Autumn holidays with children: how to choose your destination and flight

A few days off in autumn can be the perfect opportunity for a family holiday. Children get a change of scenery after their first weeks back at school, and you have time to be together without homework, meetings or the question “What else do we need to do today?”.

Before the walks and holiday photos, though, come the practical decisions: where to go, what time to fly and how much travelling is still ahead after landing. When you travel with children, these details make a difference. A well-chosen hotel and a flight at a convenient time can make the holiday more enjoyable from the very first day.

Before looking for tickets, think about how you would like to spend your days. Do you enjoy long walks, or would you prefer one activity followed by a quiet afternoon? Are your children fascinated by animals, experiments or places where they can run around freely?

If they are little, accommodation close to a park, restaurants and transport links can matter more than a long list of sights. You will be able to return easily for an afternoon nap or a change of clothes.

With older children, you can start by asking them. Show them a few destinations and find out what they would love to see. Perhaps they want to visit an aquarium or discover a museum where they can touch things and experiment.

Before booking, check:

• the usual weather for your travel dates;
• the opening hours of the attractions you want to visit;
• how easily you can reach them from your accommodation;
• what you could do on a rainy day.

Choose your flight time with the whole day in mind

A very early flight may come with an appealing price. But before booking it, work out what time everyone will need to wake up. Between getting the children ready, travelling to the airport and completing the formalities, your journey starts long before take-off.

If your budget allows, a flight at a more convenient time may be worth the extra cost. It is easier to start a holiday when everyone has slept and had time to eat.

Pay attention to the arrival time, too. After landing, you still need to collect your bags and reach your accommodation. If you arrive late in the evening, check the available transport and let your hotel know.

Compare the time from leaving home to arriving at your accommodation, rather than just the flight duration.

Connections, baggage and transfers deserve as much attention as the price

For a short holiday, start by looking at direct flights. Fewer boarding procedures and less waiting mean a simpler journey for the whole family.

If you choose a connecting flight, check whether you need to change terminals, go through security again or collect your bags. Allow time to walk at the children’s pace, have a snack and take a toilet break.

For baggage, check what the fare actually includes:

• a small personal bag or a cabin suitcase as well;
• the permitted dimensions and weight;
• checked baggage, if you need it;
• the conditions for pushchairs and other children’s equipment.

Keep a change of clothes, an extra layer and a few things to keep the children occupied in your cabin bag. A favourite book or a drawing pad can be more useful than lots of toys squeezed into a suitcase.

Check the exact airport you will arrive at, too. A good-value ticket may involve a long or expensive transfer. Calculate the transport cost for the whole family and check how far you will need to walk from the final stop to your hotel.

Destination ideas for an autumn holiday with children

Vienna

Vienna can be a good choice if you want to combine walks with indoor activities. At ZOOM Children’s Museum, children can explore, create and learn through play, with activities tailored to their age. The city also has other museums with family programmes, which are useful when the weather changes your plans.

You could spend the morning visiting an attraction and leave the afternoon for a walk and a stop for something tasty. There is no need to fill every hour. Sometimes children enjoy the tram ride just as much as the place you are heading to.

Ideas for your list:

• an activity at ZOOM suited to your child’s age;
• a leisurely walk;
• a café break with something sweet for the whole family.

Check opening hours and booking requirements for your chosen activities in advance.

Budapest

Budapest is worth considering if you enjoy alternating city exploration with outdoor breaks. Városliget, the City Park, can be the starting point for a family day out: the zoo and the House of Music Hungary are in the area.

Choose one of these visits and keep the rest of the day free. After a few hours of exploring, a relaxed meal and some playtime may be exactly what you need.

Ideas for your list:

• a walk through Városliget;
• the zoo, if your children love animals;
• the House of Music, if they are interested in sounds and instruments.

Look for accommodation in an area with easy access to your chosen activities. You will appreciate it especially in the evening, when everyone starts to feel tired.

Valencia

Valencia may appeal to families who want to spend time outdoors and include an experience that gets the children excited. At Oceanogràfic, you can discover marine life, including through underwater tunnels. The Turia Gardens offer space for walks, while Gulliver Park has a giant play structure for children to climb and slide down.

A relaxed itinerary could mean one day at Oceanogràfic and another in the park, with breaks for meals and rest. Leave room for unplanned moments, too: a playground you discover along the way or a terrace where you feel like staying a little longer.

Ideas for your list:

• Oceanogràfic;
• a walk through the Turia Gardens;
• playtime at Gulliver Park.

Check the forecast before travelling and pack clothes for cooler mornings and evenings. If you would like to visit the beach, think of it as a place for a walk rather than building your holiday around swimming.

Leave room for days when plans change

Perhaps you have booked a museum visit, but your child wakes up tired. Perhaps it starts raining just as you leave the hotel. Or you find a park where the children want to stay for another hour.

It helps to plan one main activity each day and have a few backup ideas. On arrival day, a walk near your accommodation and an unhurried dinner may be enough.

Back home, your children might talk most about a slide, a fish they saw through the aquarium glass or the breakfasts you shared. Give them time for those moments, too.

Have you chosen your destination? Find the right flight in the Zbor.md app, available on iOS and Android.