My husband and I are leaving June 2nd to visit my dearest friend in Sweden. We will be landing in Amsterdam and have 3 full days before we catch a flight in Dortmund Germany to Stockholm, where we will have 3 more days before heading to southern Sweden to see my friend. Though I've traveled to Europe several times alone, I've never taken children. They are 10, 9, 7 and 5. We are on a very tight budget and would LOVE suggestions for creative (and fun) ways to save money on everything from eating, sleeping and getting around. We want to spend one day in the Netherlands, then 2 in Germany starting in Nürnberg and meandering our way up to Dortmund to catch a 9pm flight on the second day. I'd prefer to rent a car so we can stop along the way to see unusual stuff. Has anyone done this? We have reservations at a hostel in Nürnberg, but it's pretty pricey for a group our size, so we're thinking of camping (we're bringing our 3 room tent, it's only 20lbs). Help! and Dank je, Danke, Tack and Thanks :)
Posted by
victoria, Canada
11507 posts
Well, if you are renting a car I guess tenting might work, but wouldn't that mean bringing sleeping bags, and all the other stuff too, which is going to add up up to some weight( and expense) on your flights.
Have you looked into some of the camps ,, they often have their own little cabins already supplied with everything. If not, I would really think about all the stuff you are willing lug around for only a few days of camping!!
Google Campsites in Germany , Netherlands and Sweden and see what comes up.
For saving money with kids, I would just try and do lots of picnics and take away. Bring some esentials like plastic utensiles, and margarine lids( they are light, washable, packable, and make great meal plates and cutting boards for picnics, much better then paper ) and lots of ziplock baggies for snacks.
Good luck!
Posted by
Tacoma, WA, USA
671 posts
I am travelling with 6 also (husband, myself, and 14, 11, 5, and 2 year olds). With the exception of a hostel in Heidelberg, they aren't the greatest deal with 6 of us (and no price breaks for the young kids!) I found vacation apartments are sometimes a good deal (but they charge per person, too, which to me was surprising), but I had my best luck emailing a bunch of bed and breakfasts giving our family size and ages and asking them what their best deal was. Some weren't helpful, but all it takes is one per location! The most we are spending is 125 euros a night (Venice!) and the least is 48 euros (small town near Nurnberg that my mom is from). Oh, that's the other thing- look for SMALL towns near the bigger towns and then go to their website (in Germany, usually town name + .de) and then browse for accomodations.
With getting around, we are going to get a minivan for the first 9 days and then switch to a train for the last few days, when we will be in Berlin.
Posted by
Tacoma, WA, USA
671 posts
Cont: You can get good train fares on Saturdays in Germany and by pre-buying a couple of months in advance on the website.
Good luck! There isn't a lot out there on travelling with big families, so I have had to play it by ear and hope for the best, even stateside.
I'll also look forward to hearing other answers you get back, since we are in a similar boat (although not camping- we're going in winter.)
Posted by
Myrtle Beach, USA
12315 posts
We've traveled with three or four kids on some long trips (we left our youngest with Grandma until she was old enough, later our teen daughter became unbearable so she stayed with Grandma).
We have done well traveling outside of high season.
For eating, we do a lot of picnicing. We purchase our food at a grocery store and eat at a park. A bratwurst or slice of pizza to go is also a better option than restaurant dining. While we occasionally eat at a restaurant, it's a place recommended by locals for families. Some nights, my wife and I find a quiet cafe after the kids have eaten a to-go dinner.
For sleeping, we call ahead and ask what they have for a family. I let them know that a bath down the hall is fine and I'll pay cash. We get pretty good deals on an assortment of small apts. or multiple rooms. Hostels aren't as much of a bargain with kids.
Our kids aren't perfect but they don't behave like monsters. Locals have been really accomodating.