Dreaming of a trip to Disneyland ? Factor the cost of tipping, airport transfers and travel insurance into your budget
If you listen closely you might just hear me sigh. Two days out from our next big trip and, despite being a veteran traveller the last minute costs are piling up. I’m not talking about the airfare and accommodation costs – these were paid for long ago. There are many lesser known travel costs that, particularly when traveling as a family can blow the budget. Do yourself a favour, and rather than getting a nasty surprise at the end of your trip, factor these into your travel budget from the outset. Family travel is one of life’s blessings that shouldn’t cause stress down the track when credit card bills are difficult to pay.
Transfers
Getting to and from the airport takes on a whole new perspective when you have some kids in tow. Luggage, strollers, multiple humans etc. it gets messy. You may be surprised at how, with all the extras you need to hire two taxis to get you to the airport, or that a limousine service is actually your cheaper option. Either way, factor in around $120 Australian each way if traveling as a family of four or more.
Baby gear
Not planning on taking your own porta cot? Then expect to be slugged $20-50 Australian dollars a night at most hotels for hire. Similar fees apply for high chairs.
>Travel Insurance
I truly believe that if you are traveling internationally you can’t afford to travel if you can’t afford travel insurance. Traveling without travel insurance runs the risk of a hefty ($40,000) fee if any family member becomes unwell overseas and requires a medical evacuation home. The cost of travel insurance varies depending on where you are traveling, for how long, and whether any family members have pre-existing conditions. Expect to pay at least $100 Australian (usually more) for one week overseas and to pay a premium of you are heading to the USA. Kids are insured for free when using Travel With Jane insurance.
Immunisations
If traveling internationally you should visit your GP at least 6 weeks before you travel, and for many destinations there are immunisations that are recommended to optimise the probability for healthy travels. I strongly advocate that all family members have the recommended vaccinations prior to travel (or travel at their own peril). The reality is though that these vaccinations can be pricey.
Car rental
Somehow this is a cost that I always forget to budget for, particularly the cost of extras like accident excess waivers. If you will need a vehicle at your destination, budgeting for it at the outset will help you decide if the trip is within your means financially.
Tipping
Tipping is obligatory in the United States where drivers, bar staff and wait staff should be tipped 20%. Factoring this into your budget is a must before heading State side. Researching the tipping culture where-ever your destination, including for cruise ship trips is sensible practice.
Travel accessories
There is a heap of miscellaneous gear that potentially makes traveling with young kids easier. Think kids headphones, travel strollers, backpacks with tails etc. There is an entire industry dedicated to these products and they want your money. The thing is, sometimes they are helpful, and sometimes they aren’t. If you are like me, you run around a couple of days before a trip purchasing items you think might make your two year old less like a pet monkey on the nine hour flight that is looming. Once again, clear thinking ahead of time, and including the travel essentials in your budget ahead of time will save grief later.
Clothes
Depending on where you are heading the cost of appropriate clothing can be quite imposing. Snow vacations are a case in point. It is too easy to book a snow vacation, only to realise at the last minute that if you are to avoid your child getting frost-bite you need to cough up hundreds of dollars.
Passports
Passports should have 6 months validity prior to departure. The cost of passport renewal (or getting a first passport) is an intrinsic cost of international travel.
Visas and taxes
Alas, this is a cost that escalates with increasing family size. Visa costs can be high as can departure taxes that are a pre-requisite of leaving some nations.
Considering these hidden costs, as well as helping you decide if a trip is within your means will also inform where you can cut costs. This is explored further in the article ” Ten tips that make family travel affordable.“
Yep! It’s all the little things that really can add up… super helpful list!
Thanks Sarah. They do add up that’s for sure.
Great list – those items can represent significant costs so it’s important to factor them into the budget from the get go!!
Thanks Lisa, it’s as much a list for me as for any family travellers, their are such easy costs to forget.