It’s July, and you can feel it. Out-of-office replies are pinging in, suitcases are getting shoved into trunks, and across the country, families are taking that long-awaited deep breath. This is vacation season—the window of time between school years when parents try to soak up a few unforgettable memories with their kids before life gets busy again.

But let’s be real: mixed in with the excitement is a hint of financial stress. Planning a vacation in 2025 isn’t cheap—and it’s definitely not simple.

You’ve probably heard the number: Americans are expected to spend around $3,600 on their summer vacations this year. At first glance, that might sound reasonable. But once you start booking? That money vanishes faster than a hotel breakfast buffet.

Start with airfare for a family of four—there goes $1,600, minimum. Flying overseas? Half your budget’s gone before you even leave the ground. Then you need a rental car for the week (another $500+), and lodging that fits everyone. At $250 a night, a week-long stay runs you about $1,750.

That’s already over $3,800—and you haven’t eaten, done anything fun, or bought a single souvenir.

Even if you’re budget-conscious, meals on the road will likely run you another $1,000. Then toss in a theme park day, maybe a guided tour or two, that overpriced sunscreen you forgot to pack—suddenly, a realistic family vacation costs $5,000 to $7,000. And here’s the kicker: more and more families are going into debt to afford it.

Credit cards, personal loans, and “Buy Now, Pay Later” options have made it easier to say “yes” to the trip. But they also bring a financial hangover when the bills show up long after the tan fades.

Still, it’s easy to understand the pull. For many, a vacation isn’t just a luxury—it’s a mental reset. After years of burnout, it feels necessary. Getting away helps you feel human again. And that’s why people stretch, swipe, and sometimes overspend to make it happen.

But you don’t have to go broke to take a break.

Plenty of families are finding ways to make travel work smarter. Some set up travel sinking funds and contribute little by little all year. Others use credit card points strategically or travel during shoulder seasons to cut costs. Booking Airbnbs with kitchens helps trim food expenses. Apps like Hopper, Google Flights, and Skyscanner turn everyday people into flight-hacking pros.

The real game-changer? Having a plan.

A detailed budget—not just for flights and hotels, but for meals, tips, parking, and the unexpected—can make all the difference. When you know what to expect, you’re less likely to be surprised by costs (and more likely to enjoy the experience).

And the payoff isn’t just a great week away. Coming back recharged can make you more productive, patient, and present in every other area of your life.

Whether you’re driving to the mountains, flying to the beach, hopping on a cruise, or even planning a “staycation” with a few local splurges—it’s not about how much you spend. It’s about how well you plan and how much joy you get from it.

A thoughtful $5,000 trip can be a much better investment than a chaotic, last-minute $3,000 one. The goal isn’t just to “get away”—it’s to come back better, not broker.

So this summer, ask yourself not just whether you can afford the trip, but how you can afford it without regret. $3,600 might be the average, but it’s often not enough. Use it as a baseline—but don’t stop there. Budget for the full experience. Track your costs. Prioritize what matters most to you and your family.

Because in the end, the best vacation memories don’t come from what you spend—they come from being present, feeling free, and not stressing about the bill when you get home.