10 family travel tips for a hassle-free vacation

Going on vacation with your family can be tricky business because there are a lot of things that could go wrong. But if you're a smart traveller and are really willing to put some thought into these family trips, you can not only have the most amazing vacation with your loved ones but also keep them safe and happy in the simplest way.  

So whether you're going on vacation or just thinking of family vacation ideas, we suggest reading these 10 fabulous family travel tips before you take that big step and book your tickets.

1. Choose your destination wisely

This is the advice on which all your other family travel tips are based. You should consider the preferences of each family member before deciding, but above all, make sure it is convenient for each family member (children, parents, spouse, etc.).

Example: You might find it fascinating to go on vacation to Europe in the middle of winter, but for your parents or children, it really might not be the best idea.

>> Read more: Travel to Vietnam with children - family vacation

2. Book everything in advance

One can truly feel the true importance and convenience of booking hotels, flights, tickets for sightseeing, and other attractions when travelling with family. The thing is, it's not about convenience, but rather about not having to worry about things that can be easily taken care of with just the click of a button. On a family vacation, it's all about that connection and living in the moment - and booking lets you do that.

Tip: Booking your hotels, flights, and tickets for sightseeing and attractions well in advance can not only give you a worry-free vacation but also huge discounts.

>> Read more: Cheap travel to Vietnam – Our 8 tips and tricks

3. Keep your travel documents safe and close at hand

It goes without saying, but you don't want to lose your travel documents in a foreign country during your trip, and at the same time, you want to keep them handy. So what is the solution? Keep a passport holder or a small bag preferably with a sling so that it is both practical and secure. Adults can take care of their own baggage, but if you're travelling with children, it's best to keep theirs with you and be a little more careful.

PS - Always keep a Xerox of your originals and never keep all original documents in one place or in one bag.

4. Know the do's and don'ts of the destination before you travel

This is as essential as your travel documents for your safety and your travel experience depends on it. If you are travelling to a new destination, especially an international one, it is very important that you are in tune with the culture, the do's and don'ts, and the special rules of the place because if you don't, it could result in unnecessary fines, embarrassment or heck, even jail. You should know the basic manners/etiquette of each country or destination before you visit.

5. Travel light but don't forget the essentials, especially a first aid kit!

Although it is often seen as a practical thing to travel light and keep only the essentials, you should never forget to keep medical contingencies in mind, especially if a family member has a history of it.

Tip: While a basic first aid kit is considered a travel essential, it's also important to keep family members with special medical needs in mind (e.g. an inhaler for a patient with asthma or a drug for a diabetic patient).

6. Carry things that would help you pass the time

Whether it's a Gameboy, a tablet, or even a game on your phone, at least have something that would help pass your time. One of the best things to pack would be a book though, but if you also want to spend some meaningful and fun time with your family, you can always partake in some board games.

7. Use a card instead of cash

We all know that carrying cash is always risky, especially in a foreign destination, so until the destination you are travelling to is full of local stores that only deal in local currency, it is always best to use international debit or credit cards for transactions.

8. Put ID in each family member's pocket

Write down a contact number (buy a local SIM card if you're travelling overseas), contact details, and anything else you might need if one of your members gets lost or has an accident. It is not only ideal for the elderly and children but also for new travellers.

9. Buy a local SIM card

To save on your calls and messages, it's always better to get a local SIM card with an internet connection rather than going with your native carrier. This would not only save you a lot of money but also provide better connectivity through LAN access.

10. Pack some snack

Pack light snacks because, with family and kids, you never know. If any of your members are sensitive to a certain type of food, it is always best to look for an alternative or trust international food chains.

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