The frugal family guide to choosing a vacation rental

If your extended family has been meaning to catch up, take your reunion on the road. Splitting a vacation home with siblings, parents or in-laws is an easy way to cut costs on lodging. You could share a multi room apartment in a busy city center, or find space for everyone plus the family pet in a cabin or farmhouse. Vacation rentals also let everyone have their own private living area and give you the chance to catch up without anyone having to do the heavy lifting of hosting. Bond, play games, and enjoy dinner together, and then the adults can keep socializing even after the kids go to bed.

Dining out every meal while you’re traveling can add up fast—especially when there are multiple people to feed. Instead, take advantage of your rental’s kitchen and shop for special local and seasonal ingredients at farmer’s markets, farm stands, or smaller stores—then stock up on the essentials at a larger local grocery store. Lunch is the perfect opportunity to scope out the local restaurant scene, and places tend to be more casual and family-friendly during the day.

At night, you can plate the destination’s flavors by trying your hand at a local recipe, or create your kids' favorite comfort foods to give them a taste of home on the road. Many vacation homes are equipped with the pans, oils, and essential spices you need to get cooking.

Traveling as a family comes with a lot of stuff, and packing can be a challenge. Check less bags at the airport by choosing a vacation home with family-friendly amenities. Some vacation homes offer cribs so you don’t have to travel with a pack and play—and washer and dryer units can help you bring less clothing overall.

Kids remember the unique moments of their time away—that amazing local bakery or a beautiful time together in nature—not how much you spent. Give them an authentic experience by skipping all the price markups of a big resort area or a crowded city center. Stay in a neighborhood for a local feel or consider unique settings like vacation homes near national parks for your time together. You can even find homes out in the desert, suspended in air, or even off the grid.

When you go is just as important as where you go—especially when it comes to budget family travel. Consider taking your search beyond holidays, peak season, or even weekends, and avoid traveling when big concerts or sports events are in town.

Explore some fabulous ideas for affordable family trips, skip expensive airfare and plan a vacation close to home, or check out some tips for planning a budget-friendly national parks vacation.