If you are a solo parent you can be forgiven for thinking that going on a trip is more trouble than it’s worth. But please don’t. Us single parents deserve a decent vacation more than most. Not only that, single parent holidays can be cheap, easy and lots of fun.
I am a single mum, blogger, ex travel agent, and seasoned traveller! It doesn’t matter how hard a family vacation might seem, I always find a way. It doesn't matter if we're on business class or coach, my girls and I still manage to get away and make memories together.
It might seem like a big ask but luckily there is lots of choice so you’re bound to find something that works. Here are my single parent travel tips to inspire the best holiday with your kids.
Tips to the Best Family Trip as a Single Parent
Planning the perfect getaway while single parenting doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Here are a few tricks to make it smooth, affordable, and relaxing.
- Choose a Trip Within Your Budget: Find a place that won’t break the bank, even if it’s nearby. Local spots can be just as exciting without adding financial stress.
- Keep Logistics Simple: Look for places with direct flights or straightforward connections. You want an itinerary that’s easy to both get to the airport and fly back home.
- Minimise Planning Time: Spend a little time planning upfront so you can actually relax on the trip. Well-planned doesn’t mean complicated!
- Accommodate Special Needs: Make sure the location caters to any family needs, whether it’s dietary requirements, accessibility, or age-friendly activities.
- Comply with Requirements: For custody arrangements, you may need to check for any restrictions to keep everything on track with your child’s other parent.
- Prioritise Your Own Rest: Look for trips that give you a chance to relax, even for just a couple of hours in the spa or gym! A holiday where you’re constantly on the go isn’t ideal if it leaves you exhausted.
Taking a little time to plan ensures a vacation that’s memorable, affordable, and truly enjoyable.
Package Holidays
The good old package getaway still exists and is a really nice when travelling as a single parent as everything is organised for you. This includes transport, accommodation and transfers, but in some cases food and tours too. Some will even give you fab rewards.
Sometimes, airlines and hotels offer these packages already. Package bookings usually offer competitive prices as the travel agent gets a better rate than you if you booked flight and accommodation separately. I always do a calculation to ensure I’m not being massively ripped off and paying heaps more than I would if I booked directly.
Remember, the package trip might have a slight premium because you pay for the convenience of having the work done for you. But most of the time, you get to save money.
Bali really is the perfect package getaway destination for Australian families. Not only does it tick all the boxes such as great beaches, beautiful resorts and lots of activities, but Bali is great for the little ones too.
The main advantage of a package tour is that you don’t have to do the logistical hard work yourself. You can rest assured that everything will be organised correctly to get from your home to your resort and back again.
You don’t have to physically see an agent one-on-one to pick a package family holiday. The best deals are found online at the big websites and apps such as:
My favourite locations for easy package tours from Australia are Bali, New Zealand, Fiji and Singapore. They all have direct flights, reasonable travel times, manageable time differences and great places to explore with the kids.
Island Getaways
Nothing screams “holiday” like an island getaway. For us Aussies, we have lots of islands that are perfect for a travelling single mum and her kids.
One of our best family vacations was on Daydream Island (part of the Whitsunday Islands) before it was devastated by the cyclone. Since then it has been revamped and re-opened. It is small enough to feel like you are on an island but large enough to have all the amenities you need for a great trip with your kids.
Other great islands to stay on with your kids are:
- Kangaroo Island m(SA): Wildlife, beaches, cooler weather
- Fraser Island (QLD): 4-Wheel driving, inland lakes, camping
- Moreton Island (QLD): Water sports, dolphin feeding, snorkelling
- Fitzroy Island (QLD): expeditions, scuba diving, snorkel tours
Cruising
We are slowly welcoming fabulous cruise trip back into our post-covid world. This is a good thing for single parents looking for a relaxing vacation.
You only have to get your family to the ship and you’re done … time to relax.
Whether it’s cruising up the east coast of Australia, an hour-long dolphin-watching cruise in Perth, heading to the South Pacific Islands or delighting your kids with the new Disney cruise, there are lots of kid-friendly options to choose from.
Cruise ships are floating cities packed to the rafters with entertainment for kids and adults. You're looking for family-friendly accommodation options, easy food choices, onboard medical centres and kids clubs galore.
Further reading: What I love most about cruising with kids.
Try these cruise lines that cater brilliantly for families:
If you or your kids are not fond of the waters, there are similar tours on land. Bus tours in Bangkok and rail tours in Switzerland are fantastic alternatives.
Camping or Campervanning
Depending on your family, camping is either the best or worst trip idea.
That it is literally the cheapest way to get away and there are so many places to camp in Australia were enough to convince me to do it for years. We could decide to go one day and be packed and on the road the next. But of course, make sure to check the weather forecasts for a great time for camping. You don't want to plan your outdoor activity on rainy days.
Most campsites are kid-friendly but always check first.
If you have lots of children or a child with special needs, camping can be hectic. Setting-up tents, safekeeping your belongings, blowing up beds, and providing suitable shelter from the elements is not conducive to a relaxing break for mum. It's also a fact that the novelty of preparing family meals on a single-ring gas stove and washing up in the camp kitchen can wear off pretty quickly, especially if kids didn't want to help.
Sometimes it's not everyone's cup of tea. But for families who love the outdoors experience but need some home comforts, reserve a campsite cabin or hire a campervan. My daughter made me hire a small campervan when there was a special and haven’t used the tents since!
Theme Parks
If you want to be in the running for the “Best Mummy” award, then a fun family trip centred on amusement parks is the children's favourite. After all, rides are the top cure for a tantrum.
You don’t need to leave Australian shores or spend lots of money abroad. Since you're in a country with world-class amusement parks right here on the Gold Coast (QLD), you can easily choose from the following:
If money allows and you want to take the experience to the next level, don't be afraid to go overseas to one of the six Disney parks in either Florida, California, Tokyo, Hong Kong, China or Paris. Check out Expedia and Wotif for package deals that you might be pleasantly surprised by.
Adventure Travel
Adventure trips are like package holidays but with heaps of tours for a more active, experience-based getaway.
I love excursions as you see lots of the country you are travelling around while learning about their history and cultures. For adults and kids, journeys are a fascinating learning experience. They are the kind of trips I can justify taking my kids out of school for.
If you plan a voyage, you will be placed with a group who are doing the same experience as you. It’s a great way to meet people and enjoy the company of others on your trip. Although you are on the move a lot, everything is organised for you, so you can relax and enjoy the excursion with your kids.
Adventure tours are usually geared at specific age groups or interests so you are travelling with like-minded companions. There are family-friendly tours and some operators, such as Trafalgar even cater for single parent families, yay.
Conclusion: Tips for travelling as a single mum
Traveling as a single mum can feel daunting, but it's absolutely doable ... and well worth it! Whether you choose a packaged getaway, an island escape, a cruise, camping, theme parks, or an adventure tour, there’s an option out there to suit your family’s needs and your budget.
With a bit of planning and the right type of trip, you can create lasting memories with your kids, relax, and enjoy a well-deserved break. So go ahead, single mums: plan that trip, have an adventure, and remember that you and your kids deserve this time together to explore, unwind, and recharge.
For the love of travels ... here’s to your next family adventure!
