Maybe your whole family is gathering for a destination wedding or reunion, or maybe it’s family tradition to meet up at a favorite lake, beach, or resort every year. No matter what reason has spurred the planning of your multigenerational vacation, it can be an affordable as well as fun experience. We’ve traveled extensively with grandparents, in-laws, cousins, and siblings, and can vouch for the following cost-cutting measures:
1. Spread out (and save money) in a vacation rental. Our family is in the planning stages of a multigenerational ski trip. We need a place to stay that will sleep 12-14 people, and has at least four bedrooms. Using HomeAway, we’ve been able to narrow our search to precisely our criteria and can see the savings of a rental vs. a block of lodge or hotel rooms in black and white. For instance, we’ve priced appropriate rentals in the Big Bear, CA area at approximately $2000-3000 per week, compared to alternative Big Bear accommodations, such as renting a standard two-bedroom condo (of which we’d need two) for approximately $2000/week ($4000 total) or a lodge or hotel room (of which we’d need at least four) for approximately $200/night ($5600/week).
2. Stay in one place. Travel (airfare, gas, and overnights en route) comprises of at least 1/3 of a family’s total vacation expense. It stands to reason that the more people traveling, the more expensive getting there will be. Instead of hopping from destination to destination, choose slow travel: whether to your family, that means staying in one place for a week or a month. Choosing and staying put in one destination will also allow your large group the time and freedom to explore it more thoroughly, as you’ll likely have varied activities your party wants to enjoy.
3. Eat in. Remember that 1/3 of vacation money that goes to travel? Sometimes it feels as though another entire 1/3 goes to dining out! Eating in is a huge cost saver, and more relaxing for a large group as well (who wants to wrestle with babies and toddlers or sulky teens in a restaurant anyway?). Divvy up the shopping, cooking, and clean-up tasks, and no single family or family member will feel overburdened.
4. Look for group rates. Vacation destinations that cater to educational groups (like cities or national parks) or conferences (like beach resorts and ski resorts) often have group rates for activities and amenities, occasionally for parties as small as 15-20. Make sure you ask about what’s offered on your next family reunion or multi-generational vacation: you might be able to snag tickets, tours, or activity rentals for less.
HomeAway offers the world’s largest selection of vacation home rentals that provide travelers with memorable vacation experiences and benefits, including more room to relax and added privacy, for less than the cost of traditional hotel accommodations. Make memories where you stay, not just where you go. HomeAway.com – let’s stay together.
