If you follow my content, you know I publish monthly digital nomad costs from different places, like Bali, Koh Phangan, or Koh Tao. After my latest post, I received a comment from a nomad couple who pointed out how much less they spend. Obviously, it’s hard for childless people to understand why digital nomad families don’t have the same savings opportunities.
In this post, I’m going to talk about what makes life as a digital nomad family more expensive than solo travel. I’ll share where it’s tough to save money and what you can expect from this lifestyle.
Let’s jump in!
The True Cost of Finding a Family-Friendly Home
When you’re a digital nomad with kids, finding the right accommodation becomes super important. You need enough space for everyone to live comfortably, with separate areas for work, play, and rest. You’re already spending all your time together, so let’s make it as smooth as possible.
This means you’ll be looking for bigger apartments or houses, which usually come with a higher price tag. For example, in Koh Phangan, Thailand, you can find a simple one-bedroom house for under 10,000 THB (about 280 USD) a month. But if you need a two-bedroom house, it’s not just double the price—it’s often triple or even quadruple.
Plus, the location of your rental matters, too. Digital nomads with kids often want to stay in family-friendly neighborhoods, away from busy roads, and close to schools and other amenities. These places tend to have higher accommodation costs than budget-friendly spots, even in low-cost areas like Southeast Asia.
Budgeting tips:
- However, to save some money, you should definitely do slow travel and opt for rental properties that you can rent long-term. Ask for a discount if you’re planning to stay for a few months—landlords often drop the price for longer stays.
- It’s also smart to check out places that aren’t in the main tourist spots, as they’re usually cheaper. Don’t forget to browse Facebook Marketplace, where you can sometimes find hidden gems at lower prices.
- Plus, asking around in local or expat groups on Facebook can lead you to good deals you might not find elsewhere. A little effort can go a long way in finding a nice place without overspending!
Don’t forget to check out my guide on finding the best accommodations as a digital nomad.
Why Convenience Costs More: Family Transportation
One big part of digital nomad life is moving from place to place. When you’re traveling solo, you can take the budget-friendly and adventurous route—like public transportation and a night train to Bangkok. But with little kids? No way! At least not for us.
As a digital nomad family, you’re more likely to choose the easier option, like air travel, that saves time and stress, but it usually costs more.
I’m hoping to get more adventurous when the kids are older, but for now, we pay extra for transportation. It is what it is!
Childcare Costs: Why Parents Pay More
A big expense for us is childcare. If both parents are working remotely, like we do, you might need to hire a nanny or enroll your kids in daycare or preschool.
Families usually spend at least 35,000 THB (about 1,018 USD) a month on childcare. This covers daycare and an occasional nanny. Our 7-year-old doesn’t need a nanny as she sometimes has sleepovers at friends’ houses. So that helps a bit with costs.
Education: The Hidden Cost of International Schools
If you decide to enroll your child in an international school or a homeschooling program, be ready to spend quite a bit of money. We were used to free schools in Germany, but it’s a whole different story abroad.
For example, one international school in Koh Phangan, Thailand, costs around 20,000 THB (about 570 USD) per month. And that’s not even one of the expensive schools! We know parents who pay double that on the neighboring island of Koh Samui, or even triple in Bali. Crazy, right? And now, imagine your child catching a cold and missing a week of school. That really stings!
Healthcare Abroad: Why Good Care Costs More
Let’s take care of your family’s health! No one wants to worry about medical bills when their child needs treatment. That’s why international health insurance makes so much sense.
We had a good run with Hanse Merkur, that German company, for our 5-year travel plan. Too bad they wouldn’t renew it! Luckily, I found a new provider–and I wrote an article about my search. You can read it here.
Budgeting tips:
- Hunt down insurance companies that really get expat and traveler needs—they know what nomad families like yours are dealing with. Always check out what other families say online before you pick one!
- Got a medical emergency while traveling? Be ready! Know your closest hospitals and keep those emergency numbers handy on your phone.
- Need regular check-ups or shots for the kids? Plan them during home visits or when you’re in countries with good, cheap healthcare. Smart planning saves headaches (and dollars)!
Visa and Legal Fees
If you’re traveling with the whole family, everyone needs a visa, no exceptions. In Southeast Asia, we’ve found that visa costs are the same for both adults and kids. For us, that means visa costs times four!
Depending on where you go, this can add up quickly. In Bali, for instance, we paid over $1,000 just for three months.
If you’re traveling solo or as a digital nomad couple, you’ll not only pay fewer visa fees, but you also have more flexibility. For example, you can save money by doing a quick visa run instead of paying for an expensive extension at immigration.
I’ve put together an article on the most digital nomad-friendly places worldwide. Take a look here!
The Cost of Family-Friendly Fun
No, I’m not bringing my two little kids to the weekly nomad dinner—for your sake and mine!
Digital nomad families tend to look for family-friendly activities and events wherever they go so their kids (and themselves) can socialize and have fun. But these activities often come with extra costs, like entrance fees or memberships.
It’s the same with choosing where to eat. Sometimes, it’s just easier (and safer) to go to a nice restaurant with a pool instead of a local spot by a busy road. Parents of toddlers will totally get what I mean!
Being a Digital Nomad without Kids
Want the full picture? Here are the sweet perks of being a kid-free digital nomad:
Freedom to Roam!
No kids means you call all the shots! Change plans last-minute? No problem! You can jet off to Thailand or Peru whenever the mood strikes. Risk-taking and culture-diving become your new hobbies without tiny humans to consider.
Your Wallet Stays Fuller
Your money goes way further solo! No need to budget for extra mouths or bigger spaces. That cute one-bedroom in Phuket? All yours! Places like Chiang Mai are nomad heaven with cheap living, awesome culture, and zippy internet. Grab $2 street food and watch your savings grow!
Level Yourself Up
With only yourself to worry about, you can really focus on YOU. Learn that language! Master that coding skill! Meditate on that beach! Different places and faces spark new ideas and growth that just hit different.
Friends Everywhere
Making buddies is a breeze without bedtimes to enforce. Chat up fellow laptop warriors at trendy cafes or coworking spaces. Before you know it, you’ve got pals on six continents! Your global network expands faster than your Instagram following.
Conclusion: The Realities of the Digital Nomad Lifestyle with Kids
I absolutely love both ways of nomad life! When I travel with my kids, nothing beats watching their eyes widen at their first elephant sighting or hearing them try out new words in Thai. I’m creating little citizens of the world while still pursuing my own passions!
But I want to be super honest – my family expenses are definitely higher on the road. I pay for bigger Airbnbs, family-sized meals, and sometimes international schools that accept mid-year transfers.
Got any questions? How do you manage to save money as a traveling family? I’d love to hear your tips in the comments!
Thanks for reading and letting me be a part of your day. Yours, Lulu
Just a heads up: some links in the article “Digital Nomad Costs: Solo Budget vs. Traveling with Kids” on Nomadmum.com are affiliate links. This means if you click and buy, I might earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
