6 Spring Break Travel Ideas for Families on Budgets

Taking a spring vacation doesn’t have to break the bank. With a little planning and creativity, you can make lasting memories together while staying on budget. Let’s take a look at some helpful tips, from picking affordable destinations to stretching your dollars, so you can enjoy the getaway without overspending.

1. Pick affordable spring break destinations

Choosing the right destination is the first step to making spring break travel cost-effective. Here are a few family-friendly options.

Spend your vacation out in nature

National and state parks have long been affordable family destinations. Many national parks don’t charge an entrance fee.¹ Those that do may offer camping or cabin rentals at a lower cost than a hotel stay. Look for free or low-cost ranger-led talks, demonstrations, hikes and boat tours to learn more about the nature and history of the area. Or you could pack your kayak or hiking poles and set out (safely) on your own.

Plan a family-friendly road trip

A road trip to a destination only a few hours away can feel just as exciting as a cross-country adventure and can save hundreds of dollars compared with the cost of airfare.² Small towns and nearby cities often offer a surprising amount of charm and affordability. Regional zoos, water parks, museums and other attractions all offer fun opportunities to build new family memories together.

Spend time away from the crowds

Skip expensive, crowded resorts and look for more affordable beaches, rivers and lakes. You’ll get the same water and sunshine without the high prices. For even more savings, you can avoid paying a premium for waterfront lodgings by choosing a hotel or vacation home a little further away. Consider reserving a place with a kitchen, so you don’t have to pay restaurant prices for every meal.

Bring your vacation home to you

If getting out of town isn’t an option, you can still make the most of your time off with a spring break staycation. Set up a tent in your backyard and teach your kids the fun of cooking over a fire, sleeping outside and gazing at the stars.

If you’re not the outdoors type, or the weather is bad, you could also play tourist in your hometown. Check out local attractions, splurge on a few nice meals out, spend a day at the movies or cheer on your favorite local sports team.

2. Book your family’s spring break travel strategically

How you travel can make as much of a difference in your budget as what you do when you get there. Consider these tips for stretching your family’s spring vacation dollars even further:

• Book early: Families who plan ahead often get the best rates. Try booking about four months in advance for trips abroad and two months in advance for domestic trips.³
• Travel midweek: Saturday is often the least expensive day to fly, followed by Wednesdays. Sundays and Mondays tend to be the most expensive.⁴
• Try “positioning” your flights: Sometimes you can get a better deal by booking your trip out of an airport that’s farther away. Then, in a separate transaction, you buy tickets to and from that airport. Positioning flights takes a bit of organization and planning, but it can be a great way to save money or get better rewards.⁵
• Use rewards and loyalty points: Redeem credit card miles or hotel points to cover airfare, hotels or car rentals.
• Book a package vacation: Package deals that include hotel, airfare, car rental and attraction tickets can often save you a lot of money. Just be aware that you may not earn points or rewards on travel packages.⁶
• Use artificial intelligence (AI) to find affordable fun: AI tools could help you create a budget-friendly itinerary with less work. From finding low-cost lodging and travel options to mapping out the most efficient route between activities, AI can help you maximize your time and budget.

3. Take advantage of low-cost, family-friendly activities

You don’t have to pay top dollar for every attraction to keep the kids entertained during spring vacation.

• Research local events: Many towns host free festivals, concerts or markets during the spring. See what’s going on around town that your kids might enjoy.
• Clip coupons: Many tourist areas publish coupon books that offer discounts on local restaurants and activities. Or you could check out websites like Groupon for deals on things your family might enjoy.
• Look for affordable culture: Many museums offer free or low-cost admission days. Museums 4 All gives free or reduced admission to more than 1,200 museums nationwide for families receiving SNAP benefits.⁷ Public libraries also often offer passes to local attractions and museums.
• Catch an inexpensive show: If your kids love music, theater or ballet, keep an eye out for matinee performances, which tend to be less costly. If there’s a college or university nearby, see if the students are putting on a play or a recital that week.
• DIY entertainment: Don’t forget you can have your own fun. Pack a picnic to eat in the park, create a scavenger hunt around town, or plan a craft day at home.

4. Eat well without overspending

Food is a big part of any vacation, but it doesn’t have to consume your budget. With a little planning, you can free up money for activities while still allowing your family to take in the flavors of your destination.

• Pack snacks: Look for options that don’t spoil quickly or melt or crumble in your bag. In addition to staving off meltdowns from hungry kids, it can help you avoid over-ordering at your next meal.
• Shop local markets: Grocery stores often have ready-to-eat items that cost less than a meal at a restaurant. It can be a great way to sample local foods without paying tourist prices.
• Cook most of your meals yourself: One of the easiest ways to save money on food is to cut down on restaurant meals. Choose one meal a day to eat out — lunch is often more affordable than dinner — and cook the rest.
• Share and take advantage of leftovers: Some restaurants serve large portions. Consider sharing plates or taking leftovers with you to eat later during your trip.
• Make a plan: Research area restaurants ahead of time. Many restaurants list their menus and prices online, so you can choose options you know you can afford.

To make dining out feel extra special, try to avoid chains that you have at home. Instead, choose local favorites that serve specialties you can’t get anywhere else.

5. Keep your family’s spring break budget on track

Even with great deals, spring break travel costs can add up quickly if you’re not paying close attention to your spending. A few habits can keep you in control:

• Research prices and set a budget before you leave: Look up costs for activities, restaurants and hotels at your destination. Decide how much you want to spend on each. Don’t forget to include airfare, gas, and incidental expenses in your budget.
• Track daily costs: Free budgeting apps make it easy to see how much you’ve spent — and how much is left. Some banks also offer budgeting tools within their customer apps.
• Embrace balance: If you splurge on a fancy dinner, plan a free activity the next day.
• Involve the kids: Give children a small daily allowance for souvenirs or snacks. This may help reduce impulse requests and teach smart spending habits.

6. Explore ways to pay for your family’s vacation

Even when you plan and budget carefully, spring break travel will likely cost more than your average week at home. If you need extra funds, here are a few options to consider:

• Spend credit card rewards: You may be able to book flights, hotels or rental cars using miles or points.
• Create a vacation fund: Ahead of time, open a dedicated savings account for travel and set aside a little each month.
• Pick up a side hustle: Gig work, like driving a rideshare, delivering food or shopping for groceries, can be a convenient way to make a little extra money to sock away, on a schedule that works for you.
• Use a credit card: A credit card offers the flexibility to pay for your spring break vacation over time. Just be sure to keep an eye on your debt and pay more than the monthly minimum amount to avoid paying too much interest.
• Consider a vacation loan: A vacation loan is a personal loan that you use for travel expenses. A vacation loan lets you borrow money before or after the trip that you repay in predictable monthly payments for a set amount of time, often at a lower interest rate than a credit card.

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Make spring break memories with your family for less

Family travel doesn’t have to mean overspending. By picking the right destination, booking smart, taking advantage of discounts and budgeting wisely, you can plan a spring break trip that works for your family and your budget.

And if extra funds make the difference between staying home and creating new memories, a vacation loan could help you bridge the gap.

Sources

1. https://www.nps.gov/aboutus/entrance-fee-prices.htm
2. https://cluballiance.aaa.com/the-extra-mile/advice/travel/cheaper-to-fly-or-drive-for-your-vacation
3. https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/travel/how-to-save-money-on-flights
4. https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/travel/best-days-book-flight-fly
5. https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/travel/positioning-flights-save-money
6. https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/travel/are-vacation-packages-good-travel-deals
7. https://museums4all.org/about/