment plans. should you bite
CAR RIDES: The 10 best booking sites for cheap car rentals
1. Make your own weekend
While local weekend getaways are cheaper than big family travel adventures, weekends are still the peak travel season. But if you can create your own “weekend” by traveling during the week, you’ll save money and find greater availability wherever you travel, as hotels are typically less busy on those days.
STAYS: 11 best outdoor cinema screens for your backyard movie night
Even if you can’t find time for a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday getaway, look for a way to move your stay a day before (Thursday) or a day after (Monday) when most other people travel. You will get a lot more for your holiday money.
2. Travel just after the peak season
Shoulder season is the time when the tourists have all gone home, but the weather is still nice — think of New England’s lake towns, for example, after Labor Day but before the foliage season. Instead of traveling during the peak summer holiday months of May, June and July, plan your family’s weekend getaway for September. You’ll spend a lot less and still get all the benefits of traveling in high season.
FAMILY FUN: The 11 best national parks to visit in summer
One of the great joys of cheap weekend getaways is being able to stroll the streets and dine at the restaurants of a top tourist spot while feeling like you’ve got it all to yourself (and knowing you’ll be saving a lot of money while on vacation, too).
3. Look for last minute hotel deals
If you know you want a cheap weekend getaway but aren’t quite sure where you’re going, last minute hotel deals are for you. Sometimes the rooms don’t fill up even in high season. Sometimes there is a sudden cancellation and vacancy. Whatever the reason, you can find heavily discounted accommodation for your weekend driving getaway by keeping an eye on last minute deals.
More:Sun and sand in the Midwest: These beaches make for a fantastic summer vacation
It’s helpful to keep a few destinations in mind and call or check online a day or two before you travel. Stay flexible and let the savings come to you.
4. Take advantage of travel rewards
The privileges that a good travel rewards credit card offers include flexible rewards points that can be redeemed for travel, lucrative bonus point offers, and built-in benefits like free room upgrades.
Are hotel rewards programs worth it?:Yes, but the benefits are small for casual customers
BRING THE DOG: The 10 Best Pet-Friendly Resorts and Hotels in the USA
Even if you don’t want to carry a travel-centric rewards card, you can still participate in the free loyalty programs of major hotel chains with kid-friendly family resorts close to home. These programs allow you to earn points and special offers that you can use toward discounted weekend getaways.
5. Use coupons, discounts, and passes to multiple attractions
Major US city coupon books like those offered by CityPASS offer big savings for weekend trips close to home. Contact your local tourist office or convention and visitors office to find out what types of discounts are offered to tourists and take advantage of them on your weekend getaway.
CHILD-FRIENDLY HOTELS: The 10 best family resorts in the Northeast: places to stay in Maine, Vermont, more
Many popular destinations also offer savings on multi-attraction passes. So, for example, if you’re already planning to visit the Science Museum and Aquarium on the same weekend getaway, you can usually save money with a discounted pass that covers both attractions.
To save money on hotels, look for discounts that come from your other affiliations, such as: B. AARP travel discounts or offers from AAA. Booking a non-refundable hotel rate will also lower the cost of your getaway. And when in doubt, call the hotel or check their website directly to see if they can offer you a better price than the big online travel agencies.
6. Get a room with a kitchen
One of the main expenses of any family vacation or weekend getaway is food. Restaurant dining costs add up quickly, but if you book a hotel room or vacation rental with a full kitchen or even a smaller kitchenette, you can save money by preparing some meals at your hotel.
CULINARY JOURNEY: 15 gourmet hotels that will delight your taste buds
7. Never say no to a free breakfast
It’s hard to free. Stock up on pastries, cereal, and scrambled eggs served at most major hotel chains’ continental breakfasts. The money you save by eliminating one meal a day from your budget can be used for more exciting things. And don’t forget to grab a coffee to go on your way out.
GIRLFRIEND EXCURSIONS: 9 fun outing ideas for girls to charge up with friends
8. Make lunch the fanciest meal of the day
Speaking of dining out, sometimes a restaurant you can’t afford for dinner is right in your lunch budget. Enjoy a fine meal at a fine dining restaurant on the less expensive lunch menu for a taste of the good life on your weekend getaway – without the price tag that comes with it.
HOLIDAY NORTH EAST: The 5 Best Weekend Getaways in New England for Families
9. Don’t over plan
Weekend getaways go awry when you try to cram too much into a few days, especially when vacationing with toddlers who need some built-in downtime. Plan some fun activities with the kids, but don’t over plan. The idea is to return to everyday life relaxed and rested and not feeling like you need another vacation.
TRAVEL WITH TEENAGERS: 10 All-Inclusive Family Resorts Even Teens Will Love
Bring a book and take a break every now and then. Maybe even take a nap. (You know you want it!) Being away from your usual surroundings is often enough to make your time with family feel special. Slowing down your getaway is another easy way to save money.
10. Arrange a home swap
One way to upgrade your cheap weekend getaway is to swap homes through a reputable service like Home Exchange ($175 for an annual membership). You can also trade houses with friends or family to cut costs even further. Sometimes getting away from it all for a day or two is enough for a cheap weekend getaway.
FamilyVacationist.com covers family vacation ideas; family vacation spots; all-inclusive resorts; and essential travel accessories for families of all shapes, sizes and orientations. The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY.