On this page, you’ll find all the tools and tips we use to plan fun, stress-free family vacations. These are our go-to resources for finding great deals and making travel easy.
Family-Friendly Accommodation Booking
Booking.com – Our go-to for hotels and accommodation options, Booking.com is user-friendly and consistently offers great prices. Their Genius and Mobile deals always provide us with significant savings.
Airbnb – Airbnb is an excellent choice for home-like accommodations or group travel. It offers a vast variety of options and is straightforward to navigate.
Vrbo – Ideal for families seeking standalone vacation rentals, Vrbo boasts low service fees and robust search capabilities, making it easy to find precisely what you need.
Expedia – A top choice for comprehensive travel planning, Expedia covers everything from hotels to plane tickets and tours. The One Key Travel rewards program offers special member prices, adding value to family trips.
Hotels.com – This platform provides a diverse range of accommodation types to meet various family needs and preferences, accommodating different travel styles and requirements.
Flight Booking Tools
Skyscanner – Skyscanner is always my first stop when planning a trip. It features a flexible search option, including the ability to search by the cheapest month or destination, which is incredibly useful for budget-friendly planning.
Momondo – Another excellent option, Momondo stands out with its “Add nearby airports” feature. This option can often lead to great deals by expanding your airport choices.
Skiplagged – Skiplagged presents a unique approach to finding cheap flights by revealing ‘hidden city’ fares. These are flights where your destination is technically a layover, which can sometimes offer lower prices.
Priority Pass – This membership grants access to airport lounges, a fantastic benefit for frequent flyers. It’s a great way to enhance the travel experience, offering a space for relaxation and comfort during your journeys.
Travel Gear for Families
Stroller – Our favorite travel stroller is the Babyzen Yoyo. It’s lightweight and compact, and you can easily take it on a plane and place it in the overhead compartments without any issue.
Baby Carrier – Depending on the age of your child, I have two recommendations. For babies, I absolutely love the Ergobaby Embrace. I got this carrier for my second child and adore its softness; my baby always falls asleep in it. It’s usable from day one and doesn’t take up much space. When your child outgrows the Embrace, switch to the Lillebaby. It offers great support and can be used in various positions.
High Chair – We’ve used the hiccapop Omniboost high chair with our kids, and it’s been fantastic. Lightweight and easy to use, it’s incredibly compact when folded. You can use it in various settings – indoors or outdoors, at restaurants or the beach, and in rental homes. It also comes with a small tray.
Car Seat and Booster – During our last trip, we bought the UberBoost inflatable booster for Ollie, and it was superb – super easy to use and portable. For a car seat, we use the Evenflo Tribute LX. It’s lightweight, making it travel-friendly, and is designed for children weighing 5 to 40 lb,and measuring 19 to 40 inches tall.
Travel Insurance
World Nomads – Perfect for adventurous families, World Nomads is crafted by travelers, for travelers. It covers over 220 adventure activities, ensuring peace of mind for everything from trip cancellations to medical emergencies. Plus, it’s a lifesaver for those unexpected moments, like lost or damaged gear.
Safety Wing: Ideal for the tech-savvy, globe-trotting family, Safety Wing offers travel insurance tailored for digital nomads. It’s a great fit for modern families on the move, ensuring you’re covered no matter where your digital lifestyle takes you.
Visitor Coverage: Visitor Coverage is a versatile choice, offering both trip insurance and travel medical insurance. It’s a solid option for families seeking comprehensive coverage, whether for short trips or extended travel.
European Health Insurance Card (EHIC): For European families exploring within the EU, the EHIC is essential. It provides access to necessary healthcare during your travels, making it a must-have for peace of mind on family vacations.
Child-Friendly Activity Guides
Get Your Guide – It is excellent for family trips across the USA and worldwide, offering a wide array of child-friendly tours and activities at guaranteed low prices. Their no-hidden-fee policy and convenient ‘skip-the-line’ options make family excursions more budget-friendly and enjoyable.
Viator – It simplifies finding family-friendly day tours worldwide, offering an extensive selection with transparent ratings. Their flexible booking policy, allowing you to reserve now and pay later, is ideal for adaptable family travel planning.
Transportation Services: Book Rental Cars
Discover Cars – For those family road trips, Discover Cars is our go-to for car rental bookings. Its user-friendly platform makes finding the best deals a breeze, backed by excellent customer service.
RentalCars – RentalCars is a favorite for its straightforward approach to car rental comparisons. With no hidden fees, a price match guarantee, and a flexible 48-hour cancellation policy, it’s a reliable choice for family travel.
Money Abroad
Wise.com – Wise.com is perfect for families on vacation. Their multi-currency credit card means no extra fees when you use different currencies, and you always get good exchange rates. If there’s a problem, you can quickly cancel and replace your card right through the app. You can even use the new card immediately with Apple Pay or Google Pay. It’s simple and convenient for busy traveling families.
eSims & VPN
Airalo – For families eager to stay connected as soon as they land, Airalo is a fantastic choice. Offering some of the best market prices for data plans, it’s not only budget-friendly but also incredibly user-friendly.
NordVPN – When it comes to online security during travel, NordVPN is a reliable companion.
Packing Essentials
Backpack: Instead of a traditional diaper bag; I swear by the classic Fjallraven Kanken backpack. It’s the perfect size for all my kids” essentials, a small first aid kit, and a changing mat. It’s not just about the ample space; the quality is fantastic, and it’s so practical for on-the-go moms.
Packing Cubes: Packing cubes have completely transformed how we pack for trips! They make organizing a breeze – everything in our luggage has its place, and we can easily find what we need. We assign different colors to each family member, which simplifies identifying whose items are whose.
