Our writers test and research products independently. When you buy through a link on our site we may earn a commission but this never affects our product choices.
Best family travel agencies to take the stress out of planning and booking a holiday with kids
Booking with a travel agency means peace of mind, expert knowledge and no nasty surprises. We’ve rounded up the best travel companies for families, according to Mumsnetters.
By Poppy O'Neill | Last updated Aug 7, 2022
Package holidays booked via a travel agency might seem old fashioned, but if you've ever had to deal with cancelled flights, companies going bust and holidays ruined, the security that travel agents can offer is a big draw, especially for families.
If you’re looking for a fun-packed, relaxing trip abroad, a family travel agency can take care of your itinerary, flights, connections and any complex requirements, so you can relax and look forward to your holiday. Plus, holidays booked through a travel agent are fully insured and ATOL protected - so if something goes wrong, you’ll be taken care of and won’t lose money.
From one-of-a-kind trips to all-inclusive beach breaks, Mumsnetters are on hand with recommendations for family travel agents that deliver great service and an unforgettable holiday.
What are the best travel agencies for families?
- Best for bespoke family breaks: Take the Family
- Best for beach breaks: Jet2holidays
- Best for luxury family trips: Scott Dunn
- Best for family adventures: Explore
- Best for long-haul family escapes: Kuoni
1. Jet2holidays
Jet2holidays | Book a family holiday
"We’re going on a package holiday this year for the first time in ages. Last time we went abroad, our return flight was cancelled and it cost a small fortune to sort out and basically spoiled the whole holiday. If a flight gets cancelled this time I want someone else to sort it all out. With Jet2 it’s mega flexible, for many destinations you can leave and come back any day" - recommended by Mumsnet user, Frazzled2207
Specialising in fly-and-flop beach holidays, Jet2holidays take care of everything from airport to sunlounger. With an emphasis on value, they offer all-inclusive holidays in popular resorts across Europe. Tailored for families, there are a range of single parent packages and discounts available and millions of free child places too. Jet2holidays offer a refund guarantee, low £60 deposits, comprehensive insurance and the option to spread payments interest-free.
2. Take the Family
Take the Family | Book a family holiday
Take the Family is a travel agency designed with families in mind, offering luxury breaks, beach holidays, ski trips, safari holidays and adventure trips across the globe. The experts on family holidays of all kinds, Take the Family will help you find the perfect getaway with their comprehensive knowledge of the travel industry. The website is a one-stop shop for family-friendly travel, directing you to holidays with specialist and big-name providers.
As an added incentive, Take the Family is offering Mumsnet users a £5 John Lewis voucher (for every £1000 of holiday value). Speak to a family travel expert to get a bespoke holiday quote.
3. Kuoni
Kuoni | Book a family holiday
"I normally do DIY but have used Kuoni before and they are excellent. They can put you in touch with staff who have actually visited where you want to go" - recommended by Mumsnet user, MrsMaiselsMuff
Kuoni offers a luxury, bespoke service with amazing attention to detail. They’ll help you create the perfect family holiday with insider knowledge and a face-to-face contact at their nationwide stores. Kuoni covers Europe, the Far East, Indian Ocean, Africa and the Caribbean and will help you plan a unique itinerary tailored to your family’s needs. Kuoni staff really know their stuff, and the company makes sure they can provide expert advice on every holiday they offer. Holidays booked through Kuoni are ATOL protected, and they stick to the ABTA code of conduct, meaning you’re supported both at home and abroad.
4. Explore
Explore | Book a family holiday
"Just got back from a family adventure to Egypt. Had a fab time... The country was a real surprise with amazing experiences. Booked through Explore and would recommend" - recommended by Mumsnet user, breward
Explore offers a great range of adventure holidays geared towards families. If you’re looking to take the kids beyond the more mainstream holiday destinations, booking a trip with Explore is a good move. Explore’s package trips are all graded from “Relaxed” to “Full on”, so there’s something for all tastes and energy levels. They specialise in small group holidays, so you’ll be teamed up with other families of about 12-18 people and an expert tour leader. They’re also great at single parent family holidays - their small group trips are a great way to get away with the kids with some like-minded adult company included.
5. Exodus Travels
Exodus Travels | Book a family holiday
"We went with Exodus on their jungle and beaches holiday to Thailand last summer. It was our best holiday by a mile. We had an 11 and 9 year old. The other children ensured they had company of their own age and the guide was brilliant. We were able to go off the beaten track and her local knowledge was invaluable. We never felt rushed and just had a great time. I would certainly use the company again" - recommended by Mumsnet user, breward
If you’re looking for a holiday that’s off the beaten track and want the added assurance of a knowledgeable travel agent, Exodus is a great choice. Their unique holidays are designed with an emphasis on fun, adventure and experiencing local culture. Whether you’re meeting orangutans in Borneo or touring Hanoi in a bicycle taxi, Exodus creates the kind of holidays the whole family will remember forever. The range of family holidays features age ratings, so you can be sure you’re not signing up for something that’ll be too much for younger children, although they don’t currently recommend any of their holidays for under 8s.
6. Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel | Book a family holiday
"I would recommend Intrepid Tours - some family trips are single parent groups and some mixed - I went to Turkey last year with them on a family tour (mixed group - some single parents some couples) and it was fantastic. Everyone really bonded and kids and adults all had a great time" - recommended by Mumsnet user, imablackstarnotapopstar
Intrepid is another travel agency offering adventurous holidays tailored for families. Any group with children under 18 is classed as a family, and there’s a 10% discount for everybody in the group aged 17 and under. They’ll match you with 3-5 other families, so there’s adult company and new playmates for the kids built in. Intrepid make sure there’s never a dull moment, and you can expect to stay somewhere with a pool and have activities planned every day. Bestsellers in their family range include Peru, India and Kenya, with an emphasis on local culture and getting off the beaten track.
7. TUI Holidays
TUI Holidays | Book a family holiday
"We’re leaving today from a TUI holiday. We used them at Christmas for skiing as well. Main reasons were easy refund or reschedule if covid had an impact which is a thing for our destinations. However for ‘travelling’ which we see as going between cities, backpacks out etc we often book independently. It was a nice change using a package and having everything sorted rather than our usual backpacking type holiday" - recommended by Mumsnet user, RedRum27
Formerly Thomson Holidays, TUI has been in the package holiday business for donkey’s years. They’re best known for beach holidays, but also offer tours, city breaks, skiing and Disney holidays. You can be sure everything will be kid-friendly on a family holiday booked through TUI - with children’s menus, entertainment and kids’ clubs, plus free child places available for lots of destinations. Opt for an all-inclusive getaway and you can be sure everything is taken care of and paid for in advance, so you can kick back and relax.
8. Scott Dunn
Scott Dunn | Book a family holiday
"If you can afford it you could do a holiday that offers a nursery or nanny service like a Scott Dunn - useful if your little one is already at nursery back at home. We went to Crete in June with Scott Dunn and they were absolutely brilliant, could drop off and pick up DD (then 14m) from their crèche throughout the day. She had a blast doing all the fun activities she does at nursery and I was less stressed with her being out of the sun. We still had quality time with her but also had a lovely relaxing time when she was being looked after (I actually had time to read a book!)" - recommended by Mumsnet user, BridgetJonesDaiquiri
Scott Dunn know that, for parents, a holiday without kid-free time isn’t really a holiday. Their Explorers kids’ club for children aged 4 months to 11+ years operates from luxury family-friendly resorts in the Mediterranean, French Alps and Indian Ocean. The kids’ club will help you strike the balance between quality time together with your kids, and uninterrupted luxury for you. They also offer family-friendly safaris, activity holidays and tailor-made family reunions for multi-generational families spread across the globe.
9. British Airways Holidays
British Airways Holidays | Book a family holiday
"BA and on the beach were great with our holidays, BA refunded within 4 days of cancelling the holiday, on the beach refunded the hotel within a couple of days, flight refund took i think 6 weeks as they had to wait for the money from Easyjet. I didn't need to do anything either time, the companies processed everything automatically when it was clear we couldn't travel. Would happily use both again" - recommended by Mumsnet user, ineedaholidayandwine
More than just an airline, BA offers ATOL-protected package deals with low deposits and a refund guarantee. With expert advice available on all destinations, they offer family-oriented beach getaways, city breaks, Disney World escapes and lesser-known European resorts. BA is selective about the hotels included in the packages, and you can be sure all details are taken care of - from on-site creches to extra activities, and from keeping teens happy to accommodation suitable for multi-generational families.
10. Audley Travel
Audley Travel | Book a family holiday
"We have always had a personalised service from Audley on a bespoke tour. I’m not sure how another company can do more? Everything is arranged for you" - recommended by Mumsnet user, TizerorFizz
Audley offers a tailored service so together with one of their expert concierges, you can build the perfect holiday of a lifetime for your family. With destinations and activity holidays for every age group and all interests, there’s everything from a 4x4 adventure in Oman to baby-friendly safaris in South Africa. Audley aims to give real insight into the countries you visit with them, utilising local knowledge and expert advice to make your one-of-a-kind holiday really special.
Is it always better to book through a travel agency?
It’s often more expensive to book through a travel agency, although their expert knowledge means great deals are available. However, the peace of mind an ATOL protected holiday brings is hard to put a price on, especially following the past few years of chaotic travel restrictions.
ATOL is a financial protection scheme that covers package holidays, and it means customers will be protected in the event of cancelled flights or travel companies going bust.
Most travel agencies abide by the ABTA code of conduct, which means you’ll be looked after if something disrupts your holiday plans - like building works at your destination or significant flight delays.
ATOL and ABTA don’t cover things like medical care, so it’s always best to get travel insurance, however you book your holiday.
Which is the best country to travel to with a family?
Mumsnetters say France is the best holiday destination for travelling with family. Drive over via ferry or Eurotunnel, jet down to the south of France for Mediterranean sun or make the kids’ dreams come true with a trip to Disneyland Paris - France has it all.
What’s the best family travel agency?
According to Mumsnetters, the best family travel agency is Jet2holidays. They offer outstanding value, combining budget-friendly package holidays with the protection you’d expect from a travel agency with 20 years’ experience. We're also impressed by Kuoni’s bespoke expert service, and Take the Family’s dedication to family-friendly adventures.
How we chose our recommendations
To help us create this list of tried and tested family-friendly travel agencies, we first searched our Mumsnet forums for trusted recommendations from parents themselves. We listened to the experts on what families want to provide a successful trip for everyone to enjoy, and weighed up a variety of considerations such as location, accessibility and budgets.
Our research allowed us to round up the best family travel companies that Mumsnetters rate to help you plan your next holiday.
Why you should trust us
We work hard to provide unbiased, independent advise you can trust. We do sometimes earn revenue through affiliate (click to-buy) links in our articles. This helps us fund more helpful articles like this one.