Cheap family vacation packages are the perfect solution when your brood is clammering for a getaway, but your bank account is urging you to stay put. By opting for all-inclusive package deals, you can tap into significant savings, allowing you to enjoy your trip without worrying about losing the farm in the process.
Purchasing pieces of your vacation a la carte gives you maximum flexibility, but it also gives you maximum prices. That is where the package deal comes in. If you bundle your airfare, hotel, car rental and sometimes even food and other expenses, you can?save a ton of money.? The companies that provide these services want to keep as much of your business in-house as possible, so they make it attractive for you to do just that.
Package deals are available from a few different sources. The?best outlets?are travel agents?and online travel sites.?Both have deals in place with a wide range of travel and tourism operators, from airlines to hotels and rental companies,?which allow them to bundle services at a reduced cost. The packages vary from company to company, which is why you may see a package deal on Expedia.com that isn’t available anywhere else. Those deals are the result of negotiations between the companies and the travel providers.
Tour companies are another sources for package deals. Say the whole family wants to experience Tuscany in the spring. You can find a tour operator that will bundle together your airfare, accommodation, in-country travel and even tour excursions while you are there at a discounted price versus paying for each facet of the trip separately.
Airlines, rental car companies and hotels may also offer package deals. These deals are the result of partnerships between the various companies involved in the package, and since there is no middle man, the discounts can be steep. Shop for these deals directly with the airline, hotel, or car rental company.
Last but not least, don’t overlook tourism websites for your chosen destination. Most travel hot spots have a tourism department that offers advice to potential visitors.? In?addition to “what to see” tips, you can often find vacation package discounts.
Ready to shop for the best deal for your budget family vacation? Here are some great places to shop for affordable family vacation packages:
Expedia:? The company has an extensive selection of all-inclusive vacations to destinations the world over, including many family-friendly resorts. Booking flights and hotels together through Expedia?equals big savings, but don't forget to search for bigger packages that include rental cars and even some meals.FunJet:? Like Expedia, FunJet offers package deals that are?perfect for globetrotting families.?FunJet's focus is on all-inclusive vacations, and while the site?doesn’t offer these deals to all vacation destinations,?it can land you hot deals for trips to?tourist hot spots?in Asia, Europe, Australia, the Caribbean, Florida and California. The beauty of FunJet for families with little ones is that kids stay for free on many of their trips. You can also get great add-ons, like free golf and excursion packages.Getaway Today: ?If you have your eye on a Disney vacation, Getaway Today is the place for you. They are specialists in matching Disney package trips with families and guarantee that you won’t find a better price anywhere else. Although Disney is their bread and butter, you might be tempted with a Getaway Today Hawaii or cruise package when you go to book your trip.CheapTickets:??Take the entire clan to?Hawaii, Disney, California or Mexico with an all-inclusive vacation deal through CheapTickets. You can get into upscale resorts at deeply discounted prices or save a bundle when you purchase all your travel needs together.Cruises: Cruises are the ultimate in cheap family vacation packages. One price gets you accommodations, food, entertainment, and sometimes?even shore excursions. Many cruise lines offer discounts for?kids, while others can?give you a break on airfare to travel to your cruise departure city. Book directly with the cruise lines or work with a travel agent to find the best deal.Before you book, consider shopping around.? Price your trip with a few different companies to make sure you are getting the best offer.? Also, look for kid-friendly deals.? It is almost always possible to find special deals for kids, from airfare discounts to free hotel stays to free meals. Look for a package deal that has a little something extra thrown in there for your children.? It also pays to be flexible.? Package deals take away a modicum of control, so you’ll get the best deal if you can be flexible about when you leave, where you travel, and where you stay.? Finally, whenever possible, try to avoid traveling during busy times, like school vacations and holidays.
