Sam
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Travelling as a family can be a wonderful experience.
Not only do you get to take your kids to different places, and potentially experience different cultures, you also make memories with them that will remain with you forever.
However, as appealing as travelling as a family is, it can also be expensive too. Especially when you consider transport, accommodation, food and entry to various ‘must-see’ attractions.
For this reason, we are going to share with you some ways to save money on a city break with kids.
Follow these tips, and you should be pleasantly surprised at how much more affordable your next trip away might be.
Important Note: This post may contain affiliate links. I earn a commission from qualifying links in this post. (Disclaimer)
How to Save Money on a City Break With Kids
Contents
Go during school term time
For many families, it is assumed that family holidays can only take place during the school holidays.
However, if you are flexible you could save a lot of money on flights or petrol, as well as accommodation, just by arranging for your holiday to take place during the middle of school term time.
You will obviously need to make a judgement as to how your child(ren) will be affected by not being in school for a week or so. (And you can always get homework from their teachers if this is a concern for you).
However, during the school term availability for accommodation is usually pretty high, as most other kids are in school. Whilst the prices are often significantly lower than at peak times.
So if you decide to plan your holiday for this time of year, you should save quite a bit of money.
Book early and be flexible with travel times
Having decided when you can go, it is worth making your travel and accommodation arrangements as far in advance as possible.
Booking at the last minute can secure you a very cheap deal, if you are truly flexible as to where you want to go. But if you have a specific destination in mind it is worth getting in early.
Many airlines and train companies offer very good deals for non-peak periods, as much as 12 months in advance of the departure date. As a rule, the closer to the departure date, the more expensive the tickets are likely to be. Simply because demand would outweigh the supply.
When it comes to booking transportation, try and avoid going at peak times in the day. Often one of the best ways to save money on a city break with kids is to make a reservation for either very early in the morning, or in the middle of the working day. As prices tend to be much cheaper than at peak times.
Don’t book accommodation in the city
A great tip on how to save money on a budget is to book accommodation that is located on the outskirts of the city.
Doing this, as opposed to staying within one of the main tourist areas of the city can significantly reduce the cost.
If you can, try and avoid staying in a hotel as they tend to be a more expensive option. Instead opt for a motel, or cheap Airbnb options.
Also, be flexible enough to change accommodation options mid-stay. It might be a bit of a hassle to up and move all your stuff. But staying with two or three different accommodation providers over the course of a week or two might end up being cheaper in the long run than staying in one place for the whole time.
It could also save on public transportation costs as you could base yourself nearer different points of tourist interest.
Research the attractions
Researching the city you are planning to visit is a surefire way to save money on pretty much all aspects of your trip.
There are plenty of resources out there including YouTube, TripAdvisor, guidebooks and blogs like this one that will provide you with a goldmine of information.
This could range from free child-friendly activities to budget accommodation choices and cheap restaurants to take your kids to.
All of which will provide some structure to your city break. As well as reducing the likelihood of you making expensive off-the-cuff decisions that could blow your budget.
Self Cater
One of the best ways to save money on a city break with kids is to self-cater.
The cost of going out to eat as a family of 4 or 5 for breakfast, lunch, and dinner can be astronomical. Especially in high tourist areas, and over the course of a week.
So it is definitely worth making your own breakfast in your accommodation, and taking packed lunches with you, which you can eat when you are out and about.
This could potentially save you upwards of £50 a day at least.
For those who want to experience the local cuisine and enjoy family meals at exotic restaurants, consider visiting them at lunchtime.
Often these are priced cheaper than main evening meals and are usually available as some kind of special offer. Again your research should identify good options for this.
As well as food, try and avoid buying drinks when you are out and about, especially on hot days. Drinks, especially soft drinks and alcohol can be priced very expensively in cities, and before you know it you have spent £15 to £20 just on one order.
Always carry a water bottle around with you wherever you go, and if you have to buy drinks, get them from a supermarket, as they will undoubtedly be cheaper there.
Final thoughts
So there you have it, our recommendation of different ways to save money on a city break with kids.
At the end of the day, any family holiday you go on should be about the experience. So you will always need to strike the balance between enjoying yourself and not going overboard with your spending.
If you follow the tips outlined above you should be able to do just that, so you can go on creating wonderful family holiday memories with your kids.
In what ways do you try to save money on a city break with kids? Let me know in the comments below.
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