Here’s the truth about family vacation budgets: most articles either lowball the costs so badly they’re useless, or they offer a bunch of luxury options that regular families will never even book.
I’ve been traveling with my kids for 17 years now (infants on up to teens so far), and I’ve learned exactly what a real family vacation costs. Not the “we stayed in a hostel and ate ramen” version (although we do eat a lot of ramen… just not out of a box or bag), and not the “we dropped $20K at a resort” version either.
These are real trips. Real budgets. And all reflecting today’s costs.
A note before I dig in: All of these vacation budgets are for a family of four for one week and exclude airfare. Why? Because flight costs vary wildly depending on where you’re flying from.
Someone in Miami pays $200 to get to the Caribbean, while someone in California (like me) pays $800 or more. It makes more sense to show you what you’ll actually spend once you arrive.
What Makes a Good Family Vacation Budget?
You need accommodations that work (not just a bed, but actual space for a family).
You need food that doesn’t require three restaurant meals a day, something my boys can’t stand.
You need activities that keep everyone happy without breaking the bank and using up all of your “play” money for the year.
Prices and Flexibility
As you read through these trip budgets, keep in mind that prices vary depending on the dates you travel, what type of accommodations you want, how adventurous you are, etc. You can save more money by avoiding traditional school breaks and holidays (Christmas, spring break, etc.).
Washington DC: The Ultimate Budget-Friendly Family Trip
Your Budget: $1,800-2,500 for a week
I lived in DC when my kids were in elementary school, and here’s what most people don’t realize: this is hands-down the best value family vacation in America.
Almost everything is free. The Smithsonian museums, monuments, and National Zoo (pandas!!!)? All free. In other cities, these might cost $30-50 per person.
What You’ll Actually Spend:
- Lodging: $800-1,200 (stay in Arlington or Bethesda and use the Metro)
- Metro passes: $200 (seven-day passes for the family, but kids under 5 are free)
- Food: $600-900 (hotel breakfasts, pack lunches, at least one fancy dinner)
- Paid activities: $200-300 (maybe the Spy Museum or a boat tour)
Stay outside the city. Hotels in Arlington or Bethesda can often save you a lot of money, parking is free, and you’re still a 15-minute Metro ride from everything. The Metro is clean, easy, and way less stressful than driving in DC traffic. You can also walk around a lot of the city, or use a bikeshare app to make short trips around the District.
Pack snacks. Museum cafeterias are overpriced and not always the best. Grab sandwiches from a grocery store and eat on the National Mall.
If you’re also exploring nearby Virginia, check out things to do in Fairfax County, which has Great Falls National Park and tons of family-friendly activities.
Book your DC hotel on Expedia and start planning.
Kauai, Hawaii: Splurge-Worthy Paradise
Your Budget: $4,500-5,500 for a week
Yes, Hawaii is pricey. But Kauai is the least developed of the major islands, which means (relatively) fewer crowds. I’ve been a few times with my family, and both times we stayed in vacation rentals instead of resorts, which saved us a bundle.
What You’ll Actually Spend:
- Lodging: $2,000-2,800 (vacation rental with kitchen)
- Car rental: $500-700 (you need a car on Kauai)
- Food: $1,000-1,200 (groceries for most meals, a few restaurant splurges)
- Activities: $500-800 (snorkeling gear rentals, one paid excursion like a boat tour)
- Gas: $200-300
The vacation rental is non-negotiable. Hotel rooms on Kauai can run $400+ per night, and you still need to eat out for every meal. A two or three-bedroom condo costs about the same as one hotel room, but will save you from paying $80 for breakfast at a resort.
Most of what makes Kauai magical is free. The beaches are public. The hiking trails are free, though some hikes require a permit and timed entry. Watching sea turtles at Poipu Beach is free, and you can get glimpses of the Na Pali Coast from different viewpoints for free.
Find vacation rentals and hotels in Kauai on Expedia.
Consider booking a Flytographer session (save $20 with my link) for family photos on the beach. Trust me, you’ll want professional shots with that backdrop, and it beats a thousand selfies, or if you have my family, you won’t be in any pictures at all without booking a photoshoot.
For more Kauai planning tips, check out my guide to Kauai with kids. Want more Hawaii planning help? Grab my free Vacation Planner Checklist.
Dominican Republic: All-Inclusive Bliss
Your Budget: $2,500-3,500 for a week
The Dominican Republic is my go-to recommendation for families who want a true vacation (as in, someone else cooks and cleans) without the Caribbean price tag.
What You’ll Actually Spend:
- All-inclusive resort: $2,000-2,800 (all meals, drinks, activities included)
- Airport transfers: $100-150
- Tips: $200-300
- Excursions: $200-400 (if you do anything off-resort)
All-inclusive resorts get a bad rap, but with kids? They’re genius. No one’s asking “what’s for dinner” or fighting over restaurant choices. The kids can get ice cream seventeen times a day. You can have a cocktail by the pool.
Everyone wins.
Look for resorts with good kids’ clubs. Even if your kids don’t use them, it means the resort has invested in family amenities.
The beaches in Punta Cana are stunning, but if you have a day, book a trip to Saona Island. The water there is insanely turquoise, and it’s worth leaving the resort for.
Browse Dominican Republic all-inclusive resorts on Expedia.
Ireland: Worth Every Euro
Your Budget: $4,500-5,500 for a week
I’ve been all over Ireland, from Dublin to Dingle to the Ring of Kerry, and it’s one of those places that exceeds expectations every single time. It’s also cheaper than you may think.
What You’ll Actually Spend:
- Lodging: $1,200-2,500 (mix of hotels, rentals and/or B&Bs)
- Car rental: $300-700 (triple check that you have CDW insurance or your credit card covers Ireland)
- Gas: $300-400 (gas is expensive there)
- Food: $1,200-1,500 (pub meals, groceries, occasional splurge)
- Activities: $600-900 (castle admissions, tours, etc.)
Rent a car. Ireland’s magic is in the countryside, not just Dublin. The Wild Atlantic Way, the Cliffs of Moher, random tiny villages with perfect pubs—you need a vehicle to see the real Ireland. Check my guide to driving in Ireland with a US license before you go.
B&Bs are incredible value and include massive Irish breakfasts. Eggs, bacon, sausage, toast, fruit, yogurt—basically enough food that you can skip lunch and just snack. If you book a vacation rental, you can save money on breakfast by eating more meals at home.
My kids and I love exploring castles. Blarney Castle, Bunratty Castle, Rock of Cashel—they’re all filled with history we can’t resist. My complete Ireland itinerary outlines the best route for families.
Need packing help? Grab my Ireland packing list before you go.
Book your Ireland hotels and car rental on Expedia. Find great tours on Viator or GetYourGuide.
Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip: Epic American Adventure
Your Budget: $3,000-4,000 for a week
I’ve done cross-country drives with my kids more than once, and the Pacific Coast Highway from Seattle down to LA (or vice versa) is one of the best road trips in America. The time of year can play a big role in your lodging costs, so play with dates and towns you stop in.
What You’ll Actually Spend:
- Lodging: $1,200-1,800 (boutique motels and mid-range hotels)
- Car rental: $400-600 (if you’re not driving your own)
- Gas: $400-600
- Food: $800-1,200 (mix of groceries and restaurants)
- Activities: $200-400 (national and state park passes, maybe a whale watching tour)
Stop at every beach. Every viewpoint. Every random roadside attraction the kids spot.
Hit Cannon Beach in Oregon (the one with the giant rock formations from The Goonies, one of my favorite movies!), the Redwood forests in Northern California, Big Sur (even though the road is sometimes closed- make sure you triple check this before you head down that stretch), and all the quirky beach towns in between.
Pack a cooler. Stock it at grocery stores. Road trip snacks and picnic lunches save a lot of money.
Get the America the Beautiful National Parks Pass for $80. It covers your entire family at every national park for a year and will save you some cash along your route. While you plan, think about which state parks, especially in California, you may explore. Getting a year-long state park and beach pass can save you a bundle.
Need help planning? My Road Trip Planning Guide has everything you need.
Scotland: Castles, Lochs, and Highlands
Your Budget: $4,000-5,000 for a week
Scotland surprised me. I expected it to be expensive (it’s not cheap), but the sheer beauty and history made every pound worth it. I’ve visited the Isle of Mull and several Highland spots, and the landscapes are unreal. Even better, it’s free to hike and explore a lot of the country’s natural landscape.
What You’ll Actually Spend:
- Lodging: $1,400-2,000 (hotels and B&Bs)
- Car rental: $500-700
- Gas: $300-400
- Food: $1,200-1,500
- Activities: $600-800 (castle admissions, boat tours, distillery visits)
Edinburgh is amazing, but don’t spend your whole week there. Rent a car and head north. Loch Ness, Isle of Skye, the Cairngorms—this is where Scotland shows off.
Stay in small towns. The B&Bs are charming and way more affordable than city hotels. Plus, you get local recommendations that tourists never hear about, and might be lucky enough to spot a Highland cow (or coo).
The kids will love learning about clans and battles and seeing medieval castles. It’s like Game of Thrones but real.
If you’re planning your route, my 10-day Scotland itinerary covers cities, islands, and the Highlands.
Book Scotland accommodations on Expedia.
Florida Keys: Laid-Back Island Vibes Close to Home
Your Budget: $3,500-4,500 for a week
The Florida Keys give you that island vacation feeling without international flight prices. Key Largo to Key West is only 100 miles, but it feels like a different world. Prices do vary by which key you stay on, so do some research before you settle on one key.
What You’ll Actually Spend:
- Lodging: $1,800-2,500 (hotels or vacation rentals)
- Car rental: $400-600
- Gas: $150-200
- Food: $1,000-1,400 (lots of fresh seafood)
- Activities: $400-600 (snorkeling, glass-bottom boat tours, state parks)
Key Largo is the best value and has amazing snorkeling at John Pennekamp State Park. Key West is fun for a day trip (the sunset celebration at Mallory Square is touristy but gorgeous), but staying there can be very expensive.
The drive from key to key is insane. Try not to stop at every bridge for photos. You’ll want to set aside some time to check out the tiki bars.
Find your Florida Keys hotel on Expedia.
Yellowstone or Grand Canyon: National Parks Magic
Your Budget: $2,500-3,500 for a week
National parks are the best family vacation value in America. You pay $35 for a week-long vehicle pass (or grab an annual pass to save throughout the year) and get access to some of the most spectacular scenery on Earth.
What You’ll Actually Spend:
- Lodging: $1,200-1,800 (park lodges or nearby towns)
- Car rental: $400-600 (or drive your own)
- Gas: $200-400
- Food: $600-1,000 (pack lunches, camp cooking if you go that route)
- Park pass: $35 (or $80 for annual pass covering all parks)
Book park lodges as early as possible (a year in advance might not even be enough!). Not all are fancy, but staying inside the park means you can see sunrise over the Grand Canyon or catch Old Faithful erupting without fighting crowds.
If park lodges are full, stay in gateway towns (Gardiner for Yellowstone, Tusayan for Grand Canyon) and drive in each day.
Pack your own food. Park restaurants are expensive and not always the best. Sandwiches and trail mix are easy to pack in and out of parks.
The Junior Ranger program is free and keeps kids engaged at every park. I also have a complete guide to the best national parks for kids.
Search for Yellowstone area hotels or Grand Canyon lodging on Expedia. Book Yellowstone tours on Viator or Grand Canyon experiences on GetYourGuide.
Costa Rica: Pura Vida for Families
Your Budget: $3,000-4,000 for a week
Costa Rica is incredibly family-friendly. The people are warm, the adventures are everywhere, and it’s way more affordable than you’d think for a tropical paradise. Plus, there are creatures you can only see at a zoo back home.
What You’ll Actually Spend:
- Lodging: $1,200-1,800 (eco-lodges, beach hotels, or vacation rentals)
- Car rental: $400-600
- Gas: $150-250
- Food: $800-1,200 (local sodas are cheap and delicious)
- Activities: $450-750 (zip-lining, hot springs, wildlife tours)
Split your time between the cloud forest (Monteverde or Arenal) and the beach (Manuel Antonio or Playa Conchal). You get the full Costa Rica experience that way.
Local restaurants are cheap, authentic, and way better than tourist restaurants. My kids love Costa Rican food, as it hits all of their favs- rice, beans, meat, fresh fruit, etc.
Your kids will love the wildlife. Sloths, monkeys, toucans—they’re everywhere. Bring binoculars, and if the budget allows, book a river tour with an experienced guide to make sure you see all of the animals.
The zip-lining in Costa Rica is world-class, although you won’t see me doing it. I’ve been zip-lining a few times, and it’s just not for me. My kids, on the other hand, are all in every time.
Browse Costa Rica hotels on Expedia.
Find Costa Rica adventures on Viator.
Mexico’s Riviera Maya: Beach, Ruins, and Tacos
Your Budget: $2,000-3,000 for a week
The Riviera Maya (Cancun to Tulum) gives you Caribbean beaches, Mayan ruins, cenotes, and incredible food all in one easy-to-reach destination.
What You’ll Actually Spend:
- All-inclusive resort: $1,500-2,200 (or vacation rental for $800-1,200)
- Car rental: $300-500 (if not doing all-inclusive, although a private driver may be more practical)
- Food: $400-800 (if not all-inclusive)
- Activities: $300-500 (Tulum ruins, cenote swimming, maybe Xcaret park)
All-inclusive makes sense here, especially in Playa del Carmen. But if you want more flexibility, rent a condo in Playa and explore.
Visit the Tulum ruins early morning before it gets hot and crowded. The setting right on the ocean is incredible.
Swim in cenotes. They’re freshwater sinkholes and utterly magical. Gran Cenote near Tulum is perfect for families, but you can find smaller ones throughout the region.
Search for Riviera Maya all-inclusive resorts on Expedia.
Find Riviera Maya tours and activities on Viator.
Making Your Family Vacation Budget Work
Here’s what I’ve learned after 17 years of family travel:
Vacation rentals save you thousands. When you can make breakfast and pack lunches, you cut your food budget in half.
Shoulder season is your friend. Travel in May or September instead of July, and you’ll pay less for everything.
Don’t overschedule. Kids need downtime. So do you. Build in pool days or beach days where nothing is planned.
One big splurge is worth it. Maybe it’s a helicopter tour over Kauai, a nice dinner, or a Flytographer session. Pick one thing that feels special and do it without guilt; you already budgeted for some extra fun.
Free doesn’t mean boring. Some of our best travel memories cost nothing. Watching sunsets. Playing on beaches. Hiking trails. Spotting whales off the coast. These are the moments your kids will actually remember.
Want more help planning? Check out my free resources:
- Weekend Trip Planner
- Vacation Planner Checklist
- Road Trip Planning Guide
- Jet Lag Guide (for international trips)
- Flying with Kids tips
And if you’re looking for more destination ideas, browse the travel guides in my shop.
The Real Cost of Family Memories
Family vacations are not cheap. But they’re investments that pay off for decades.
My kids are teens now. They still talk about feeding sea turtles in Kauai when they were little. They remember the castles in Ireland where they pretended to be knights. They ask when we can go back to Yellowstone to explore even more.
You can absolutely take meaningful family vacations for $5,000 or less (not counting flights, though some you could easily do with flights included!). You just have to be smart about where you go, when you go, and how you spend once you’re there.
Pick one of these trips. Start planning. In six months, you’ll be sitting on a beach or standing in front of a waterfall or watching your kids’ faces light up at something new, and you’ll think “this is exactly why we saved up to spend this time together.”
Pin this for later! Which of these family vacation budgets works for your family? Let me know where you decide to go.
