How to Choose Your First Travel Destination as a Family
So, you’ve made the big decision—you’re going to travel the world as a family! But where do you even begin? Picking that first destination can feel overwhelming. Do you head straight to Asia for budget-friendly adventures? Do you explore the Americas? Or do you stick closer to home in Europe and ease into the travel lifestyle?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but here’s how to break it down and make the best decision for you and your family.
1. Decide on the Direction of Travel
One of the first things to consider is which part of the world you want to explore first. Think about the overall route of your travels—are you planning to go east towards Asia, west towards the Americas, or stay in Europe? Where you start can impact your journey ahead, so it’s important to map out a rough idea of where you’d like to go in the first few months.
2. Consider the Time of Year
The season you start travelling can have a huge effect on your experience. If you’re setting off in winter, do you want to escape to tropical beaches or embrace the snow somewhere? Research the climate of potential destinations to make sure you’re not arriving in the middle of monsoon season or peak summer heat.
It’s also important to check for any major holidays or events that could affect prices and availability. For example, Ramadan in some countries means altered opening hours, while places like Japan see massive crowds during cherry blossom season.
3. Think About Your Travel Priorities
What do you and your family want from your travels? Are you looking for rich culture and history? Do you want to focus on food experiences? Are you after off-the-beaten-path adventures, or do you want a relaxed, easy transition into travel?
For example, if you’re drawn to adventure and wildlife, a safari in Africa might be tempting, but with young children, it might not be the most practical choice. If affordability and ease of travel are key, then starting in Southeast Asia could be ideal.
4. Budget and Cost of Living
Budget is a major factor in deciding where to begin. Europe, for example, is generally more expensive than Asia, so if you want to make your money stretch further, it might be worth considering destinations like Thailand, Vietnam, or Sri Lanka.
We used Skyscanner to compare flight prices and figure out which destinations were the most affordable. Sometimes flying on certain days of the week is cheaper, so being flexible with dates can help.
5. Ease of Travel & Connecting Flights
Look at how easy it is to get from your first destination to the next places on your list. Are there affordable onward flights? Do you need visas? Is it easy to get around once you arrive?
For us, we started with a week in Oman as a stopover. It gave us a chance to relax before properly starting our adventure, and it was only a short flight to Sri Lanka, where our main travels began. This worked well for us because it meant an easier adjustment for the kids and a logical route onwards through Asia.
6. What Works for Your Family?
Ultimately, choosing your first destination comes down to what works best for you. Every family is different—some might love the idea of island-hopping in Thailand, while others prefer a European road trip in a camper van.
Take into account:
✔ Your budget
✔ The time of year
✔ The kind of experiences you want
✔ Flight options and travel logistics
✔ The comfort level for your children
Final Thoughts
Picking that first destination is exciting but don’t overthink it too much—there’s no perfect answer. Once you’re on the road, you’ll soon figure out what works for you and can adjust your plans as you go. The most important thing is to take that first step and begin your adventure!
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