A bottle of water, $5.69; a bagel with cream cheese and salmon, $18; a small pizza, $15. Whether you spend dollars, euros or pounds, most travelers prefer to avoid paying high prices at the airport. Some bring snacks and sandwiches. That’s just one common sense way to save money while traveling; here are a few more.
Book the Hotel Next Door
Research the top city hotels, then, find a less expensive option in the same area — which is usually the safest and nicest neighborhood. A prime location raises room rates, but it also attracts bargain hotels. And, if you are near a great hotel, you’ll always be able to assure a safe place to hail a taxi, eat a meal or speak to a concierge.
Try to Book a “Suite” Hotel, Apartment or Timeshare
When traveling with a family, having an in-room refrigerator, microwave or electric tea and coffee pots all save money for breakfast, meals and snacks.
Find Free Walking Tours
Most cities offer a few “free” walking tours; assuming your children can walk or be pushed in a stroller for a few hours (or less), walking tours introduce the sights and offer opportunities to meet strangers. (Most guides depend upon tips.)
Free walking tour, exploring Bo Kaap, Cape Town, South Africa. Photo: Robert Mullan – Dreamstime.com
Eat With the Locals
Hotels that include free breakfast usually cost more; those that charge, usually charge high prices. Find a local eatery: You may meet locals and they may befriend you. By the third day, even the wait staff will know what your kids like to eat!
Eat at a Food Market
Food markets sell more than fresh produce, fish, meat and flowers. From Downtown Los Angeles, the Design District in Miami to central Lisbon, markets offer prepared dishes, sometimes from top chefs, to eat at tables on site.
Splurge on Fine Dining … at Lunch
Experiencing a great chef or a famous restaurant is as much about discovering creativity, artistic preparation and regional culture as it is about eating. At lunch, the fixed menu is usually a bargain, and, usually, you’ll drink less. All in all, it’s a great experience that’s less expensive. And, it’s the healthy time to have a big meal, too; you have hours to walk off the calories. Even if you take a siesta, there’s still time to digest and enjoy the venue.
Pre-Buy City Passes for Tourist Attractions and Museums
Passes for museums and attractions are usually discounted when purchased in a package and, sometimes, there’s an additional savings if you buy before you travel. Best, pass holders usually do not have to stand in line, a particular advantage with kids in tow.
Life Happens, Insurance Saves
Whether it’s an accident, unexpected illness — or event — cancellations are sometimes required. The change fees and extras are usually less costly with “free cancellation, trip insurance or annual trip insurance plans.”
Avoid High Season and Major Events
Rates soar during school vacations, business conventions, sporting events and the like. Try to travel off season or during “shoulder” season; go to a business city on weekends; stay weekdays at a resort destination.
Pack Astutely
Whatever you have to buy en route costs a lot more — in money, time and bother — than the same item does at home. Whether it’s a too-large bottle of lens cleaner that TSA took at the airport, sneakers or a bathing suit for the indoor pool, it’s usually a costly pain to find and buy what you need while traveling.
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May 2, 20245 Montana National Park Vacations to Experience This Summer
Home to some of the country’s most beautiful national parks, Montana beckons family travelers this summer with some thrilling and fun adventures and experiences. Whether it’s taking an RV to Yellowstone and Glacier National Park or embarking on adventures in Big Sky, here’s five national park vacations to consider in Montana this summer.
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United Continues Its Global Expansion
United Airlines keeps soaring to new heights, recently announcing another expansion of its leading global route network. The airline added new non-stop flights between Newark (EWR) and Marrakesh (RAK), Morocco; Tokyo (NRT) and Cebu (CEB), Philippines; and Houston (IAH) and Medellin (MDE), Colombia. That’s not all: United also plans to increase flights to popular worldwide destinations including Hong Kong (HKG); Seoul (INC), South Korea; and Porto (OPO), Portugal. Following the recent agreement to increase flights between the U.S. and Chinese governments, the airline now adds four weekly flights from Los Angeles (LAX) to Shanghai (PVG).
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May 2, 20246 European Castles for Family Travel
It’s time to start dreaming of your next family trip. Here’s some destination inspiration for you. Take a visual journey through these European castles with us.
Destinations
May 2, 20245 Beachfront Resorts for Summer Vacation
Plan summer family travel to one of these beachfront resorts around the world.
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United Airlines Celebrates its First Class of United Aviate Graduates
As the only major U.S. airline to own a flight school, United Airlines already hit a major milestone, and now the carrier celebrates another important — and historic — step as the inaugural class of United Aviate Academy pilots graduates, leading the next generation of aviators. The 51 students in the graduating class were majority, at 80 percent, women and people of color — another stride toward United’s goal of training 5,000 new pilots by 2030 with half women or POC.
Destinations / North America
May 1, 2024Music Jams Await the Whole Family in Cajun Country, Louisiana
It’s always time for music in Louisiana’s Cajun Country and, in May, the place to be for family travelers is St. Landry’s Parish. Celebrate Mothers’ Day in Opelousas at Tucka James Music Fest, May 10–11, where 16 artists perform over two days. Friday is Country Takeover and Saturday stars the King of Swing, Tucka James.
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