This is a guest post by Daniel at Dad Solo.

Traveling at the best of times can be a tiring endeavor, but traveling with children can make even the most patient of parents a little stressed. When planning for long trips, there are many ways to save yourself time, money, and sanity while truly enjoying your time away with family.

The Road Less Traveled

A good option when traveling long distances can be to rent a car. In doing so, you avoid putting miles on your own car, as well as keeping your car safe from potential hazards on the road. Agencies like Enterprise and Avis can be a great fit; you can get a car that is more suited to the number of travelers, luggage, and other needs while staying under budget. You can also find coupons and deals to save you money and maybe even get cash back in the process.

If you don’t care for driving, another great option can be to take a train to your destination. Taking the rails can keep you hands-free to care for little ones, giving everyone a chance to sightsee on the way and spend quality travel time together. Some websites can help you find the cheapest tickets to get you where you need to be while making the trip an adventure. If the speed of an airplane will help get you to your destination, there are ways to fit the trip into your budget too. Check the policies of your local airlines; airlines like Southwest and Delta, for example, do not require you to buy a ticket for a child under the age of 2 who will sit on your lap. When shopping for your tickets, experts suggests buying them around 70 days in advance, and be sure to use budgeting websites like Kayak and Expedia to save extra money.

Have a Plan for an Enjoyable Journey

Once you’ve decided how you’re getting wherever you’re headed, planning for the kids is the next hurdle. The unexpected always seems to strike traveling families, so be sure to keep travel snacks available in the event of delays or layovers. It can be great for the grown-ups too; buying in bulk ahead of time and packing a cooler is much more cost-effective, especially in pricey airports.

It’s also a good idea to plan something to keep everyone entertained: check your local library for items that read the book to your child or bring along a laptop or DVD player to watch movies and TV shows. Happy children lead to happier travel for the whole family.

Make the Destination Interesting and Exciting for Everyone

When we worry about travel, it’s usually the “getting there” that seems insurmountable. Once you get where you’re going, however, it’s important to plan excursions that the kids will enjoy as well. Museums and historical tours may be interesting for a grown-up, but you will probably have a hard time convincing a toddler that this was a fun family trip. Look into discount websites like Groupon to save big on the cost of admission. And remember, free is always fun, too. Taking your children to a park or a pool will help them burn off steam and can be a cost-effective way to enjoy your destination as well as your time with your child. You may also want to think about booking a vacation home in your city instead of traveling a long distance and staying in a hotel. A vacation rental will come with a fully equipped kitchen so you can save on meal costs. Also a larger space may allow you to split the costs if you’re traveling with another family. When choosing a vacation rental, plan to stay near the activities you and your family enjoy most. Whether you prefer going to museums, fine dining, or shopping, there are vacation rentals located close to these activities.

Let the Little Things Go

Sometimes, things will go wrong. Flights will be delayed, or there will be a traffic jam, or someone will not enjoy the destination. No amount of advanced planning can prevent these things, so the only option is to remember to breathe and enjoy the time with your family. Using free meditation apps like Calm, Headspace, and Insight Timer can help you keep your cool when the pressure mounts. Remember, your kids won’t always be so small, so these moments are precious and fleeting. Choosing and embracing happiness as a family not only makes these vacations go more smoothly but also teaches your kids how to live more in the moment.

Photo Credit: Artur Debat / Getty Images

What are some tips you have for traveling with kids?

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