Family holidays can be challenging enough when you have just one or two children. But when you’re more than 2.4, a whole new set of financial and logistical challenges await. Family trips and activities are so often set up for foursomes. When your family doesn’t fit, skiing, safaris and simply staying in a hotel can quickly become a headache.
Why do so few hotels truly cater for five or more? When a ‘family’ room won’t sleep more than four, you’re forced to cough up for two rooms, doubling the cost. Suddenly that cheap, convenient overnight stopover en route to the Alps, down to Cornwall or up to the Highlands becomes an unjustifiable expense. Even if you’re quite happy to pump up your own airbed for the extra child or get the kids sleeping top to tail, ‘fire regulations’ usually stop families being allowed to house more than four in a room.
Then there’s the hassle of straightforward logistics when the kids outnumber the parents. Two of you, three tots – the maths just doesn’t work for a lot of adventures. How do you handle three little beginner skiers on a four-man chairlift? Who copes alone on the T-bar? Who has to kayak by themselves?
After plenty of adventures, ski holidays and active travels as a family of five, we’ve learnt from experience. Here’s what you need to know if you’re taking the tribe.
Plan early
Family rooms and inter-connecting rooms in hotels and chalets are hard to come by at the best of times, but are like gold dust during peak seasons. If you don’t want your family split in two, it’s vital to book early. Not only will you bag the biggest rooms, but you’ll usually get the best price. Flights are nearly always cheapest when you book early too.
Forgo flying
Once your youngest hits two, you’ll be paying full whack on flights for five. If you’re willing to take the pain of a long drive, you’ll not only save financially and deliver less of a hit to the planet, but you’ll also be able to stuff your car full of kit, kid-paraphernalia and, if you’re self-catering, food.
Get clever with planning and stop off for a night or two en route. Often the places you stop for just a night or two can end up being the most memorable. On our last summer trip to the French Alps, we tried to keep things interesting by booking all sorts of different overnight experiences as we journeyed to our main destination. We managed to tick off camping, a treehouse, a hotel, a shepherd’s hut and an Air BnB with a pool.
Manage expectations
Parental juggling, whether at a theme park, in a rental kayak or on the ski hill, is a prerequisite for families of four or more. Ratios of 1 adult: 1 child are the norm. If you manage expectations ahead of time, you’ll minimise the pain. Make sure the children understand they may need to summon up some patience and tell them exactly what to expect. If there’s no getting around the maths, help them understand that they may have to wait their turn and some things you just can’t all do together.
Self-cater
If you’re a large family, you probably already know that camping or self-catering will max your savings. Whether you’re skiing or surfing, self-catering means that you can not only save on the cost of meals by cooking your own but you can also save yourself stress when you get there by bringing breakfast essentials and snacks with you to see you through the first few hectic days. If you’re in the UK, book a supermarket delivery for the evening of your arrival.
Book a ski chalet
There’s more than enough to think about on ski holidays with more than two tots, so if you can stretch to it, consider a catered chalet if you’re headed to the white stuff.
Staying in a chalet or chalet-hotel makes for a hassle-free holiday and, if you go with family specialists such as Esprit, Mark Warner or Ski Famille, you’ll have access to childcare. Even simple services like collecting your youngest from lessons helps when you can’t be in three places at once. You’ll get a cooked breakfast, afternoon tea and a three-course dinner, often with unlimited wine. It can also help you budget by taking the guesswork out of how much you’ll spend once in resort.
Book seats on flights
Don’t assume that just because you’re a family, you’ll be seated together when you’re flying. If the plane is busy, it’s quite possible you’ll be split up. When your family isn’t divisible by two, it’s even more likely someone could end up alone. Minimise the risk by checking in early or pay extra to pre-book seats for peace of mind.
Take the grandparents
When there’s two of you and three or more of them, even up the numbers by taking someone who can help lighten the load.
Holiday with another family
Go as a group (especially if your friends have fewer children) and you’ll bring the costs down, keep the kids entertained and have extra adults to help. Transfers may work out cheaper and easier when you travel in a large party and you’re likely to get a better price on accommodation.
Make the most of the baggage allowance
If you do fly, make the most of the baggage allowance. On most airlines, children from age two have the same free checked baggage and hand baggage allowance as adults. If you’re going skiing, forget cute mini backpacks. Instead bring the biggest bags you’re allowed, dividing the whole family’s kit between the five bags – you’ll need it for all that ski paraphernalia!
