Dreaming of a family sun holiday but dreading the price tag? You’re not alone. Between flights, accommodation, meals and keeping the kids entertained, costs can add up fast — but with a few smart choices, a great value break is more achievable than you might think.
Here are 5 ways to make your family sun holiday cheaper, without cutting corners on the fun.
YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY: 17 Sanity-Saving Family Travel Tips for Your Next Trip
Family Sun Holiday Tips
Fitting all the family’s holiday wishes into a budget can feel stressful, but a bit of research and some careful decisions can make a real difference to the final cost. The goal is simple: a sunny destination with plenty to keep both kids and adults happy, at a price that doesn’t leave you wincing.
#1. Go Where the Cheap Flights Go
https://www.mykidstime.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/love-holidays-chld-on-plane.jpg
Take some time to research destinations that suit your idea of the perfect family sun holiday. Short-haul spots like Spain or Portugal often come with genuinely affordable flight tickets — and depending on when you book, they can work out cheaper than a train journey for the whole family.
Once you’re there, many of these destinations also offer lower everyday prices in shops, restaurants, bars and theme parks. Add in more affordable accommodation, and you’ve got the makings of a great value trip.
Speaking of accommodation…
#2. Choose All-Inclusive Accommodation
https://www.mykidstime.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/All-inclusive-holiday-1024×683.jpg
Booking an all-inclusive family sun holiday makes budgeting much simpler, since everything is paid for upfront. Alongside a good price on your resort stay, you also get meals, drinks and often a range of extras included — no surprise bills waiting for you at the end of the week.
YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY: The Only Holiday Checklist You’ll Ever Need
#3. Look Out for Free Child Places
Family-friendly resorts often offer free child places, and it’s well worth seeking these out. Booking this kind of deal means spending less on accommodation overall, leaving more room in the budget for fun activities once you arrive.
The best part is that free doesn’t mean scaled-back — kids on a free place can usually still enjoy everything the resort has to offer, mini clubs included. Choosing a hotel with this option can bring the cost of your holiday down without compromising on quality, and it’s always a nice bonus to get something for free.
#4. Flexible Dates Help Keep the Cost Down
https://www.mykidstime.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Bite-Sized-Days-Out-Travel-lead-1024×683.jpg
If you have some flexibility on dates, you could pick up a genuine bargain. Travelling outside school holiday peak times, if that’s an option for your family, tends to bring prices down noticeably.
Booking later and going for a late deal can also work in your favour, so it’s worth keeping an eye on last-minute offers if your plans allow for it.
YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY: 6 Simple Travel Tips for Making Travelling with Kids a Breeze
#5. Make Sure Activities for Children Are Included
https://www.mykidstime.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/love-holidays-child-in-pool.jpg
Most family-friendly resorts run kids clubs, so it’s worth checking that yours does too — that way, you know the little ones will be entertained and looked after at no extra cost.
Check what age groups the kids club covers, so all your children are catered for. Some resorts also have separate children’s pools or dedicated kids’ entertainment teams, all adding to the fun without adding to your bill.
And while the children are happily occupied, parents get a bit of peace too — time for a cocktail, a good book and those beautiful surroundings. What’s not to love?
For even better value, look for a resort with its own waterpark on site. That way, the kids get all the splash-around fun without you having to pay for separate entry tickets.
YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY: 18 of the Best Water Parks in Europe for an Aqua Adventure
https://www.mykidstime.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/5-Ways-to-Make-Your-Family-Sun-Holiday-Cheaper-683×1024.jpg
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the cheapest way to book a family sun holiday?
Being flexible on dates and destination makes the biggest difference. Travelling outside peak school holiday times, comparing short-haul destinations, and booking all-inclusive deals can all help bring the overall cost down.
Are all-inclusive holidays actually cheaper for families?
They can be, because meals, drinks and many extras are paid for upfront, which makes budgeting easier and reduces the chance of unexpected spending once you’re there.
How do I find resorts with free child places?
Look at family-focused tour operators and resort listings, which often flag free child place offers clearly. It’s worth checking directly with the resort or your travel agent, as availability and terms vary.
Do kids clubs cost extra at family resorts?
Many family-friendly resorts include kids clubs as part of your stay at no extra charge, but it’s always worth confirming this — along with the age groups covered — before you book.
Related Articles
- 17 Sanity-Saving Family Travel Tips for Your Next Trip
- The Only Holiday Checklist You’ll Ever Need
- 6 Simple Travel Tips for Making Travelling with Kids a Breeze
- 18 of the Best Water Parks in Europe for an Aqua Adventure
Save These Tips for Later
Planning takes time, so bookmark this page or save it to your holiday planning folder — you’ll want to come back to it when you start comparing deals.
Never Miss a Family Tip
Want more practical travel and family ideas like this delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for our newsletter for weekly ideas, tips and inspiration to help your family make the most of every trip.
