International travel with kids
How Much Does an International Trip With Kids Cost?
For most families, flights and rooms that sleep four or five are most of the cost of an international trip with kids. Then add passports ($135 per child under 16), entry fees like the UK’s £20 ETA per person, travel insurance at about 4 to 10% of your prepaid costs, and a few dollars a day for phone data.
The two big numbers are flights and the room. Everything else is smaller than people think, but it adds up, so I like to see it all on one page before anyone books.
Before you go
The fees nobody puts in the budget
Fees last checked October 2026.
Where the money goes
What drives the price
| Cost | What moves it |
|---|---|
| Flights | School holidays, how early you book, nonstop or not |
| Rooms | A room for four or five, or two rooms. Family rooms go first. |
| Getting around | Trains, a rental car, or transfers with car seats |
| Food | Breakfast included saves more than you’d think |
| Tickets and tours | Book the few that matter, skip the rest |
Spend less
Where I’d save, and where I wouldn’t
- Travel just outside school holidays if you can
- Two bases, not five. Every move costs money and time
- An apartment or a family room with a kitchen
- Breakfast included
- Don’t save on the first and last night. Location matters most then
- Don’t save on travel insurance for an international trip
“When something is refundable, I book it early and keep watching the price. I hold the good stuff and swap it if something better comes up.”
Nicole Damiano, ASTA Verified Travel Advisor with FG Luxury Travel. Former social studies teacher, mom of three, 60+ countries.
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Quick answers
What is the biggest cost of an international trip with kids?
Flights and rooms. A room that sleeps four or five, or two rooms, is usually the piece that surprises families.
How much is a passport for a child?
$100 for the passport book for kids under 16, plus a $35 acceptance fee. $60 more to expedite.
Do kids need a UK ETA?
Yes. Every traveler needs one, kids included. It’s £20 per person.
Do kids need ETIAS for Europe?
ETIAS is set to start at the end of 2026 for €20. Travelers under 18 don’t pay.
How much should travel insurance cost for a family?
Comprehensive plans usually run 4 to 10% of your prepaid, nonrefundable trip costs.
How can we make an international trip with kids cheaper?
Go just outside school holidays, stay in two bases instead of five, and get a room with a kitchen or breakfast included.
Keep planning: International travel with kids, step by step, more travel questions, answered.
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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