Tips

First trip abroad with kids: cities, stays, child fares

Waiting for a flight near an airport gate. — Waiting at an airport gate · Photo: Matthew Henry matthewhenry / CC0

Family-friendly cities and areas, sights that work well with kids, and how child fares and free-entry ages differ by place.

Published Oct 12, 2026 · Updated Oct 13, 2026

Where to go: cities that suit families

Picking a destination is often the hardest part of a first trip abroad with children. This post gathers only family- and child-related tips. It is not a complete list; these are examples from a selection of cities.

Fares and age rules can change, so check official information before you go. For your child's passport and entry documents, check official information too.

What these places often share is an airport close to the hotels or the city, resorts and calm seas for resting, or good public transport. For a first trip, starting with a place where transfers are short makes things easier.

Guam: The airport sits close to the hotel strip, making it especially popular for family trips.
Okinawa: Sights are spread across the island, so most visitors rent a car; it's especially good for families and beach holidays.
Osaka: A big theme park makes it great for families, and Kyoto, Nara and Kobe are a short train ride away.
Singapore: Clean, safe and with excellent public transport, it is easy to cover in a few days and ideal for families.
Da Nang: Loved for My Khe Beach, beachfront resorts and low prices, popular with families and couples, and the airport is right next to downtown.
Cebu: Clear water, resorts and island-hopping trips make it popular with families and honeymooners.
Honolulu (Hawaii): Warm all year and a favorite for honeymoons and family trips.
Sanya: With an average annual temperature of about 25.7°C it stays warm even in winter, and it suits beach breaks and family trips.

Choosing where to stay: family-friendly areas

Even within one city, the neighborhood you stay in changes how much time you spend getting around. These areas are good for families.

Resort areas are great for resting but are often far from the city. Decide first whether you will sightsee a lot or spend long hours at your hotel, and the choice gets easier.

Three beaches on Phuket's west coast seen from Karon Viewpoint — Karon Viewpoint (Kata Noi, Kata and Karon beaches) · Photo: Utkarshsingh.1992 / CC BY-SA 3.0

Okinawa, Onna resort coast: A west-coast strip of beach resorts, many with pools and their own beaches.
Cebu, Mactan Island resorts: Close to the airport, with resorts offering private beaches and pools.
Osaka, Bay Area: Hotels at the gates of a theme park make early entry easy, but it is farther from the city sights.
Honolulu (Hawaii), Ko Olina: Large resorts around calm man-made lagoons, but 40+ minutes by car to the city.
Sanya, Haitang Bay: A calm upscale resort area in the far east, but far from downtown.
Phuket, Karon and Kata: Quieter than Patong with wide beaches, popular with families.
Singapore, Sentosa: A resort island with beaches that suits families with kids, though trips into the city take longer.
London, Kensington: A calm area near the Natural History Museum and Hyde Park, with higher prices.
New York City, Upper West Side: A calm residential area next to Central Park and the Natural History Museum.

Sights and activities that are good with kids

These places are especially good with children. Adding one kid-friendly stop a day, such as a beach, an aquarium or a museum, keeps the schedule relaxed.

For places where you plan to swim, read the notes on the seabed and the season as well. Think about things like water shoes for coral and summer jellyfish nets.

Guam, Tumon Beach: A shallow, calm lagoon protected by the reef, great for kids. Water shoes help protect feet from coral and rocks.
Ishigaki, Sukuji Beach: Very shallow water and a sandy bottom, good for young children, with jellyfish nets in summer.
Osaka, Kaiyukan Aquarium: A huge aquarium famous for its whale sharks, great with kids. Weekend afternoons are busy; mornings or evenings are calmer.
Sydney, Darling Harbour: An aquarium, museums and waterfront dining, great with kids.
Chiang Mai, cooking classes: Half-day classes where you shop at a market and cook Thai dishes yourself, great with family.
Chiang Mai, Gaeng Hang Lay: A northern pork curry that is not very spicy, so fine for kids.

Child fares and free-entry ages: the rules differ

Child fares may be set as "X and under" or "under X", or by height instead of age, depending on the place. The same number can mean a 1-year difference, so check the rule when you buy tickets.

Some places ask for proof. At Kunming's Stone Forest, foreign visitors claiming a reduction must show original documents, so bring your passport, and free entry for under-10s at Phnom Penh's Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum requires ID. Having your child's passport with you when buying tickets makes things easier.

Four closed passports from different countries lying side by side. — Passport covers · Photo: Horizon206 / CC0

Amsterdam: The Rijksmuseum costs EUR 25 for adults; 18 and under free.
Himeji: From 1 March 2026, Himeji Castle costs JPY 2,500 for ages 18 and over; under 18 free.
Venice: Children under 6 ride the waterbus free.
Toronto: Children 12 and under ride the TTC subway, streetcars and buses free.
Kunming: At the Stone Forest, children 6 and under enter free, and ages 7-18 pay half price (CNY 65).
Guilin: Cruise child fares changed on April 1, 2026: under 1 year free (no seat); age 1 and over but under 1.2 m CNY 30 on day routes and CNY 60 at night; 1.2 m to under 1.5 m half price.
Ishigaki: The City Yaeyama Museum costs JPY 200 for adults; 12 and under free.

Getting around with kids: practical tips

With children you carry more and want to walk less. In many cities, booking a car is easier when you travel with family or luggage.

If you arrive late or expect your child to be tired, decide in advance how you will get from the airport to your hotel. In very cold or hot places, plan clothing and transport together.

Da Nang: A ride-hailing app is the default way to get around; with family or luggage, book a car rather than a motorbike.
Chiang Mai: Fixed fares make a ride-hailing app easy, especially with family or luggage, or late at night.
Siem Reap: Air-conditioned taxis can be hired for a day or more, easiest on hot days, for far-flung temples or with family.
Harbin: Average winter (December-February) lows are about -18 to -22°C, so three layers are recommended; with children, pack a spare set of underwear and socks in case they get sweaty.

Places to think about and local etiquette

For historically heavy sites, check in advance whether they suit your child's age. Some of them publish official age advice.

It also helps to know the etiquette around local children. Even if you want to help, follow what official guidance recommends.

Sample itineraries with kids and travel insurance are covered in the posts below.

Munich: At the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site, the exhibitions are not recommended for children under 12.
Phnom Penh: The Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum notes the exhibits may not be appropriate for visitors aged 14 and under. Ages 10-17 pay USD 3, and under 10 enter free (ID required).
Sa Pa: Avoid patting children on the head, which is considered bad luck locally. The official tourism office advises against giving children candy or money, or buying goods and services from them.
Siem Reap: The official visitor code says buying from, or giving money or candy to, children encourages begging. If you want to help, donate to a recognised charity.

FAQ

Which cities are easy for a first trip abroad with kids?

Guam, Okinawa, Da Nang and Singapore, among others, are good for family trips. Look at how close the airport is to your hotel and how far your area is from the city.

Is the free age for children the same everywhere?

No. Himeji Castle is free under 18, the Toronto TTC is free for 12 and under, and the Venice waterbus is free under 6, while places like the Guilin cruises go by height. Check official information before buying tickets.

How do I prepare my child's passport and entry documents?

Requirements differ by country and can change, so check official information. The first trip abroad checklist post covers what to prepare before departure.

Are there places to be careful about with kids?

The Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site in Munich does not recommend its exhibitions for children under 12, and the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum in Phnom Penh says its exhibits may not be appropriate for ages 14 and under. Check official information before adding them.