We all love to travel, but as our families grow it becomes more costly to do so. Don’t despair! Our friends at Computicket and Travel Insurance Consultants, TIC have come up with a few tips to help you plan an affordable family holiday.
Save, save, save
Start saving now! Even if all you know at this point is that you’d like to take a holiday “one day”, you can never start saving early enough. Draw up a budget and stick to it! When travelling on a budget, you want to avoid taking on debt, otherwise your trip could end up costing you more in the long run. It’s also advisable to have money saved up for emergencies, over and above what you require for your trip; without an emergency fund, a family holiday can easily become a financial nightmare. Medical emergencies in foreign countries can and do happen, so make sure you have comprehensive travel insurance when travelling overseas.
Travelling without travel insurance could cripple you financially. Consider the fact that you will purchase your policy in local currency, however your medical costs will be paid in foreign currencies. Hospitalisation costs for a serious injury as a result of a motor vehicle accident, cerebral, cardiac, or bowel obstructions could run into millions of Rands, when converted to local currency. Travel insurance is a necessary expense, so add it into your budget right from the start.
Travel out of season
Peak season travel is automatically more expensive, and with children you often have little choice but to travel during peak season because it coincides with school holidays. A way to overcome this obstacle is to find out which destinations peak in winter and which in summer. In Southern Africa, for instance, the Kruger National Park and countries like Namibia peak in winter (June/July), whereas coastal destinations like KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape are busiest in summer (December/January). In most cases, these destinations are still well worth the visit out of season and will offer great deals and specials to attract visitors in their off-peak times. Another benefit – places are usually much quieter and offer more privacy in their off-season.
While you may not be able to hit the beach in Hermanus in winter, you’ll be able to take some brisk walks along the coastal path and reward yourself with a hot chocolate in front of a toasty fire. And although there won’t be the abundance of watering holes in Kruger to attract the animals during the day in summer, the longer daylight hours and warmer nights make for excellent evening game drives.
Choose your flights wisely
Usually the earlier you book, the cheaper the flight. But don’t just book the first available flight. The internet is a great tool, enabling you to compare flights and prices from a range of airlines. Booking through an online booking agent like allows you to compare airlines and their rates in one go. A handy way to find the best deal is to choose a broad date range: where applicable, choose “my dates are flexible”. The search will reveal a range of flights from which you can choose the flight/price that works best for you. Remember to take note of any required documents and luggage regulations to avoid unnecessary fines or additional costs.
Choose the right accommodation
When travelling as a family, it’s a good idea to choose accommodation that can serve as a “home-away-from-home”. Self-catering is generally more affordable than hotels and B&Bs, so look for something comfortable and spacious, where you can prepare most of your own meals and spend your downtime. Remember to inquire about entertainment for the kids – if there’s no in-house entertainment (such as a pool, game room, tennis court or movies), be sure to pack puzzles and board games, soccer or rugby balls, a Frisbee, etc. If the kids are having fun, they are less likely to get bored and you are less likely to spend money on unnecessary activities.
Do your homework
As with everything in life, planning is key. Start by identifying what it is you want to get out of the holiday, and include the whole family in the conversation. This will assist you in planning and booking activities in advance where possible, which in turn will help you stick to budget. It will also give you the chance to look out for group or family discounts, as well as specials running during the time you will be travelling. Booking and paying for activities in advance can be not only cheaper, but also give you the advantage of “jumping the queue”.
Research “free activities”. Many museums and galleries are free or relatively inexpensive to visit, and can provide hours of entertainment. Find areas where you can picnic safely or hike as a family. Identify outdoor and indoor markets, and points of historical interest in the area in which you will be staying. You will be surprised by how many things you can do for free.
Use public transport
While taking trains and buses in international cities like London and New York is a no-brainer, we often overlook public transport when holidaying in South Africa. It’s a good way to save money, so find out about the trains, buses and taxis that are safe to use in the area where you will be staying.
With these handy tips, an affordable family holiday is within reach. Visit www.computickettravel.com to get started.
