Families come in all shapes and sizes – from adventurous grandparents traveling with young grandkids to parents celebrating a child’s graduation with an international trip. Whether you’re herding a group of energetic pre-teens or trying to impress a cynical 17-year-old, the logistics of a road trip shouldn’t be the thing that keeps you awake at night.
On all Trafalgar coach tours, children aged between 5 and 17 can join the fun. We have a handful of tours designed especially for families, which are perfect for younger kids, while our general itineraries are all family friendly and built to open the eyes of teens to the world beyond their screens.
Here is our pick of coach tours to kickstart your next family travel chapter.
European Traveller
Best for: Ages 9-17
Length: 10 days
Family-friendly highlight: Watching master craftsmen at work in Venice during a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, where you’ll learn the history and ancient skills of Venetian glassblowing.
This is the quintessential European tour for families who want the greatest hits without the stress of navigating train platforms with three suitcases and a stroller. You’ll kick off in London and cross the channel to Paris, before heading through the heart of the Swiss Alps and down into the icons of Venice, Florence and Rome. Watching a master craftsman blow glass in a Venetian workshop is a tactile history lesson that beats any classroom. This is a high-energy vacation with four countries in 10 days – a great way for kids to experience many new cultures and cuisines.
JOIN THE TOUR: European Traveller
Italian Holiday
Best for: All ages (5-17)
Duration: 7 days
Family-friendly highlight: A private water taxi cruise through the grand canal of Venice – a high-speed, wind-in-your-hair entrance!
Italy is a great idea for any age. Why? The primary food groups are pasta, pizza and gelato – making it a top choice for families. On this coach tour, you’ll swap the history books for the real thing, standing in the shadow of the Colosseum and watching the leaning tower of Pisa defy gravity. From the romantic balconies of Verona to the Renaissance magic of Florence, the pace is designed to keep kids (and adults) engaged without burning them out.
TAKE THIS TRIP: Italian Holiday
Pioneer Adventures of the Old West
Best for: Ages 5-12
Duration: 8 days
Family-friendly highlight: Chugging through the Kaibab Forest on the historic Grand Canyon Railway, complete with Western musicians and cowboy characters.
For families looking for a classic United States adventure, this is the gold standard of family travel. Trade the theme park crowds for beauty of three US national parks – you’ll visit the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon and Zion. Watch the kids turn into amateur geologists as they stare into the depths of the South Rim or hike past the hoodoos of Bryce. This coach tour is especially designed for families as an inspiring, educational journey with loads of cool things to engage kids, from Navajo-guided tours and cowboy-style cookouts under starry skies.
JOIN THIS TOUR: Pioneer Adventures of the Old West
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Spanish Wonder
Best for: Teens (13-17)
Duration: 9 days
Family-friendly highlight: Watching local craftsmen in Toledo forge world-famous inlaid steel – the same traditional craft used to create the swords of ancient kings and cinematic heroes.
If you have teens who think they’ve seen it all, take them to Spain! This journey through Madrid, Seville and Barcelona is rich in cuisine, culture and city life. You’ll visit an olive oil farm for a Be My Guest dinner to see how the liquid gold is pressed, then pivot to Valencia for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience tasting organic horchata (the local alternative to a milkshake). It’s a road trip that balances the ancient – like the Alhambra Palace – with the modern energy of the City of Arts and Sciences precinct and the whimsical towers of the Sagrada Família. Best of all, with a coach tour you can focus on making memories (and don’t have to drive!).
JOIN THE TOUR: Spanish Wonder
Monkeys, Jungles and Volcanoes
Best for: Ages 8-15
Duration: 8 days
Family-friendly highlight: A fun cruise through the Tortuguero canals to spot sloths, howler monkeys and maybe a lurking caiman.
Costa Rica is the ultimate kid friendly destination for those who prefer muddy boots to museums. It might be a coach tour, but in reality this expedition involves zip lines, boats and hanging bridges! Spend your days tracking wildlife in the rainforest and your evenings at a pizza-making party in an open-air kitchen. Costa Rica is an incredible destination for outdoor fun than can feel like high-definition nature documentary.
TAKE THIS TOUR: Monkeys, Jungles and Volcanoes
Irish Highlights
Best for: Ages 5-17
Duration: 7 days
Family-friendly highlight: Exploring the Dunbrody Famine Ship, a world-class interpretive center that brings history to life on the waterfront.
Ireland is a land of legends, and this tour leans into its timeless magic with visits to the towering Cliffs of Moher and the chance to kiss the Blarney Stone. It’s a kid-friendly adventure where the green is greener than you thought possible and every castle comes with a ghost story or two. Between the rugged beauty of the Ring of Kerry and the crystal workshops of Waterford, there’s plenty of space for younger kids to run around while the teens and adults soak up the storytelling soul of the Emerald Isle. Plus, a day trip to the family-run Glenealy Farmhouse for a Be My Guest dinner ensures you don’t just see Ireland, but meet the locals too.
TAKE THIS TOUR: Irish Highlights
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FAQs about family coach tours
What are some family-friendly coach tours in the US?
Tade the family station wagon for a high-end coach with the family-specific tours of Pioneer Adventures of the Old West and Wild West, Cowboys and Buffalos. Or see the misty Sequoias of Northern California with Yosemite and the volcanic wonders of our Hawaii Four Island Adventure on this kid-friendly coach tours.
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Which beaches can I see on your family-friendly coach tours?
Our Monkeys, Jungles and Volcanoes trip takes you to the pristine Pacific shores of Manuel Antonio. Over in Europe, Spanish Wonder brings you to the Mediterranean coast near Valencia and Peñíscola, while our Italian Holiday itinerary features the sun-drenched lakeside shores of Lake Como.
Which National Parks can I see on your family-friendly coach tours?
Depending on your itinerary, you can explore the Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce Canyon and Arches in the US. In Costa Rica, you’ll dive deep into Tortuguero and Manuel Antonio National Parks. We make sure a Local Specialist is always on hand to explain the ecology.
How do you handle picky eaters on a coach tour?
Not every kid is ready for escargot, right? Our meals are designed with variety in mind, often featuring buffet options or comforting regional classics that are naturally kid friendly (like Italian pasta or Spanish croquetas). Our Be My Guest experiences often happen in family homes where the atmosphere is warm and the food is hearty and approachable.
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Which family-friendly coach tour will you take your kids on? Leave us a comment…