Travelling with kids can quickly add up, but that doesn’t mean you have to stay home. With a bit of planning, flexibility and creativity, it’s entirely possible to enjoy incredible family travel on a budget.
You don’t need luxury resorts or business-class flights to make lasting memories. Sometimes, the best moments happen while camping under the stars, sharing a meal from a local market or discovering a hidden swimming spot that doesn’t cost a cent.
Here’s how to make family travel on a budget work for you.
Pick the right time to travel
Timing is everything. Travelling during off-peak or shoulder seasons can make a huge difference to costs. Flights, accommodation and even attraction tickets drop in price when demand slows down.
Do a little research on when high season falls for your chosen destination, then aim for the weeks or months just before or after. You’ll often find pleasant weather, smaller crowds and far better deals for budget family travel.
When we visited New Caledonia in shoulder season, the water was a little chilly, but the savings on flights and accommodation were well worth it.
Choose budget-friendly destinations
Some countries simply offer better value for families. Southeast Asia, parts of Eastern Europe and many island nations in the Pacific provide exceptional experiences at lower prices than you’d pay at home.
If you’ve got your heart set on somewhere pricier, consider nearby alternatives. For instance, Fiji’s popularity can drive prices up, but Vanuatu still has great snorkelling and beaches (especially the island of Espiritu Santo) without the inflated price tag.
Even within Australia, travelling midweek or exploring smaller coastal towns instead of major hotspots can stretch your family travel budget further.
How to find cheaper flights
Flights can be the single biggest expense, but a few tricks can shave hundreds off your total. Thousands even! Check prices across a range of dates instead of locking into one specific day. Leaving just a day earlier or later can make a big difference.
Red-eye flights are usually cheaper and can work well if your kids are able to sleep on planes. Signing up for airline newsletters or deal alerts is also a good idea – sales can appear and disappear within hours.
Tools like Google Flights or Skyscanner make comparing prices across airlines simple, so you can easily spot the family travel budget bargains.
Save on accommodation
Accommodation doesn’t have to be fancy to be memorable. Guesthouses, homestays and small family-run hotels can be welcoming, authentic and far cheaper than chain resorts.
Private rentals are also a solid option. Having your own kitchen means you can cook a few meals yourself, which saves more than you’d expect. When we stayed on Rarotonga in the Cook Islands, our self-catering villa was not only more affordable than a resort, but we didn’t spend anywhere near as much on restaurants as we would have had we not had our own kitchen.
It takes time, but spending a few hours on comparison sites likes Booking.com or Luxury Escapes is worth the effort for your family travel budget.
Camping is another great way to travel affordably. In Australia, you’ll find everything from basic bush sites to family-friendly caravan parks with kitchens, showers and playgrounds. Some overseas destinations like the USA and New Zealand also offer great camping spots for adventurous families. Caravan parks not your style? Find amazing private campsites on HipCamp.
Pack light, save more
Minimal packing isn’t just about convenience, it can actually save you money. Many airlines now charge hefty fees for checked luggage, especially on budget fares. If you can travel carry-on only, you’ll avoid those costs entirely.
Pack versatile clothing that can be mixed and matched, and plan to do a quick wash halfway through the trip. Yes, you can wear clothes more than once if they’re not stained or stinky! Lightweight fabrics that dry fast are your best friend. Choose shoes carefully – one pair of everyday sneakers and one pair of sandals or thongs are often enough.
Packing carry-on only also makes getting around easier. You’ll move through airports faster, skip baggage carousels, and avoid the temptation to buy oversized souvenirs that won’t fit in your bag.
Eat smart while travelling
Food is one of the easiest areas to overspend in your family travel budget. A little planning makes a big difference. If your accommodation offers breakfast, check whether that buffet is really worth the extra fee. I mean, would you usually spend $40 each on breakfast? Sometimes it’s cheaper (and easier than wrangling kids in a restaurant) to grab something from a local bakery or market.
Of course, if that buffet is already included in your accommodation cost – go for it!
It’s all going to depend on where you’re holidaying. Street food and cafes are typically good value in Southeast Asia for the Australian dollar, but go somewhere like the USA or Fiji, and food will take up the lion’s share of your holiday budget.
Use rewards and deals
If you have a rewards credit card, consider redeeming your points for flight or hotel stay vouchers. Just remember, this only helps if you pay off your balance in full each month – otherwise, interest charges erase any potential benefits.
Sign up for airline, hotel and travel newsletters to get notified of flash sales. Family passes, attraction bundles and discount city cards can also help bring costs down once you’re on the ground.
Free and low-cost fun
You don’t have to pay for every attraction. Many of the best experiences are free – public parks, beaches, hiking trails, markets and street festivals. Check local tourism websites for free events or museum days that coincide with your trip.
Kids are often happiest at the beach, exploring playgrounds or spotting wildlife, so don’t feel pressure to tick off every paid activity. Balance big-ticket days with slower, free days to rest and recharge.
Be realistic about your family travel budget
Family travel on a budget doesn’t mean cutting out fun; it just means prioritising what matters most. Maybe that’s choosing a simple guesthouse so you can splurge on one special experience, or skipping the resort buffet for a week so you can add an extra night away.
Whatever your approach, be honest about what you can afford and plan within your means. Kids remember the time spent together, not the thread count of the sheets.
Stay connected to the best family travel deals
Want more ways to stretch your holiday budget? Sign up for our monthly newsletter to receive exclusive family travel deals, destination inspiration and real-world advice from families just like yours.
We’ll share the latest discounts on flights, accommodation and attractions – straight to your inbox – so you never miss out on the chance to travel smarter.
Final thoughts
Travelling as a family on a budget is absolutely achievable. It’s less about cutting corners and more about being intentional – knowing when to spend and when to save.
Whether it’s a weekend road trip close to home or an overseas adventure, the joy comes from exploring together, not from how much you spend. So pack light, plan smart and make those family memories happen.
Frequently Asked Questions about family travel on a budget
Yes, absolutely. With flexible dates, smart destination choices and a willingness to self-cater or stay in smaller guesthouses, you can enjoy overseas holidays for much less than you might expect. Countries in Southeast Asia, parts of Europe and the Pacific Islands often offer excellent value for families.
Travelling outside of school holidays almost always means cheaper flights and accommodation. A quick google search will tell you what the peak season, shoulder season and off-seasons are for the destination you’ve got in mind. Shoulder season often strikes a good balance between lower costs and better weather.
Choose accommodation with a kitchen or kitchenette so you can prepare a few meals. Visit local markets, bakeries and supermarkets for affordable snacks and lunches. In places like Thailand or Vietnam, street food and local cafes are not only affordable, but also delicious.
It depends on the country. In Australia and New Zealand, hire fees, fuel prices, insurance and campground fees have risen, making motorhome travel more expensive that it once was. In Europe and the US, it can still work out well for families travelling longer distances or splitting costs with friends.
Some of the best-value destinations for families include Thailand, Vietnam, Bali, Malaysia, Portugal and parts of Eastern Europe. Within Australia, regional road trips or national park stays can also be surprisingly affordable.
Travelling with carry-on luggage only can save hundreds of dollars on checked baggage fees, especially on budget airlines. It also reduces stress at airports and makes moving between destinations easier and faster.
Join travel newsletters (including ours) to get alerts on sales and family discounts. Airlines and hotel chains often release short-term deals that disappear quickly, so being subscribed helps you catch them before they’re gone.
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