Authored by: Jessica Pawl

Beepity-beep-beep-beep! Family travel news alert: Multi-generation travel—travel that includes your parents or in-laws and your kids—is the top trend this year. In fact, 55% of families report planning a multi-gen trip within the next year, according to Skift Research’s 2024 State of Travel report.

We totally get it. More hands make travel with kids a bit easier, and it often allows an evening out for mom and dad, if you play your cards right.

Here, we’re compiling our top tips for how you and your family can win with a multi-generation trip this year:

• Choose a destination that offers relaxation and fun. How about an outdoorsy cabin that offers nearby hiking trails for you and the kids, some easier trails to accommodate nature walks with the grandparents, and a covered back deck with views for slow mornings sipping coffee? Or, a beachfront location with a hot tub for relaxing evenings, a pool for the kiddos and a nearby theme park for whole-family fun? Finding destinations that blend adventure and ease, excitement and peacefulness, and a bit of coziness and curiosity will ensure that you’re appealing to all ages.
• Consider a vacation home rental. With rising demand for accommodations that suit the needs of varying ages, options are aplenty. Whether you’re looking for a luxury seaside getaway or a remote cabin with on-site adventure, we’ve got you covered in our curated directory. A home-type retreat will offer lots that hotels and resorts simply cannot, including: spacious common areas for everyone to gather comfortably, kitchens to avoid waiting ages for a large-group table at restaurants, and the type of just-us privacy that feels special and memorable. (Note that many resorts offer on-site villa rentals that offer these exact same perks!)
• Stagger arrival dates. Is this your first attempt at traveling with parents or in laws? Sometimes, a vacation feels easier when there’s a day or two to settle in as just a nuclear family before grandparents arrive. This shortens what may feel like too long a trip for grandparents, but still allows everyone to enjoy the fun. While ideal for road trips, it’s also entirely possible on a longer vacation and is made easier when you’ve got access to a rental car to help coordinate airport pick up and drop offs.
• Determine how you’ll split the bill in advance. Chat ahead of time about how travel costs will be split between travelers. Some families may expect that an invitation means “paid for” by the inviter. While some will expect to only pay for their percentage portion of the tab, or will offer to cover all the food and attraction costs if you pick up lodging costs. Still, some folks will want to split costs right down the middle. Whichever approach you choose, be sure that everyone is on the same page when extending an invitation or beginning travel talks.
• Ensure that everyone has vacation time on vacation. No matter how packed your itinerary becomes, make sure that everyone on the trip has planned downtime to use how they see fit. Parents or in-laws may want to head to the winery while littles nap, or skip day two at the theme park for a history tour. And if grandparents hang back to watch kiddos while mom and dad grab dinner solo, offer to bring them carryout or book them an earlier reservation that evening.

Ready to plan your next multi-gen escape? Scour our Ideal for Multi-Gen listings for inspiration!