5 Ways to Take an Affordable Family Vacation This Summer
- With the right strategy, your family vacation shouldn't land you in debt.
- Driving could be cheaper than flying, and booking a rental property could save you money compared to a hotel.
- If money is tight, you can enjoy a staycation instead of going somewhere new.
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There's a reason summer tends to be a popular time for travel. The weather is warmer, school is out on break, and in many cases, work tends to slow down.
A recent Deloitte report found that 53% of Americans plan to take a vacation this summer. And 45% of summer travelers say their longest trip will last for a week or more.
Since travel can be expensive, it’s important to plan your trip carefully to avoid needing debt relief afterward. And with the right strategy, you can pull off an affordable family vacation this summer without racking up an unreasonably large credit card balance in the process.
Here are five tips for planning an affordable family vacation that’s fun and memorable.
1. Hit the Road Rather Than Fly
Summer tends to be an expensive time of the year to fly because demand is high. If you’re traveling as a family and are willing to drive to your destination rather than fly, you could save money on your vacation and enjoy the convenience of having your car with you.
Imagine you’re looking at $450 per person to fly your family of four to your summer vacation destination. If you can drive back and forth for $450 in total, you’re looking at $1,350 in savings on that portion of your trip alone. Plus, taking your own car saves you the expense of having to rent one at your destination.
2. Skip the Hotel and Stay at a Rental Property
If you’re used to staying at a hotel when you travel, you may be inclined to book a room for your family this summer. But staying at someone’s rental property could make for a more affordable family vacation.
In a vacation rental, you might get extra room to spread out, and more importantly, access to a fully furnished kitchen. The cost of buying three meals a day during a family vacation adds up quickly. If you’re able to buy groceries and prepare a good portion of your meals at your rental, you could lower the cost of your trip overall.
3. Visit Friends or Family in a City You've Never Been to
You may have close friends or family members who live in an area you've always wanted to visit. If it turns out they're free this summer and are open to visitors, you can save money on your family vacation while spending quality time with people who are important to you.
Not only might you enjoy free lodging during your vacation, but you might benefit from having your own personal tour guide to show you around a new city. Plus, being local, your hosts may be able to help you find deals on everything from dining to entertainment so you’re able to spend less.
4. Look for Last-Minute Deals
Booking your family vacation ahead of time could be a good way to save money on it. But sometimes, waiting until the last minute can pay off, too.
If you're flexible with your destination and have the type of job where you can put in for time off without much notice, then it pays to see if you can find a last-minute deal for your summer trip. Sites like Travelzoo and HotelTonight are great resources for finding last-minute lodging. And sites like Hopper and Kayak are useful in helping you find last-minute flights. Your best bet is to compare prices across different sites before committing to a deal.
5. Take a Staycation
Maybe you’re trying to pay off debt or save up for a down payment on a car, and so you’re trying to limit what you spend on your family vacation this summer. A staycation could be an affordable way to take a break from your normal routine and discover parts of your city you never knew existed.
If you’re not spending money on lodging and airfare, you should have more wiggle room to spend on entertainment. That could mean taking your kids to a newly opened theme park one day, splurging on beach passes another day (with ice cream on the boardwalk, of course), and trying out a few new restaurants on your wishlist.
An Affordable Family Vacation Is Within Reach
Family vacations are a great opportunity to spend time together and enjoy new experiences. And the great thing is that even once they’re over, you have the memories of your travels to look back on fondly.
But one thing you don’t want to take away from family vacation is a pile of debt you’re stuck paying off. These tips could be your ticket to an affordable family vacation to make memories you cherish for a long time.
Debt relief stats and trends
We looked at a sample of data from Freedom Debt Relief of people seeking a debt relief program during May 2025. The data uncovers various trends and statistics about people seeking debt help.
Credit card balances by age group for those seeking debt relief
How do credit card balances vary across different age groups? In May 2025, people seeking debt relief showed the following trends in their open credit card tradelines and average credit card balances:
Ages 18-25: Average balance of $9,117 with a monthly payment of $274
Ages 26-35: Average balance of $12,438 with a monthly payment of $380
Ages 36-50: Average balance of $15,436 with a monthly payment of $431
Ages 51-65: Average balance of $16,159 with a monthly payment of $528
Ages 65+: Average balance of $16,546 with a monthly payment of $498
These figures show that credit card debt can affect anyone, regardless of age. Managing credit card debt can be challenging, whether you're just starting out or nearing retirement.
Collection accounts balances – average debt by selected states.
Collection debt is one example of consumers struggling to pay their bills. According to 2023, data from the Urban Institute, 26% of people had a debt in collection.
In May 2025, 30% of debt relief seekers had a collection balance. The average amount of open collection account debt was $3,203.
Here is a quick look at the top five states by average collection debt balance.
| State | % with collection balance | Avg. collection balance |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | 23 | $4,899 |
| Montana | 24 | $4,481 |
| Kansas | 32 | $4,468 |
| Nevada | 32 | $4,328 |
| Idaho | 27 | $4,305 |
The statistics are based on all debt relief seekers with a collection account balance over $0.
If you’re facing similar challenges, remember you’re not alone. Seeking help is a good first step to managing your debt.
Tackle Financial Challenges
Don’t let debt overwhelm you. Learn more about debt relief options. They can help you tackle your financial challenges. This is true whether you have high credit card balances or many tradelines. Start your path to recovery with the first step.
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Author Information
Written by
Maurie Backman
Maurie Backman is a personal finance writer with over 10 years of experience. Her coverage areas include retirement, investing, real estate, and credit and debt management.
Reviewed by
Kimberly Rotter
Kimberly Rotter is a financial counselor and consumer credit expert who helps people with average or low incomes discover how to create wealth and opportunities. She’s a veteran writer and editor who has spent more than 30 years creating thousands of hours of educational content in every possible format.
How much should I spend on a family vacation?
You should ideally spend an amount on a family vacation that allows you to enjoy a fun or meaningful experience without ending up in debt.
Should I pay for a family vacation with a credit card?
Only if you don’t already carry a balance.
Using a credit card to pay for a family vacation could be a great idea if your card gives you cash back or points on expenses like airfare and lodging. Plus, some credit cards can save you money on travel by offering perks like free checked baggage on flights. Aim to pay off your credit card balance in full when your trip is done so your vacation doesn’t cost you more money in interest.
How far in advance should I save for a family vacation?
If you have a specific destination in mind, research the cost of a family trip to go there. Then, figure out how much money you’ll need to save each month to be able to pay for it. The number of months you think it'll take tells you how far in advance to start saving.