How to travel overseas with kids: Travel expert shares ultimate age-by-age guide
It's a big decision. Travelling overseas with kids. Especially the first time. You want a holiday not an ordeal.
So what's a good, safe option to start with and how do you keep them engaged as they get older.
I've travelled with kids from babies to adults so here's my age-by-age guide to holidays that everyone will enjoy.
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Children, traveling together, waiting at the airport to board the aircraft Getty Images/iStockphoto
Ages 0-6
First consideration is travel time. You don't want your first flying experience with a young family to be 24 hours to Europe.
So Fiji is a no brainer. About 3.5 - 5 hours from the east coast depending what city you're flying out of. Perth is a long-haul flight, so maybe switch out Fiji for Bali.
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Stay at a resort. The local women who staff the kids' clubs at the resorts in Fiji are brilliant with children of all ages. They keep the kids entertained with activities like crab hunting, fish feeding and arts and crafts.
Most kids' clubs, though, have a minimum age. Sometimes three but most often four to 11 or 12. Don't worry, though. Babysitting/nannying services are available from any age.
The babysitters are allowed to escort the little ones to the kids' clubs or they can mind them in your room if you want to get out and about on your own.
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Fiji is great place to holiday with kids. Getty
Ages 7-12
Fiji is still a perfectly good option here but if you're ready to move on try a cruise.
Two of the big cliches about cruising are "Unpack only once" and "Your holiday starts the moment you step onboard." Both are true. No struggling with long airport waits and tedious flights.
Like resorts, you are still in a contained environment and like resorts the ships have kids' clubs and babysitting. But this time you also get a chance every couple of days to get out and experience some new destinations and cultures. It breaks up the cruise routine and lets the whole family get a change of scenery and stretch their legs.
(I'm also going to throw Disneyland into the mix here if you're up for the 14-hour flight to LA)
When they're a bit older a cruise is a fantastic family holiday option. Getty
Ages 13-17
Time to get a bit more adventurous. For starters, you can get away with a longer flight so this opens up your options considerably. This can be an age that gets bored easily so you need to elevate the variety and level of stimulation.
They also see themselves as more independent so you have to factor that in as well.
For me it would come down to Bali or Thailand but I'm going to go with Thailand. You don't want to fly 'n' flop at this age. It's great for kids at this stage in life to get more immersed in another culture and see how other people live.
Bangkok, Thailand is a top pick for a holiday with teenagers. Getty
My suggestion would be to fly into Bangkok. Maybe spend a couple of days there then take a small-group organised tour (5-7 days) to somewhere like Chiang Mai incorporating the train and local buses. Then, to give everyone a chance to relax and chill for a while, spend 3-4 days at a Phuket resort and fly home from there.
(I'll add Hawaii as an option here and basically all age groups to be honest).
Age 18+
Tricky. Adults. Independent. Drinking age (in many countries). Not necessarily keen on holidaying with Mum and Dad. So, you're going to have to up the ante and the budget.
No one's ordering off the kids' menu on this trip so if you're travelling with two children it's the same as paying for a holiday for four adults.
Europe is great. Not difficult to get around. Enough famous sights to grab even the most distracted TikToker's attention. Just go easy on the churches and everyone will have fun.
Get cultural in Europe with your older kids. iStock
Then there's Japan. Flavour of the month right now and for good reason. More affordable than it used to be and attractions across the board for all ages. If you're a more adventurous family try India. Impossible to be bored here.
So, take the plunge. Book a family escape. It may not be a picnic every day but I'm amazed how much my kids remember from even their earliest trips.
And identifying the right destination and type of holiday for the right ages will make a world of difference to your experience.
John Walsh was Executive Producer of the TV travel series Getaway from 1999-2024.
