Thinking about your next unforgettable family vacation? You're not alone! In 2024, 53% of people planned to travel with their families, but of those who chose to stay home, 60% blamed high travel costs.
Luckily, with a few budget-friendly best practices, you can make priceless memories for you and the fam without burning a hole in your wallet.
Plan a family vacation on a budget using our favorite cost-saving tips (and learn how to save even more with RaiseRight):
- Choose an exciting, budget-friendly destination
- Go camping or take a road trip
- Use budget-friendly transportation
- Always compare hotel rates
- Check member services for savings
- Hunt for discounts on activities or excursions
- Choose to cruise
- Get discounts on flights by using gift cards
- Avoid last-minute markups
- Curate a list of affordable local restaurants
RaiseRight empowers individuals and families to fundraise conveniently—just by buying gift cards, shopping online, dining at local restaurants, or booking travel. With every purchase through RaiseRight, participants save and earn money for the organization or cause they care about.
RaiseRight is the most convenient way to raise money for schools, sports teams, music programs, religious groups, and nonprofits. With hundreds of well-known brands on the platform, it's easy to earn money back on everyday purchases and meals, no matter your lifestyle or preferences.
Interested in starting a RaiseRight program for your organization? There are no hidden fees, and your group keeps 100% of the earnings. You'll need your organization's financial details to enroll, but if that's not your role, this blog can help you start the conversation with the right person.
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1. Choose an exciting, budget-friendly destination
Family travel on a budget can still take you to some of the best destinations in the world. According to U.S. News, the best affordable family vacation spot is Yellowstone National Park, home to the Old Faithful geyser, swimmable hot springs, miles of hiking trails, and a boatload of bison. A car pass only costs $35 for a week of nature-filled fun.
For extra cost-busting, be sure to also consider:
- Time of year – Many vacation sites see higher traffic in the summer months. Consider planning your vacation for the off-season to save more on accommodations.
- Proximity – Vacationing close to home is a great way to save on transportation and accommodations. Odds are, there’s a destination the whole family can enjoy just a few hours away.
Not a hiking family? Check out places like the Outer Banks’ free beaches or Washington D.C.’s no-cost historical attractions instead!
2. Go camping or take a road trip
On a road trip, you and your family can discover hidden-gem attractions, delicious meals, and more just off the interstate. Plus, it's a great way to spend uninterrupted time together singing along to playlists, playing car games, or swapping stories.
Road trips are also an easy way to save on travel and accommodations. And when you reach your destination, avoid pricey hotels by sleeping under the stars at an affordable campsite.
Save more with RaiseRight
Consider a spring break road trip to a natural wonder like Zion National Park. Rent a travel trailer from Outdoorsy for five days and use a RaiseRight eGift card with 7% earnings—you'll save and earn $56 on an approximate $800 total.Then, take the earnings even further by booking a campsite at Yogi Bear Jellystone Park at Zion. Use a RaiseRight eGift card with 10% earnings—you'll save and earn $30 on an approximate $300 total.
Read more: 10 Family Road Trip Hacks to Make Travel a Breeze
3. Use budget-friendly transportation
Not into the RV lifestyle? You can still get around without overspending.
Renting a car gives you and your family the flexibility to make stops along the way. Or, take a bus, ferry, or train—often more affordable and sometimes more scenic (and you won't have to drive).
Save more with RaiseRight
If you live in or near sunny L.A., you can take a weekend trip to Santa Barbara using Amtrak. Four round-trip tickets from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara cost $108. When you use a RaiseRight eGift card with 4.5% earnings, you'll save and earn $5 on your family's train tickets.
Or, rent a car from Turo for the weekend. Use a RaiseRight eGift card with 5% earnings—you'll earn $10 on an approximate $200 total.Lastly, check out RaiseRight’s travel booking site, where you'll earn $4 on a standard SUV rental from Hertz.
4. Always compare hotel rates
Hotel prices vary widely between the hotel's direct website, travel apps, and third-party booking sites like Expedia or Travelocity.
Beyond the base rate, look for what's included in the price, such as free parking, complimentary breakfast or dining credits, or refundable vs. non-refundable flexibility. Perks like free parking and meals can amount to significant savings, especially for family trips.
Save more with RaiseRight
Use RaiseRight’s travel booking site to save and earn significantly on accommodations in the hottest vacation spots.For example, you'll earn $159 when you book a two-night stay during Labor Day Weekend at the Mason Beach Inn in Santa Barbara, California. Or, earn $200 on a three-night stay during Fourth of July weekend at The Suites at Fall Creek in Branson, Missouri.
Gift cards and online earnings for hotels are also available on RaiseRight—say you want to book a two-night stay during Thanksgiving weekend at Best Western on the Beach in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Use an eGift card with 10% earnings to save and earn $32.50, and earn an additional $5 when you activate online earnings.
5. Check member services for savings
Member services, such as AAA, AARP, USAA, and Costco, have much to offer to the cost-conscious traveler.
Take Costco: Besides their discounted bulk items and $1.50 hot dogs, they have exclusive deals on family travel, including packages for domestic and international resorts, cruises, and more. Executive members can even earn rewards when booking travel through Costco.
6. Hunt for discounts on activities or excursions
Whether it’s theme parks, tours, classes, boat rides, or live events, check online for coupon codes—or see if the activity is available through a third-party site that also offers RaiseRight earnings, such as Groupon.
RaiseRight also offers gift cards for:
- Spa treatments (Spa & Wellness or Spafinder)
- Stubhub
- Family entertainment options
Save more with RaiseRight
Want to visit the Kennedy Space Center during your Orlando trip? Purchase four tickets on Groupon and use a RaiseRight eGift card with 6% earnings—you'll save and earn $17.7. Choose to cruise
Cruises offer all-inclusive rates with fewer "unexpected" expenses. Lodging, meals, entertainment, and even kids’ activities are bundled into one, making it easier to stick to your budget without going overboard (pun intended).
While extras like excursions, specialty dining, or drink packages can increase your total, cruises still offer great value for families looking to simplify planning. Traveling by ship also lets you explore multiple destinations without paying separately for flights, hotels, or transfers.
Save more with RaiseRight
Cruise lines have some of the highest travel gift card earnings on RaiseRight, like a whopping 13% for Royal Caribbean!See the numbers for yourself: Book a 4-night Bahamas cruise with Royal Caribbean for winter break; for a family of four, that's approximately $2,000 total. By using a RaiseRight eGift card with 13% earnings, you'll save and earn $260!
8. Get discounts on flights by using gift cards
Unless an airline runs a promotion, scoring a great deal on flights can be tough. A clever workaround is to watch for discounts on airline gift cards and apply them toward a future trip.
Retailers like Target, Costco, Sam’s Club, or Amazon occasionally offer deals or bundled savings on airline gift cards, especially around the holidays.
You can also save and earn 4% or more when you buy Southwest or Delta gift cards through RaiseRight.
Save more with RaiseRight
Say you're taking a Memorial Day weekend trip from Los Angeles to Seattle. A Delta Air Lines round-trip flight costs about $250 per person, totaling $1,000 for a family of four. You’ll earn 4% with a RaiseRight gift card, which means you'll save and earn $40 on your flights.9. Avoid last-minute markups
Forgetting essentials and grabbing them at the last minute (or worse, at the airport) can mean paying double or even triple the regular price.
To avoid the scramble, create a packing list about a week before your trip. This gives you time to review your itinerary, check the weather forecast, and shop for what you need without rushing.
When it’s time to stock up, you can stretch your budget further by shopping through RaiseRight.
Save more with RaiseRight
From sunscreen and toiletries to outfits, backpacks, or even new luggage, popular brands like Target, REI, Away, and Samsonite are available on RaiseRight. Want to upgrade your Samsonite suitcase? Score 3% back when you shop at Samsonite.com through RaiseRight—that means you'll save and earn $10 on a $300 purchase.10. Curate a list of affordable local restaurants
Dining out on vacation doesn’t have to break the bank—you just need to know where to look. Research ahead of time using Yelp or Google Maps, and filter by "$" or "$$" to find budget-friendly spots. And don’t hesitate to ask locals (hotel staff, rideshare drivers, or shop owners) for their favorites.
Save more with RaiseRight
Plan meals around RaiseRight’s local dining feature. With over 20,000 participating restaurants, you're sure to find a yummy spot at your vacation destination. Simply link a credit or debit card in your RaiseRight account to earn 5% back on your total bill—tax and tip included!Imagine you're touring the seaside mansions in Newport, Rhode Island, and stop by Anthony's Seafood for dinner. When you pay with your linked card, you'll save and earn $10 on your family's $200 dinner bill!
Make the most of your family vacation with RaiseRight
Planning a family vacation on a budget is easy when you use RaiseRight. With so many ways to earn, you can weave RaiseRight into every part of your trip—from booking transportation and accommodations to paying for meals and travel essentials.
And the savings don’t stop once the vacation ends. RaiseRight works on everyday spending too, like gas, groceries, and household goods.
Want to see the impact on your family? Try our free earning potential calculator and discover how much you could save and earn in just one year.
