5 Ways Families Can Save on Travel to Miami Beach

Last updated on September 15th, 2019 at 04:03 am

Miami Beach, Florida, is known for many things, but being inexpensive isn’t one of them. With a myriad of sparkling luxury hotels, fashionable dining and nightlife options, and one of the most beautiful coastlines in America, Miami Beach is the epitome of opulence.

Despite its reputation for high-priced glitz and glamor, there are ways for families to save on travel to Miami Beach. Use some of these money-saving tips and enjoy a priceless family vacation that won’t leave you in the poorhouse.

Find cheap hotels on Booking.com

It can be tough to find cheap kid-friendly accommodation in Miami Beach, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to find a deal!  An easy way to make sure you get the best price — whether you choose to stay near the beach or close to downtown — is to use Booking.com to search for Miami Beach hotels. Using their search tool is the most convenient and thorough way to find the perfect price and amenities to suit your family. You can quickly and precisely narrow down your choices. These top rated hotels fit all of our preferences; best price for excellent service, convenient beach access, and in-room kitchenettes to save on food costs:

Beach Corner Condo Hotel Miami Beach: This little two-star gem is a four-minute walk from the beach and a mere 10-minute stroll to the iconic South Beach Art Deco District. There are 12 self-catering apartments with BBQ facilities and access to grocery stores, shops, and restaurants.

Riviera Suites: A bit glitzier with four stars, Riviera Suites offers families lot’s of value for their money as well. The suites have full kitchens to save on eating out and the hotel offers guests a free airport shuttle! Two minutes from the beach and amenities, this choice costs more than the Beach Corner Condo Hotel but it still offers families a lot of money saving perks.

If hotels aren’t your thing and you prefer a more “homey” feel, Airbnb is a great money-saving option: They offer hundreds of apartment rentals in Miami Beach for under $125 a night. We’ll even give you $25 USD toward your first Airbnb booking.

See and do all you want at a discount

If you want to enjoy attractions in and around Miami, you have to get the Go Miami Card. It’s a multi-attraction pass that lets you choose what you want to enjoy for one discounted price! Families can save up to 55% on combined admission to many of Miami’s attractions. All the fun things that vacationing families love to do are included in Go Miami Card packages.

Some great tours available in the Miami Beach area are Duck Tours South Beach and “hop on hop off” bus tours with The Big Bus and Miami Open City Tours.

Duck Tours South Beach is a favorite for families. It’s a fun and informative tour aboard a very cool looking amphibious vessel. The entertaining interactive tour drives to Miamis most popular sights on land and then cruises the sea to show guests the stunning properties around Biscayne Bay. The cost of admission for Duck Tour South Beach is included in all of the packages available with the Go Miami Card.

“Hop on hop off” tours with The Big Bus and Miami Open City Tours are a great way to see more of Miami Beach and beyond. Both companies offer choices for different routes. There are as many as 40 places where riders can hop off! You can explore more on foot then jump back on one of the frequent buses to finish the tour. It’s a convenient way to see the city, spend time in places that interest you, and do so at your own pace. The Big Bus tours are available through some packages with the Go Miami Card as well.

Eat off the beaten track or where kids eat free

Eating in restaurants in South Beach or on the strip can cost you $20 a meal or more on average. If you avoid tourist restaurants and look for locally owned eateries away from the main tourist area, you can find great food for half the price. Alternatively, many restaurants all over Miami offer free meals for kids with the purchase of an adult meal — this benefit saves families a lot of travel dollars. If you book accommodation with a kitchenette, you’ll save more by cooking some meals yourself!

Travel during the off-season

High season for travel to Miami is from mid-December to the end of April.  Christmas time and Spring break are particularly busy times. Off season is May to the end of September. Booking during the off season can save you a lot of money. If you travel mid-week to mid-week instead of, weekend to weekend you can save even more.

Choose accommodation against your traveler type

If you want to visit during peak season, there are still ways for families to save on travel to Miami Beach. Look at booking hotels contrary to your traveler type. In other words, look at hotels that are geared more to business travelers when booking weekend stays or check out leisure hotels for weekdays.

And, of course, save and play at the beach often

Miami’s star attraction, its magnificent coastline, also offers the cheapest fun for families. Sun, sand, and sea, and it’s free — what more could you want? The cost of drinks and beach chair rentals is a small price to pay for hours of free fun on some of the world’s most beautiful beaches.

There are many free and cheap things for families to do in Miami Beach as well. Some highlights are free family movies on the beach October thru May and cultural Fridays in Little Havana. I hope I’ve shown you some great ways to make a family trip to Miami Beach more affordable! If you’ve visited Miami Beach and know other ways for families to save please share your tips in the comments below.

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