Key Takeaways
- Booking a family vacation rental well in advance, particularly for peak periods, can result in far better prices and wider selection.
- Being flexible with your travel dates, even by only a day or two, can unlock a lot cheaper rates.
- Preparing even a couple of meals in your rental home’s kitchen is one of the single biggest money-savers for a family vacation.
- Booking directly from a local property management company, such as Palmaway, occasionally provides better discounts and more personalized service than large booking sites.
- Always check for cleaning fees and other add-ons in the fine print before you book so that you know the actual total cost.
Tips for Budget Family Vacation Rentals
Family vacation planning is just so much fun, don’t you think?
You can imagine all of the fun you will have and all of the memories you will make.
But then you begin checking into where you will be staying and the cost will start to stress you out a little bit.
I totally understand. It does sometimes feel like a giant puzzle, searching for a great spot that doesn’t break the bank.
The good news is, it is completely possible to discover a fantastic vacation rental that your family can afford.
It just requires a few intelligent moves and knowing where to search.
Let’s discuss some practical ways to make it work without sacrificing the fun.
Plan Ahead and Book Early
This may sound like the most elementary tip, but believe me, you’d be surprised at how many people neglect how effective it is.
I don’t mean planning a month ahead.
I mean actually planning.
Like, if you are looking to rent a beach house over summer, you need to start searching during winter.
Seriously.
Why is this so effective?
Well, consider it from the perspective of the owner.
They prefer their property to be rented.
If you reserve it six months in advance, that is a sure rental for them.
They will reward your early booking with a lot better rate.
You also get the best possible choice of properties.
All the hip houses with the most amenities and positions are still available.
Waiting until the last minute
makes you choose between whatever is available, and generally, it’s not the cheap options.
It’s the fancy places no one else wanted.
So grab a calendar, choose a week, and begin shopping.
It is the number one easiest method of saving a large amount of money.
Be Flexible with Your Dates
This is a biggie. If you can be even slightly flexible with your days, you
can save some serious money.
Traveling during peak season is always going to cost the most.
So if your kids’ school schedule will allow it, try moving your trip just a little.
Rather than Saturday to Saturday, how about a Tuesday to Tuesday? Or even departing on a Saturday and returning on a Monday rather than a Sunday?
The cost difference for one alternate day can be astounding at times.
Also, consider the shoulder seasons.
That is the period just before or after the super high season.
The weather is typically still really pleasant, but since children are now in school, rental prices plummet.
A week in late May or early September can be a steal next to the middle of July. Supply and demand. When demand is less, you come out ahead.
Set a Budget and Adhere to It
Alright, this comes across as easy but it is absolutely crucial.
Before you even begin looking at good-looking photos of pools and ocean views, you need to have a number in your head.
And I don’t just mean the nightly price.
You need to consider the total price.
This is where people get conned.
They look at a property for $150 a night and say “great!”.
But then you click through to the checkout page and there is an extra $200 cleaning fee, an extra $50 service fee, and an extra $100 damage waiver.
That $150 a night property is now $250 a night. Ow.
So when you establish your budget, ensure that you are considering the overall cost.
A tip is to use booking sites’ filters to input your highest overall cost.
Then you only look at places you can afford.
It spares so much misery from falling in love with something that is completely out of your means.
Keep in mind, you’re trying to create pleasant memories, not return home to a frightening credit card statement.
Think of Location and Basic Amenities
Location, location, location. You hear that when you buy a house all the time, but it applies to renting one as well.
Being smack dab in the middle of the biggest tourist attraction is always going to be more expensive.
But suppose you did find somewhere that was only a mile from the action.
Usually, you can get a much better and larger rental for the same amount of money if you will simply be a short drive away.
A five-minute drive to the beach will end up saving you hundreds of dollars in a week’s time versus being right on the sand.
And consider what amenities you actually require. Do you actually need a pool all to yourself if the complex has a wonderful one which you can make use of?
That is potentially another huge saving.
The only amenity which you should never really try to make a cutback on is a kitchen.
Having an actual kitchen is perhaps the single largest cost saver for a family.
Taking every meal out considerably adds up very quickly.
Even if you only prepare breakfast and lunch in your household, you’ll save enough money to possibly be able to afford that more expensive rental after all.
Check out Non-Traditional Rental Sites
Everyone is familiar with the large sites for renting vacation homes. And they are excellent resources.
But they aren’t the only resources. Sometimes, the best bargains are discovered by trying a little bit harder to find them.
Some of the lesser, more localized sites may include properties that are not found on the larger sites.
And don’t forget old-fashioned Google. See what happens when you search for “vacation rentals in [town name]”.
You may be able to locate a local property management firm with its own website.
Firms like Palmaway, for instance, tend to manage lovely properties and you can book through them directly.
Booking direct can sometimes result in cheaper prices since the owner doesn’t need to pay a large commission to the booking site.
It also means you are communicating with the individuals responsible for the home, and that can be invaluable if you do have some questions.
It is always a good idea to take a quick glance and see what else is available beyond page one of the search results.
Cook Meals to Save on Dining
I already mentioned the kitchen, but it is so crucial that it needs its own category. I know, you’re on vacation.
Nobody desires to cook an enormous grand meal every evening. And you shouldn’t.
You should certainly indulge in the local restaurants.
But consider this.
If you have four and you go to a diner for breakfast, you are quickly into $40 or more with tips.
And that is only pancakes.
Let’s say you have a kitchen. A box of cereal, a container of milk, and a dozen bananas could be $10 and will keep you fed for two or three mornings.
That’s a difference of more than $50. Pack lunch and snacks for a day at the beach rather than purchasing lunch at a concession stand.
Perhaps you dine out only in the evening, or prepare a simple pasta dinner at the rental two nights during your stay.
The economic benefits of only a couple of home-cooked meals can more than pay for an activity or a better rental unit.
It is the number one most effective budget tip for families, hands down.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an appropriate family vacation budget?
This varies for each family, but one advice given is to look for a trip that will cost you around 5-10% of your annual income.
The key is to set a figure that you feel comfortable with and budget accordingly.
The rental fee generally tends to be the largest expense, so getting a good rate there makes the rest of the expenses manageable.
Is splitting a rental with another family less expensive?
It can be a great money-saver.
A big house that sleeps 10 usually costs less per family than two small houses that sleep 5.
Splitting the cost of the rental and food results in enormous savings.
The trick is to ensure that you are going with someone you like very much and to discuss budgets and expectations before you book.
How early should I book to get the best deal?
For peak travel times such as summer vacation or spring break, you would want to book at least 4 to 6 months out.
For the rest of the year, 2-3 months would be best.
Booking early will get you the most options and usually best prices before they begin to increase with dates getting closer.
Are all of those additional fees typical?
Sadly, they’re quite typical.
Cleaning fees, service fees, and damage waivers are the norm on most big booking websites.
That’s why reviewing the overall cost before you book is so, so crucial.
The nightly rate is seldom the total cost.
Tracking down the ideal spot for your family to spend the night without breaking the bank is completely achievable.
It simply requires a bit of planning and having some inside knowledge. Be sure to book ahead, be open-minded, and always read the fine print.
And if you want a well-run property where you know exactly what you’re getting, consider looking at local specialists.
Firms such as Palmaway operate holiday rentals with care, ensuring everything is in place for your family to enjoy themselves.
They know their properties and their communities inside and out.
Ready to see what your dream family vacation could cost?
Palmaway offers a free, no-obligation rental property estimate.
It is a quick and easy way to get a real idea of your options and start planning your budget-friendly getaway today.
