With summer less than two months away, now is the perfect time to start solidifying family travel plans to avoid spending too much.
“Good Morning America” tapped two top travel experts to help families ease their way on road, rail, air and sea travel this summer.
Scroll down to see our top picks.
Tips for planning a family trip this summer
“When it comes to traveling, especially family travel, the more people you have, the more it costs,” Katy Nastro, travel expert at Going.com, told “Good Morning America.” “If you haven’t booked your summer trip yet, you definitely shouldn’t wait any longer.”
Grace Bastidas, editor-in-chief of Parents magazine and mother of two, echoed Nastro’s emphasis on the importance of booking in advance, but added that “it’s not too late,” urging those in the planning stages to “book now, as soon as you finish reading this article.”
“Demand is high and prices will rise as we get closer to the trip,” she continued.
Read more: Experts share best time to book, airport tips and more
Create a summer travel budget
Bing Guang/Bloomberg via Getty Images, File
People enjoy Ocean Beach in San Diego, California on May 13, 2021.
Bastidas’ first tip for stabilizing costs is to “have a budget and operate from there.”
First, consider “are you going to pay for a hotel, a flight, gas?” Then, “how much do you plan to spend each day, taking into account things like food, rent, and admission fees for various activities?” she says. “Make sure you factor these into your plan so you don’t overspend,” she says.
Compare prices for hotels, flights and more
“I think it’s really important to compare prices when booking flights and hotels,” Bastidas says. “As a parent, you have a lot on your plate, and you just want to get this done, but I think it’s worth looking at a few different sites.”
“Sometimes, especially with hotels, you can get a better deal by calling,” she says. “We’re used to booking everything online, but it might be worth it to call and ask some pointed questions: ‘What is the base price?'” When it comes to flights, Bastidas says, “If you know where you’re going and you’re absolutely determined to get there, track the flight to see what it costs.”
She suggested using apps like Google Flights or Hopper “that allow you to set up notifications for when prices drop.”
Summer special offers, discounts and rewards
Bastidas suggested checking out special offers, like credit card rewards or memberships with the likes of AAA. “Look around to see what perks are available, like discounts on hotels, rental cars and flights,” she said.
Nastro adds, “In the summer, these promotions usually aren’t running as often, so ask for AAA or AARP rates. Even if you save 20%, it’s better than nothing.”
Summer travel transportation: driving, train, plane
“Flights are definitely booking up and getting more expensive, so if you have a car, think about how far you can drive,” Bastidas says. “For a family of four, a car is often cheaper than buying a plane ticket. Wherever you are, there’s always something new to discover. Create as many adventures as possible for your little ones – beaches, parks, new towns – and save yourself the trouble of getting on a plane.”
“Gas prices are certainly down compared to last summer, so we’re certainly going to see cost savings on a year-over-year basis,” Nastro added. [Plus]If we can avoid air travel, it’s also better for the environment.”
If you’re planning on flying for your summer vacation, Nastro says that to secure the lowest prices, “mark the 21 days before your planned departure date.”
“If you haven’t booked your tickets yet, or if your work or school schedule has you eyeing a specific location or time period, make sure you do so at least three weeks in advance,” she says. “The 21-day advance purchase requirement essentially stipulates that after the 21st day, the advertised minimum fare disappears and a new minimum fare applies instead. The normally lower fare actually increases after that point.”
Bastidas encouraged families flying together to book with airlines that don’t charge for sitting together on the plane.
“While many airlines require customers to pay an additional fee, some have adjusted their service policies to allow families to sit together at no extra charge,” she said, citing Alaska Airlines, American Airlines and Frontier Airlines as examples. For more information about airlines and free family seating, click here from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
When it comes to rail travel, “certain tickets can be obviously cheaper than flying,” Nastro said.
For example, Amtrak offers discounts at certain times of day depending on your destination. Plus, booking cheap flights to nearby cities with nearby train stations can help you expand your travel plans and get more done for less.
Book the right type of accommodation: resort, hotel, all-inclusive, or home rental
“I’m a big fan of all-inclusive travel. I never thought I’d say this out loud, but I think it’s really worth the money,” Bastidas said with a laugh. “Hotels, activities, and food are often all covered, so you just pay what you have to and don’t have to think about anything else. You can just relax and enjoy yourself.”
Compare that to renting a home, “which is a lot more work, especially if you have kids in it,” she says.
“I think more parents are looking for vacation destinations, and these all-inclusive properties cater to both adults and children,” she said, recounting a trip she took with her family to the Dominican Republic at Club Med. “Parents want to keep their kids entertained and occupied, but they also want to have fun. Now we’re seeing more all-inclusive properties that offer value for adults, like quality food, wine tastings and luxurious spa experiences.”
As for rentals like VRBO or Airbnb, Bastidas acknowledged that they could be a good option for families with kids to have “more space” so they don’t feel cramped, but added, “It’s like taking your show on the road…I’m going to do all the chores and everything I do at home in this Airbnb.”
Nastro went on to weigh some more of the typical pros and cons of hotels versus residential rentals.
For large families or groups, “Airbnbs or private rentals can actually save you money from a cost per person standpoint,” she says, because “you can share and cook meals at home” and avoid costly extra fees at resorts.
Nastro says having a physical base in a desired area allows families to easily “get out to other activities,” and rentals often come with amenities like pools, bikes and beach games.
On the flip side, she noted, for a home, hotel booking options such as “connecting rooms or sharing a room” “can be more cost-effective than renting an entire apartment or house” after taking into account cleaning fees, city taxes, minimum room rates per person and other factors.
Airline ticket saving tips for summer vacation planning
If you’re planning on flying to your summer destination, Bastidas recommends spending your budget wisely by booking economy class and “getting a seat next to the wall for more space.”
“Put it in carry-on luggage if you can, and make sure it’s the right size,” she says. “It’s important to avoid extra travel fees, because you want your money to go where you really need it.”
Prioritize ways to get your kids excited about travel and keep the whole family happy
“Think carefully about where you stay. [ask]”They ask, ‘Are you comfortable?'” Bastidas says. “For kids, it’s important that they have somewhere to rest during the day and at night, depending on their age. Pick a place where everyone is comfortable and can get a good night’s sleep, because that’s really how you enjoy your trip.” [when] Everyone is well rested and ready to hit the ground running again the next day.”
She also said, “The reason why children get excited about traveling is because [parents] Give them a say, too.”
“Review the itinerary carefully to make sure there’s something everyone wants to do. Especially if this is their first big trip, you want your kids to be excited and to develop into little global citizens who are ready to help with any travel plans,” she said.
She adds, “Priority your budget so that your kids are excited about continuing your family adventures.”
