Schools are out, the beach is beckoning, and every free hour seems like a good opportunity to drop everything and go on a vacation.

But how can you take your family on a fun trip on a thin budget? Here are easy tips to let your family enjoy a vacation without breaking the bank.

Tour your own city

Taking a vacation doesn’t mean you have to go to Disneyland, Paris or take a Caribbean cruise. For cheap vacation ideas, look no further than your own region or town.

Explore local art galleries, historical sites, that new restaurant you’ve been meaning to check out, or even local museums.

Go somewhere that’s maybe just one or two hours away from home. You’ll be out of town while avoiding the bustle of busy vacation areas. This way, you also save money by not dealing with flights or long drives.

If you want to venture out of the country, do some research before your trip and find free local events and attractions.

Festivals, for example, offer a good way to enjoy the destination with the locals, and can provide a memorable experience for little to no money. Some popular attractions are free or budget-friendly.

How do you find destination information? The local tourism board is often the best source of information on a destination.

Choose less popular destinations

Certain beaches are going to be more popular and pricier than others. But if you know where to look, you can save a tidy sum.

Sure, the water might look a little different, but when you’re coming from a landlocked area, a beach is a beach. Paris, Rome and San Francisco are amazing destinations. But some of us can only visit them in our dreams.

Do your research and consider places that are just as amazing, but not quite as popular and expensive.

You’ll not only save money on travel expenses, but you won’t have to fight the crowds or deal with locals who are overwhelmed with tourists.

Kenya, for instance, has amazing beaches at the coast and hidden tourism gems on Lake Victoria.

Choose less popular destinations

Certain beaches are going to be more popular and pricier than others. But if you know where to look, you can save a tidy sum.

Sure, the water might look a little different, but when you’re coming from a landlocked area, a beach is a beach. Paris, Rome and San Francisco are amazing destinations.

But some of us can only visit them in our dreams. Do your research and consider places that are just as amazing, but not quite as popular and expensive.

You’ll not only save money on travel expenses, but you won’t have to fight the crowds or deal with locals who are overwhelmed with tourists. Kenya, for instance, has amazing beaches at the coast and hidden tourism gems on Lake Victoria.

Stay with friends or family.

Is this a true holiday? You really don’t want to be considered a pest—but staying with friends or family is an easy way to cut costs.

Besides, it’s a chance to spend time with the people you love. You most likely won’t have to pay for lodging or some meals. That means you’ll only have to foot the bill to get to your destination.

This should drastically cut back on your travel costs. But make sure you’re a great guest and don’t overstay your welcome.

Do your laundry, pay for groceries or cook some meals to show your gratitude. Maybe even treat your loved ones to dinner while you’re in town! This will earn you an invite back.

Travel during the off-season

When you travel matters. Prices go up and down depending on demand, and that’s true with travel. Hotel rooms, airline tickets and car rental prices can go up more than 40 percent in the high season.

Travelling during off-peak season can mean cheaper flights, cheaper hotels and the chance to see a destination at a less frenetic time of the year.

The busiest travel seasons are in the summer, Christmas, Easter and other holidays when kids are off school. If you can avoid these times, you can save money on travel.

Go camping

The great outdoors beckons during the warm seasons.
If you like camping, Airbnb comes in handy.1 Their hosts offer decked-out campers that stay put while you’re cosy and indoors.

Camping is always a mega cheap way to get away for the weekend if you invest in quality gear.

Go away on a weekend trip

If you need to get away, leaving town for the weekend can be just what the doctor ordered. Certainly not as restful as a two-week trip but it’s not nearly as expensive.

Budget for a quick weekend getaway, and you might be pleasantly surprised at how affordable it can be.

Take a vacation on a weekday

Most of the time, booking a hotel or Airbnb for the weekend is pricier than staying there during the week. So, if you can afford to use some vacation time at work, try booking a quick, midweek vacation.

Visit a national park

Find a national park near you and go to explore; Parks have a small entrance fee per vehicle.

Stay at a bed-and-breakfast nearby

Sure, some B&Bs are known for being over the top and out of a budgeter’s price range. But many bed-and-breakfasts can actually be budget-friendly if they include meals into the price of a nightly stay.

Breakfast is certainly guaranteed at the very least (hence the name). They can also quickly whip up other meals for you on the cheap.

A lot of B&Bs even throw in extras, like coffee and cookies or wine and cheese, in the lobby area.

Book in advance

One of the best cheap vacation ideas is booking your trip far in advance. Your chances of getting good prices are a lot higher when you don’t wait until the month before you want to go.

Take those vacation days and get ready to stay at home. There are plenty of ways to cut costs without losing the fun factor.

Plan out which nights of the week you want to take your family out to eat or explore downtown.

And don’t forget to meal plan for the nights you’ll eat at home too. Try sprucing up your backyard and tossing some meat on the jiko or grill!

Seek travel package deals

Travel packages re an excellent way to save money. Purchasing your air, hotel and tours all together can often shave off hundreds of dollars in cost compared to purchasing each item individually.

Where can you find travel packages? Airlines, resorts and tour companies are a good place to start.

Alternative forms of transport

Airplane and car travel are not the only way to get around. Consider transportation options by train and bus.

Travelling by bus is also a relaxing and enjoyable way to get around in Europe. They’re punctual, clean, and very affordable.

Save for your vacation

You need money for your budget vacation. Once you figure out when you want to go on holiday, budget out what looks like a reasonable amount of money to save for your family.

The amount you’re able to put aside will impact where you go and how long you can stay. Don’t get into debt for that dream vacation.

When you save up and pay in cash, you’ll be able to enjoy your stay without having to worry about bills following you home.