Save On Family Travel Transportation
In Part 2 of this family travel blogger tips series, (here’s Part 1, 14 Ways to Choose An Awesome Family Travel Destination). I’m excited to share 14 ways to save on family transportation. Teaming up with other family travel bloggers has created a giant think-tank on all the best ways to save on domestic and international travel transportation. So if you have kids, love traveling, and are looking to save on transportation, look no further for awesome ways to save on transportation. I’m sure you will walk away with a few new tips to use this travel season. So pack your bags and let’s go!
Using Reward Points: Transportation Tips from Regina & Yami.
Regina from Full-Time Field Trip says:
“Airfare is usually the most expensive type of transportation. Therefore, I focus my money-saving energy on reducing the cost of plane tickets. The absolute best way to save here is to redeem reward points for FREE fares. That’s not always a possibility. My next best tip is. Drumroll, please. Break up your airfare into two separate reservations.
Ticket pricing is often tiered by the number of seats reserved. So when you move from a party of two to a party of four, your price increases. It can be super tricky to make two reservations at the same time. We’ve made plenty of mistakes. You may need separate devices and separate credit cards to be successful. But as a family of seven, we save tons of money this way.”
Bio: Regina Kay is a worldschooling mother of five, full-time global explorer, and travel writer at fulltimefieldtrip.com where she brings you real-world tips to make your life easier and your travels exceptional.
Yami at Gofamgo.com says:
“One of the most expensive aspects of traveling is transportation. Our family saved hundreds of dollars with transportation through the use of mileage and points accrued from a good travel credit card.
You don’t need to sign up for loyalty programs at all. Everyday expenses such as groceries, eating out or even filling up the gas can turn into a free vacation once you accumulate enough points.
One such credit card available to travelers in the USA is the Chase Sapphire Reserve card. When I applied for it, I received a sign-up bonus of 100,000 points and an annual credit of $300 towards travel expenses. That was enough to fly a family of 6 to Orlando to visit Walt Disney World. On top of that, I also earn bonus triple points for using it towards any dining and travel related expenses.
Aside from premium perks like free VIP lounge access in airports, free $100 credit towards Global Entry or Pre-TSA, and travel insurance protection, these credit card companies have online travel portals where you can book your flights and car rentals on a discounted rate.
I have also accrued credits to ride share services like Uber just from using my credit card when dining in certain restaurants.”
In-Country Transportation Tips from Nikki & Sarah.
Nikki at Yorkshire Wonders says:
“We are always very keen to save money on getting to our vacations. Here in the UK train tickets are not terribly cheap but there are some ways in which you can save money. Firstly, the timing of when you book train tickets is important.
Aim to book at around 12 weeks from the point of travel, this is when you will find the best prices. Too far in advance and too short notice mean very expensive tickets! Always check the price of return tickets as well as singles as sometimes one type is better value than the other.
Consider investing in a railcard. We recently bought a ‘Friends and Family’ railcard that gives 60% off for kids and 30% off for adults when traveling together. The card is valid for one year and can save you money right from the very first trip. Lastly, do check both standard and first class fares. Sometimes first class fares are not much more expensive than standard and you could receive perks in first class (such as free food and drink) that makes the upgrade actually better value.”
Bio: Nikki is a UK Family Travel Blogger writing about days out and family-friendly holidays at Yorkshire Wonders.
Sarah at Dandelion Seeds says:
“Aside from checking airline prices across multiple airlines, using flexible dates, and cross-comparing rates on every travel website in the known universe, I opt for the biggest savings once I’m on the ground at my destination. Rather than spending money on car rental (and car insurance) or taxis, I walk absolutely everywhere that’s safe. When my kiddo was smaller, I’d put her in a good carrier with a 45-pound weight limit to keep my walking easy. It lasted for years. Although I don’t save time walking, I do save money on transportation (plus, it’s a great way to find local cafés and grocery stores, and save money on restaurant costs, too). Walking has given me my savings on transportation, much of my fun–and often, my best stories. Here, you’ll find some fun ways to keep your kids entertained while you’re en route.”
Bio: A published writer, positive parenting educator, wellness advocate, and world traveler, Sarah invites you to join her adventures at https://www.dandelion-seeds.com.
Car Rental & Road Trip Secrets: Tips from Shannan, Kirsty, Shannon & Melissa
Shannan at Captivating Compass says:
“Transportation is by far the most expensive part of any family vacation. What about in-country travel, once you arrive at an international destination? Here’s my top tip for saving money on transportation once you have arrived at your international destination: Rent a car.
While it can be a complete sensory overload to drive in a foreign country, it is also one of the least expensive and most time efficient ways to get around most countries, especially if you want to get out of the city and explore sights off-the-beaten-path. To save your sanity, plan an itinerary that incorporates alternative transportation (train, bus, short flight) to a less popular city.
From there, rent a car and continue on your family travel adventure, simply returning your car at the end of your trip to a predetermined destination. Many major car rental companies in Europe have one-way rentals very affordably priced (ie: 2 GBP/day in the UK!), if you are willing to drive a specific vehicle back into a more popular city or airport. In the UK, returning a car from Scotland to London helps out the rental company as more people fly into London that anywhere else in the UK. For helping the rental company out, they offer ridiculously cheap rental fees and then you just pay for your own petrol. It’s a genius way to save big on in country transportation in Europe!!
Bio: Read more from Shannan at Captivating Compass where she blogs about learning on location using the world as your textbook.
Kirsty at World For A Girl says:
Since we started traveling with our children, our transport budget has ballooned. Pre-kids, we walked everywhere, took long overnight bus journeys and never, ever hired cars. Now when we’re on the road with two young kids, money takes a back seat to convenience and safety. Although we always shop around for cheap flights, we do try to spend extra on getting the times and airports that suit us. We tried a few very early morning flights when our eldest was a baby and let’s just say we pay extra for better flight times now! Especially in Europe, always check where your budget airline flies into. Sometimes, the airports used by lost-cost carriers are hours out of town. If you miss the last bus, you might end up paying the flight cost again in taxi fares.
As for getting around when we’re there, tired little legs and afternoon nap times have converted us to the joys of road-tripping. We throw everything in the boot, make our own itinerary and we’re still able to do the type of quirky multi-destination holidays that we crave. At the moment, we’re based in Malaysia. If you’re coming out to this part of the world, my biggest family travel tip to download the Grab app on your phone. Grab is Asia’s Uber. Fares are really cheap AND you can pay the driver cash. My second tip would be to think twice before using tuk-tuks and rickshaws. They’re mostly used by tourists now and drivers often demand exorbitant prices. Make sure that you haggle hard, be aware of safety and remember that in a tuk-tuk you and the kids are down at exhaust pipe level!
Bio: Kirsty is a British family travel blogger currently living in sunny Malaysia. She has traveled to over 100 countries including 25 with her young children. Her family travel blog “World for a Girl” takes a unique look at traveling the world whilst uncovering women’s history and global feminist issues.
Shannon at Grab My Passport says:
“There are so many ways to save on transportation. Personally, we try to drive to as many places as we can, if time allows. Not only can you save time by driving, but you can cut the costs of needing a rental car or taxis, and you can pack your car with snacks and other items you may have had to spend money on if you flew to your destination. With airlines adding on so many fees for everything these days, we rarely fly. Road trips can be fun, even with little kids. Just be sure to properly prepare for your road trip and enjoy! Memberships like AAA (in the US) are cheap and a necessity if you’re planning a family road trip.
If we can’t drive, we try to use airline miles and tools like Skyscanner or Google Flights to find the best airfare deals. Then, we pack as light as possible to avoid luggage fees. When we arrive at our destination, we almost always use Uber or Lyft, as taxi services are almost always twice the cost.”
Bio: Shannon Elizabeth is the creator and voice behind Grab My Passport, a family-focused travel blog.
Melissa at Disabled Disney says:
“Saving money on transportation is an integral part of any family vacation. We normally drive because it does tend to be a less expensive choice for us. If you are driving, we use gasbuddy.com to check gas prices. We don’t normally fly so we have our car and will not need to use a taxi. When it comes to hiring transportation, I look at which option is more cost effective for us. Apps like Uber and Lyft now give you an estimate on cost. If you want to use a taxi service you can call and get an estimate.
When we do fly I use cheapoair.com because when my daughter came home last Christmas, I checked prices on sites like Expedia or Travelocity and it was cheaper. I can also use the Shopkick App and get kicks by booking through them! There are a lot of transportation options out there. Don’t think of the transportation as getting to or home from your trip. Use that time as part of your trip and making memories with your family!”
Bio: Melissa Temple is a disability travel blogger who loves Disney. Visit her at Disabled Disney.
Do Your Homework! Transportation Planning Tips from Deb, Tiffany, Annette & Kris
Deb at World Wise Kid says:
“Choosing transportation is a great way to involve the kids in planning, budgeting, and decision-making. Researching and choosing the lowest cost options takes energy and time but results in a higher quality travel experience.
Getting there – We plan international travel far in advance when tickets are first available. A favorite research tool is Google flight tracking to follow prices on different airlines and understand the options. Airline websites offer the low-price calendar and the route map to compare dates and locations. We save money by choosing the no-frills, low-cost airlines, traveling with carry-on backpacks, bringing our own food, water, and entertainment.
Moving town-to-town – Getting around is part of the educational experience – a chance to understand the culture. This means avoiding the tourist track of pricey packaged tours and living like the locals. Arriving somewhere may take longer, but the journey is just as important as the destination! A mix of trains, buses, and boats enrich the adventure.
Exploring – Our travel routine includes discovering a place through walking. Whether hiking a trail, beachcombing or mapping out the streets of a city or town, foot-travel is free and allows you to stumble upon local wildlife and activities and create your own unique experience.”
Bio: Deborah is a California-based environmental educator, polyglot and mother of two adventurous kids. Her family travel blog www.worldwisekid.com inspires educational discussions around the globe.
Tiffany at Mommy and Me Travels says:
Mommy And Me Travels focus on 3 main considerations when planning a family vacation/adventure. Those are location, time, and money. If you are like us, you first start with a budget for the adventure. Usually, most of this budget is spent on your transportation to get to your desired location. Fortunately, we have found ways to minimize our transportation cost and that is what we are sharing with you here. Saving money on transportation is like art; you must have patience and creativity.
Finding deals on flights can be a waiting game (hence the patience piece). You should sign up for all the email alerts, focus on one airline alliance (this will maximize your flight miles for future free flights), and be ready to click go when you are alerted about that rock bottom flight price. We also like to think outside the box (be creative) when finding ways to save money. Instead of flying, look at taking the train/Amtrak to your adventure location. This will add to your children’s trip enjoyment. In many cases, you can buy a first class train ticket for the fraction of the cost of a plane ticket per person. That means you can save even more money if you buy a regular class train ticket and still have the enjoyment of relaxing and socializing while traveling. Of course, this only works if you are staying on the same continent. But if you are looking to save money staying on the same continent will usually save you on the cost of a flight or allow you to consider taking the train.
Bio: Tiffany from Mommy And Me Travels is always excited to discover new ways to save money when traveling. On her blog, she regularly shares inspirational ideas on transportation and how to make your dollar stretch further.
Annette at Tips from a Typical Mom says:
“Transportation on a Family Vacation is one of the most important things to plan. For us, taking our own car to a nearby place is ideal, but when we need to fly somewhere and rent a car, it can be stressful to make sure our family won’t be stuck somewhere. Transportation is one of the first things I take care of when planning a family vacation. I start with the flight then move on to the rental car. I feel like it’s worth using a rental car so we can keep car seats strapped in and not have to lug them around in Ubers. But more on that topic in a second.
Let’s start with the flight. Did you know that flight prices are not going to fluctuate that much between the airlines and sites like Expedia, Priceline, and Agoda because the airlines just don’t discount their airfare that often? And when they do, they have about the same rates as everyone else. So the best way to get good deals on flights is to get an airline credit card and earn free flights or follow a person on Instagram who is always checking flight prices like CheapSLCFlights, Scotts Cheap Flights, or another person in your area that checks deals and posts them often. Just go to Instagram and search for “Cheap Flights (enter your city here)”. The site that I have a membership through saves me at least $5 per ticket over any other site though. I know that $5 isn’t much, but you also earn travel points through the site. You can learn more at WholesaleFamilyTravel.com.
Once I have my flight worked out, I move on to the rental car. Unless I am staying in an all-inclusive resort that we won’t be leaving, I always rent a car. My family loves to drive around and see everything there is to see in the area we are visiting and it’s just so much easier to have your own form of transportation. For the little ones who still need a booster seat, we use the MiFold. It’s a tiny little booster seat that can fit right in the diaper bag or large purse. There are a lot of discount places you can rent cars through like Costco, AAA, AARP, and wholesalefamilytravel.com. My friend saved about $650 over the Costco price on Wholesale Family Travel when renting a car for their trip to Hawaii so that’s something to look into.
If we decide to not rent a car we try to see all the places the hotel shuttle will take us and plan our activities as much as we can round that. Doesn’t get much cheaper than that! Right? And if you are planning on taking an Uber, you can get some pretty good discounts through Groupon if purchased ahead of time. The most important thing to think about though is that your whole family stays safe, so bring or rent a proper car seat for your littles. You won’t regret it!”
Bio: Annette is a wife and mom of 5 who writes the blog Tips From a Typical Mom where she shares family-friendly recipes, parenting tips, family activities and travel and product reviews.
Kris at Gadsventure.com, says:
“Saving a few dollars on each plane ticket can add up to hundreds of dollars when traveling with a big family. With that in mind, the best trick I have discovered to find savings when booking is using Skyscanner’s ‘Whole Month’ function. This enables the user to compare and choose the cheapest day in the entire month to fly.
Being flexible is the most important factor in getting cheaper flights, as well as avoiding peak tourist periods, festivals and school holidays.
Skyscanner is a fantastic tool and I use it to research prices every time I look for international tickets. Another great tip when using Skyscanner is to search using an incognito window so your cookies are not being used and prices remain low. Hit Shift+command+n to go incognito on Apple, or shift+control+n on a PC.”
Bio: Kris and Brian are totally fun-loving Australians on an international gap year with their 4 kids while world schooling and documenting every step on their blog Gadsventure. They believe that life is short and the time is now!
Big City Transportation Tips From Chris.
Chris at State By State says:
“When you travel to a big city, transportation can get expensive. Gas, parking, and vehicle maintenance all cost more. Taking time to plan for how you will get from place to place is important if you want to save money. Many large cities have great public transportation, but when you have a family of five as we do, those tickets sure do add up quickly. We have found that by traveling on certain days of the week or times of day, you can save money because kids might ride for a discounted rate or even for free.
Another excellent money saving tip is to check the parking garages’ rates. Sometimes the prices between parking garages vary greatly. In Washington DC, we found a place we could park all day for only $10, while other places were charging $22 for four hours. We also like to take advantage of free trolleys and shuttle buses too. These are great for saving money on gas and also let everyone enjoy looking around at the sites instead of having to focus on traffic in an unfamiliar city. Knowing how you will get around will not only save you money, it will save you time because you won’t be driving in circles trying to find a place to park or wandering around trying to find the right shuttle stop.”
Bio: Sarah is a full-time RV traveling wife and mother of three that loves adventure and sharing off-the-beaten-path travel destinations.
What’s Your Favorite Way to Save on Transportation?
There are tons of ways to save on travel whether you are traveling domestically or internationally. These family travel blogging experts have nailed it when it comes to conquering the logistical circus act planning transportation can be.
Which transportation tips are the ones you are going to use on your next trip to save big, reduce stress and have an ultimate family adventure?
Let me know in the comments!
Start Planning Your Next Awesome Family Travel Adventure
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