Partir avec des enfants : nos guides par destination
(1 guide)
For a smooth family trip, check three things before you book: each child’s travel documents, the health precautions for your destination, and a pace that suits your children’s ages. For a first trip, favor a short journey, little time difference from home and a mild climate.
This family travel guide covers documents and health for children, with official sources for UK travelers and US travelers, then destinations that suit each age and season.
The essentials
- Every child, even a baby, needs their own passport to travel abroad.
- UK passports for children under 16 are valid for 5 years (GOV.UK, read 12 November 2026).
- Before you book, read the entry requirements for your destination on the UK FCDO or U.S. State Department country pages: they set the rules for children as well as adults.
- See a doctor or travel medicine specialist at least one month before you leave (CDC), and at least 8 weeks ahead for vaccinations (UK FCDO).
- Check car seat rules in the country you are visiting: a car seat approved in the US may not be approved elsewhere (CDC).
A child’s travel documents
Rules on children’s passports, visas and parental consent depend on the child’s nationality and on the destination, so check both the issuing government and the destination country before you book.
UK citizens
According to GOV.UK (checked 12 November 2026), you apply for a child passport if your child is under 16. It costs £66.50 to apply online and £80 to apply with a paper form from the Post Office, and a child passport is valid for 5 years. Someone with parental responsibility must apply, and you need to give both parents’ details. GOV.UK advises not to book travel until you have a valid passport. The UK FCDO’s foreign travel checklist (GOV.UK, last updated 5 June 2026) also tells travelers with children to check whether they need extra documentation, and its country entry requirements pages set out the rules for each destination.
US citizens
The U.S. State Department sets the rules for passports for minors and publishes the entry requirements for each destination on travel.state.gov. Read the country page for your destination (the « Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements » section) and the passport pages for minors before you book, as processing times can be long.
If a child travels without both parents
Some countries ask for proof of parental consent when a child enters with only one parent or with another adult. The rules are set by each destination, so look for this in the entry requirements of your destination’s travel advice and, if in doubt, contact the destination’s embassy.
Children’s health when traveling
The CDC’s guidance for travelers with children (CDC Travelers’ Health, page last reviewed August 16, 2022, read 12 November 2026) is a good starting point, along with the UK FCDO’s destination health pages and TravelHealthPro.
- Before you go: make an appointment with your child’s health care professional or a travel medicine specialist at least one month before you leave, and make sure routine vaccines are up to date. For example, the CDC says infants 6 to 11 months old should get 1 dose of MMR vaccine before international travel.
- Health cover: get travel insurance and find out where to get health care at your destination. The UK FCDO notes that a GHIC or EHIC is not a substitute for travel insurance and may not cover all health costs.
- Diarrhea: the most common illness in children who travel abroad. The CDC advises plenty of fluids and oral rehydration salts; seek medical attention if your child seems dehydrated, has a fever or bloody stools. Choose safer food and drinks.
- Mosquitoes and ticks: use EPA-registered insect repellent with an ingredient listed by the CDC, such as DEET or picaridin, follow label instructions, and dress children in clothing that covers arms and legs. The CDC says not to use products containing oil of lemon eucalyptus or para-menthane-diol on children under 3.
- Malaria: children traveling to an area with malaria should take prevention medicine; ask a health care professional which one.
- Animals: supervise children around dogs, cats and wildlife (rabies risk), and wash any bite with soap and water and seek medical attention immediately.
- Sun and heat: hat, sunscreen (apply it before repellent), plenty of water, and activities outside the hottest hours.
- Travel kit: usual medicines with prescriptions, rehydration solution, thermometer, plasters. Ask your health care professional which fever medicine and dose suit your child’s weight.
Which destinations for families with children?
The right choice depends mostly on the children’s ages, the journey time and the season. The periods below come from our « when to go » pages.
| Destination | Family strengths | Best time |
|---|---|---|
| Spain | Beaches, easy-going cities | April to June, September-October |
| Portugal | Algarve beaches, Lisbon, short distances | May-June, September-October |
| Italy | Beaches, art cities, lakes | April to June, September-October |
| Croatia | Coast, islands, calm waters | May-June, September |
| Canary Islands | Sun all year | April to June, September to November; possible in winter |
| Madeira | Easy hikes, mild climate | April to September |
| Réunion | Hiking, volcano | May to November |
| Guadeloupe / Martinique | Beaches | December to April |
| Mauritius | Sheltered lagoons, hotels with kids’ clubs | April to December |
| Costa Rica | Visible wildlife, nature activities for older children | December to April |
| Japan | Easy transport, playful culture | Late March to mid-May, autumn |
By the children’s ages
- Babies and under 3s: a short journey, little time difference, accommodation with a kitchen or a cot, and a single base. The Mediterranean outside peak summer, the Canary Islands or the Caribbean in the dry season suit them well.
- Ages 3 to 7: gently sloping beaches, short activities, room for naps. Avoid changing accommodation every two days.
- Ages 8 to 12: a good age for a first multi-stop trip (Costa Rica, Japan, Réunion) with varied days.
- Teenagers: involve them in the choice; sports, cities and diving often work better than a resort stay.
For Europe in particular, see our guide traveling in Europe with children. To find a destination for your holiday dates, see where to go by month, for example in July, in August, in October or in February.
Destinations by holiday season
School holidays often dictate the dates. For each period, here are destinations in good season according to our « when to go » pages.
| Holiday | Good destinations | Learn more |
|---|---|---|
| Winter (February) | Canary Islands, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Egypt, Lapland | Where to go in February |
| Spring (April) | Spain, Portugal, Italy, Morocco, Japan | Where to go in April |
| Summer (July-August) | Ireland, Scotland, Switzerland, Madeira, Mauritius, Bali | Where to go in July |
| Autumn break (late October) | Canary Islands, Réunion, Morocco, Jordan | Where to go in October |
| Christmas | Canary Islands, Caribbean, Mauritius, Lapland, Thailand | Where to go in December |
Getting around with children
By plane
- Book seats together early: depending on the airline, seat selection may cost extra.
- For a baby, ask the airline about bassinets, strollers and the rules for milk and baby food.
- On takeoff and landing, feeding or giving a drink to a baby can help with ear pressure.
- Keep a change of clothes, snacks, medicines and something to occupy the child in the cabin.
By train and car
- Trains let children move around and play, and they serve city centers directly.
- With a rental car, reserve suitable car seats and check they will be provided; plan regular breaks. The CDC advises researching car seat guidelines for your destination, and says children are generally safest in the back seat.
- For long journeys, leave early in the morning or at nap time.
Checklist before you leave
- Valid passport for each child (and visa or electronic authorization if the destination requires it).
- Any consent documents the destination asks for if a child travels with one parent or another adult.
- Travel insurance for the whole family; check what it covers for medical costs and repatriation.
- Health records, prescriptions, usual medicines in sufficient quantity.
- Kit: rehydration solution, thermometer, plasters, sunscreen, repellent suited to the child’s age.
- Copies of documents (paper and digital) and useful numbers.
- Comforter, games, headphones, water bottles, snacks.
- Bookings: car seats, cot, arrival times at your accommodation.
In every case, leave slack in the schedule: a sick child, a delay or a rainy day are far easier to handle when nothing is booked to the minute.
Organizing the trip
- Flights: choose times that fit the children’s rhythm; a daytime flight is often easier than a night flight with a young child. Check the airline’s rules for babies (seat, bassinet, stroller, baggage).
- Accommodation: an apartment or family room with a kitchen, a fenced pool, closeness to the beach or transport.
- Pace: one big visit a day, breaks, and a day with no plans now and then.
- Car: reserve child seats suited to age and weight; rules vary by country.
- Internet: an eSIM or suitable plan avoids roaming charges and helps with maps and bookings on the spot.
Cheap family travel: the levers
- Dates: school holidays concentrate demand; the first and last days of a break, or dates just outside it, are sometimes cheaper.
- Transport: check child fares on trains; by car, the cost is split across passengers.
- Accommodation: a rental or apart-hotel with a kitchen, a holiday village, a campsite.
- All-inclusive: handy with young children, to compare with booking separately.
- Activities: beaches, parks and easy hikes cost little.
Our detailed method: budget travel, cheap all-inclusive trips and cheap ski holidays.
Where to go as a family, by style
| Style | Ideas | Suitable age |
|---|---|---|
| Beach, little time difference | Canary Islands, Portugal, Croatia | All ages |
| Nature and wide-open spaces | Lapland in winter, Costa Rica | Better from about 6-7 years |
| Culture and cities | Italy, Spain, Japan | Children who walk well |
| Caribbean and Indian Ocean islands | Guadeloupe, Martinique, Réunion | All ages (long flight) |
Frequently asked questions
Does my child need their own passport to travel abroad?
Yes, in general each child needs their own passport. For British children under 16, GOV.UK says someone with parental responsibility must apply, and the passport is valid for 5 years. US families should check the passport pages for minors on travel.state.gov.
Where do I find entry rules for my child’s destination?
In the entry requirements section of the UK FCDO travel advice (GOV.UK) or on the U.S. State Department country page (travel.state.gov). They apply to children as well as adults.
When should we see a doctor before traveling with children?
The CDC advises making an appointment with your child’s health care professional or a travel medicine specialist at least one month before you leave. The UK FCDO advises checking vaccinations at least 8 weeks before.
Can we use our own car seat abroad?
Not always. The CDC warns that a car seat from the United States may not be approved in another country, so research the car seat guidelines for your destination.
How do we travel as a family on a budget?
Play on dates (start or end of school holidays), accommodation with a kitchen, train child fares or a shared car, and low-cost activities on the spot.
Which destination for a first family trip abroad?
A destination with a short journey and little time difference from home, such as Spain, Portugal, Italy or the Canary Islands for European travelers, simplifies a first trip with young children.
Our sources
- UK government, Get a passport for your child (GOV.UK, read 12 November 2026)
- UK FCDO, Foreign travel checklist (GOV.UK, last updated 5 June 2026, read 12 November 2026)
- CDC Travelers’ Health, Traveling with Children (page last reviewed August 16, 2022, read 12 November 2026)
- U.S. Department of State, travel.state.gov country information pages
- Our « when to go » pages by destination (see our methodology)
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.
