"The Road Less Expensive" Newsletter
Hey Travelers,
We’ve all been there. The lure of those super cheap flights that seem too good to pass up. The ones with 1 AM departures and hours-long layovers. But then, if you’re a parent, you start to wonder: is it really worth it when you have kids in tow?
Before we had a child, booking a budget flight was always our first instinct. Cheap ticket? Yes, please.
We didn’t care if the flight had us running on fumes with a red-eye back home right before going into work the next morning. We were young, free, and all about saving a buck—no matter the trade-off.
Fast forward to today, and things have shifted a bit. As any parent can tell you, there’s a price you’re willing to pay for convenience, especially when traveling with little ones. Suddenly, we’ve become much more strategic in our flight bookings
After all, the idea of dragging a 3-year-old out of bed in the middle of the night or spending 8 hours stuck in an airport is enough to make anyone reconsider that extra $200 savings.
So, before you click “purchase” on that budget flight, here are a few things to consider:
1. Departure and Arrival Times: Is the Timing Worth the Hassle?
Will a 1 AM departure or 4 AM airport arrival be a nightmare with your little one? If your child is a good sleeper, maybe it’s fine, but if they’re a bedtime struggler, you might want to reconsider. Think about how much the timing will affect everyone’s mood before hitting “book.”
2. Layovers: How Long is Too Long?
Long layovers can be either a blessing or a curse. A short one gives you time to stretch your legs, but if it’s too long, you could be stuck with cranky kids in a terminal for hours. If it’s over 7 hours, a hotel might be worth the extra cost.
Trying to save money by staying 30 minutes away? No, we're adults—just book the damn airport hotel.
3. Airline Service: Are You Ready to Not Drink Water?
Some budget airlines won’t serve meals or offer much service. Will you be okay with that? If you’re prepared with snacks and entertainment for your kids, it might not be an issue, but if meal service (or not getting those sad packs of peanuts) is a deal-breaker, you may want to look at your options.
Final Note: It’s All About Balance...
At the end of the day, cheap flights aren’t always a bargain if they come with too much stress. Some trips might be totally worth the extra hassle, while others might have you wishing you spent a little more for convenience. It’s all about weighing the pros and cons and finding what works best for your family!
Psst... We always use Skyscanner to find the cheapest flights based on our dates.
Spring Hotel Deals for March:
