Nobody wants to spend their evenings hunting for the right family holiday booking deals — whether that’s a water park in Malaysia, a harbour cruise in Sydney or a desert safari in Dubai — but that’s exactly what happens once school dates, flight prices, and half a dozen open browser tabs start piling up.
It’s a lot to juggle. So we put together this guide to cut through some of that, covering where to go, how to time your booking, and what actually separates a good deal from one that just looks like one, whether you’re building the trip piece by piece or leaning on a ready-made package.
Family Travel Is Booming, and That Changes How You Should Book
Family travel is having a real moment. The Family Travel Association’s 10th annual survey, run with NYU’s Tisch Center and Good Housekeeping and polling nearly 1,600 parents and grandparents, found that 92% of parents plan to travel with their kids in the coming year — the highest intent recorded since the pandemic. For context on how big a shift that is, the same survey in 2019 put the figure at 70%.
And it’s not just the immediate family anymore. Multigenerational trips are rising fast: 51% of Gen Z adults have travelled with their parents in the past two years, and 57% of parents are now planning trips that include both grandparents and children — up two points in 2023. More people are booking big family trips. This year, 48% said they plan one, up from 41% last year.
So what should you do with that? For most people, it means seats and hotel rooms on common travel routes go quicker, especially when school breaks start. It also means costs tend to rise the longer you delay. More people travelling together means more competition for the exact dates everyone wants.
It’s also worth knowing what other families are spending. The average family spent around $8,052 on travel last year, a 20% increase on 2023, so if your budget feels like it’s stretched further than it used to, you’re not imagining it.
Where to Go: Best Family Destinations Right Now
Once you’ve decided to book, the destination usually comes before everything else. A few places consistently work well for families, each for slightly different reasons.
| Destination | Best for | Why it works for families |
| Bali | Beach and culture, mid-length international trips | Family resorts, water parks like Waterbom, manageable flight times from Australia and Asia |
| Sydney & the Blue Mountains | Short-haul domestic family holiday | Harbour cruises, wildlife, an easy pace for mixed ages |
| Dubai | Luxury holidays with a bit of adventure | Desert safaris, indoor theme parks, tourism built with families in mind |
| Langkawi, Malaysia | Nature and adventure on a budget | Cable cars, mangrove tours, calm beaches suited to younger kids |
| Thailand | Budget-friendly long-haul | A wide spread of family resorts, strong value on food and activities |
| Paris | European city break, better for older kids and teens | Iconic landmarks, easy public transport, a trip length that’s simple to plan around |
| Okinawa, Japan | Nature and marine life | Aquariums, beaches, a slower pace than mainland Japan’s big cities |
If you cannot decide between the beach and the city, age often decides it. For small kids, places like Bali or Thailand can feel easier. There is usually time to rest between things you do.
For older kids and teens, a city trip can work better. They can manage more walking and a faster schedule, like in Paris.
Package Deal or DIY?
When families reach this point, they have to choose, and there is not one perfect option. It comes down to what time you actually have and how much say you want in the small things.
A bundled trip can work well when you are traveling with little children. In that case, there are fewer choices to juggle each day. It can also be a smart move if the place is new to you and you want the stay and plans already checked ahead of time.
You might pick the bundle if you are pressed for time to plan. You may also be okay with spending a bit more since it is easier to handle. If you book on your own, it can work better. This is especially true when you want flights or hotels that do not match a bundle.
It also helps when you are making a longer trip with several stops. In that case, one package usually does not cover everything you need. Some families plan everything themselves. They book flights and hotels first. Later, they look for day trips and attraction tickets near the time of travel.
For many people, this ends up costing less. The reason is simple: tickets bought on their own can be more flexible. They also tend to cost less than the deals that come in larger travel packages.
Deal Types Worth Knowing About
Discounts are not all built the same. If you pay attention to what the offer includes, you can tell the real deal from a catchy sales line.
Deals like “kids stay free” or “kids fly free” show up a lot on family plans. You often see them with resorts that bundle meals and activities too. In those cases, the child’s flight, the room, and access to the facilities are usually included. There is no extra fee for that part.
Group family bookings are becoming more common — several families travelling together, with providers increasingly rewarding that with better combined rates.
Unadvertised child rates. A few all-inclusive resorts let kids stay for free, even if they do not mention it on the site. You should ask them yourself instead of assuming the page tells you everything.
If you book your holiday early, usually four to six months ahead, you often get a better deal. Waiting until later usually leaves you with fewer options and higher costs.
Timing Your Booking
Booking early isn’t just a cliché. It genuinely affects what you pay and what’s still available by the time you land on dates.
| Booking window | Best for | What to expect |
| 4-6 months ahead | Peak season (summer holidays, Christmas, Easter) | Best availability, more choice on flights and family-sized rooms, early-bird offers |
| 2-3 months ahead | Shoulder season and popular international trips | Still reasonable pricing, good time to lock in major attraction tickets |
| 4-8 weeks ahead | Off-peak or flexible-date trips | Last-minute packages appear, but family room availability shrinks fast |
| Under 4 weeks | Weekend getaways, domestic short breaks | Prices spike or drop unpredictably, best for spontaneous, flexible families |
If your travel dates fall in a big school break, reserve sooner instead of waiting. Staff at travel agencies said that for 2026, many families were already fixing group trips early. They mentioned October half-term weeks and December trips for warmer weather as some of the first dates that sell out.
What Actually Makes a Deal Worth Booking
A low price doesn’t automatically mean good value, especially once you factor in what a family actually needs day to day.
Room configuration matters more than people expect. A “deal” that technically sleeps four but really only suits two adults comfortably isn’t much of a deal once you’re trying to fit a family in.
Look over the inclusions. Some bundles throw in transfers, meals, or entry passes. Others include the flight plus a room, and that is it.
Watch for cancellation terms. People miss this part. Kids can get sick, school days can change, and planes can run late. If you can pay a bit more for free cancellation, it may end up being a better deal than a cheaper option that will not move.
Match the plans to your kids’ ages. A package made for adults and their tours will not work well with small children. It also may not hold the attention of teens who get bored fast.
Go through reviews written by other families. A place might show a high rating from business guests, like 4.5 stars, yet still be hard with children.
Making International Trips With Kids Easier
Once you lock in the booking, sort a few items right away.
Start with passports and visas. Confirm they are ok as soon as the trip is set. Some places ask that your passport is valid for six more months past your travel dates. Also, kids may need a new passport sooner than adults.
If you are flying far, overnight flights can help. With young children, many will sleep for part of the trip. That can make the journey easier on everyone.
Don’t skip travel insurance. For families, it can matter a lot. There are more chances that someone will need a doctor visit, that plans will change and a flight gets rebooked, or that a bag will be delayed and then found later.
Pre-booking attraction tickets saves more than money. It means you’re not standing in a queue with a tired, hungry child while everyone else in line looks equally over it.
A Quick Note on Multigenerational Trips
If your grandparents are joining, the plan changes. About 47% of families took at least one trip with three or more generations in the last year. That is up 17% from 2024. Travel companies have also added more choices for groups with mixed ages.
Try to book places with connecting rooms or a bigger unit with more than one bedroom. Also, do not schedule every day to match one fixed rhythm for everyone. Each generation may want something different at the same time, and that is normal. Good family trips often include breaks where people split off for a few hours, then come back together.
One more finding worth acting on: the FTA survey found most families now let children help plan the trip. Giving a seven-year-old one activity to choose does more for buy-in than any amount of adult optimisation.
Where TickYourList Fits In
Once the flights and hotel are sorted, the fun part is figuring out what to actually do once you land.
TickYourList offers tickets and experiences for attractions across the world — theme parks, cable cars, cruises, museums and guided tours — so you’re not piecing the activity side together from a dozen different sites. Booking ahead also means you’re not working things out on the ground with a jet-lagged family in tow.
FAQs
Where is the best place for a family holiday?
That really depends on what you care about most. If you want a beach setting, Bali or Thailand can be a good fit for families. For quicker trips, Sydney and the Blue Mountains work well for a short stay. Dubai may suit people who want both high end comfort and some thrills. If your kids are older, Paris is often a better match for teens and older children.
How far in advance should I book a family holiday?
Book your room four to six months ahead if you are going during busy travel times or on an international trip. Planning that early often means more options, like larger rooms, and flights that leave sooner. Prices also tend to go up later. If you can be flexible, try the shoulder months as well. Those months can still let you plan about two to three months ahead.
How much do families spend on holidays?
The average family spent around $8,052 on travel last year, a 20% increase in 2023. Where that lands for you depends heavily on destination, trip length and whether you’re flying long-haul.
Are travel packages cheaper than booking separately?
Sometimes not. A package can cut down time and make planning easier. Still, if you spend a little time checking prices, booking flights, hotels, and things to do on your own can end up cheaper. You have to mix and match.
What are kids-go-free deals?
A setup where a child’s plane ticket, hotel stay, and entry to the site are bundled in with no extra charge. You often see this in family bundle deals and in all-in resorts. In some places, it may be offered only if you call and ask.
What should I look for in a family holiday deal?
Room configuration, cancellation policy, and what’s actually included beyond flights and a bed. A cheaper deal with poor flexibility can cost more in the long run when a child gets sick.
Is it worth booking activities and tickets before departure?
Yes, especially for popular attractions. Pre-booked tickets save time on the ground and often come at a better price than buying on arrival, with timed slots that avoid queuing with restless kids.
Do multigenerational trips need different booking strategies?
Yes, in many cases. Check whether the place has connecting rooms. Plan for days that can change as you go. Also see if the lodging fits more than one age group. About 47% of families are now traveling with three generations or more. Because of that, many tour providers are designing trips that work for everyone.
Which destinations suit younger children versus teenagers?
Little kids seem happier when there is rest time in the plan. Trips like Bali, Thailand, and Langkawi work well for that. Teenagers can keep up with a faster city schedule, like in Paris. They also usually enjoy Dubai more when the trip includes more activities.
When do family holiday dates sell out fastest?
School breaks start to move first. October half-term often goes early, and December sun trips can be next. If the school sets your dates on a calendar, plan as if you have only four to six months. Treat that time as the real cutoff, not as a gentle guide.
