Budget family travelers - International destinations that cost less than the US?

[Anonymous]

We have family all over the country (Midwest, Pacific NW, Arizona) and for our family of 5, airfare, mini-van rental, 2 hotel rooms (or extended stay suite with 2BR) is a costly affair. I've been thinking if we scour airfare deals, we could travel cheaper to some great overseas locations. For example, Croatia, Portugal, Costa Rica. I've never done Airbnb or VBRO, is that a good option in Europe, C or S America? I'd like to expand my kids' horizons, they are old enough to appreciate different cultures (elementary age), and I'd like to get more bang for our buck if we're going to do a big trip involving airfare. Any suggestions of places to consider? Any experience to share that confirm my suspicion (i.e. overseas trip could be cheaper than continental US). Thanks for any feedback.

[Anonymous]

The two things that are killer are:
- Airfare to get there
- Being willing to live like a local, not expecting the same level of accommodation as in the US

There are lots of countries that are significantly less expensive on a daily basis once you get there and if you're willing to have modest accommodations/food/entertainment. India, Hungary, Argentina, Thailand, etc. But seriously, the standards are going to be seriously different. Are you prepared for that?

Costa Rica isn't really that much cheaper.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The two things that are killer are:
- Airfare to get there
- Being willing to live like a local, not expecting the same level of accommodation as in the US

There are lots of countries that are significantly less expensive on a daily basis once you get there and if you're willing to have modest accommodations/food/entertainment. India, Hungary, Argentina, Thailand, etc. But seriously, the standards are going to be seriously different. Are you prepared for that?

Costa Rica isn't really that much cheaper.

OP here, and of course I wouldn't expect the same accommodations. FWIW, even in the US, we are pretty frugal as cost is always a factor, so we never travel high end. I have travelled extensively internationally, including many less developed nations, so am totally prepared for different standards. Living like a local is what we would want.

[Anonymous]

OP, how long can you take off at one time? That is also often a factor for working parents. Going around the world is tough if you can only take 7 - 10 days at a time.

[Anonymous]

Kiev is a great interesting city and also cheap.

Prague Warsaw Budapest Vienna Belgrade Ljubljana Sofia.

Basically eastern-ish Europe.

[Anonymous]

The airfare would eat up any savings you achieve by finding a cheap place. But if you can stomach that, you could get a pretty high standard of accommodation quite cheaply in Greece for example, either in Athens (for culture and food) or one of the thousands of amazing islands (where you can get a nice cottage or apartment on Airbnb or Homeaway or the local brokers.) Spain is nice too but not as cheap. Not sure if Portugal or Croatia would be cheaper. Go to a place with good touristic infrastracture to avoid headaches.

[Anonymous]

OP here, thanks for the suggestions. I agree airfare is what kills the budget, but at times it can cost $700 apiece to fly to Phoenix anyway (and I hate the desert), hence the idea to go somewhere a little more special if we get a deal on the fares. Is Airbnb a good option throughout Eastern Europe?

[Anonymous]

I've never used Air BnB, but I have traveled with family and stayed in vacation rentals plenty of times, using VRBO, Homeaway, Gites de France, etc. I've only booked through an actual agency once or twice (they are usually a lot more expensive).

My family is usually on a strict budget, too. Some of the travel discussions here on DCUM remind me of the old "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous," because many posters have a lot more travel cash than I do. More power to 'em.

You can find perfectly nice, even absolutely charming, places to stay in Western Europe for far cheaper than what the Hampton Inn - Residence Inn - No Name In places charge when we travel for family obligations.

But yes, the airfare is the hurdle. Once you've got that covered, and you're willing to do "self-catering" (ie eat in more than out so you're grocery shopping, cooking, and cleaning up afterwards) you can probably put together a great trip for less than you spend in the US. We do it all the time.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've never used Air BnB, but I have traveled with family and stayed in vacation rentals plenty of times, using VRBO, Homeaway, Gites de France, etc. I've only booked through an actual agency once or twice (they are usually a lot more expensive).

My family is usually on a strict budget, too. Some of the travel discussions here on DCUM remind me of the old "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous," because many posters have a lot more travel cash than I do. More power to 'em.

You can find perfectly nice, even absolutely charming, places to stay in Western Europe for far cheaper than what the Hampton Inn - Residence Inn - No Name In places charge when we travel for family obligations.

But yes, the airfare is the hurdle. Once you've got that covered, and you're willing to do "self-catering" (ie eat in more than out so you're grocery shopping, cooking, and cleaning up afterwards) you can probably put together a great trip for less than you spend in the US. We do it all the time.

Good luck!

The difference is in Eastern Europe you can eat out at top restaurants. I went to an exclusive restaurant in downtown Kiev and the check for four was about 15 bucks. The cab is also laughably cheap - they drive you around for a whole day for 10 bucks. Hotels are also cheap unless you go Hyatt and similar.

[Anonymous]

Spain is very reasonable if you stay out of Madrid. Food/drink is very inexpensive, lodging can be cheap.

[Anonymous]

If you go to Europe at the start of the summer it is usually cheaper as the European schools haven't broken up for the summer yet. Going anywhere off-peak is cheaper. You can get very cheap flights to Europe with Wow or Norwegian air if you are willing to change.

[Anonymous]

I used to backpack all over - and if I ever went back to SE Asia or less developed parts i would definitely have a hotel for the first night and then wing it. I can remember that $14 a night was hugely expensive to my British friends for my own hut on one of the most beautiful beaches in the world with a functional/clean bathroom, ceiling fan - electricity only from 6pm to 6am But it was clean and gorgeous. Great food. Hammocks to hang out in. You could walk in to go diving. Costa Rica Caribbean side is quite cheap and has a similar feel. Mexico in general is much cheaper than the Caribbean for food/extras. Haven't done Eastern Europe but I imagine it's the same. Australia is expensive but New Zealand is quite affordable - prices bout 1/3 of what they are in the States.

[Anonymous]

In Europe, generally the rule is the further south you go, the cheaper it gets. So London, Berlin, Paris etc - all expensive, but anywhere in Greece, southern Italy etc - cheap.

[Anonymous]

We flew to South Africa over spring break for under 900. Once you are there, it's really cheap. At the same fine a friend of mine paid about 800 to fly to SF.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, thanks for the suggestions. I agree airfare is what kills the budget, but at times it can cost $700 apiece to fly to Phoenix anyway (and I hate the desert), hence the idea to go somewhere a little more special if we get a deal on the fares. Is Airbnb a good option throughout Eastern Europe?

No. It never costs 700 to fly to Phoenix unless you buy last minute at Christmas. Use google flight and you can see airfare between Washington and any destination. Use the map search.