Once we had decided we wanted to take our children traveling for a few months, we were adamant that we would see it through. That said, we knew it would have to be a budget-friendly adventure. Sure, we have good jobs and are savvy savers. Still, we didn’t have an endless pot of cash designated for our unpaid sabbaticals – nor were we in the position to sell all our belongings and buy a one-way ticket like some of the incredible adventurers we follow on Instagram. We needed to return to everyday life at the end of it all and still be able to pay August’s mortgage. Here are a few ways we looked after the pennies:
Set a Sensible Budget or Travel On Budget
We had read that it was reasonable to assume family travel would cost £100 a day, after accommodation. Many days we spent far less, of course, but it made us feel better about the occasional splurge (here’s looking at you, scenic flight over the Okavango Delta…), which meant the trip came in under budget overall. It is also worth checking the current exchange rates. We had fondly remembered Thailand being so affordable (seven years ago). Still, our money didn’t stretch nearly as far this time, and, interestingly, we spent more money in Cambodia in the shortest amount of time than anywhere else in the world. We were classic tourists, and if you want to see “the sights,” you will need to part with some dollars. Next time we will be taking the path less traveled to save some dosh! I like to get inspired by the in-flight magazines on the way to the next destination – they always have good insight, as does the massive family-travel Instagram community.
Spread the Cost
It sounds simple, but we actively set aside money each month in a savings account for several months. We booked and paid for all bar two of our 21 flights six months before we left and were astonished at how cost-effective it was to book them on one ticket through cheapflightstop. We were saying, “…and is that each?” “No, it’s the total cost,” our lovely Travel Expert Mike told us as we grinned with amazement. She was on hand the entire time we were away, updating our schedule. Our youngest was under two – a bonus for cheap flights and entrance tickets to most visited places. We used air miles for our first and last flights and staggered our accommodation payments before leaving. Using a combination of camping, self-catering, home rentals, and hotels, we got cheap deals on our accommodation and paid for most of it before Christmas came around. Talking of Christmas – ours and the children’s Christmas lists were brimming with bits and pieces we needed – fleeces, pack-a-macs, head torches, and binoculars. Our birthday money went towards the Vic Falls helicopter flight we were so keen to do. We also stayed with friends and family along the way where we could.
Affordability vs. Spontaneity
You’ll have to weigh up the pros and cons. It might be romantic to presume you can play it by ear, see where the wind takes you, and stay longer in places that float your boat. However, from a bit of research (significantly after we fell in love with a safari lodge in Namibia at which we were desperate to stay longer), traveling spontaneously would have increased the budget somewhat. Just because you’ve pre-booked your flights and accommodation doesn’t mean there’s no room for last-minute experiences! We didn’t plan to spend an afternoon feeding and bathing a rescue elephant in Jaipur, and we didn’t plan to take that tiny wobbly plane in Botswana to see the wildlife from above. But with small children in tow, we had to keep grounded in our travel purpose: spending quality time together. It was nice to have the security of knowing where we were going to sleep every night to focus our time on our children and our shared experiences.
Go Local
We didn’t leave the airport in each new country without buying a local sim card. It’s incredible how much data you can get for your money, and we really couldn’t have relied on local Wi-Fi – not when our 4X4 was broken down in the isolated Skeleton Coast in Namibia. We used a travel-savvy credit card from Barclaycard, which we used to take out cash – always choose to pay in local currencies – and we used the app to pay off our card before leaving each country. We liked to get friendly with decent taxi drivers (trust your instincts on who!) or even hire a driver for several days, which allowed us to barter cheaper rates and ensure we had a local’s view of the area. Our driver in Sri Lanka had a big van in which we could spread out; he helped us with the children, often pushing the buggy while we listened to guides, and took our luggage to our next destination while we took scenic train routes. He was our tour guide, nanny, DJ, translator – any time of day or night – and for no more than we might have paid in tuk-tuks.
Offset Your at-Home Costs While You’re Away
Lastly, we wanted our responsibilities back home to be cost-neutral. We rented our house out to cover the mortgage, put some cash aside for the first month we’d be home, and rolled over as much holiday as possible into our sabbatical allowance. A little bit of planning allowed us to go a long way… 10 countries in three months, without completely breaking the bank. This means now we can start working on the next trip!
Want to start planning your next family holiday? Contact to Cheapflightstop.co.uk about booking an adventure that will suit everyone.
