Family holidays
Destinations, accommodation, documents and pace: the essentials for planning family holidays that work for every age.
Family holidays go better when the plan takes the children's ages into account: a baby, an eight-year-old and a teenager want very different things.
Choosing the destination
- Short, direct flights with young children: within Europe there are many options a few hours from Portugal and Spain, such as the Canary and Balearic Islands, Madeira or Italy.
- Beaches with calm water and easy access for the youngest.
- Nature and the outdoors for older children and teenagers: national parks, walks and water activities.
- Theme parks: Disneyland Paris, PortAventura or the Orlando parks, where it pays to plan each day in advance.
Accommodation
- Family or connecting rooms, or an apartment, so everyone has space.
- A kids' club, a children's pool and flexible meal times make a difference in resorts.
- Meal plan: half board or all inclusive helps keep the budget under control.
Documents and health
- Every child needs their own identity document or passport, babies included. Within the European Union, EU citizens can travel with a national identity card; outside it, a passport is usually required.
- If a child travels without one of the parents or with another adult, an authorisation signed by whoever holds parental responsibility may be required. Check the rules of your country and of the destination.
- European Health Insurance Card: gives access to necessary public healthcare during a temporary stay in EU and EEA countries and Switzerland. It does not replace travel insurance.
- Babies under 2 usually fly on an adult's lap with a reduced fare; from age 2 they need their own seat. Baggage allowances and rules for car seats and pushchairs vary by airline.
Pace
- One main activity a day, with time to rest - especially with small children.
- Avoid long transfers on the day you arrive.
- School holidays raise prices. If your children are not yet at school, June and September are good times to travel; otherwise, booking early for July and August gives you more choice.
How a Travel Partner helps
An iCliGo Travel Partner finds family rooms, flights at sensible times and transfers with child seats, and puts together a plan that suits everyone - with support before and during the trip.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best age to take children on holiday?
There is no right age; what changes is the kind of trip. With babies and young children, short flights and roomy accommodation work best; with older children and teenagers, destinations with nature, adventure or theme parks.
Do babies need a plane ticket?
With most airlines, babies under 2 fly on an adult’s lap and pay a reduced fare plus taxes. From age 2 they need their own seat. Baggage and car seat rules vary by airline.
Do children need their own travel document?
Yes. Every child needs their own identity document or passport, depending on the destination. If they travel without one of the parents or with another adult, an authorisation from whoever holds parental responsibility may be required.
When is it cheapest to travel as a family?
Outside school holidays prices drop considerably. If the children are not yet at school, June and September are good options; otherwise, book early for July and August.