How the hoo do you afford a family holiday abroad?

elona

DDs and sil took me to Italy for five days in April this year. We flew easyjet one way and then Ryanair and booked a three bedroom apartment for me , dd and her husband and another two dds.

We were about half an hour's drive from places we wanted to see like Pompei, Herculaneum etc and did some research before we went to find best prices, times to visit places etc and had a great time. An escorted tour just for me would have cost three times what I paid as my share.

We were able to use a lovely big kitchen and eat on the balcony, cook our own food from a supermarket or local bakery etc and still go out for a few meals.

svain

Take the kids out during school term makes a huge difference and is ultimate money saving (even including the fine).

As for the likes of Disney - I cant imagine anything worse. Camping however can be very affordable, independent, family orientated and hugely more fun than a All inclusive hotel.

If booking in advance then camp Abroad to get the weather if booking would be my advice, but if can wait until last minute to see if weather is good, camping in UK can be just as good.

Camping is all about the weather so give yourself the best chance of getting the good stuff as camping in bad weather can be a miserable experience.

BOBS

We book flights as soon as they are released usually around September, then book a rental apartment for our accommodation - through reputable agents and make sure it has decent kitchen and fairly central. Also pick destinations which are close enough to airport so we dont have huge transfer fees.
We do big grocery shop when we arrive for all the nibbly bits, cereals, breads, crisps, ice lollies, drinks. Eat out most evenings - main course only and then go walk abouts for nice icecreams - and have enough food bought in to do us during the day.
Generally manage holiday for about £1400 for 5 of us in peak time July for 12 nights, and try to keep spending around the £1000 mark.

Pollycat

copperclock wrote: »

It's that time of year, isn't it? All those ads for holidays on TV for amazing-looking summer holidays. And I have to admit that I am feeling quite poo about it. We're a family of 5 and we have a pretty decent income, but holidays abroad in the school holidays are sooo pricey. How does anyone afford them?

Examples: TUI search for a random week in August in a hotel in Turkey or Spain is £4k plus

Villa Plus search for a random week in August in Spain is about £2700, plus food and car hire

My children don't really care about going on holiday abroad, but I feel like I have let them down by never affording/prioritizing one. And my eldest is nearly an adult so I feel like I have run out of time.

How does everyone else afford their family holidays? And do you pay upfront of put it on a card and pay it back over the year?

If the bit in bold is true, you shouldn't be worrying about letting them down - because you haven't.

copperclock

Brilliant answers and advice, everyone. Thank you.

I kind of agree on the all inclusive hotels being not worth it as you don't see the country. Three of us are ginger, too, so we don't do well with too much sun!

We did go to a Eurocamp in Northern France a few years ago, and we had a good time, but I think they're also quite a bit of money for what they are.

Euro Disney might be worth looking into (thanks), especially if there are any 'proper' roller coasters there for the big two.

We've also thought that maybe a city break would work out better for us, but, as a couple of you have mentioned above, we always need two hotel rooms, especially as two of the children are basically man-size now.

I did spend ages looking at Airbnb a while back. Might be worth another look. Thanks.

This year it would definitely have to be in the Summer holidays or later because the oldest is doing his GCSEs and I wouldn't want to infringe on revision opportunities too much.

copperclock

svain wrote: »

Take the kids out during school term makes a huge difference and is ultimate money saving (even including the fine).

As for the likes of Disney - I cant imagine anything worse. Camping however can be very affordable, independant, family orientated and hugely more fun than a hotel and swimming pool. Camping Abroad to get the weather if booking in advance would be my advice, but if can wait until last minute to see if weather is good, camping in UK can be just as good. Camping is all about the weather and camping in bad weather though can be a miserable experience

Thanks. I can't do camping. We've tried, but I just can't, and I am comfortable with that! lol

I can't taken them out of school as the older two are in years 11 and 9 so they'd miss important stuff.

copperclock

Pollycat wrote: »

If the bit in bold is true, you shouldn't be worrying about letting them down - because you haven't.

Yeah, it is true. It's me who worries about it. The last time we had a conversation with DS1 about it he said 'you've just bought this big house, I'd rather that than a holiday'. And it's true - our mortgage is massive.

svain

copperclock wrote: »

Thanks. I can't do camping. We've tried, but I just can't, and I am comfortable with that! lol

I can't taken them out of school as the older two are in years 11 and 9 so they'd miss important stuff.

Although i respect your decision, I think slightly different ... Quality family time gained when on holiday, the different experiences gained and memories made is more important than academia in my view.

Gavin83

Having children is a luxury and like most luxuries if you want it you have to make sacrifices elsewhere. This includes holidays. You’ll have less holidays with a family (especially with more than 2 children) than you will on your own. The only real option for you is to save up for a few years until you can afford the trip you want.

FBaby

Holidays abroad are very important to us. Kids love going abroad, the excitement of it, the new discoveries, and I like both learning about new places/cultures and the mental relaxation that comes with being miles away from all the 'most does'. So saving for these take priority over things that similar families seem to spend money on.

I don't buy clothes very often and when I do, it's always on sale. No make up, creams, and all those things that supposedly will make you younger but never does! I don't smoke or drink, only do take away on birthdays/special occasions. No Costa coffees, no latest mobile phones, Now TV, no ipad, no fancy new furniture, decorations etc...

It's amazing how quickly you can save giving up 'little' things. It's take a year to save, so start as soon as we are back, and have never booked on a credit card.