March Break: 6 Tips to Have Fun Without Overspending

If March Break is coming up and your budget already feels stretched, you’re not alone. Plenty of Canadians still want a vacation in 2026, but cost remains a common reason some families decide not to travel.

Seven in 10 Canadians say they’re confident they’ll take a vacation in 2026 — a nine-point increase from 2025, according to Allianz Global Assistance Canada’s ninth annual Vacation Confidence Index conducted by Ipsos.

And while a trip can be a great reset, prices have climbed — travel included, Amanda Martin, partnership & education specialist with the Credit Counselling Society in Hamilton, Ontario, said in an email.

“As such, we need to get a little creative to make our dollars stretch and get the most out of our money, time, and experiences,” she said.

March Break dates vary by province and school board — in Ontario public schools, for example, it runs March 16 to March 20, 2026. With a few strategic choices, you can still pull off a fun, wallet-friendly week.

No matter what you have in mind for the week — a road trip, a city adventure or local activities — it’s important to decide on a total budget, said Martin, and try to stick to it.

Consider using a travel budgeting app or a spreadsheet to list travel expenses, such as accommodation, food, activity and souvenir costs. Extras like snacks purchased on the go can also quickly add up, so be sure to account for these items in your spending plan.

If you’re using a credit card, set up real-time spend alerts in your banking app so you can track costs as you go.

Some hotels offer interesting March Break experiences for families, which may include meals, kids’ activities, an extra night for free or even ski lift tickets along with the price of a room during the break week. These budget-friendly options help you maximize your spend and your family’s fun.

For deal-hunting ideas, check reputable, regularly updated deal roundups (and compare against the hotel or resort’s own site before you book).

To create a March Break to remember, while staying within budget, consider a few creative modifications.

Compare hotel prices for the entire break week and stay flexible when it comes to your check-in day. Sometimes mid-week stays are offered at slightly cheaper rates than the weekend.

If hotel prices feel too steep, consider a short-term rental with a kitchenette to save on food costs, said Martin, or share the cost of a larger cottage with another family.

If you’re looking to explore a city during the break, consider staying outside of the downtown core and taking public transport to the attractions.

Opt for a shorter trip. Instead of heading out of town for the entire week, pare back to a couple of nights away. “Two to three nights can still feel like a break but can be more affordable,” said Martin.

If you have a rewards credit card and have been saving up points, consider putting them into action to cut the cost of March Break — whether that’s redeeming for flights, hotels or a rental car, or using points to offset travel purchases you’ve already made.

Before you cash in, compare your options. In many programs, points can stretch further when they’re used for travel (or applied as a statement credit against travel purchases) than when they’re redeemed for merchandise.

If your points balance isn’t huge, you can still use it strategically — for example, cover one night of accommodation, a family attraction, or a couple of meals to reduce out-of-pocket costs.

If you’re a CAA member, an alumni of a college or university, or belong to a loyalty program, it’s worth looking into whether you are eligible for discounts or upgrades when booking rooms, renting cars, dining and activities in your location of choice, said Martin.

Some common places to look for member pricing include hotels (member rates or “stay longer” promos), car rentals (partner discounts or free additional-driver promos), and attractions (discounted admission, timed-entry bundles, or skip-the-line add-ons).

It’s also worth checking whether your credit card includes a free additional driver, rental-car discounts, or collision damage waiver coverage — rental costs can spike during March Break.

If travelling outside of your province, the country — or even your own city — isn’t on the cards this spring, opting for a March Break staycation can provide big fun while allowing you to sleep in your own bed at night.

In Ontario, for example, you may be able to find discounted ticket packages to top attractions, cheaper advance museum tickets and even some free activities, like ice skating. Free and discounted activities are also widely available in other Canadian cities, like Vancouver, Halifax or Calgary.

If you’re buying tickets online, look for credit card offers or local-attraction partner deals — sometimes you’ll get a small discount or extra perks just for paying through the right portal.

“A staycation can be a great way to enjoy a break without major expenses if saving money is a top goal. Staycations enjoy the benefits of no costly flights, no resort/hotel costs, and therefore allowing more room in the budget for fun local activities,” said Martin. “When budgets are tight, focusing on low cost, high impact experiences can be a great way to enjoy the March Break,” she adds.