Traveling as a family of five takes planning, creativity, and a little flexibility but it doesn’t have to take a fortune. Over the years, we’ve learned where to save, where to splurge, and how to stretch every travel dollar. Here’s how we make family travel on a budget adventures happen again and again without breaking the bank.
1. We Watch Flight Deals Like It’s Our Job
Flights are usually the biggest expense, so that’s where we save first. I sign up for alerts from YYC Deals (substitute with your closest Canadian airport ie. yyzdeal, yegdeals, etc.), and use Skyscanner to compare prices and track the cheapest dates to fly.
We also use a WestJet Mastercard, which gives us points toward future flights and a companion voucher every year. Since both my husband and I have our own cards, we double up on rewards and save thousands annually on family flights.
If a deal pops up (and it aligns with the kids’ school breaks!), even to somewhere unexpected, we jump on it. Flexibility is the key to affordable travel.
2. We Choose Accommodations Strategically
Finding the right place to stay can make or break your budget and your sanity. I spend a little extra time using filters on sites like Airbnb or Booking.com to narrow down exactly what we need: the right price range, enough space for everyone, kitchen access, and a walkable location.
We’ve also learned to look beyond the usual options. Some of our favourite stays have been ones most people wouldn’t think of, like hostels with private family rooms, agriturismos in Italy, or even monastery guesthouses. In Rome, you can stay where the nuns live (yes, really!) clean, quiet, and surprisingly affordable.
That extra bit of research not only saves money, it adds character to our trips, and those are always the stays we remember most.
We often find hidden gems like these on Booking.com just use filters for “family rooms” or “guesthouses.”
3. We Save at Home to Spend Abroad
Travel starts long before we board a plane. We’ve built habits at home that make it easier to say yes to trips when great deals pop up.
We use YNAB (You Need a Budget) to track our spending and set aside money for travel every month. It’s been a game changer for us. Seeing exactly where our money goes has helped us prioritize what matters and it turns out, we’d rather spend on plane tickets than takeout coffee!
We grocery shop at No Frills, meal plan weekly, and try to cut unnecessary extras. Every dollar saved at home becomes a dollar toward our next adventure. It’s not about deprivation; it’s about choosing what really brings us joy and for us, that’s exploring new places together.
Budget Snapshot: What This Actually Looks Like for Us
Budgeting tool: We use YNAB to plan ahead, stay accountable, and see where we can trim without feeling restricted.
Groceries: We shop at No Frills and plan our meals weekly so nothing goes to waste.
Coffee & takeout: Limiting drive-thru coffees and dinners out easily saves us $200–$300 a month.
Reallocating savings: Every time we save on groceries or skip a splurge, that money moves straight into our “Travel” category.
4. We Focus on Free (and Memorable) Experiences
Our best travel moments rarely cost a cent. We love wandering local neighborhoods, watching street performers, hiking, or just finding a spot to sit and people-watch.
Before every trip, I spend a bit of time searching for free experiences. I’ll look up “free things to do in [city name]” on Google, browse Facebook groups for local events, and check if the city offers a tourism card with included attractions. I also love free walking tours. They’re such a great way to learn about a place from someone who lives there, and you can tip whatever fits your budget.
Some of our favorite memories have come from these simple moments: a sunset walk along the Seine, a free outdoor concert, or exploring a weekend market. You don’t have to spend a lot to feel like you’ve experienced a destination fully.
If you need inspiration for your next trip, you can download my free guide, “25 Free and Fun Things to Do in Any City.” It’s packed with easy ideas that work wherever you’re traveling.
Free Download: 25 Free and Fun Things to Do in Any City
Looking for new ways to explore without spending a dime? Grab my free guide packed with creative, family-friendly ideas you can use anywhere.
5. We Pack Smart and Avoid Extra Fees
After more than a decade of traveling as a family, I’ve learned that packing light makes every trip easier. For the past 12 years, we’ve traveled with carry-ons only (even on long international trips) and it’s been a game changer.
It took some trial and error to figure out what’s worth bringing and what always comes home unused. Now, we stick to versatile clothing that mixes and matches, travel-size toiletries, and lightweight gear that fits under the seat. Packing this way saves time, money, and stress, especially when we’re moving between cities.
If you want a head start, download my Carry-On Packing List for Families. It shows exactly what we bring (and what we skip) after years of trial and error. It’s an easy, realistic guide that helps you pack light, stay organized, and avoid overpacking on your next trip.
Not sure what to pack for your next trip?
I’ve got you covered. My free Carry-On Packing List for Families includes everything we bring (and what we skip) after years of trial and error.
➜ Grab your copy here
6. We See Travel as a Priority, Not a Luxury
Travel isn’t something we squeeze in when there’s leftover time or money. It’s something we plan for intentionally, just like any other goal. Each year, we talk as a family about where we’d like to go and what we need to do to make it happen. That might mean choosing experiences over new things, saving travel points, or saying no to smaller expenses so we can say yes to the big adventures.
When you view travel as part of your family’s lifestyle instead of a splurge, your decisions start to align with that. It becomes easier to skip the impulse buys and keep saving because you know what you’re working toward: shared memories, connection, and something to look forward to together.
You don’t need a huge budget to give your kids amazing adventures, just a plan, a little flexibility, and the willingness to hunt down a deal.
That’s what Wander Far Spend Less is all about: showing families that travel doesn’t have to be expensive to be meaningful.
If you’re new here, welcome! Follow along for family travel on a budget, packing hacks, and real-life tips to help your family travel more for less.
✨ Next up on the blog: Packing 101: The Ultimate Carry-On Only Packing List for Families
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