I’ve always said the best age for traveling with kids is between 9 and 12—old enough to do most activities, but before they are “too cool” for most of it. That said, as a mom of three teenagers, I can tell you: traveling with teens can be just as amazing! Yes, there are challenges, but they’re independent, adventurous, and genuinely appreciate new experiences.
In this guide, I’m sharing my best tips for traveling with teens—plus the best vacation destinations for teenagers—so you can make the most of your family trip.
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Tips For Traveling With Teens
1. Stay Busy (But Not Overbooked)
One big shift from traveling with younger kids? Teens get bored quickly. A beach vacation is great, but after two straight days of lying in the sand, they’ll be itching for something new. Plan a variety of activities—excursions, tours, water sports, hikes—that they’ll enjoy.
Nothing makes me happier than having fun with my kids and shared experiences create memories. Even if you utterly fail at the activity, you can laugh about it for years to come!
2. Find a Sleep Balance
Teens love their sleep. My kids would sleep until noon every day on vacation if we let them. Obviously, you don’t want to waste your vacation with the kids sleeping all day. When you add in jet lag from time changes, it can be really tough. If you have activities that require an early morning, balance them out with days they can sleep later.
When we took a trip to Hawaii, we faced a 6 hour time change. We planned our sunrise trip to the top of Haleakala volcano for the very first day, knowing that we would be wide awake at dawn anyway. 6:00am in Hawaii felt like noon to us that morning, so getting out the door by 4 am wasn’t nearly as painful. After that sunrise, we headed back to the resort for a lazy afternoon at the beach. It’s all about balance.
3. Downtime is Essential For Teens
With teens, you want to stay busy so they’re not bored, but also remember that downtime is essential. After a full day of activities, they will want to decompress. This could mean lounging by the pool, relaxing in the hotel room, scrolling through social media, or catching up on their Snaps When planning your vacation itinerary, aim for a balance between action-packed adventures and guilt-free downtime.
4. Choose “Instagrammable” Activities
5. Involve Your Teens in Planning
6. Give Them Space
Cramming everyone into one small hotel room for a week can be tough on all members of the family, not just teens. If possible, choose a vacation rental or a 2-bedroom suite over a standard hotel room. You might be surprised how close in price they can be.
One of the biggest benefits of a vacation rental is having a kitchen. On a recent trip to Orange County, California, we rented a 2-bedroom condo for just $10 more per night than suggested hotels nearby. Being able to make breakfast and pack lunches saved us a lot of money that would’ve been spent eating out every day — plus, it was easier and more relaxed for the whole family.
Top Vacation Destinations For Teens
Now that you have some helpful tips to make traveling with your teens easier and more enjoyable, let’s explore some of the best vacation destinations that offer exciting and memorable experiences perfect for teenagers. Whether your family loves adventure, nature, or culture, these spots have something for every teen traveler.
1. Costa Rica
Costa Rica offers an incredible mix of mountains, rainforests, and beaches, making it a perfect playground for adventurous teens. Whether your family loves surfing, zip lining, boating, hiking, or white-water rafting, you’ll find plenty of thrilling activities to keep everyone engaged. Plus, Costa Rica is known as one of the safest countries in Central America, making it a great choice for families.
2. Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park in Montana boasts some of the most stunning landscapes in the United States. Teens will love exploring neon-blue glacier lakes, hiking trails with jaw-dropping views, and driving the iconic Going-to-the-Sun Road. Keep an eye out for incredible wildlife like moose, elk, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, and even bears!
Learn more information on visiting Glacier National Park
Check out this 8 day teen-friendly itinerary!
3. Iceland
4. Hawaii
With is stunning beaches, breathtaking scenery and outdoor adventures, Hawaii is a perfect vacation destination with teens. The islands provide a mix of relaxation and excitement, ensuring a memorable and well-rounded vacation experience for the whole family. In Maui, experience the most magical sunrise at the top of the Haleakala Volcano and drive the gorgeous Road to Hana. In Kauai, take a boat ride along the jaw dropping Na Pali Coast and hike through its jagged peaks. Stargaze on top of the Mauna Kea volcano and zipline through lush forests on the Big Island. Visit Pearl Harbor and snorkel at the famous Hanauma Bay in Oahu. There is truly something for everyone in Hawaii.
5. Yellowstone National Park
6. Orlando, Florida
7. Italy
8. Southern California
9. St. Lucia
10. Alaska
Alaska is a truly unique and thrilling destination for teens, offering an incredible variety of outdoor activities, stunning landscapes, and unforgettable adventure opportunities. It’s also one of the best places to witness the mesmerizing Northern Lights alongside your teens. Popular activities include dog sledding, gold panning, fishing, zip lining, kayaking, and hiking — all perfect for active teenagers. Alaska is home to several breathtaking National Parks, including Denali National Preserve, where you can spot abundant wildlife and take in spectacular views.
Travel Essentials with Teens:
Packing Cubes:
My favorite travel hack for traveling with teens is packing cubes. When we travel, we usually have to combine suitcases to save space. Every member of my family has these packing cubes in a different color. They pack their clothes in the cubes and instead of combining loose clothes in the suitcase, everyone’s clothes are neatly separated. When we get to our accommodations, passing out everyone’s stuff is quick and easy. The packing cubes can go straight into a dresser drawer or a closet shelf.
These packing cubes by Well Traveled are compression-allowing you to fit twice as much stuff!
Apple AirTags:
Want to keep your teens happy on vacation? Make sure their luggage doesn’t get lost! These Apple AirTags are a must-have if you are checking any luggage. They connect to your phone via the “Find my iPhone” app. Simply pop one into each of your suitcases and you can track the location of your luggage from your phone.
When we aren’t traveling, we use them on our car keys and spare keys. I learned this lesson the hard way when my suitcase was lost this past summer. I didn’t get it back for SIX WEEKS! When I filed my claim, one of the first questions on the form was “Did the suitcase contain an Apple AirTag?” Unfortunately, it didn’t. We will never travel with out AirTags in our checked bags again.
For more travel essentials, check out my Amazon Storefront!
Final Thoughts
As a mom of three teens, I truly understand how quickly the years fly by. They say you only have 18 summers with your kids before they grow up and start their own journeys. That thought makes every trip, every shared laugh, and every new experience so much more precious. Traveling with teens can have its challenges, but it’s also an incredible opportunity to create lasting memories and deepen your connection.
So, take those trips while you can — one adventure at a time. Because these moments? They’ll stay with you forever.
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@postcardsfromcarrie Our fabulous week in Glacier National Park #glaciernationalpark #glacier #montana #exploremontana #familyvacation #makingmemories #mountains #lake #waterfall #wildlife #nature #nationalpark #hiking #hikingadventures #rafting #travel #traveltiktok #familytravel ♬ Somewhere Only We Know - Hilman Rospandi
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