Big family on vacation: how to plan a trip without stress and extra spending

If the whole family is going on vacation, spontaneity ends at the ticket search stage. Then we'll break down the order of steps: how to agree on everyone's wishes, calculate the budget, choose accommodation, organize transportation, and avoid losing each other in a crowd.

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Start planning early

💡 In short:

• Collect everyone's wishes in one table and mark the overlaps.
• Book accommodation and restaurant tables in advance: not every place accepts large groups.

Planning starts with a question: who is going and what does each person consider a good vacation. Write down everyone's wishes in a table and mark the overlaps. That way you immediately see where the group agrees and where a compromise is needed.

Then decide on the season. It influences the choice of destination, and the destination influences the season. Accommodation for a large group in high season gets booked long before the travel date, so having time on your side works in your favor.

Involve everyone in planning. Kids can put flags on a map and suggest places they want to visit. With a plan they came up with themselves, they agree more readily, and the trip becomes a shared experience.

Divide up the tasks. One person looks for accommodation, another compares trains, a third handles restaurant reservations and tickets. That way responsibility rests with the whole group, not one person.

Book accommodation and restaurant tables in advance. Finding a table for a large group in the evening is hard even in resort towns, and a reservation removes that problem.

Good to know: museum and attraction tickets are cheaper online. Morning slots have shorter lines and are easier for younger kids.

Lifehack: promise the person who takes on the most a tangible reward. The best bed by the window or choosing an excursion they like motivates better than persuasion.

Calculate the trip budget

A vacation with a big family costs more than a trip for two, so calculate the budget before booking.

Put together a table: accommodation, transportation, food, entrance tickets, insurance. Add a reserve for the unexpected: a flight change, a doctor visit, an extra night.

If the budget is limited, check restaurant and ticket prices in advance. Look for family rates and free admission days. Many city museums open their doors for free at certain hours, but they don't always say so on the main page of their website.

Paid entertainment isn't the only option. Walks through national parks, waterfronts, and old streets are just as enjoyable for groups as guided tours.

© Janitors · CC BYPhoto: Janitors, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/), Flickr

Track expenses in one document and record payments right away. That way you see how much is left and don't have to count everything on the last evening.

Build an itinerary without rushing

A big family rarely handles a packed schedule, so leave free windows between transfers.

Identify the main stops on your route and add the rest as you go. That way the group can check out an unplanned place instead of chasing checkmarks on a list.

Choose accommodation not only by the number of beds but also by nearby activities. Having several options to choose from helps the group split up by interests: kids go to the playground, adults have a relaxed lunch.

Local tips work too: they know where to go when it rains and where there are no lines.

If you don't feel like planning, check out ready-made excursions and tours on Tiqets.

Food on vacation without overspending

Eating at cafes becomes the biggest expense line of a family vacation. Plan it the same way you plan transportation.

Bring snacks and water for the road: during transfers and at train stations this saves you time and money.

Replace some dinners with lunches: lunch menus are cheaper than evening ones, and finding a table for a large group is easier during the day.

Make dinner in apartments light and quick. Cooking takes just a few minutes, and the kids get to bed on time.

Breakfast at home also saves money: on the first day, buy groceries for several breakfasts ahead.

Check restaurant opening days: in small towns, places close one day a week, often Monday. You won't have to search for an open spot with hungry kids.

Where to go with the whole family

The destination should suit all ages at once: teenagers, toddlers, and grandparents.

The seaside suits almost everyone, but in peak season it's crowded and more expensive. Consider the heat: small children and older people struggle in the midday sun, and with a stroller you need flat paths and shade.

Mountains and hiking trails suit active families if the trail is manageable for the youngest. Hiking is possible in almost any season with the right clothing.

Retreats are chosen by those who want to slow down, but kids and teenagers quickly get bored there.

Cities offer a compromise: adults look at architecture, while kids find parks and interactive museums. Ask each person what's a must for them, and you'll get an itinerary that works for everyone.

Where to stay with a large group

Accommodation solves half of a trip's problems, especially when the group spans different ages. Decide in advance what matters more to you: breakfast and housekeeping or your own kitchen and washing machine.

Book a hotel room

One room rarely fits everyone, and the extra charge for an additional bed noticeably changes the budget. If you try to sneak kids into the room unnoticed, be ready for a question at the front desk: the hotel has the right to ask you to leave at any time.

• Who it's for: if you need breakfast and housekeeping.
• Not for: if there are more than five of you: one room won't be enough.
• The catch: extra charge for an additional bed.

Rent an apartment

An apartment or house turns the trip into a family nest for the duration of the vacation. Everyone has their own sleeping spot, and cooking for yourselves cuts costs.

• The catch: you'll have to cook and clean yourselves.

Lifehack: choose accommodation so that there's something to do in the house or nearby. Kids keep themselves busy, and adults relax without guilt.

Stay at campsites

Your own or rented home on wheels solves both transportation and overnight stays. If there aren't enough spots for everyone, sleeping bags come to the rescue.

The second option: set up a tent camp. There won't be amenities, and the weather may let you down, but you can take as many tents as you need. Rules differ by country: for example, in some places you can't collect branches for a campfire. In some regions a snake can crawl into a tent, so keep the entrance closed.

• The catch: minimal amenities and dependence on the weather.

Comparing available accommodation options for your dates is easy on Trip.com.

What about transportation?

If you're traveling far, a plane is often the only option. For a group of eight it's expensive, so check dates in advance and verify the baggage allowance per person.

A minivan or van solves the issue of getting around and luggage. Plan space with a buffer: luggage grows on the road.

© midnightbreakfastcafe · CC BYPhoto: midnightbreakfastcafe, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

Lifehack: pack things in labeled boxes. Everyone quickly finds their toy, warm socks, or spare T-shirt.

Agree with the kids on screen time limits if there aren't enough tablets and phones for everyone. There will be more screen time on the road than at home, but the car will be quieter.

Starting the trip early in the morning also helps: half-asleep kids doze in the car, and you get a couple of quiet hours.

Comparing minivan rental prices for your dates is easy on DiscoverCars.

Safety on the trip

In a large group, it's important that everyone knows where to find the others.

• Look out for each other and agree on a meeting place and time if you split up.
• Keep phones charged: a power bank on the road is more useful than it seems.
• Get insurance and bring basic medications, compare insurance terms online.
• Choose calm neighborhoods and routes suitable for all ages.
• Mark medical assistance points along your route on the map in advance.

The EHIC medical card is issued free of charge, one per family member, and gives access to emergency care under the same conditions as local residents (as of 09/2026, EHIC medical card on Your Europe).

Splitting up is easier with apps that show the location of loved ones. Install such an app on older kids' phones and check that geolocation works while you're still at home.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

How do I find accommodation for a family of eight?

Look for apartments and houses rather than hotel rooms, and book early: accommodation for large groups goes fast in high season. Check how many sleeping spots are listed in the description, whether there's a kitchen and a washing machine. Clarify the extra charge per guest and the check-in time so you don't have to deal with it on the spot.

Why are train tickets for kids a good deal?

Children aged 6 to 14 travel free in Germany if accompanied by someone aged 15 or older, and up to four children can be included on one ticket (as of 09/2026, Deutsche Bahn on children's tickets). Book seats in advance: window seats go quickly, and a stroller needs a designated area in the carriage.

Is traveling with a big family expensive?

More expensive than traveling as a couple, but cheaper than it seems. The main expense items are accommodation and food, and both are manageable. Take apartments instead of hotel rooms, plan lunches instead of dinners, cook breakfast at home. Add free walks and parks, and the extra spending disappears.

What if interests don't align?

Split up by interests for a few hours and agree on a meeting time and place. That way teenagers go to attractions while grandparents go to a museum or park. In the evening you share impressions, and no one is bored by someone else's plan.

How do I transport luggage for a big family?

Plan space in advance: a large group always has more suitcases than expected. Keep the most essential items in the passenger area. Put heavy items at the bottom, leave kids' backpacks with the kids, and check the carrier's rules for a stroller.

In short: what's worth booking

For a big family, the order is as follows.

• If there are more than five of you: look for an apartment or house.
• If you're traveling far: fly, and rent a minivan at the destination.
• If you want excursions without lines: plan a morning slot.

The final step is one thing: lock in accommodation and transportation before buying everything else. Start with accommodation and check hotels and apartments on Trip.com, then add tickets and excursions once the dates are set.