Top 5 Myths About Family Travel And What It’s Really Like
When we first told people we were planning to travel the world full-time with our kids, the reactions were mixed. Some were excited for us, others were politely skeptical, and a few were downright shocked.
“Isn’t that dangerous?” “How can you afford it?” “But what about school?” If you’ve ever thought about taking your family on a big travel adventure, even for a few weeks, chances are you’ve heard (or thought) some of these same things.
The truth is, there are many myths surrounding what family travel looks like. After over 7 years on the road with our three kids, I can confidently say that while it’s not always easy, it’s far more doable and rewarding than most people think. So today, I want to bust some of the biggest myths I’ve heard (and believed myself at one point!) and share what family travel is really like.
View of Dubrovnik, Croatia from the walls
Myth #1: “It’s too expensive to travel with kids.”
This is the most common myth we hear. Yes, travel costs money. But so does staying home: mortgages, school fees, extracurriculars, entertainment, eating out, gas, and so much more. When we added it all up, we realized we could live more affordably while traveling, especially in countries with a lower cost of living.
What it’s really like:
We’ve found ways to make travel affordable by:
Choosing destinations where our money stretches further (think Southeast Asia, Central America, Eastern Europe).
Staying in apartments with kitchens, so we don’t eat out for every meal.
Traveling during off-peak seasons.
Booking longer stays to get weekly or monthly discounts.
Using travel points and miles strategically.
Prioritizing experiences over souvenirs or luxury stays.
We’ve even done house sitting, which means free accommodation in exchange for taking care of a home or pet (check out my recent blog post: Our House-Sitting Adventure in France). There are so many ways to make it work, even if you’re not doing it full-time.
Tip: If you need help figuring out how to plan a budget-friendly family adventure, I offer custom trip planning and self-booking tools. Just click here!
Enjoying our meal in our little home in Nepal
Myth #2: “Kids won’t remember the trip anyway.”
This one breaks my heart a little every time I hear it. It assumes that the only reason to travel with kids is so they can remember every detail. However, memory isn’t the only goal; impact is also important.
What it’s really like:
No, our kids don’t remember every meal or hotel. But they remember how it felt to ride a horse for the first time in Bhutan or a reindeer in Mongolia or a camel in the desert in Tunisia. They remember making dumplings in a local home in Nepal. They remember snorkeling with sharks, learning new words in different countries, and the friends they made along the way. These are life-shaping experiences that build resilience, curiosity, and adaptability.
Even if they don’t remember every moment, it becomes part of who they are.
Storytime:
When our youngest was three, we were visiting a temple in Bhutan, after getting a chance to light a candle inside, all he wanted to do was light them all! My husband and I were getting a bit anxious about how he was behaving. A young monk took him outside and sat with him on the step, letting him light as many matches as he wanted. They didn’t speak the same language, but they smiled and shared that moment until Luca was satisfied with his experience and ready to move on. Years later, he still remembers that moment. It stuck with him not because it was grand or expensive, but because it was meaningful.
Luca riding a reindeer in Mongolia
Myth #3: “You can’t relax when you travel with kids.”
To be honest, I kind of believed this one in the beginning. I imagined chaotic airport scenes, hangry meltdowns, and long flights with no sleep. And yes, we’ve had a few of those. But we’ve also found our rhythm.
What it’s really like:
Traveling with kids does require a different pace. We don’t try to cram 10 attractions into one day. Instead, we slow down. We take breaks. We schedule downtime and let the kids play in a park or swim in a pool. We create routines even while on the move. And we’ve learned that some of our most relaxing moments happen because we’re traveling: watching a sunset together, sipping tea on a balcony, walking through a quiet forest.
It’s not about replicating a couples-only getaway. It’s about finding moments of peace within the family chaos.
Tip: Many destinations offer family-friendly accommodations with spaces to cook, relax, and unwind. Those might be a great option to start with!
The kids going for a walk on a beach in Baja California, Mexico
Myth #4: “You have to stick to kid-friendly destinations.”
Many people assume that family travel means theme parks, all-inclusive resorts, or “kid zones.” And while those can be fun, they’re far from the only options.
What it’s really like:
Our kids have walked through the Colosseum in Rome, hiked through rice terraces in Bali, explored temples in Cambodia, and wandered through bustling markets in Morocco. They’ve learned about history, culture, and geography not from a textbook but from real life. And guess what? They loved it.
You can bring kids just about anywhere. It just takes a little extra planning, a bit more flexibility, and the mindset that kids can enjoy and appreciate more than we often give them credit for.
Bonus: Traveling off the beaten path helps your kids become more adaptable and globally aware, and it often leads to the most unforgettable adventures.
Kids exploring rice fields in Ubud, Bali
Myth #5: “Long-term travel ruins routines and education.”
This one might be the hardest myth to let go of, especially if you grew up believing that traditional school is the only path to a good education. I get it. We wrestled with this a lot when we first started.
What it’s really like:
Our kids are worldschoolers. That means they learn from the world around them through experiences, books, conversations, museums, projects, and online resources. Yes, we follow a bit of structure, but we also follow their interests. They’ve learned languages by speaking with locals, geography by crossing borders, and history by walking through ancient cities. And yes, they still do math.
More importantly, they’re learning how to learn. How to ask questions, think critically, adapt to new situations, and connect with people from all walks of life.
And routines?
We have our own kind of routines, morning learning, shared meals, and more. They may not look like a school bell and cafeteria lunch, but they’re grounding and consistent in their own way.
Sitting in Hierapolis Ancient Theater in Turkiye
So, What’s Family Travel Really Like?
It’s messy. It’s magical. It’s filled with unexpected challenges and surprising joys.
We’ve navigated foreign grocery stores without speaking the language, made friends in places we barely knew existed, cried from exhaustion, laughed till we cried, and created memories that I wouldn’t trade for anything.
Family travel isn’t about perfection. It’s about connection. It’s about choosing to step out of your comfort zone together and learning and growing side by side.
Thinking of Traveling with Your Family?
If you’ve been dreaming of taking your kids on an adventure but these myths have held you back, I want to encourage you. You don’t need to go full-time like we did. Even a short trip can be transformative.
Here’s how I can help:
✈️ Custom travel planning: I’ll help you find destinations, accommodations, and activities that match your family’s style and budget.
📌 Self-booking tools: Would you prefer to plan on your own? Use my booking links and still support our journey.
👉 Start here or reach out directly. I’d love to help you create a trip that your whole family will love.
Family travel is not only possible, it’s powerful. Don’t let the myths keep you from discovering what’s out there. You might find that the world becomes your best teacher, your playground, and your family’s most incredible bonding experience.
Where will your family’s next adventure take you?
