![\"A](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2023\/familytravelupdate.jpeg\")
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I\u2019m in my 40s, single, and I travel solo. These are things that probably won\u2019t change anytime soon (though my mother keeps asking me when that second one will). <\/p>\n
As such, most of the travel tips on this website tend to be focused on what I, a single traveler, learn about traveling better, cheaper, and longer.<\/p>\n
But that doesn’t mean my advice is only for solo travelers<\/a>.<\/p>\n My belief is that budget travel tips are universal because when we all touch down in, say, London<\/a>, we all deal with the same costs. We may end up staying in different places and eating in different restaurants, but the methods we use for saving money will generally be the same.<\/p>\n A common question I get asked is if my advice will work for families or older travelers. (It\u2019s also brought up in my reader surveys: \u201cMatt, I wish you would write more for those with families or older travelers.\u201d)<\/p>\n There\u2019s a common perception that family and senior travel<\/a> is an inherently different form of travel that requires special considerations. I know not everyone thinks\u00a0that way, but I often feel that the question, “Can you write tips that apply to family\/senior travel?” implies that distinction.<\/p>\n But I don\u2019t think that is really the case.<\/p>\n Sure, when you\u2019re traveling with a family, you want kid-friendly activities and restaurants, and maybe you just won\u2019t stay in a hostel dorm<\/a> together. But is that really a whole new form of travel? <\/p>\n I don\u2019t believe so. <\/p>\n You’re just looking for different things within the realm of budget travel.<\/p>\n Of course, not every budget-travel tip applies to every traveler. We all have different desires and needs and,\u00a0since the question above is a very valid one, I wanted to show how you can apply the advice of this solo traveling nomad to your family trip or, if you’re older, highlight some different accommodation types and tour information.<\/p>\n\n (Disclaimer: I’m not pretending to know about how best to travel with children or the needs of older travelers. I don’t. But since this is a question that comes up a lot, I just want to collate the tips and articles on my website to create a resource page that I believe can help in your planning.)<\/em> It\u2019s one thing to buy a flight for one person; it\u2019s another to buy flights for four or five people. That $700 flight suddenly becomes $3,500, and that’s just more money than most of us can or want to spend. Seeing that number just for the flights would keep me at home! <\/p>\n To help you save money on flights, here are the 5 steps I follow whenever I am searching for a deal. It will work just as well for families as it does for me, a solo traveler. Nine times out of ten, I’ll be able to save myself some money following these steps \u2014 and I don’t have to spend hours researching either.<\/p>\n 1. Start your search on flight deal websites<\/strong> – These sites will have rare deals that won’t last long. It’s a great place to start to get ideas and find last-minute deals. If you’re not picky about where and when you travel, you’ll likely find some great flight options here. <\/p>\n My favorite cheap flight deal website is Going<\/a>. They send incredible flight deals straight to your inbox, so if you’re flexible on where and when you go you can save a fortune. It’s only available to US travelers, but has saved me a ton in the past. Other reliable sites for flight deals are The Flight Deal<\/a>, Daily Drop<\/a>, and Holiday Pirates<\/a>.<\/p>\n 2. Search budget carriers<\/strong> – Next, I visit Skyscanner<\/a>. I’ll check this site for budget carrier options. There are a lot of third-party options here as well. Booking third-party might save you money, but if there is an issue (delay, cancelation, missed connection) you’ll have to deal with them instead of the airline, and most third-party sites have slow customer service.<\/p>\n That said, if the price difference is huge it might be worth booking via a third-party site \u2014 just read their reviews first and make sure you buy travel insurance<\/a> just in case.<\/p>\n 3. Check Google Flights<\/strong> – Third, I check Google Flights<\/a> to see if it is cheaper to fly to a different airport. For example, if you’re flying to Paris<\/a> from New York City<\/a>, it might be cheaper to fly to Dublin<\/a> and then book a cheap Ryanair flight (I once did exactly save and saved $200 USD when compared to a direct flight to Paris).<\/p>\n If you’re traveling with kids, booking a non-direct flight might actually be a good idea as you’ll all be able to get up and walk around, eat, and stretch out during your connection.<\/p>\n 4. Use travel credit cards to get points<\/strong> \u2013 Using points and miles<\/a> is vital when you have to buy multiple airline tickets. With very little work, you can accumulate hundreds of thousands of points \u2014\u00a0all without any extra spending. That’s enough to get you and your family anywhere in the world!<\/p>\n These days, there are tons of amazing travel credit cards<\/a> that provide incredible perks and value for avid travelers. These include 5x points on certain spending categories, huge sign-up bonuses, lounge access, Global Entry, priority boarding, and much, much more!<\/p>\n I earn over 1 million points per year<\/a> \u2014 and you can too. Best of all, it doesn’t require any extra spending either. Just buy your regular groceries and gas, pay your bills on time, and you’ll be earning free travel in no time!<\/p>\n If you’re new to points and miles, you can download my free primer to help you get started!<\/a><\/p>\n 5. Visit a travel agent<\/strong>\u00a0– Believe it or not, travel agents<\/a> can still be good for bulk flight discounts, especially cultural-specific travel agents that specialize in flights to their country of origin (for example, buying flights to China<\/a> in Chinatown).<\/p>\n Beyond using points or finding some amazing deal, there\u2019s not much you can do to lower the cost of flights (whether for a single traveler or a family). Airline ticket prices are going up and we\u2019re all going to suffer. There are ways to avoid being the person who pays the most for their ticket but, without points, there\u2019s no way to get free or very discounted flights.<\/p>\n For more tips and advice on finding a cheap flight, here are some helpful posts:<\/strong><\/p>\n This is another big cost that doesn\u2019t need to break your bank. The biggest way to win: skip the hotel. Hotels are the most expensive form of accommodation. Luckily, there are some great alternatives. Here\u2019s how you can overcome (or cut) these costs:<\/p>\n 1. Stay in a family-friendly hostel<\/strong>\u00a0– Hostels are not just for young, single backpackers. There are many hostels out there that are great for families (and tour groups) that don\u2019t have the party atmosphere normally associated with hostels. <\/p>\n One of the best family-friendly hostels in the world is the chain Hostelling International<\/a>. They offer nice, quiet, clean rooms, and have hostels around the world.<\/p>\n Use Hostelworld.com<\/a> to find quiet, family-friendly hostels. You can read reviews, see what facilities and amenities there are, and look at photos to find the perfect hostel for you and your family. It’s my go-to site for finding great places to stay. Here’s a list of my favorite hostels in the world<\/a>.<\/p>\n 2. Rent someone\u2019s home or apartment<\/strong>\u00a0– Vacation rental sites can get you all the comforts of home while on the road and work out cheaper per person than a hostel or hotel. In many instances, you can rent a whole apartment for prices similar to budget hotels. This allows you access to self-catering facilities so you can cook your own meals, saving you even more money in the progress. The best apartment rental sites include: <\/p>\n 3. Use last-minute hotel discount sites<\/strong>\u00a0– If you do need a hotel, use websites like Hotwire<\/a>, HotelTonight<\/a>, and Priceline<\/a> to find cheap, last-minute hotel rooms.<\/p>\n 4. Use a hospitality network<\/strong>\u00a0– Many of the hospitality networks like Couchsurfing<\/a>, and Servas<\/a> have numerous hosts who take families. You’ll need to spend a bit more time finding and connecting with them, but it’s definitely possible.<\/p>\n There is often this perception that these websites are for just young, solo travelers, but many, many hosts take families (Servas more so than Couchsurfing). You get to know a local family with these websites, and your kids will have other kids to play with, too! Win-win.<\/p>\n For more information and tips on finding cheap accommodation, check out these relevant blog posts:<\/strong><\/p>\n Visit city tourism offices to get discounts and free entrance into local museums and attractions. Tourism offices (think London Tourism, Paris Tourism, New York Tourism, etc.) are an amazing resource that few travelers use. They know what’s free, what events are happening, offer discounts, and more. Many cities sell tourism cards that combine discounts and free admission with free public transportation, making them perfect for families who plan on seeing and doing a lot.<\/p>\n Additionally, many sights and museums have free admission for kids under 12 as well as free admission days. Many have family passes too that might save you money as well. Always ask or check their website before you arrive. Chances are, there’s a discount you can use! While many of the tips above will also apply to older travelers, the most common concern I hear from older travelers is that I write too much about hostels. I think many older travelers feel that they won’t fit in if they stay in a hostel, which just isn’t the case (ok, maybe that’s true if you stay at a party hostel). But most hostels are inclusive and you’ll find a pretty wide variety of ages.<\/p>\n In fact, lots of boomers use hostels<\/a>. Both dorms and private rooms are great options because they provide lots of space to meet other travelers, get tips, and share your own experiences.<\/p>\n I’ve even met travelers in the 70s using hostels<\/a>!<\/p>\n The most common topic I get questions about from older travelers is the issue of medical concerns. From getting prescriptions abroad to finding coverage for pre-existing conditions, older travelers often (but not always) need to spend more time and energy making sure their medical needs are properly addressed.<\/p>\n Fortunately, it’s never been easier to have these issues looked after. Many doctors will supply prescriptions in advance so you can purchase what you need abroad conveniently and safely. Additionally, there are more and more insurance companies that provide coverage to older travelers.<\/p>\n Insure My Trip<\/a> is the best place to start as they can find plans that cover travelers 70+. <\/p>\n For additional coverage, travelers under 75 can use Medjet<\/a>. It’s the premier global air medical transport and travel security membership program. They provide comprehensive evacuation coverage that ensures you won’t get stuck at a foreign hospital should something happen during your trip.<\/p>\n Another question that gets posed a lot\u00a0is how to avoid those expensive single supplements tour groups charge for individual travelers. To avoid those fees, use small group tour operators like Intrepid Travel. It\u2019s really only the large bus companies that still have that fee anyway (think Globus or Trafalgar tours). Most small operators have discontinued the practice of single supplements. Generally, anyone who runs groups smaller than 15 travelers or offers a hop-on\/hop-off style service won\u2019t require a single supplement.<\/p>\n For more tips, information, and inspiration, here are some insightful posts for older travelers:<\/strong><\/p>\n Nothing is ever universal, but tips for solo travelers, couples, families, or older travelers are not mutually exclusive. They can be borrowed from each other and used as you see fit. <\/p>\n I write as a solo traveler<\/a> who likes to save money, and while not all my tips are applicable to every type of traveler, most<\/em> can be. I hope this post addressed some of the questions you had about what tips on this site are relevant to family and senior travel. My New York Times<\/em> best-selling book to travel will teach you how to master the art of travel so that you\u2019ll get off save money, always find deals, and have a deeper travel experience. It\u2019s your A to Z planning guide that the BBC called the \u201cbible for budget travelers.\u201d<\/p>\n Click here to learn more and start reading it today!<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/p>\n Book Your Flight<\/strong> Book Your Accommodation<\/strong> Don’t Forget Travel Insurance<\/strong> Want to Travel for Free?<\/strong> Need a Rental Car?<\/strong> Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip?<\/strong>
\n <\/p>\nFamily Travel Tips<\/h2>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2023\/familytravel2.jpeg\")
\nTo that end, here are some tips, tricks, and resources to help you save money on your trip so you can save money when traveling as a family:<\/p>\nHow to Save Money on Flights<\/h3>\n
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Finding Budget-Friendly Accommodation<\/h3>\n
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Saving Money on Attractions<\/h3>\n
\n <\/p>\nHow Senior Travelers Can Travel on a Budget<\/h2>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2021\/seniortraveler3a.jpg\")
<\/p>\nAccommodation for Older Travelers<\/h3>\n
What About Medical Issues?<\/h3>\n
Tours for Older Travelers<\/h3>\n
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\nHow to Travel the World on $75 a Day<\/span><\/h3>
![\"How](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/bookimages\/HowtoTraveltheWorldon75aDay.jpg\")
<\/div>\nBook Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks<\/h4>\n
\nFind a cheap flight by using Skyscanner<\/a>. It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned. <\/p>\n
\nYou can book your hostel with Hostelworld<\/a>. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com<\/a> as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels. <\/p>\n
\nTravel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:<\/p>\n\n
\nTravel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation \u2014 all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites<\/a> to get started and see the latest best deals.<\/p>\n
\nDiscover Cars<\/a> is a budget-friendly international car rental website. No matter where you’re headed, they’ll be able to find the best \u2014 and cheapest \u2014 rental for your trip!<\/p>\n
\nGet Your Guide<\/a> is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more. <\/p>\n