Family vacations: multigeneration at low prices, Europe, sea and tropics

Multigenerational travel has established itself as a major trend: almost half of travelers in 2025 will choose « family/multigenerational » stays (47%, +17% vs. 2024). In this context, organizing family vacations on a budget requires both method and flexibility to enjoy the seaside in Europe or the tropics without blowing the budget.

This practical guide brings together recent data (UNWTO, Post Office / TUI 2025, Squaremouth, sector analyses) and practical advice: choice of destination, suitable accommodation, calculation of « children’s extras » costs, booking tips and health/insurance precautions for grandparents and younger children.

Why the multigeneration formula is so appealing

Demand for multigenerational holidays has risen sharply: 47% of travelers will opt for this type of holiday in 2025, according to recent studies, reflecting a need for family sharing and vacations tailored to different ages. Tour operators confirm the boom: large bookings (often multigenerational) have increased by around 15-20% (Aspire / Global Travel Collection).

Agencies also report a high average value for large bookings , for example bookings for more than 10 people with an average value of around £84,000 , showing the economic importance of the multigenerational segment for the tourist market.

Finally, the macro context helps to explain the upturn: the UNWTO indicates that international tourism has almost returned to pre-pandemic levels by 2024 (~99% of 2019), which encourages early planning to take advantage of the best offers and avoid high demand.

Choosing Europe for the sea: best-value destinations

If you’re looking for value-for-money seaside in Europe, the Post Office / TUI 2025 Barometer gives some useful benchmarks: Marmaris (Turkey) tops the 10-essentials basket at £128.99, followed by Sunny Beach (Bulgaria) £129.47 and the Algarve (Portugal) £143.56.

Other high-value resorts identified by 2024-2026 summaries include Paphos (Cyprus), Lanzarote (Canary Islands), Costa del Sol, Crete, Kos, Rhodes and Puglia in Italy. These destinations often benefit from flexible accommodations , family hotels, villas and residences , ideal for multigenerational groups.

For large families, the possibility of renting large apartments or villas, or opting for multi-bedroom vacation residences, allows you to spread costs and take advantage of practical communal areas (kitchen, lounge, pool), reducing the cost per person.

Tropics on a budget: when long-haul becomes competitive

The tropics can be affordable for families if you choose the right season: the Riviera Maya / Cancún (Mexico) and the Dominican Republic are attractive all-inclusive options outside high season (May-June, Sept-Nov). These periods can bring the cost per night and per family into a competitive range compared to European high-season stays.

Affordable « Atlantic/Caribbean » alternatives include Curacao, some offers for Cape Verde and the Canary Islands (Lanzarote, Fuerteventura). Charter flights and seasonal packages help keep prices down for families seeking warmth and beaches.

Beware, however, of additional costs: long-distance transfers, local taxes and excursions can quickly add to the bill. It’s essential to compare the all-inclusive price (including meals and activities) with the actual « out-of-pocket » cost on site.

At the same time, beware of additional costs: long-distance transfers, local taxes and excursions can quickly add up

Smart accommodations for multigenerations on a budget

Economical solutions include renting large villas or apartments to share, splitting the cost between families drastically reduces the price per person. The trend shows strong growth in demand for villas: for example Kensington Villas reports +30% YoY on its villas division, with 90% of customers being families in this luxury segment.

Vacation residences and holiday parks (3, 4-bedroom lodges) are also very practical: competitive prices, children’s activities, swimming pools and modular accommodation. These structures are designed to absorb multi-generational groups with good value for money.

To optimize your accommodation budget, compare total costs (cleaning, deposit, local taxes) and check out the possibility of cooking on site to pool meals, an important lever for reducing catering expenses.

Practical budgeting: quantify, save and avoid overspending

Building a realistic budget starts with concrete figures: according to Post Office 2025, the « 10 essentials » basket is around £128.99/day in Marmaris and £143.56/day for the Algarve; « children’s extras » for a week can represent £179 to £290 depending on the destination. Many families exceed their budget if these items are not anticipated.

Good practices in figures: book 3, 4 months in advance to get better flight/accommodation rates and use fare alerts; some optimization windows are often around 21 to 60 days depending on the markets. Travelling off-peak (low/mid-season) can reduce the price of accommodation or all-inclusive packages by up to 30, 40%.

Other tips: share meals in a villa, favor all-inclusive packages if you have lots of children (to keep extras under control), and include tourist taxes, transfers, excursion supplements and exchange rate variations in the budget (Post Office reminds us of the impact of exchange rates on the family basket).

Insurance, health and precautions for grandparents and children

Multigenerational travel often includes elderly people and children: comprehensive insurance (cancellation, repatriation, care) is strongly recommended. Squaremouth points out that the multigenerational segment will weigh more and more in 2025, and advises checking medical coverage and policy age limits.

Before departure, check recommended vaccinations, necessary medications and the possibility of accessing care locally, especially for long-haul destinations. Make sure you also have medical records and copies of prescriptions to simplify any treatment.

Finally, make sure you’re aware of all your medical obligations

Finally, find out about local taxation and constraints (tourist tax, reimbursement rules) and read the booking conditions carefully to avoid unpleasant surprises on ancillary costs.

Commercial offers and promotions to watch out for

Tour operators are now targeting grandparents: EasyJet Holidays has launched a « grans go free » offer enabling a grandparent to travel free on certain formulas in Europe, to encourage intergenerational presence. This type of operation can make a real difference to the overall budget.

Also keep an eye out for off-season promotions and flash sales from tour operators, as well as packages for groups. High-volume bookings sometimes benefit from direct discounts or perks (free transfers, activity credits).

For larger families, it’s important to take advantage of these special offers

For large families, negotiating directly with a villa owner or residence can pay off: discounts for long stays, freebies for young children, or flexible arrival/departure arrangements.

Resources and references for planning

To go further and compare costs, consult the studies and sources cited: UNWTO World Tourism Barometer (Jan. 2025), Post Office Family Holiday Report 2025 (TUI research), Squaremouth 2025 travel trends, Aspire / Global Travel Collection analyses and Kiwi.com guides for beach/tropical comparisons.

Use flight/accommodation comparison tools, fare alerts and family budget calculators to adjust your plan according to the number of participants and their needs (mobility, health, activities).

Finally, run simulations including all extras (basket 10 essentials, children’s activities, transfers, taxes) to avoid overspending and guarantee a serene vacation for all ages.

Planning a multigenerational vacation at a low price is entirely possible: by combining early booking, a choice of well-positioned destinations (in Europe or off-season in the tropics), shared accommodation and appropriate insurance, you’ll optimize comfort and budget.

With the figures and best practices presented here , and by keeping an eye on promotions and local conditions , you’ll be able to organize shared memories without financial stress, whether by the Mediterranean or on an accessible tropical beach.