Did our first round of travel hacks leave you wanting more? We thought so! Family travel is full of surprises — but with the right tricks up your sleeve, you can handle anything the road throws at you. Here are 5 more travel hacks every family needs to know.
1. Book Flights on Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Airfare prices fluctuate constantly, but statistically, Tuesdays and Wednesdays tend to offer the lowest fares. Airlines often release sales early in the week, and demand is lower mid-week compared to weekends. Pair this with booking 6-8 weeks in advance for domestic flights and 3-6 months for international trips, and you could save hundreds on your family’s airfare.
2. Use a VPN When Searching for Flights
Many booking websites use cookies and your browsing history to show you higher prices if they detect you keep searching the same route. Try searching in incognito mode or using a VPN to browse as if you are in a different location — prices can vary significantly by region. It takes just a minute and can save your family a surprising amount of money.
3. Sneak In a Middle Seat Strategy
Traveling as a couple or with one child? Book the window and aisle seats and leave the middle seat empty when selecting seats. Most travelers avoid middle seats, which means there is a good chance it will stay vacant — giving your family extra room. If someone does book it, they will usually happily swap for your aisle or window seat.
4. Download Entertainment Before You Go
In-flight Wi-Fi is expensive and unreliable. Before leaving home, download movies, shows, audiobooks, and kids’ games to your devices. Netflix, Disney+, Spotify, and most streaming apps allow offline downloads. A fully loaded tablet or phone will keep the little ones entertained for hours — no internet required.
5. Pack a Small First Aid and Comfort Kit
Every family traveler should carry a compact kit with essentials: band-aids, pain relievers, motion sickness tablets, hand sanitizer, and a few snacks. Add a small comfort item for each child — a favorite toy or travel pillow — to help them feel at ease in unfamiliar places. Being prepared for the small stuff means you can focus on enjoying the big adventures.
Bonus Tip: Sign up for Google Flights price alerts for your most-traveled routes. You will get notified automatically when fares drop — no more obsessively checking prices yourself!
Which of these hacks will you try on your next family trip? Drop a comment below — we would love to hear how it goes! And if you missed Part 1, check out our first 5 family travel hacks too.