Planning For The Best Life

∞Our Budget Travel: Exploring the World with a Family of Four∞

image of overnight train

For many, the idea of traveling the world with a family of four conjures images of endless expenses, luxurious resorts, and a budget that seems to stretch into the stratosphere. But what if I told you that our family, the one that lives a digital nomad life, has found ways to explore incredible corners of the globe on a budget that, while not quite $20 a day, is surprisingly lean? I’m here to share how we make it work, drawing inspiration from the most extreme budget travelers while adapting their principles for a family-friendly adventure.

We often hear inspiring stories of solo backpackers traversing continents on a shoestring. While our reality with two kids is a bit different – we prioritize safety, comfort, and memorable experiences over absolute rock-bottom prices – the core principles of extreme budget travel are incredibly valuable. It’s about being resourceful, flexible, and embracing local living.

The $20 a Day Dream: Inspiration, Not Imitation

I’ve always been fascinated by stories like Torbjørn “Thor” Pedersen, who famously visited every country in the world without flying, often on a budget of around $20 a day. His journey was a testament to extreme dedication and sacrifice. While our family isn’t hitchhiking across continents or sleeping on park benches, his approach highlights key strategies that we do adapt:

  • Extreme Frugality (Adapted): We might not always choose the absolute cheapest option, but we’re constantly looking for value. This means budget airlines, hostels with private family rooms, Airbnbs with kitchens, and lots of street food or cooking our own meals.
  • Local Immersion: We actively seek out local experiences, which are often more authentic and significantly cheaper than tourist traps. Public transport, local markets, and free attractions are our go-to.
  • Unconventional Transportation (Where Safe): While we fly, we also embrace long-distance trains and buses when they offer significant savings and a unique experience, especially if it means an overnight journey that saves on accommodation.

Our Family’s Practical Strategies for Budget Travel

Here’s how we apply these principles to make world travel affordable for our family of four:

1. Strategic Destination Choices

We prioritize countries and regions where the cost of living and travel is inherently lower. Southeast Asia, parts of Eastern Europe, and Central America have been incredible for stretching our budget without compromising on experiences.

  • Nathan’s Insight: Our time in Vietnam was a perfect example. We could get delicious street food for a few dollars, and a family meal at a local restaurant was incredibly affordable. The kids loved the vibrant markets, and we found plenty of free activities like exploring temples and parks. It allowed us to stay longer and experience more than we could in, say, Western Europe.
image of street vendors

Eating street food isn’t just about saving money; it’s about experiencing the heart of a culture. Our kids are surprisingly adventurous eaters!

2. Accommodation Hacks

Accommodation is often the biggest expense for families. We use a multi-pronged approach:

  • Airbnbs with Kitchens: This allows us to cook many of our meals, saving a fortune on restaurant bills. It also provides more space for the kids to spread out.
  • Hostels with Private Rooms: Many hostels now offer private rooms with en-suite bathrooms, which are often cheaper than hotels and come with the added benefit of communal areas and sometimes kitchens.
  • House Sitting: This is a game-changer! We’ve house-sat for weeks or even months in incredible locations, getting free accommodation in exchange for looking after pets and homes. Websites like TrustedHousesitters are fantastic for this.
  • Points and Miles: As I’ve mentioned before, leveraging credit card points for free hotel stays is a cornerstone of our strategy.
image of Airbnb

Having a kitchen in our accommodation is a non-negotiable for budget family travel. It saves us so much money and allows us to eat healthier.

3. Smart Transportation

  • Budget Airlines: We’re not afraid of budget airlines for short-haul flights, as long as we understand their baggage policies and fees. We pack light to avoid extra charges.
  • Overnight Trains/Buses: For longer distances, an overnight train or bus can save on a night’s accommodation. Plus, it’s an adventure for the kids!
  • Public Transport: We rely heavily on local buses, trains, and subways. It’s cheaper, and it gives us a more authentic feel for the city.
  • Walking: Whenever possible, we walk. It’s free, great exercise, and the best way to discover hidden gems.
Image of Station

Public transport is our preferred way to get around. It’s cheap, efficient, and gives us a real feel for the local rhythm.

4. Free Activities & Experiences

Every city has free attractions. We spend a lot of time researching parks, free museums, walking tours, public art installations, and local festivals. These often provide the most memorable experiences.

  • Our Insight: In Rome, instead of paying for every single attraction, we spent days just wandering the streets, marveling at the Colosseum from the outside, throwing coins in the Trevi Fountain, and exploring the Pantheon. The kids loved running around the Villa Borghese gardens, and it cost us nothing but a few gelato treats.
image of Street performers

Some of our best family memories are from free activities – a spontaneous street performance, a walk through a beautiful park, or just people-watching in a bustling square.

5. Food Budgeting

Food can quickly derail a budget. Our strategies include:

  • Cooking at Home: As mentioned, Airbnbs with kitchens are key.
  • Street Food & Local Markets: The cheapest and often most delicious way to eat. We always look for places popular with locals.
  • Picnics: Grabbing groceries from a local supermarket and having a picnic in a park is a fantastic and cheap way to eat.
  • Water Bottles: We always carry reusable water bottles and refill them whenever possible to avoid buying expensive bottled water.
image of picnic

Picnics are a family favorite. They’re budget-friendly, allow us to enjoy the outdoors, and the kids love picking out treats at local markets or food vendors.

Conclusion: Budget Travel is a Mindset, Not a Sacrifice

While our family of four might not be traveling on $20 a day, we’ve certainly embraced the spirit of extreme budget travel. It’s about being smart, flexible, and open to experiences that might not be in the glossy travel brochures. It’s about proving that you don’t need a massive income to see the world with your kids. With a bit of planning and a willingness to live like a local, your family can embark on incredible adventures without breaking the bank. The world is waiting, and it’s more accessible than you think!

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When you’re a digital nomad family of four, constantly moving from one exciting destination to the next, one of the biggest decisions—and often the largest expense—is accommodation. The choice between hostels, Airbnbs, and hotels can significantly impact your budget, your travel experience, and even the rhythm of your daily life. Each option offers a unique set of advantages and disadvantages, especially when you’re traveling with two energetic kids. I’m Nathan, and my wife and I have spent years navigating this very question. So, which one saves our family more money and is the best fit for our nomadic lifestyle? Let’s break down the ultimate budget accommodation showdown from our family’s perspective.

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Best and Worst Budget Airlines for Families 2025

As a digital nomad family of four, flying is a constant part of our lives. We’ve crisscrossed continents, hopped between islands, and explored countless cities, all while trying to keep our travel budget in check. This often means embracing the world of budget airlines. But let me tell you, not all budget airlines are created equal, especially when you’re traveling with two energetic kids and a mountain of luggage (even if it’s just carry-ons!). We’ve learned through trial and error which budget carriers offer genuine value and which ones can turn a supposed saving into a massive headache. Here’s our family’s take on the best (and worst) budget airlines in 2025.

The Budget Airline Balancing Act: Price vs. Peace of Mind

The allure of a super cheap flight is undeniable. For our family, every dollar saved on airfare means more money for experiences, delicious local food, or an extra night in a comfortable Airbnb. However, the term “budget” often comes with a caveat: what you save on the ticket price, you might pay for in hidden fees, reduced comfort, or less reliable service. When you’re juggling kids, car seats, and carry-ons, reliability and transparency become just as important as the price.

We’ve found that understanding the nuances of each budget airline – their fee structures, baggage policies, and on-time performance – is crucial for a smooth and cost-effective journey. Recent reports and studies, like WalletHub’s 2025 Best Airlines ranking, provide valuable insights, but nothing beats real-world family experience.

Our Family’s Top Budget Airlines in 2025 (and Why We Trust Them)

Based on our experiences, prioritizing a balance of affordability, reliability, and a relatively smooth family travel experience, here are the budget airlines we often choose:

1. Southwest Airlines (USA)

Southwest is often our go-to for domestic travel within the US. While their base fares might not always be the absolute lowest, their unique model is a game-changer for families. Two free checked bags per person and no change fees mean incredible flexibility and significant savings, especially when you’re traveling with four people and all their gear. Their reliable on-time performance and open seating policy (which can be a fun scramble for the kids!) make them a consistent winner for us.

  • Our Insight: We once had to change our flight last minute due to a kid’s sudden illness, and with Southwest, it was a breeze. No change fees meant we only paid the fare difference, saving us hundreds compared to other airlines. That peace of mind is priceless when you’re traveling with a family.

2. easyJet (Europe)

When we’re hopping around Europe, easyJet is a frequent choice. They offer a vast network of routes across the continent and strike a good balance between affordability and a relatively straightforward booking process. Their pricing for extras is clear, and we generally find their reliability and customer service to be better than some of their ultra-low-cost competitors. We always pre-purchase our baggage allowance to avoid surprises.

3. AirAsia (Asia)

For our adventures in Southeast Asia, AirAsia is indispensable. They have an incredibly extensive network, connecting almost every major city and island. Their fares are competitive, and they frequently have promotions. Like easyJet, the key is to understand their ancillary fees and plan accordingly. We’ve used them for countless short hops, and they’ve always gotten us where we need to go efficiently.

Efficient packing and understanding baggage rules are key to making budget airlines work for our family. Every dollar saved on baggage is a dollar for a new experience.

Budget Airlines to Approach with Caution (and Why We’re Wary)

While we’re always looking for a deal, some budget airlines consistently present challenges that make them less appealing for our family, even with their enticingly low base fares. It’s not to say they should always be avoided, but rather approached with a clear understanding of their potential drawbacks.

1. Spirit Airlines (USA)

Spirit often has the lowest advertised fares, and they were even ranked highly for affordability and safety in a recent study. However, their ultra-no-frills model and extensive fees for everything (carry-on bags, seat selection, even printing your boarding pass at the airport) can quickly add up, especially for a family of four. We’ve found that the stress of managing all the potential extra costs often outweighs the initial savings.

  • Our Insight: We tried Spirit once for a short trip, and by the time we added up the fees for four carry-on bags and seat selection (so we could sit together!), the price was almost identical to a full-service airline. The experience felt less like a saving and more like a constant nickel-and-dime game.

2. Ryanair (Europe)

Europe’s largest budget airline, Ryanair, is notorious for its strict rules, numerous fees, and often poor customer service reputation. While they offer an unparalleled network of routes at rock-bottom prices, travelers must be extremely diligent about adhering to baggage limits, checking in online, and understanding all potential charges to avoid unexpected costs and frustration. For a family, the risk of a missed detail leading to a hefty fee is just too high for our comfort.

3. Frontier Airlines (USA)

Similar to Spirit, Frontier operates on an ultra-low-cost model. While their base fares can be enticingly low, we’ve heard too many stories (and experienced a few minor ones ourselves) of frequent delays and less-than-ideal customer service. For a family with a tight schedule or connecting flights, reliability is paramount, and Frontier often falls short in that regard.

Hidden fees can quickly turn a cheap flight into an expensive headache, especially when you’re traveling with a family. Always read the fine print!

Our Family’s Top Tips for Flying Budget Airlines Smartly

To maximize savings and minimize headaches when flying budget airlines, especially with a family:

  1. Read the Fine Print (Every Single Time): Understand all fees for baggage, seat selection, priority boarding, and printing boarding passes. Don’t assume anything.
  2. Travel Light (Master the Carry-On): This is our biggest money-saver. We’ve perfected the art of packing light, ensuring everything fits into personal items or small carry-ons to avoid checked baggage fees. Check out our guide on One-Bag Travel for Digital Nomad Families – Practicality & Presentability for more tips.
  3. Check-in Online (Always!): Many budget airlines charge a fee for airport check-in. Always check in online and have your boarding passes ready on your phone or printed.
  4. Bring Your Own Snacks/Drinks: Onboard purchases are expensive. We always pack snacks and empty water bottles to fill up after security.
  5. Be Flexible: If possible, choose off-peak travel times and dates. This often means better fares and fewer crowds, which is a win-win for families.
  6. Consider the Total Cost: Don’t just look at the base fare. Add up all potential fees (baggage, seat selection, etc.) to compare the true cost against traditional airlines. Sometimes, a slightly more expensive full-service airline ends up being cheaper or offers better value.

Traveling during off season can not only save you money but it can save you the headache of traveling with the influx of people during peak season.

Conclusion: Budget Airlines Can Be Your Family’s Friend

Budget airlines offer incredible opportunities for affordable travel, allowing our digital nomad family to explore more of the world. They demand a savvy approach, careful planning, and a willingness to understand their unique operational models. By choosing wisely and following these tips, you can leverage them to stretch your travel budget further, ensuring your family’s adventures continue without emptying your wallet. Happy (and smart) flying!

Europe on $50/Day with a Family – Best Budget Travel Routes & Tips

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