Planning a family trip to Europe can be both exciting and daunting at the same time. With so many incredible destinations to visit and exciting things to discover, it can be hard to know where to start. And when planning a family-friendly European adventure, considering both the kids’ and the adults’ wants and needs will ensure that everyone has a great vacation!
As a seasoned traveler and Backroads Trip Leader, I have a few travel tips that will make planning a family vacation that everyone will enjoy easier than you ever thought!
Get Your Passports & ETIAS in Order
First and foremost, all family members must have an up-to-date passport. Starting in mid-2025, each family member will also need their own ETIAS, which stands for European Travel Information and Authorization System.
Apply for your passports and ETIAS well ahead of your trip. Here’s what else you need to know:
- Passports: Processing time for a first-time passport or renewal of an existing passport can be four to six weeks from the date the application is received. For an additional cost, you can expedite the service time to two to three weeks. If you already hold a passport, check the expiration date. Most European countries require your passport to have three to six months of validity remaining in order to enter the country.
- ETIAS: This new program, designed to enhance the security of visa-free travel in Europe, requires non-EU travelers to have an ETIAS to enter countries within the Schengen zone, which encompasses many European countries. Each traveler must have their own ETIAS, regardless of age; parents can apply for the authorization on behalf of their minor children. Most applications are processed within minutes, but it could take as long as four days (or longer, if you’re required to submit additional information.)
Choose Your European Destination(s)
If you’re reading this, I bet you and your family have been kicking around ideas for a European vacation for some time. So where will it be? France, Spain or Croatia? Maybe Greece or Germany? When choosing your destination, there are some important things to consider: What kinds of activities are you and your family interested in? Will you be sightseeing on your own or taking walking tours or other guided tours? How much can you reasonably do and see in the time you have (don’t forget to factor travel days into your planning, and allow time to get over jet lag)? If you have young children, do you need some downtime every day (i.e., relaxing in your hotel room, or maybe time for a gelato break)? Will you need a rental car, or can you take public transportation to get around? Can you take a train ride to other nearby attractions or cities you want to visit?
My recommendation is to first decide how many times you want to unpack, which will inform some of your other decisions. Maybe you prefer to have one home base near a city center and explore locally or plan day trips to nearby places of interest that are an easy train ride away. If you have more time, maybe choose two major cities in which to settle for a period of time and then branch out from there. If your children are older, perhaps one day in a smaller destination is enough, moving more often via rental car in order to explore and experience more varied European destinations.
Have a Packing Strategy
When traveling to Europe with kids, it might be tempting to overpack. You may think you want to have options and extras of—well, everything—just in case. But the last thing you want to do is lug big heavy suitcases across Paris or Rome on seemingly endless cobblestone streets, on public transportation or in train stations, into those tiny European elevators or up several flights of stairs. Remember, European cities have everything that you could need if you forget to pack any essential items!
To make things easy on yourself, answer the following questions when choosing what to pack:
- What activities will you be doing? Is your sightseeing mostly in major cities or will you need biking shorts or hiking shoes?
- What’s the climate of your destination? Do you need winter jackets or swimsuits? Is there a possibility of rain—do you need to bring a raincoat? (Tip: There’s always a possibility of rain, and not just in London.)
- Can you easily move through airports, around planes or train stations and on city streets with the luggage you plan to bring? Can your children?
My general recommendation is to restrict luggage to one carry-on roller bag or weekender backpack, plus a smaller bag or daypack that can fit under your seat. This may not seem like a lot but don’t forget that if your travel plans include a layover, you’ll have to move those bags from one plane to the next, not to mention get them from the airport to your hotel room. If this is not your family’s first time on a long trip, tends to travel light or really has the packing thing down to a science, then this might work for you.
But it may not be realistic if you have younger kids, are traveling in colder months that require bulkier clothing or if your family vacation is longer than a week. The goal is to be as efficient as possible and keep everything compact. Then you can be confident knowing you can manage all your luggage anywhere you go...from airport, to rental car, to hotel room, to train station, etc. In addition, if your kids are old enough, let them manage their own bags. This will help the family be more agile as you move from place to place.
Book Accommodations Early
Once you’ve figured out your Europe itinerary, choose and book your accommodations. Hotel rooms in popular European cities fill up fast during the summer or winter holiday seasons, which are understandably the most popular times for a family trip. Also, vacation rentals can be great for family travel, as they offer more space than a typical hotel room and sometimes include useful amenities such as a washer and dryer. When researching the location where you plan to stay, look at things like access to public transportation or taxis, an ATM where you can withdraw euros, safety, whether it’s convenient to sightseeing or other activities and the train station if you plan to do day trips.
International Phone Plans or eSim
Start by checking with your phone carrier. Most of the majors in the United States offer plans that allow you to tap in-network with their European partners at an extra cost on top of your existing plan.
Newer phones may have an eSim, which connect with a local carrier in whichever European destination you are. You can easily purchase eSim data plans online to use during your travels. Companies like Airalo and Orange are fairly popular choices.
Travel with Backroads
We know that as much as you love them, traveling to Europe with kids can often feel more like a trip than a real vacation. When you let Backroads take care of all the travel planning for your European family vacation, you eliminate the hassles of transporting your luggage from place to place, don’t have to figure out international train schedules or rental car policies and are assured of high-quality hotel rooms and meals. With over 20 years of experience planning family trips, we’ve optimized your Europe itinerary so guided tours with local experts, hiking and biking routes, any required permits or reservations are arranged. You can just show up and enjoy the vacation and quality family time. Our Trip Leaders will deliver an unforgettable experience for you and your kids, no matter where in Europe you decide to land.
See you across the pond!
