Can families do a round-the-world trip?

F100s of families fly RTW with AirTreks every year, from toddlers to teenagers. The trips look different from a solo backpacking route, but the value of a custom multi-stop itinerary actually increases when you're traveling with kids.

Children under 2 can fly as lap infants on most international flights for about 10% of the adult fare. Once they turn 2, they need their own seat at the child fare, which is typically 75% to 100% of the adult price depending on the airline and route. Plan your travel dates around birthdays if your child is close to that threshold.

Route design matters more with kids. Most families do well with 4 to 6 stops over 4 to 8 weeks. Longer stays in each city, at least 4 to 5 nights, reduce the stress of constant movement. Southeast Asia is popular with families because it's affordable, welcoming to children, and has solid tourist infrastructure. Bali, Thailand, and Japan are consistently strong family picks. New Zealand, Portugal, and Costa Rica also rank high.

Stick to destinations where good medical care is accessible. Your AirTreks consultant can help you avoid routing through cities where a pediatric emergency would be complicated. We also recommend building flexibility into your schedule. Kids get sick, plans change, and having date-change options on at least some segments gives you a safety net.

On the flight side, choose daytime legs when possible and avoid red-eyes with young children unless you know they sleep well on planes. Business class on the longest legs, say anything over 10 hours, makes a real difference when you're managing kids in a confined space. A common approach is to fly economy on shorter hops and upgrade the one or two longest flights.

AirTreks has been routing family trips since 1987. We know which airlines have the best family boarding policies, which airports have play areas, and which connections to avoid with strollers.