Going on vacation with the family can be a great way to spend quality time together, create lasting memories, and escape from the stress of everyday life. However, one question that many families have is how much it will cost to go on vacation. In this article, we’ll take a look at the average cost of a family vacation for a family of four.
Transportation Costs
The first factor that you’ll need to consider when planning your family vacation is transportation costs. This will include things like airfare or gas for your car if you’re driving.
According to AAA, the average cost of gas in the US is currently around $2.85 per gallon. If you’re driving a car that gets 25 miles per gallon and you’re traveling 500 miles, you’ll need around 20 gallons of gas which will cost around $57.
If you’re flying, the cost will depend on where you’re going and when you’re traveling. According to CheapAir.com, the average cost of a domestic flight is around $350 per person. So for a family of four, this would be around $1,400.
Accommodation Costs
Once you’ve arrived at your destination, you’ll need somewhere to stay. Accommodation costs can vary widely depending on where you’re going and what type of accommodation you choose. For example:
– A budget hotel room might cost around $100 per night
– A mid-range hotel room might cost around $200 per night
– A luxury hotel room might cost upwards of $500 per night
If we assume that our family of four is staying in a mid-range hotel for seven nights, this would come out to around $1,400.
Food and Drink Costs
Another major expense when traveling with your family is food and drink costs. This will depend on how much eating out you plan on doing versus cooking in your hotel room or rental property.
If you’re eating out for every meal, this can add up quickly. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average household spends around $3,000 per year on food away from home. If we assume that our family of four is traveling for seven days and eating out for every meal, this would come out to around $600.
Activity Costs
Finally, you’ll need to factor in activity costs when planning your family vacation. This will depend on what you plan on doing and where you’re going. Some activities might be free (like visiting a local park or beach), while others might cost money (like going to a theme park or museum).
If we assume that our family of four is planning on doing a few paid activities during their vacation (like visiting a theme park and going on a tour), this could cost around $500.
- Transportation – $1,400
- Accommodation – $1,400
- Food and Drink – $600
- Activities – $500
Total Cost of Family Vacation
When we add up all of these expenses, the total cost for our family of four to go on vacation would be around $3,900.
While this might seem like a lot of money upfront, there are ways to save money when planning your family vacation. For example:
– Look for deals on flights and hotels
– Consider staying in an Airbnb or other rental property instead of a hotel
– Cook some meals in your hotel room instead of eating out for every meal
– Look for free or low-cost activities to do
By being smart about your spending and taking advantage of deals and discounts when possible, you can enjoy a great family vacation without breaking the bank.