Are you put off from visiting?

Try Vrbo and Booking.com as well as Airbnb, they both have dog friendly accomodation. Or just google dog friendly self catering in....

Couldn't one of the grandchildren give up their bedroom for a couple of nights? Unless it would put me into debt, then yes I'd go, but perhaps explain to your daughter when you get there that you're finding it very expensive now. She probably hasn't thought about cost, just that it would be nice to see you

If cost is isn't the concern then I'd go. Do a thorough search for accommodation but as it's Christmas season it will all be more expensive than at other times.

If I could afford it YES
You only see them a couple of times a Year , I would make it a break away also . Have you booked hols for Next Year ? Depends how important it is to you for the visit ....

I think the answer entirely depends on your general financial circumstances.

If the amount needed to visit is really going to leave you eating bread and butter to the exclusion of all else for a month, then no, I would not go, but explain to my son why we could not come.

On the other hand, family matters, so I would try to put a tenth or a twelfth of the amount needed aside every month, so we could afford to visit.

We pay every November to have snow cleared off our pavement, if and when there is any snow, as we cannot do it ourselves, or don't want to. I put a tenth of the annual cost aside every month -that way I find it easier to afford what is after all a task that is easier to pay for than do myself, and as it is illegal here not to clear your pavement, I can't just not do it.

Helenlouise3
Already explained that one. Sun 18:30
DSiL always offers to pay for the fuel-we don’t let him, as they have more than enough expenses of their own.
I just wondered as the title says “Does it (the cost) put you off visiting?”

I would suggest you look at self-catering - Airbnb, Vrbo etc. We prefer it to a hotel and find it's often cheaper as well as giving more flexibility.

I understand this well- but from the other side! I am retired now but lived about 100 miles from the area where both our families lived. They almost never visited us even though we could accommodate them. We always had to take the children to see them with all the attendant squabbles about which family was seeing us most. In the end I had to cut down the visits as it was wearying and expensive. Also annoying as his family always managed to find my husband lots of odd jobs to do for them as he is a builder (free of course!). Though my parents are no longer here, it’s still the same! I’ve lived in my new place for ten years and still no family visits other than when I take an expensive train journey to them; I sometimes have to fork out for accommodation too which I dislike as I am by myself now and it gets rather lonely!

I suppose it depends on one’s financial situation, shame to miss out though on seeing your family especially if over Christmas. Understandable if you cannot afford it. I would have to travel from uk to Canada which would cost near couple of thousand pounds, to visit my son who has now lived there for 2 years, we hope to do for Christmas 2023 but wouldn’t be able to do it every year.. if money was no object then yes maybe I would, or if not Christmas another time of the year.

Same here, we're in a different country from our daughter and her little family. Every time we go it costs us a lot of money,in travel, hotel, eating out (often) and of course gifts etc. We do it, will always do it. I don't see how to nót go . There simply is no other way.

We’ve been invited to stay with DS and family for one night, just before Christmas. They live 250 miles away, no nearby train so we would have to drive. We have regrettably had to refuse as we are getting too old to drive so far, two days running, in the middle of winter.

I’d definitely go, the GC grow up so quickly and tomorrow isn’t promised to any of us.
Hopefully you’ll find a way to reduce your costs. Lots of helpful suggestions already.
If it’s a real strain on your finances then have a quiet word with your DD to see if she’s able to help. She’d hate it if you couldn’t visit if she’s in a position to assist and you never gave her the opportunity.

I couldn't afford it, so no I would not be able to go. I am fortunate as both my daughter's live in Scotland. One is about 150 miles round trip the other 3 miles away.

If its affordable then dont miss out on seeing your family to save money

Its what I would spend on a holiday, but its the best holiday in the world ;0)

Amelagra what motivates you to go?

Reading some posts, I’m so glad close family live in the UK otherwise my whole life would be spent saving up to visit.

If it is affordable go.
Before I became unable to travel (early 1980s). I visited my son who lived in California at that time every year and my niece in Barbados every year. Fortunately I could stay in their homes.
It was expensive to travel as I only had a small pension but pleased I did so.
However nowadays there is the internet. FaceTime, Messenger etc. So easy to keep in touch. My son, grand daughter greatgrand children now live a four hour drive away and I can no longer travel so I actually see him twice a year but we are on line almost daily.
When I was young we were lucky to visit our grandparents once a year and they didn’t even have a telephone. They only lived ten miles away.

There are two questions. Can you afford it and can you cope with the travelling? No to either or both means you shouldn't feel that you have to go. £500 plus other expenses is a huge amount of money.

I am in a similar position. My sister invited me for the pre Christmas weekend. But as she already had her children and other family members staying I was not invited to stay in the house and would have to find a hotel. As my husband is not popular with her he is not invited. So fir the sake of visiting family I would have a 3 hour journey each way by car and the expense of the hotel.

I felt rather hurt. So I am using the money saved by not going by treating my nephews and nieces to meals out around Christmas so that they can see both me and my husband. The first one of these went very well a few days back and we all had a great time.

Same problem for me in a different form - my son in Scotland has booked a very expensive venue for his wedding - his and her second marriage - in Scotland. In fact it is going to be more lavish than his first! I cannot drive the whole distance from Norfolk to Scotland in one go, so that’s two additional nights on top of the £180.00 per night at this place. And I fear he may invite my brother and sister who stole £18,000 from my inheritance. OH says if they are going he won’t. Which leaves me with a huge dilemma. I don’t want to spoil my son’s day, but he knows the problems I have had with B & S, and things will be extremely awkward.

If I could afford it I’d prefer it - a peaceful sleep and lie in!
If I couldn’t afford it - I’d ask if they would pay for us instead of buying us a Christmas gift

We were lucky and family always “do-able” driving for the day, however if I had friends come and visit, or relatives from abroad my children ALWAYS de-camped and gave up their rooms for a few days, not a lot to ask !

Yes, I'd go but would ask to stay with them, would stay 2 days not 3 (enough for everyone!)

Our children gave their beds to grandparents. When they were younger then we did. We slept in the sitting room on an air bed. Could you approach them and ask if they could put you up?