Planning a family trip to Myrtle Beach can be overwhelming – not just in terms of what to do, but how much to budget. As a mom who’s visited Myrtle Beach with kids at various budget levels over the years, I’ve created this comprehensive guide to help you plan according to your family’s financial comfort zone.
Overview: Three Budget Tiers
I’ve broken down costs into three distinct categories to help you visualize what your Myrtle Beach vacation might cost:
- Budget-Friendly ($): Making the most of free beaches, affordable accommodations, and cost-cutting measures
- Mid-Range ($$): Balancing comfort and experiences without breaking the bank
- Premium Experience ($$$): Splurging on oceanfront accommodations and premium activities
Accommodation Costs
Your lodging will likely be your biggest expense, with dramatic price differences based on location, amenities, and season.
Budget-Friendly ($)
- Off-beach hotels: $70-120/night
- Campgrounds: $35-60/night for tent sites; $50-90/night for RV sites
- Budget chain hotels (2nd row or further): $80-130/night
- Money-saving tip: Book accommodations with kitchenettes to reduce food costs
Pirateland Family ocean front campground is an excellent choice for families who enjoy camping. They offer RV sites and tent sites as well as Cabins vacation rentals along with an abundance of water features, mini golf arcade and more.
Mid-Range ($$)
- Oceanview condos: $150-250/night
- Mid-tier hotels with pools: $140-220/night
- Vacation rentals in family-friendly neighborhoods: $150-300/night depending on size
Money-saving tip: A lot of Myrtle Beach hotels include water slides and various other water features for kids and are located right on the beach, making it easy for guests to enjoy a vacation without the added on cost of other activities.
Premium ($$$)
- Oceanfront resorts with water features: $250-450/night
- Luxury vacation homes: $350-600+/night (check-out North Beach Resort & Villas offering 2-4 bedroom luxury villas as well as entire houses. The resort also provides a free beach shuttle and 5 outdoor pools as well as other amenities.)
- Resorts with extensive amenities: $280-500/night
- Money-saving tip: Even luxury properties offer better rates during shoulder seasons (late April-May and September)
Personal experience: On our last trip, we opted for a mid-range 1-bedroom condo at $185/night during early June. Having a kitchen saved us approximately $40-50 daily on breakfast and some lunches. >>check out that deal here<< plan to go before June 22 for the best rates.
Food & Dining
Food costs can vary tremendously based on your approach:
Budget-Friendly ($)
- Self-catering: $15-20 per person/day with grocery shopping
- Budget-friendly restaurants: $10-15 per person/meal
- Money-saving tip: Many restaurants offer “Kids Eat Free” nights; pick up a local coupon book upon arrival. Also look for a hotel that offers free breakfast.
*Simply Southern Smokehouse is a great option serving all you can eat BBQ buffet ranging from $10-$20pp.
Mid-Range ($$)
- Mix of self-catering and restaurants: $25-40 per person/day
- Family-style restaurants: $15-25 per person/meal
- Money-saving tip: Lunch specials are significantly cheaper than dinner prices at identical restaurants
Premium ($$$)
- Resort dining and premium restaurants: $50-80+ per person/day
- Seafood buffets and specialty experiences: $30-50 per person/meal
- Money-saving tip: Even when splurging, breakfast is rarely worth premium prices
Budget hack: Our family’s best discovery was Myrtle Beach’s early bird specials. Restaurants like Captain Benjamin’s Seafood Buffet offer substantial discounts (sometimes 25-30% off) if you dine before 4 PM.
Activities & Attractions
This is where your budget can really expand or contract based on choices:
Budget-Friendly ($)
- Free beaches: $0 (parking $5-10 at some access points)
- State parks: $5-8 per adult, kids often free
- Public playgrounds and splash pads: $0
- Boardwalk entertainment: $0-10 per person
- Weekly budget: $0-100 for a family of four
If you stay in an oceanfront hotel you don’t have to worry about beach parking and many of Myrtle Beaches oceanfront hotel are equipped with pools and various other water features leaving families with plenty to do during the day.
Mid-Range ($$)
- Mini golf courses: $10-15 per person (Myrtle Beach Family Golf has information on mini golf courses as well as coupons)
- Smaller attractions: $15-25 per person
- Movie theaters and bowling: $12-25 per person
- Weekly budget: $200-400 for a family of four
Premium ($$$)
- Ripley’s Aquarium: $43 per person (check the aquarium website for deals, Ripley’s gives you a discount if you visit more than one of their attractions at a time.)
- Adventure experiences: $30-100 per person
- Dinner shows: $40-70 per person (My family loved the Pirates Voyage dinner show its perfect for all ages and includes a full four course meal.)
- Deep sea fishing and boat tours: $50-120 per person
- Weekly budget: $500-900+ for a family of four
Cost-saving tip: If planning multiple premium attractions, investigate combination passes like the Myrtle Beach Attractions Pass, potentially saving 30-40% on admission fees.
Transportation
Getting to and around Myrtle Beach creates another budget category:
Getting There
- Driving: Gas + potential overnight stays if traveling long distances
- Flying: $200-500+ round trip per person depending on origin and season
- Car rental (if flying): $50-100+ per day depending on vehicle size
Getting Around
- Budget option: Walking, public shuttle ($2.00 per ride or $8 daily pass)
- Mid-range option: Having your own vehicle (factor in $10-20 daily for parking)
- Premium option: Rideshare services like Uber/Lyft when needed ($10-25 per trip)
Sample Daily Itineraries with Costs
Budget Day ($120-150 for family of four)
- Morning: Free beach time with packed breakfast ($5 grocery cost)
- Lunch: Picnic lunch from grocery supplies ($15)
- Afternoon: Huntington Beach State Park ($8 entry) or Myrtle Beach for free if staying at an oceanfront hotel/resort.
- Dinner: Budget-friendly local restaurant with kids’ meal deal ($50)
- Evening: Boardwalk walk and free entertainment ($0)
Mid-Range Day ($250-300 for family of four)
- Morning: Hotel breakfast ($30)
- Late Morning: Mini golf adventure ($50)
- Lunch: Casual restaurant ($60)
- Afternoon: Ripley’s Aquarium ($173)
- Dinner: Family-style restaurant ($80)
- Evening: Ice cream and boardwalk games ($30)
Premium Day ($450-550 for family of four)
- Morning: Breakfast at a beachfront restaurant ($60)
- Late Morning/Afternoon: Barefoot Princess riverboat cruise ($160)
- Lunch: Seafood restaurant ($100)
- Afternoon: Parasailing adventure ($180)
- Dinner: Premium oceanfront dining experience ($150)
- Evening: Live show or entertainment like Pirates Voyage ($240)
Seasonal Cost Variations
Your vacation budget can stretch further depending on when you visit:
- Peak Season (June-August): Expect to pay 25-40% more for accommodations
- Shoulder Season (April-May, September): Sweet spot of good weather and lower prices
- Off-Season (October-March): Deepest discounts but cooler weather and some closed attractions
Hidden Costs to Remember
Don’t forget these expenses that frequently surprise families:
- Beach gear rentals: Two chairs and an umbrella run $30-40 daily (consider buying your own if staying a week)
- Resort fees: Often $15-30 daily not included in advertised rates
- Parking fees: $10-20 daily at many attractions and beachfront areas
- Tips and gratuities: Factor in 18-20% for restaurant meals and services
- Souvenir budget: Set expectations with kids ahead of time ($20-100+ per person)
Money-Saving Strategies
Regardless of your overall budget, these tips help stretch your dollars:
- Pack beach essentials rather than renting or buying locally
- Limit souvenirs to one special item per person
- Follow local restaurants on social media for daily specials and coupon offers
- Book attractions online in advance for digital discounts
- Visit the welcome center first for local discount books and passes
- Consider a vacation rental with laundry facilities to pack lighter
- Bring refillable water bottles to avoid costly drinks at attractions
Final Thoughts
A 7-day Myrtle Beach family vacation might cost:
- Budget approach: $1,500-2,500
- Mid-range approach: $3,000-4,500
- Premium approach: $5,500-8,000+
Remember that mixing approaches often works best – perhaps splurging on accommodations while saving on food, or economizing on lodging to free up budget for premium experiences.
What matters most isn’t how much you spend, but creating memories together. Some of our family’s most treasured Myrtle Beach moments have been completely free: watching the sunrise over the Atlantic, building elaborate sandcastles, and collecting seashells along the shore.
What’s your approach to budgeting for family vacations? Share your tips and questions in the comments below!
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