The Cost of Visiting Family

For those of us who move away from our hometowns to pursue careers and build lives elsewhere, maintaining connections with family requires effort—and often, significant expense. Whether it’s summer vacations, Thanksgiving gatherings, winter holidays, or last-minute trips for unexpected events, each journey home can add up. While a single person traveling alone may manage these trips without too much strain, the cost grows as life becomes more complex—adding a partner, children, and pets increases flights, lodging, food, and childcare costs.

Taken together over the years, keeping these family connections alive can cost anywhere from a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars annually.

So, what do we do? We either increase our income, go into debt, reduce the frequency of visits, or carefully plan which trips are essential—while being realistic about our budgets and family priorities.

With the rising costs of housing, childcare, travel, and healthcare, having clear information about what your family trips actually cost is essential. Understanding these costs empowers us to plan thoughtfully, strengthen our family bonds, and make choices that align with both our financial reality and our values.