Traveling with children is an incredible way to broaden their horizons, encounter breathtaking new places, and experience the majestic wonders that the world has to offer.
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Many people, however, tend to be under the impression that traveling has to be super expensive and is therefore out of reach for many families – but this doesn’t have to be the case.
Wondering just how much money you can travel with? We took a closer look at this question and all you need to know to turn your family’s travel dreams into a reality.
Which Costs Are Involved?
So, you may wonder how much money you will need to head off and start traveling. The answer is that it depends – but there is no need to be a millionaire to get started.
The amount of money you will need depends on several key factors, and these include:
Destination
One of the most significant factors determining how much money you need is your intended destination – some countries are known for being particularly pricey in terms of accommodation and food.
However, even within Europe, prices vary greatly depending on the region you’re traveling through.
If you’re looking to save money, then you should try to plan your trip as far ahead of time as possible.
By doing this, you’ll be able to book cheap flights and hotels and ensure that you don’t miss out on any major festivals or events at your travel destination.
Accommodation
Accommodation is likely one of the biggest expenses you’ll face while traveling, especially if you’re planning to stay in hotels or guesthouses.
Once again, the exact costs will depend largely on just where you are planning to travel to and the type of accommodation that you are planning to book – a shared room in Thailand is likely to be far cheaper than an apartment in New York City.
The Length Of Your Trip
The length of your trip will play a key role in how much money you need to travel with. If you’re only planning to visit one city, then you might be able to manage without buying anything extra.
However, if you’re planning on visiting several cities, then you’ll need to budget for additional purchases and will need more funds available.
Transportation
Another big expense is transportation. Whether taking public transport, hiring a car or using taxis. Depending on where you’re traveling to, the cost of transportation might make up a large proportion of your total budget.
If you’re planning to use public transport, then you’ll need to factor in the price of tickets, plus the cost of getting around town (such as buying bus passes).
Your flights will also play a large role in how much money you are able to travel with, and this is particularly important if you are planning to visit multiple destinations during your trip.
Internal flights – that is, those between different cities within the same country – can sometimes be significantly more expensive than international flights, so they could easily eat up a large portion of your budget.
Once again, this factor will vary dramatically from place to place, but it’s always worth bearing in mind.
Food
Another key consideration is what kind of food you are eating while you’re traveling. Some people prefer to eat at local restaurants, while others like to cook their own meals.
Either way, you’ll need to consider the cost of food and how much you are willing to spend on it. Sometimes, you may eat very cheaply, such as when your family stays in an Airbnb or guest house.
But in other cases, you may have to splurge a bit more, which means considering things like restaurant bills and drinks.
Visas
Depending on where you’re traveling from, there may be certain requirements that you need to meet before you can enter a particular country. This includes obtaining visas, which can often be quite costly.
However, if you’re visiting a few countries, then you may be able to get multi-entry visas, which allow you to come back into a given country after a set period of time.
These usually aren’t too expensive, although they do require careful planning.
Remember that international travel often requires a passport, even for a baby or children. Read our guide to getting your baby or child a US passport.
Your Itinerary
The final thing to think about is your itinerary. Are you spending most of your time sightseeing, or are you planning to relax for a while?
The latter option will mean that you won’t be spending as much money since you won’t be needing to buy souvenirs, pay for activities and admission, or hire guides.
It is also worth thinking about what activities you want to do while you’re traveling. For example, if you’re planning to go hiking, you’ll probably need to pack comfortable hiking shoes rather than fancy tennis shoes. And if you plan to climb mountains, you’ll need good climbing gear, not just sneakers.
For winter activities like snow tubing with kids, you’ll need to wear warm winter clothing and boots. Or, for river tubing with children, you’ll need waterproof footwear and swimming gear.
How You Plan To Pay
The way in which you plan to make transactions and purchase goods will also have an impact on the amount of money you need to travel – and this is something that many people don’t realize until they start preparing for their trips.
Some forms of payment can incur costs and charges, and it is important to have an overview of these fees before you leave home. For example, credit cards can charge foreign transaction fees, and debit cards can charge ATM withdrawal fees.
If you’re paying by cash, then you should keep track of how much you spend and ensure that you have enough funds to cover any expenses that arise.
You will also need to keep your cash safe and secure, so consider a wallet or travel money belt designed for this purpose. Or use a small crossbody bag to hold your passports and money.
Final Thoughts
So, just how much money can you travel with? The answer depends on several factors and will vary from person to person and trip to trip.
The bottom line here is that if you plan properly, pick somewhere fairly local, and budget appropriately, you can kick off your travel dreams even with a limited budget – when you engage your imagination and work creatively, the sky’s the limit – literally.
Read this article to learn more about how to start saving for a vacation with children and this parent guide to saving money on vacation with kids’.
The only real question remains: where is the first stop on your quest to explore the wonders of the world?
For more about family travel, check out these posts:
How To Start Saving For A Vacation With Kids
Planning a Family Camping Trip
Complete guide to getting your baby or child a U.S. passport
How To Get Cheap Plane Tickets
Parents Guide to Saving Money on Vacation with Kids
How to Plan a Vacation
