| How I Save Big Money on Plane Tickets for the | | | | When traveling with my kids the cost of local |
| Family | | | | transportation can really add up. I take public |
| Tho cost of flights for a family can be extremely | | | | transportation whenever possible. If there is a subway |
| expensive. I have found some great ways to save a | | | | at my destination then I use this to move around. My |
| lot of money when booking plane tickets. I start my | | | | kids also have fun trying to navigate the subway. I try |
| research early for flight prices. I play around with the | | | | to always book a centrally located hotel close to public |
| dates in the online booking tools to try to see how low | | | | transport and close to markets, stores and restaurants. |
| the flight prices can go. I sign up for the airline's email | | | | Local Transportation Savings |
| distribution list so that I know when the airlines are | | | | The cost of a taxi from my Shanghai hotel to the |
| having a seat sale. | | | | Science and Technology Museum was $12.00 each |
| I look at the total price of the flights including tax when | | | | way. Cost of the subway for my family of four was |
| comparing costs. Most airlines offer a 25% discount | | | | $2 each way. |
| off the base ticket price for children. Due to the fact | | | | How I Save Loads of Money on Tours and |
| that the taxes and surcharges may vary depending on | | | | Attractions |
| the airline and flight path, I might get a better deal on a | | | | I always look for free or low cost attractions for my |
| higher priced ticket that has lower taxes when I factor | | | | kids and I to enjoy. We always head to a local park |
| in the child discount. | | | | for a few hours. The kids have fun exploring the |
| Travelzoo is an excellent source for finding the best | | | | different playgrounds and usually end up making some |
| travel deals. Every week they email me a list of | | | | new friends too. I always search for free activities, |
| discounted flights, hotels and tours. I have gotten | | | | museums or festivals. Organized local tours can also |
| excellent information on cheap flights from Travelzoo | | | | drive up the cost of your family trip. On a recent family |
| such as tickets from Toronto to Lima, Peru for less | | | | vacation to Negril Jamaica I wanted to visit YS Falls |
| than $400 including taxes. Travelzoo has different | | | | for the day. I managed to save quite a bit by hiring a |
| versions depending on where you reside. | | | | driver for the day and paying our own entrance fee. It |
| I check out the cost of flying out of nearby cities. I live | | | | was also great to have the flexibility of having a driver |
| in Ottawa but its a four hour drive to Toronto. The | | | | as I was able to leave when the kids were tired and |
| cost of flying out of Toronto can be significantly less | | | | we were able to stop for a delicious jerk chicken meal |
| than flying out of Ottawa. I can save hundreds of | | | | along the way. |
| dollars even when I factor in the cost of gas, parking | | | | Savings on Tours |
| and an overnight hotel. | | | | The cost of an organized tour for a family of 4: |
| Plane Ticket Savings | | | | $270.00 |
| Regular price of ticket Toronto to Lima $896.00 | | | | The price of a taxi driver and entrance for 2 adults, 2 |
| including tax. My price was $396.00 taxes in for each | | | | children $145.00 |
| person. | | | | How I Save Money on Dining |
| How I Save BIG Money on Accommodations | | | | The cost of eating on your vacation can take a big |
| The cost of accommodations can be quite pricey for | | | | bite out of the family travel budget. There are lots of |
| a family if you are looking at staying in a typical hotel | | | | ways to save money on dining on your trips. For |
| room. I look for hostels to save money when I travel | | | | breakfast I head to a local grocery store and stock up |
| with my kids. A lot of hostels offer family rooms with | | | | on fruits, baked goods and cereal (I pack a couple |
| ensuite bathrooms at prices significantly less than a | | | | dollar store bowls and spoons). I try to book hotel |
| hotel. Another option is a serviced apartment where | | | | rooms with a mini fridge and stock up on drinks and |
| you have access to a kitchen to cook in and lots of | | | | snacks as well. I also try to eat where the locals eat. |
| space to spread out in. This is usually much cheaper | | | | The food is usually cheaper and much tastier than at |
| than paying for 2 hotel rooms. I also look for cheap | | | | the inflated tourist restaurants. |
| accommodations that are centrally located so that I | | | | Savings on Dining |
| also save on local transportation. | | | | Cost of the breakfast buffet at my hotel in Paris was |
| Accommodation Savings | | | | $60.00. The cost of some fruit and pastries was |
| Cost of the Beijing Swissotel for a family of 4 was | | | | $18.00 for the whole family. |
| $220.00 per night. Cost of the hostel I stayed in was | | | | Now with all the money I have saved I can go on |
| $37.00 for a family room! | | | | another family trip! |
| How I Save on Local Transportation | | | | |