ffordable Vacations You Can Book Right Now

Family vacations don’t have to cost a fortune to feel extraordinary. In fact, some of the most memorable trips come from keeping it simple – think beaches to explore, museums that are free to wander and meals you don’t have to stress about. Whether you’re a US family dreaming of a stateside getaway or a UK family ready to hop on a budget flight, there are plenty of affordable options waiting.

Don’t forget that guided touring often works out cheaper in the long run. With group rates, insider deals and all the tricky logistics handled, you spend less time worrying about costs and more time enjoying the journey and memories. Whether you’re in the US or the UK, there are affordable family-friendly adventures you can book right now.

Where is the cheapest place to vacation with kids?

Finding the cheapest place to vacation with kids isn’t always about chasing the lowest price – you want to find experiences that are good value. Of course, a beach vacation where you do little but play and read books on the sand will be cheaper, while theme park and water park adventures can spiral out of control fast. It’s why with guided family-friendly tours, meals, transport, and activities are bundled, meaning fewer surprise costs and more time enjoying epic moments together.

Cheapest places to vacation for U.S. Families

The American Southwest – The thrill of standing on the rim of the Grand Canyon or wandering the surreal hoodoos of Bryce Canyon is an experience that your kids will keep for the rest of their lives. Exploring the natural beauty of Arizona and Utah on a guided family tour makes it easy: the big drives, park passes and planning are all handled so you can just soak it all in.

Costa Rica – If your family craves more jungle than desert, Costa Rica might be the answer. Think rainforest treks, hanging bridges, active volcanoes and beaches where kids can go wild. Trafalgar’s 8-day guided family tour brings it all within reach, pairing wildlife encounters with hot spring dips and cultural insights – without the stress of piecing it together yourself.

The Wild West – Think cowboys, buffalos and the wide-open frontier. It’s the sort of vacation that almost doesn’t seem real, but when you explore from Salt Lake City to the Black Hills, families can trace the legends of the West. With Trafalgar you’ll spot bison in Custer State Park, uncover Native American stories and explore famous Mount Rushmore.

Cheapest places to vacation for U.K. Families

Italy – The southern European destination is just a low-cost airfare away. Once you land, explore gladiator tales in Rome, gondola rides in Venice and meals of pizza and pasta (what kid doesn’t love those two dishes!?). Italy feels like a playground for both kids and parents, and on a guided Italy family tour you can relax and enjoy your Aperol spritz knowing the logistics and fun is built in – think pizza-making classes, skip-the-line entrances and smooth coach travel.

The United Kingdom – Sometimes the best adventures are closer to home. Whether you head to the seaside for a slow family vacation, or venture off to stomp around ancient castles in Scotland, the UK is filled with storybook adventures. A UK family tour is a chance to show your kids the best of Great Britain, bringing history to life over 10 epic days.

Europe – When you think of travel as an investment, it’s easy to justify a trip abroad. Take your family on a real adventure across multiple countries, experiencing new languages, culture and food. Expect Roman ruins, Parisian cafés, Swiss mountains and London landmarks on our European Wonderland trip, designed just for families. Going guided makes this a “grand tour” of Europe surprisingly effortless. After all, you deserve a break too.

Go on tour

European Wonderland

What is a good budget for a family vacation?

A “good” budget for a family vacation depends less on the exact number and more on how wisely you spend it.

For U.S. families, a week-long domestic trip often lands between $1,500-$3,500 per person, covering travel, lodging and meals.
UK families planning a European break might expect £1,400–£2,800, especially if flights are involved.

So how do you save? Well, either keep it super low-key and look for direct budget flights or driving vacations close to home. Or, consider the destination and how you travel. While guided tours seem expensive, there are lots of inclusions – and planning an independent trip you’ll find paying separately for hotels, attraction tickets, transport and meals can quickly add up. Tours bundle these costs at negotiated group rates.

No surprise expenses halfway through means you can really relax and enjoy time off with your family. In short, a guided family tour often looks like a splurge at first, but it pays off in savings and ease.

What is the best vacation spot for a family?

The “best” family vacation spot isn’t just the one with the lowest price tag; it’s often the best place where everyone – from toddlers to grandparents – will have a good time. Yes, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution.

In the U.S., you might dream of the drama of California’s coast – a road trip that combines beaches, national parks and cool cities. Of course, that will be an expensive vacation if you live on the east coast. Instead, maybe a trip to the culture-rich streets of Washington D.C. would be better, with lots of free world-class museums to explore.

From the U.K., Italy is a perennial favorite for all ages. Low-cost carriers make it easy to fly into most of Europe – hop to Greece for an easy beach escape with plenty of historical sights tucked in. But we really think it’s most fun to show your kids the best of Europe, which our European Wonderland trip does as it bounces between a handful of countries and cultures.

Go on tour

Gladiators, Gondolas and Gold

Quick tips to keep family vacations affordable

Travel off-peak – Try to avoid school holidays when prices skyrocket. Shoulder seasons are often the best time to visit and offer better value and fewer crowds.
Book guided tours – Bundled transport, lodging and activities often cost less than piecing everything together yourself. Look for deals to save even more.
Mix free and paid experiences – Museums, parks and city attractions can balance out splurge activities.
Look for family deals – “Kids stay free” offers, multi-night discounts or group passes save money and simplify planning – though it can take lots of digging to find these.
Plan meals smartly – Dining out adds up fast, so plan for a mix of picnic lunches or supermarket sandwiches to balance things out.
Set a daily budget – Knowing your limits helps prioritize experiences that matter most to the family.
Pack smart – To avoid last-minute excess baggage fees, or underpacking and needing to buy essentials abroad.

That’s our guide to planning affordable family vacations. Any other tips you’d add? Leave us a comment….