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By Michelle Marine
on May 19, 2016, Updated Jul 19, 2020
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This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
This post is sponsored byUnitedHealthcare Global, but all opinions are mine.
Traveling abroad with my children is one of my biggest parenting desires. I grew up in Europe and was lucky enough to travel all Europe when I was young. But who am I kidding? Taking four kids to Europe is no cheap undertaking. It will take a lot of planning and saving. I’m already working on money saving tips for traveling abroad with children, and here are the first five I’ve come up with!
Money Saving Tips for Traveling Abroad with Children
Travel during the off-season if at all possible.
This gets a little tricky with kids in school, but summer vacation is the most crowded and expensive time to head to Europe. If at all possible, head overseas in the spring or fall to take advantage of better pricing on airlines and accommodations as well.While the weather could be worse at those times, it could be even better! Think spring bulbs atKeukenhofin the Netherlands and fall foliage at Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany!
Rent a house instead of a hotel room.
Renting a house makes a lot of sense especially when you’re traveling with children. It’s not that hard and it’s a lot cheaper than staying in a hotel. Another huge benefit to a house is the kitchen! You can save so much money by using a kitchen instead of a restaurant. HomeAway, Airbnb and VRBO are all places to look for quality rental homes in Europe.
Limit eating out by using grocery stores & markets.
You can save a phenomenal amount of money by hitting the grocery stores, bakeries, and marketsinstead of eating out at restaurants. I have such fond memories of traveling through France when I was 8 or 9. I wish I had a picture of my dad walking down cobblestone lanes with baguettes under his arms (they were wrapped and he was trying to look French :-)), a chunk of nice cheese, and a bottle of water. We enjoyed memorable meals near fountains and in parks for pennies on the dollar by buying groceries instead of ready cooked meals at restaurants.
Use public transportation.
I love public transportation in Europe. It’s economical, fun, and lot cheaper than taking a cab. While it can seem daunting to take public transportation in a country where you can’t speak the language, it is doable. Prepare ahead of time by studying a map and arrive at the terminal or station with a plan. In our travels, I have always found the workers to be friendly and helpful, and many of them also speak English. So don’t be afraid to ask questions if you get stuck or lost!
Consider travel medical insurance.
If you’re kids are anything like mine, you really need to think hard about medical insurance as it’s likely that your US coverage won’t protect you in case of accidents overseas. A basic travel medical policy can cost about the same as a nice meal at arestaurant. For a 7 day trip, that’s only a few dollars a day. Check out UnitedHealthcare Global for more information on how medical travel insurance can help you findquality care overseas, keep costs in line, handle translation services, arrange transportation home, and even bringing someone from home to be with you. Medical travel insurance can even handle non-medical problems such as helping find lost passports and luggage if you choose those plan options.
Thank you to MEDX for sponsoring this post. Be sure to learn about international travel insurance plans from UnitedHealthcare Globalwhose call center is there to help you 24/7.
Have you traveled overseas with your children? I’d love to hear your experiences!
About Michelle Marine
Michelle Marine is the author of How to Raise Chickens for Meat, a long-time green-living enthusiast, and rural Iowa mom of four. She empowers families to grow and eat seasonal, local foods; to reduce their ecological footprint; and to come together through impactful travel.
Read More About Me
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