In this guide
Travelling on holiday with your family
When you’re travelling with children, costs add up fast. Meals, transfers, activities and days out are an extra cost that can change the overall price of the trip itself.
That’s why it helps to plan your spending money abroad from the start. Get it right, and you can enjoy your trip without worrying about every purchase, running over budget and missing out on the fun stuff.
Tips for making your money go further on your family holiday:
- Budget for daily costs as well as flights and accommodation
- Plan your currency before you travel to avoid poor rates abroad
- Use a mix of cash and card for flexibility abroad
And, of course, do your research upfront about which destinations could be right for your family and your budget.
Our top family holiday destinations
We’ve curated these family holiday destinations to give you a good balance of value, convenience and things to do with children. Each one highlights the currency you’ll need and what to expect to spend when it comes to everyday costs.
For our annual update on which destinations offer families the best value, read our Family Holiday Report.
Spain (Canaries and mainland)
Currency: Euro
Spain remains one of the easiest family holiday destinations for UK travellers. You’ll find short flight times, familiar food and plenty of family-friendly resorts offering everything you need for a stress-free holiday.
Why it works for families:
- Resorts built for children, with pools and entertainment
- Wide choice of restaurants, cafés and supermarkets
- Easy transport with healthcare access and well-known islands
Where you stay has a big impact on your holiday budget. The Canary Islands can cost more due to demand, while mainland areas and smaller resorts often offer better value.
You might spend your days:
- At resort pools or beaches
- Taking short trips to nearby towns
- Visiting water parks or family attractions
Daily family costs tend to sit in the mid-range, but you can keep spending lower by eating away from main tourist strips and using local transport instead of taxis.
The currency you need for Spain is the euro. Cards are widely accepted in most places. It's always a good idea to carry some euros for smaller purchases, tips and local shops.
Portugal (Algarve)
Currency: Euro
The Algarve has become one of the most popular holiday destinations with children if you want a relaxed pace without high costs.
Why it works for families:
- Safe beaches with calm waters
- Walkable towns and family-friendly areas
- A slower pace that’s easier with younger children
You’ll tend to find better value in Portugal compared to many Spanish resorts, especially if you stay slightly away from the busiest areas.
Typical spending includes:
- Affordable meals in local restaurants
- Low-cost activities like beaches and parks
- Reasonably priced transport and short local journeys
Families often find their money stretches further here, especially outside peak summer weeks so you can enjoy your family holiday without limitations.
The currency you need for Portugal is also the euro. Cards are widely accepted in most places. It’s worth bringing some euros in cash for cafés, taxis, tips and smaller vendors.
Greece (mainland and islands)
Currency: Euro
Greece is an attractive family holiday destination, but your costs will depend on where you go. Popular islands can be expensive, especially during school holidays. Mainland destinations and quieter islands can offer better value.
Why it works for families:
- Safe beaches and calm pace of life
- Family-friendly activities to keep little ones entertained
- Warm Greek hospitality and welcoming resorts
You can reduce daily costs by staying in one location or choosing less busy areas where prices tend to be lower.
What to budget for:
- Ferry travel between islands
- Family-friendly excursions and boat trips
- Meals in busy tourist areas
Despite Greece being known to be expensive, especially popular islands like Mykonos, Rhodes and Santorini, it still offers good value for what you get. You can embrace a family holiday with beaches, history and food in beautiful Greek style.
The currency you need for Greece is euros too. You can order euros and pick up in branch or benefit from readily available euros in selected branches.
Cards are accepted in most tourist areas. Don’t forget to bring cash for smaller places, day trips and local shops.
Bring a prepaid travel card on your family holiday
Turkey
Currency: Turkish lira
Turkey is one of the best-value family holiday destinations if you want to keep your budget under control.
Many families choose Turkey because:
- All-inclusive resorts help you manage spending
- Food and activities are often lower cost than in the eurozone
- Large hotels are built with families in mind
Resorts in Turkey such as Marmaris have been known to top our lists of best-value holiday destinations in some years.
Ways to manage your budget:
- Use cheap local transport
- Visit affordable street food vendors and restaurants
- Enjoy low-cost shopping in markets and towns
For many families, Turkey feels like a step down in everyday prices from Western Europe.
The currency you need for Turkey is Turkish lira. You can order Turkish lira and pick up in branch or benefit from readily available Turkish lira in selected branches.
Cards are accepted in hotels and larger venues. It’s worth carrying some lira in cash for markets, tips and smaller purchases.
Orlando, Florida (USA)
Currency: US dollar
Florida is a dream family destination, but it requires careful budgeting as costs in America can be high compared to Europe. For starters, flights are more expensive as you’re travelling further afield across the Atlantic Ocean.
The main costs once you’re there come from:
- Theme park tickets and multi-day passes
- Meals inside parks and resorts
- Transport, parking and tips
Daily spending can rise quickly, especially with multiple children. Planning your holiday money in advance makes a big difference.
Ways to manage your budget:
- Book tickets in advance where possible
- Plan meals outside park areas when you can
- Set daily limits for snacks and extras
Despite a family holiday in Florida often costing more, the experience is a trip of a lifetime. If you plan and keep an eye out for holiday or other accommodation deals and last-minute discounts, you could find a better price than expected.
The currency you need for the United States is the US dollar. You can order US dollars online and pick up in branch or benefit from readily available US dollars in selected branches.
It’s best to bring both cards and cash. Cards are good for major payments while cash is useful for tips, smaller purchases and quick buys.
Thailand
Currency: Thai baht
Thailand offers a different type of family holiday. While flights are longer and more expensive, daily costs can be much lower once you arrive, balancing out your overall holiday budget.
Why it works for families:
- Affordable food and local restaurants
- Low-cost transport
- A wide range of activities, from beaches to excursions
You may spend less day to day than in Europe, which can make the higher travel cost to get there worth it.
What to budget for:
- Transport between locations can quickly add up
- Some activities and tours can be higher priced for tourists
Even with these, Thailand is still one of the more accessible long-haul options for families on a budget.
The currency you need for Thailand is Thai baht. You can order Thai baht online and pick up in branch or benefit from readily available Thai baht in selected branches.
Cash is widely used rather than card. So, it’s best to bring more Thai baht in cash for food, markets, transport and local services. Bring a card as your backup or for large purchases where accepted.
Croatia
Currency: Euro
Croatia has become a popular family destination thanks to its stunning Dalmatian coast, crystal clear water and historical towns.
Why it works for families:
- Coastal towns with beaches and calm swimming spots
- A relaxed pace that works well for families
- A mix of free and paid activities
Costs have risen in recent years, especially during peak summer. But you can still manage your budget by:
- Staying in smaller towns
- Travelling outside the busiest weeks
- Choosing self-catering accommodation
Daily costs usually sit in the mid-range compared to other European destinations, meaning you can make your money go further once you plan ahead.
The currency you need for Croatia is the euro. Cards are widely accepted in most places. It’s never a bad idea to bring some cash in euros for markets, cafés and small businesses.
Cyprus
Currency: Euro
Cyprus is a simple and reliable family option, especially for younger children. It’s a country that can be underrated as a family holiday destination.
Why it works for families:
- No time difference from the UK
- Short travel time and easy transfers
- Consistent weather through most of the year
Costs are similar to Spain or Greece, depending on where you stay. Resorts make it easier to manage spending as many costs are predictable.
What to budget for:
- Activities and excursions
- Eating out and snacks
- Transport between beaches and towns
The ease of travel makes it a low-stress option where you can focus on your trip rather than the logistics.
You’ll need euros for a visit to Cyprus. Cards are widely accepted. It’s worth bringing some euros for smaller payments, taxis and tips.
How to budget for a family holiday
The easiest way to plan your holiday budget is by calculating a daily cost, then multiplying it by your family size and number of days you’ll be away on your family holiday.
Things to consider in your budget include:
- Meals and drinks for each person
- Activities and attraction entry fees
- Local transport and transfers
- Snacks, treats and extras for children
When holidaying with children, extra costs can start to crop up. There will be activities, attractions and sweet treats that no doubt the little ones will want to try, so don’t forget to put money aside in your budget for this.
Also, don’t forget about hidden costs including:
- Airport transfers
- Baggage fees
- Tips and service charges
Tipping in Europe can be different from tipping in Asia and America, so do some research before you leave to avoid any surprises when you arrive.
If you want some tips on budgeting for your next family holiday, read our guide on how to make the most of your money on holidays.
Should I bring cash or card on a family holiday?
The safest way to make sure you’re covered on your family holiday is to use a mix of both card and cash.
Bringing a prepaid travel card like the Post Office Travel Money Card means you don’t have to worry about carrying a large amount of cash while abroad. It’s useful to pay for hotels, meals and larger spends. This convenient, reloadable card has many benefits including:
- Use it anywhere in the world with the Mastercard Acceptance Mark
- Load it with 22 supported currencies including euros and US dollars
- Lock in exchange rates before you go and even whenever you top up via the free travel app
- Track spending and manage funds during your family holiday in the app
- Block or freeze your card if it gets lost or stolen for extra security
Bringing some cash is a good idea to help pay for things where card isn’t accepted including markets, taxis, tips and smaller shops. Ordering foreign currency from Post Office means you can:
- Choose from a selection of over 60 currencies
- Benefit from readily available currency in selected branches
- Access competitive rates when you order online
- Get a better rate the more currency you buy
Different countries rely on cash more than others, so it’s worth checking what your destination accepts before you travel so you can plan in advance before you jet off.
Key takeaways
- The best family holiday destinations balance cost, convenience and activities
- Currency choice affects how far your money goes, so getting your travel money in advance can help you lock in competitive exchange rates
- Extra costs rise quickly if you’re holidaying with children. Don’t forget to account for this in your budget
- Bringing a mix of cash and card gives you flexibility abroad when paying for things
Sort your travel money before you go
Common questions
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Countries like Spain, Portugal and parts of Eastern Europe can offer better value than other destinations further away in America and Asia. You can check our annual Family Holiday Report for destinations that offer families the best value abroad based on our most recent research.
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It depends on your destination. Many European countries use the euro, but other countries like Turkey use their own currency, e.g. the Turkish lira.
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This varies by destination and family size, but planning daily costs per person can help you estimate how much you’ll need for your family holiday.
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Not usually, but it can help to set aside a small amount of foreign currency for activities or other unexpected things children might ask for on the trip.
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