If you have kids, you may be thinking of taking a family trip to Boston. After all, it is a fantastic place for them to learn about history with tons of kid-friendly museums and attractions. However, a family trip is hardly ever cheap. But we can help you make it cheaper. On this page, you will find plenty of info on the cost of things in Boston and how to save money on your Boston family vacation.
How Much Can I Expect to Spend on A Family Trip to Boston
Like any other major American city, visiting Boston isn’t cheap. Usually, one person spends $212 on average daily on a Boston trip. Times 2 adults and you’re already at $424. Kid’s things tend to be cheaper, but I like to overestimate them at an adult’s budget so that there are no nasty surprises. If you’re a family of 4 going to Boston for a week, that can easily reach $5,936. That’s definitely not spare change.
How to Save on A Family Vacation to Boston
Pick the right time of year to go
You don’t want to go when it is freezing. That means coats and scarves and extra luggage costs. You also don’t want to go in the middle of summer when everyone is on vacation and prices are inflated. Instead, pick early fall. The weather is lovely which means you can explore the city comfortably on foot (saving on car rentals). Your second choice should be Spring.
Where to Stay in Boston
I have two main options for you. They are below along with my reasoning:
- Airbnb Rental. Why a Boston Airbnb rental? First off, you can rent an entire house. This means separate bedrooms for the kids and a little privacy for mom & dad. It also means a full kitchen…that means saving money on breakfast (the most overrated and overpriced meal of the day) and on snacks. It can also mean a washer and dryer – convenience. As long as you put in the right filters, you can get an awesome place to stay and you can live like a local.
- Family Hotel. Why a Boston Family Hotel? You may have to spring for a suite, but if you do the right research, you can usually find a hotel with amenities like a pool, kids eat free buffet, and it is also quite convenient.
How to Save on Meals in Boston
The first thing you can do is check for the best Boston restaurant coupons. Then, do the research on the kid-friendly restaurants in Boston that offer coupons and deals for you. Some of our faves for kids are:
- Carmelina’s
- The Friendly Toast
- Boston Burger
- Luke’s Lobster
- Mike & Patty’s
How to Save on Kid-Friendly Boston Attractions
Sure, there are often some great packages for a singular attraction, but the Boston Pass is pretty good since it includes discounts on multiple attractions like:
- New England Aquarium
- The Boston Museum of Science
- The Skywalk Observatory at the Prudential Center
- Either the Franklin Park Zoo or the Harvard Museum of Natural History
How to Save on Transportation in Boston
I’m no fan of car rentals unless I am in a state where I can’t walk. Boston is a great city for walking so it is easy to save money on transportation. Here are the best ways to get to know the city of Boston if you’re on a budget:
- Boston Public Transportation (there are buses, trains, metro, and the ferry).
- Walking or Biking.
- Uber
If you’re going public transport, get a Charlie card. The 7-day pass for 1 person is $22.50 and is valid on the Subway, Local Bus, and Silver Line. There is also the LinkPass Charlie ticket which offers a 7-day pass that is valid on the Subway, Bus
, Silver Line, Commuter Rail Zone 1A, and Charlestown Ferry.
Have other questions on how to travel to Boston on a budget? Leave a comment and a member of our team will get back to you.