International travel with kids
What’s the Best First International Trip With Kids?
For most families I’d start with Japan, London or Ireland. Japan is safe, clean and easy to get around by train, and London and Ireland give you English, shorter flights from the East Coast and history the kids already know from school.
My answer depends on one thing first. What does your family like doing?
| Where | Best for | Flight from New York, about |
|---|---|---|
| Japan | Feeling easy, food, trains | 14 hours |
| London | English, history, free museums | 7 hours |
| Ireland | English, slower pace | 6.5 hours |
| Costa Rica | Kids who’d rather be outside | 5.5 hours |
| Copenhagen | A little adventure | 8 hours |
Pick your crew
Where I’d send you
Japan, if you want it to feel easy
The trains are on time, it’s spotless, and the kids will beg for the convenience store snacks. Start with Tokyo and Kyoto and take the bullet train between them.
London, if you want English
Castles, free museums and history straight out of a social studies lesson. I taught it for eight years and I still love it.
Ireland, for a slower pace
Dublin and the countryside are slower paced, and you clear US customs in Dublin before you fly home.
Costa Rica, if they’d rather be outside
Volcanoes, zip lines and sloths, on a short flight from the US. Kids LOVE it.
Copenhagen, for a little adventure
If the weather’s nice, go where the locals hang out by the harbor and jump in. Jake did and it was awesome. Just make sure you’re by a ladder to climb out.
Skip these
What I’d leave off a first trip
No passports yet? US citizens don’t need one for Puerto Rico. Here’s San Juan with kids.
“Every family is different, which is why I always start with a conversation instead of a list.”
Nicole Damiano, ASTA Verified Travel Advisor with FG Luxury Travel. Former social studies teacher, mom of three, 60+ countries.
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Not sure which one fits your crew?
Tell me what your kids are into and I’ll tell you where I’d start.
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More for your first international trip
Quick answers
Is Japan good for a first international trip with kids?
Yes. It’s safe, clean and easy by train, and kids love the food. Tokyo and Kyoto are the easiest first combo.
What is the easiest international trip with kids from the US?
London or Ireland for English and shorter flights from the East Coast, or Costa Rica for a short flight and nature.
How long should a first international trip with kids be?
7 to 10 days, with one or two bases. Long enough to get over the jet lag, short enough that nobody falls apart.
Is Europe good for a first trip with kids?
Yes. London, Dublin and Copenhagen are all easy first cities with a lot to do for kids.
Do you need a passport to go to Puerto Rico?
No. US citizens don’t need a passport for Puerto Rico, so it’s a great warm up if passports aren’t sorted yet.
Keep planning: International travel with kids, step by step.
Nicole Damiano, ASTA Verified Travel Advisor with FG Luxury Travel. Adventures We Seek is my travel blog and planning resource. Trips are booked through Favorite Grampy Travels. Prices, fees and processing times last checked October 2026 and change often.
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