Travelling with family: 7 tips to travel without breaking the bank

Going on holiday with loved ones is one of life's great joys – but it can also be an expensive endeavour. Whether you're looking to travel for a short period or a long while, there are a lot of costs that can stack up when you're booking a holiday.

Travelling on a budget is possible and you don't have to break the bank to go on a trip that the whole family will remember. If you start planning now for your next great holiday, you can enjoy the experience without worrying about how your finances will be impacted when you come home.

We've put together some tips to help make your next holiday the best (and most affordable) one yet.

1. Decide on your budget

Every holiday needs a budget, so you know what you can afford. Whether you've got a shoestring budget or you're looking to go on a slightly more luxurious holiday, setting a budget early on will make the holiday much more enjoyable. This goes for both booking the holiday and when you're on the holiday. Knowing how much you can spend will mean you're able to prioritise the things that truly matter, whether that's staying in a fancy hotel/resort, flying in style, or getting immersed in the destination's culture.

If you're looking to go on a holiday soon and want to save for a trip to your family's dream destination, then a Qudos Bank Bonus Saver Account may help you get there sooner. For example, data from Budget Your Trip suggests that a 2-week trip to Thailand costs $1,777 per person¹, so making your savings work for you is key. Turn your dream holiday into a reality without breaking the bank!

2. Travel in the off-peak season

Want to save some money? It may be worth travelling in off-peak season. Not only will you avoid the biggest crowds of the year, but you'll also likely be able to make some savings on things like airfares, accommodation and even the cost of any experiences you may want to book during your trip. If you're not a fan of queues, but you are a fan of a bargain, it is certainly worth considering travelling with your family in the off-peak season.

Making use of loyalty programs is an excellent way to earn rewards on your day-to-day expenses and get you on your next holiday sooner.

3. Take advantage of discounts and sales

Keeping an eye out for discounts and sales could help you save lots when you're looking to travel. Airlines often have sales to various locations, while events like Black Friday can help you snap up a bargain. Any money you save on booking your holiday can help you experience more when you're there, so it pays (literally) to keep an eye out for discounts and sales.

4. Consider using points and any other loyalty programs for travel

If you're looking for an easy way to travel on a budget, then frequent flyer travel programs can help take you around the world. Qantas Frequent Flyer, for example, could help you save your money by using Qantas Points to redeem both airfares and accommodation, getting you to your dream destination sooner. Our Qantas Points Saver account is a great way to rack up Qantas Points* while making your usual purchases, so you can treat yourself to a holiday once you've accrued enough points. You can earn Qantas Points on balances up to $1,000,000, so it's an account that can suit the needs of almost any family.

In need of a credit card? Our Visa Platinum Credit Card is another way to rack up Qantas Points*, as well as access Visa Platinum entertainment offers. Making use of loyalty programs is an excellent way to earn rewards on your day-to-day expenses, meaning your purchases are working to get you and your family that much-needed time away.

5. Be open to different types of travel (for example, families have the option to do camping, road trips and caravanning).

Flying somewhere isn't the only way to travel. If you're looking to go on a memorable holiday without breaking the bank, it's worth considering the different ways you can travel. For example, is your family active? Then it may be worth getting away to somewhere where you can camp. Looking to go interstate? Going on a road trip could be worth considering.

Caravanning is also a fun way to see multiple locations (like a caravanning trip up and down Australia's East Coast), allowing you to see a range of places without spending lots of money on flights and accommodation. When you're travelling with family, it's worth exploring the different forms a holiday might take.

Look for group discounts when you're booking different experiences, so you can keep your costs down.

6. Consider self-contained accommodation where you can cook meals

It can be tempting to want to eat out at a restaurant for the entirety of your holiday, but that can turn the trip into a costly experience. If you've budgeted for a range of attractions and experiences when you're away, then it may be worth booking self-contained accommodation so you can cook most of your family's meals at your home away from home. This could help you stick within budget, as well as make memories with your family – cooking while you're away together can be a ton of fun.

7. Look for group discounts for attractions

Hunting a holiday bargain could help you stretch your budget further. Look for group discounts when you're booking different experiences, so you can keep your costs down. It's worth Googling group discounts for the places you want to go prior to booking, as well as keeping an eye on websites like RedBalloon and Adrenaline for discounted deals.

Start saving for your next family adventure

Are you looking to travel with your family in the near future? Consider our Bonus Saver Account to start building savings for your next trip and make lifelong memories with your loved ones.