Hot and chaotic, yet offering plenty of fun activities, great landscapes and food, Asia is an awesome choice for your family trip. Before you start planning, get an idea of where you want to go, considering time available, cost and whether the place is appropriate for your kids’ ages (given you are bringing kids).
“Hey where are we going this summer?” The fun of family trips starts the very second this question pops. Choosing a destination that is just right for your family, gives you a solid goal to aim for. Oftentimes, it is your budget that decides your destination and how you will be traveling (nothing but luxury or mid-range). Don’t get trapped here! Think out of the box and you will find more possibilities than you can imagine.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Brainstorming Your Interests as a Family
Get everybody around the dinner table and start brainstorming for your next family trip. Take turns to call on a desirable destination or an experience that you would enjoy or want to try for the first time. Involve your children in decision making. No matter how old your kids, their understanding or expectations of destinations might have your considerations flipped or impelled.
After some time of brainstorming, a list of country names (possibly with specific activities) may emerge. It might be a long one, especially if you are taking a big family. Now it is time to narrow down the list. Before you do, make sure your kids understand that their suggestions might be replaced or crossed off to suit the good of the entire family.
Understand the Time Frame and Weather
When talking about time frame, you need to decide when to travel, how long your trip should be and consider the international flight duration. Once settled on these three factors, you need to think about the weather of the listed destinations. This helps you screen out those countries or regions that seem less enjoyable during your time of travel; it also helps you adjust expectations.
Generally speaking, older kids adapt to longer journeys better than younger ones. Traveling with school kids means you would probably leave home in summertime or winter vacation for a couple of weeks. For these fully-charged little tigers, a week is too short a holiday. But smaller kids, aged below 12 years, might not be ready for too long a vacation away from home. Long-haul flights for toddlers require more pre-vacation preparation.
98.8% Positive Customer reviews among 10,000+
|
|
Great Experience
WOW! I’ve traveled Asia some & I must say Sharon & Asia Highlights made this trip so much more enjoyable and easy More
Stephen Hollis,
Aug 2023
|
Alisa has has been great to work with
Alisa with Asia Highlights has has been great to work with. Very friendly and responsive. More
Ana Rausch,
Aug 2023
|
Using Sharon right now to book our…
Using Sharon right now to book our upcoming trip to Thailand. She has booked everything that we asked for. Has answered all of my inquiries, which has been many! Looking forward to having a great girls trip in Thailand More
Tracy,
Aug 2023
|
Thailand, Singapore, Bali
In Thailand, Tanny and Nori(Suparp), were both incredible! They were both fun, funny, and full of knowledge and made sure we got the full experience. They went the extra mile and always made sure we had cold bottled water and towels to cleanse our hands. In Singapore, Nicole was an absolute gem. She was so kind and knowledgeable and guided us in the right direction to make our day as enjoyable as possible. She helped us choose a top notch local lunch and coffee spot in China Town and taught us so much about the country! In Bali, Emon was an absolute joy. He was very knowledgeable and kind and absolutely made sure we were feeling comfortable and was willing to be flexible with us. He was fun to converse with and made our time traveling between destinations so enjoyable! I cannot recommend Asia Highlights enough! Accommodations, travel arrangements and guided tours were all a breeze. More
Cassi Thunker,
Jul 2023
|
Very supportive
Very supportive ! I have received eticket for Sky Lattern Festival very fast More
Chi?n Nguy?n Ng?c,
Jul 2023
|
My experience in Chang Mai with Asia Highlights
I greatly enjoyed my experience with Asia Highlights for a trip I booked to Thailand.All of my interests were catered too. My guide in Chang Mai Gemma was excellent.I truly felt the soul of Thailand culture and Buddhism. More
Richard,
Jul 2023
|
A pleasure to plan with
Well, this has been a painless and pleasurable process to find such a wonderful company. I had specific dates and places to be and Sharon worked with me diligently to refine the schedule and costs to suit my travel needs and budget. She informed me of a special tour on the dates I am to be in Thailand and I added that to my previous plans. More
Chris Williams,
Jul 2023
|
Large multi-generational holiday in Thailand
The holiday was wonderful. Our guides, Mr Monchai (Bangkok), and Ms Tipagorn (Tippy) (Chiang Mai) were exceptional. Travelling in a large multigenerational group with many children requires patience and our guides truly understood that. Mr Monchai and Ms Tippy shared their extensive knowledge of the many wonderful places we visited, and were flexible to take us to additional places along the way based on discussions. While everyday was busy, having them greet us with patience and a smile truly made this a memorable holiday. The hotels we stayed at were equally wonderful and went above and beyond to celebrate not only my parents 50th anniversary but also celebrate 2 milestone birthdays that occurred. We will cherish this holiday for many years to come. We hope to use Asia Highlights again. More
CL,
Jul 2023
|
I never used a travel agent in my life
I never used a travel agent in my life, but Sharon for Asia Highlights did a phenomenal job helping planning and coordination a family vacation. The best part of working with Sharon was that she maintained an open line of communication and provided answers to my question well within 12-24 hours. Additionally, Sharon was flexible and customized our vacation to my families needs. Overall great experience. More
Antione Barry,
Jul 2023
|
Great company to plan a trip to Southeast Asia!
Sharon Haung has been wonderful to work with! Very patient and accommodating. Responds immediately given time change and is prepared, prompt, and professional. More
Debi Hinerfeld,
Jul 2023
|
We took a 15 days trip (10 days Vietnam and 5 days Thailand …
It was an amazing experience the guides and drivers were there awaiting for us at each airoport for a transfer to the hotels also on time for all the tours all the guides were so lovely , very experienced and spoke very good English , one of the days on tour in Thailand I lost my phone in a temple in Bangkok mr chai went out of his way in a middle of thousands of visitors and managed to find an bring it back to me I found that amazing , also while on a trip I contacted Jason li out tour organizer few time via whatup and he replied and helped on the spot I recommend asiahilights 150% The quality of the service hotels the guides the drivers outstanding From start to finish ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT ???? More
SIMO el ghobar,
Jun 2023
|
Wonderful Guides and Experience
Our large group arrived in Bangkok with Tanni as our guide. She was wonderful! An absolute joy to spend time with. She is knowledgeable, kind, and extremely funny. I don’t know what we would have done without her! After Bangkok, we traveled to Chang Mai, where Indy was our tour guide. She was a delight! She is kind, knowledgeable, and so patient. Our trip to Thailand was an adventure of a lifetime and these two women helped make it memorable. I would definitely use Asia Highlights for any future travel in Asia. More
Jessica Bennett,
Jun 2023
|
Guide - Chai
We travelled from Vietnam to Bangkok and were blessed to have a guide named Chai. He was a superb guide and it is a pity we couldn't bottle him and take him home. He was very knowledgeable and an absolute gentleman. He could not have done enough to facilitate us and imparted so much knowledge about the Temples, Buddism and the History of Thailand in general. Not only did he give us a great overview of the past and current ways of living in Thailand but I also feel I came away a much better person having interacting with him. I will carry many of his teachings with me for the rest of my life and know that having met him was a very special blessing in my life. More
Customer,
Jun 2023
|
Our guide Tanni was kind
Our guide Tanni was kind, knowledgeable, funny and beyond accommodating for our group. We felt like we'd made a friend and it enhanced our trip in the most positive way. Everything was coordinated perfectly which is not easy to do in a large traveling group. Excellent experience! More
Marissa Manson,
Jun 2023
|
We are only on day 5 of our 15 day trip…
Our first stop so far was in Hanoi where our guide Trong was just so awesome! He shared about his culture and family life which showing us sites through a city tour. He was so funny making lots of jokes and always made sure we were having fun while learning about everything! He checked on us frequently even when we were no longer with him since we then went on a cruise in Halong Bay! Halong Bay and the cruise on Paradise Elegance went way above anything I expected. The scenery was breathtaking, the ship was so beautiful and clean with such fresh, good food! And I can’t sing enough praise for the staff who took care of us- especially Anna and Belle! They went above and beyond to make sure we enjoyed every aspect from eating meals with Anna to every other detail with Belle! I highly recommend Asian Highlights to help plan these extraordinary trips! This already has been a trip of a lifetime and we still have so much more to see all thanks to Cathy!! More
Diane Creitz,
Jun 2023
|
Tanni for the win!
14 of my closest friends and family descended upon Bangkok ready to see the town. Asia highlights and Tanni took us on a tour that changed our lives. We experienced so much everyday. Tanni was amazing! She did all the thinking for us, so we all could just be present and enjoy the moment. I can’t recommend this company, and especially Tanni enough. More
Megan McGlynn,
Jun 2023
|
This isn't my first trip with Asia…
This isn't my first trip with Asia Highlights. They are great at helping me plan, working my requests into the itinerary, and booking it all. We travel with friends and just got back from a trip to Thailand and Vietnam. Albee did a great job with all the details and we had a wonderful time. We will use them for our next adventure! More
Katie Potesta,
Jun 2023
|
Amazing service
Although we have not been our trip yet I wanted to still write a review based on customer service and the ease of booking. Alisa has been extremely prompt and responsive with planning our trip to Thailand. She has had great recommendations and guidance to add to our custom itinerary. Highly recommend using Asia highlights! -Alex More
Alex,
May 2023
|
I have never hear of this company…
I have never hear of this company before , and after reading all these reviews ,I decided to give it a try . The professionalism and communicative skill received by one of the agent , Sharon of Asia Highlights , convince me that She was the right travel agent for my trip in Asia . Very quickly she communicated with me and got all the detail of my desire vacation . Sharon made me a great itinerary with great experiences that I am dreaming to experience and I am looking forward to it . Thanks Sharon for been so great and crafting me a dream vacation with great suggestions. More
orge alvarez,
May 2023
|
Coco Yang worked tirelessly to…
From the moment I landed in Bangkok, Ms Noi Ying was there to welcome me and get me settled into my hotel. We enjoyed several days together touring Bangkok and Kanchanaburi. In Chiang Mai, Mr Ekachai took my son snd I on an amazing trip to the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary and to visit a community Lanna home, gardens and a hands-on cooking class preparing an authentic Thai meal. Lisa arranged a last-minute speedboat tour of 5 breathtaking islands in Phuket. From start to finish, the guides exceeded my expectations!! Thank you, Asia Highlight!! Debbie Woods More
Debbie Woods,
May 2023
|
Define Your Budget
Your list is now shorter after the above two steps. Checking out how much you have budgeted for this trip depicts a clearer outline for your holiday. Legitimately, a nearer destination might look better on the bill than a destination on another continent. However, turn your mind around – a family trip to Asia doesn’t really cost that much, provided you plan it well.
International flights are one of the main expenses. The optimal plan would be to fly directly. If impossible, you should count an extra overnight stay for transit flights, so you and your kids don’t get worn out. When purchasing air tickets, you need to budget for 1) children’s prices; 2) baggage prices; 3) additional services such as special in-flight meals, advance boarding, seats together and VIP lounges.
Peak tourism season in Asia is October to March, costing USD150 to 250 per person per day, based on 4-star accommodation, USD250 and up for 5-star, excluding international airfares. During off-peak season, April to late September, it will be half the price. For children, you need to consider the cost for extra beds and internal flights, normally 70% of the adult cost.
Based on our years of tour operation, we have a chart of costs in each Asian destination at the bottom of this article (data for 2017, only for reference)
| Country/Region | Peak Tourism Seasons | Hotel Ranking | Cost per day/person (see Note 1) | Cost in Off-Peak Seasons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | January to May, September to early December | 4-star 5-star |
USD320 to USD400 USD400 and up |
USD280 to USD350 USD350 and up |
| Chinese mainland | February to April, September to November | 4-star 5-star |
USD200 to USD280 USD280 and up |
USD200 to USD280 USD280 and up |
| Mongolia | May to early August | 4-star 5-star |
USD220 to USD280 -- (5-star accommodation is limited, not enough data for a conclusion) |
USD180 to USD220 -- (5-star accommodation is limited, not enough data for a conclusion) |
| Vietnam | October to May | 4-star 5-star |
USD150 to USD250 USD250 and up |
USD120 to USD220 USD220 and up |
| Cambodia | Late September to early April | 4-star 5-star |
USD180 to USD260 USD260 and up |
USD150 to USD230 USD230 and up |
| Laos | October to May | 4-star 5-star |
USD180 to USD260 USD260 and up |
USD150 to USD230 USD230 and up |
| Myanmar | Late September to April | 4-star 5-star |
USD200 to USD270 USD270 and up |
USD160 to USD220 USD220 and up |
| Thailand | Late September to May | 4-star 5-star |
USD160 to USD240 USD240 and up |
USD120 to USD200 USD200 and up |
| India | October to March | 4-star 5-star |
USD180 to USD260 USD260 and up |
USD140 to USD200 USD200 and up |
| Singapore | All year | 4-star 5-star |
USD200 to USD300 USD300 and up |
USD200 and up (no distinguishing line between |
| Malaysia | November to March | 4-star 5-star |
USD180 to USD250 USD250 and up |
USD150 to USD220 USD220 and up |
| Indonesia | May to December | 4-star 5-star |
USD180 to USD240 USD240 and up |
USD130 to USD220 USD220 and up |
| The Philippines | January to May | 4-star 5-star |
USD140 to USD220 USD220 and up |
USD80 to USD160 USD160 and up |
| Sri Lanka | November to April | 4-star 5-star |
USD170 to USD250 USD250 and up |
USD110 to USD200 USD200 and up |
| Nepal (see Note 2) | October to November, June to September | 4-star 5-star |
USD150 to USD200 USD200 | USD110 to USD160 USD160 and up |
| Bhutan (see Note 3) | December to Februaryt | 4-star 5-star |
USD250 to USD350 -- not enough data for a conclusion |
USD200 to USD280 -- not enough data for a conclusion |
| Brunei | January to May | 4-star 5-star |
USD220 to USD350 USD350 and up |
USD200 to USD280 USD280 and up |
Notes:
- 1. Cost is per day per person, excluding international flights, with English-speaking stationary(?) tour guides
- 2. Cost for Nepal excludes Chitwan
- 3. Cost for Bhutan excludes a mandatory daily fee, ranging from USD200 to USD300
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Talk to an Expert
Use online tools smartly for research and go through reviews written by family travelers like you. Share the resources with your family and see how they react. Besides the domestic democracy, it is also vital to understand the suitability of different destinations for different age ranges and experiences. If you find yourself vacillating between options, find some trustworthy experts to talk to. They could be somebody who has been to these destinations or actually living there, and they should be honest enough to tell you what to expect.
You might want to skip travel agents as they always mean ‘more expensive’. That is not always true. Considering the time and effort that you can save, talking to an on-site expert actually is in line with your goals for a family trip: enjoyable, cost-efficient and meaningful.
A good agent, however, doesn’t really decide your destination per se. They act more like a sidekick who studies your interests and evaluates the possibilities. You always have the say in everything.
Look no further, Asia Highlights is right here, ready to create your trip. For more ideas, read our Top Destinations for Family Trips in Asia. Or get a quick start with us (Tailor-made button)
Plan your Family Trip to Asia with Asia Highlights
Asia Highlights welcomes the chance to help you achieve your travel plans. See our itinerary below and let us do the work for you.
15-Day Family Trip to Mongolia, China and Thailand
You might like to read
Why Travel with Asia Highlights (98.8% positive customer reviews among 10,000+)
- Unique experiences tailored to your interests: Enjoy a premium trip that goes beyond the typical tourist attractions.
- Hassle-free travel and peace of mind: Every aspect of your trip will be carefully planned and organized by your 1:1 travel consultant.
- Experienced and knowledgeable guides: Your guides will be local and love to work for travelers' smiles.
- 3-Week China and Vietnam Adventure Tour
- 20-Day China (including Tibet), Nepal, and India Tour
- 16-Day Japan and China Discovery Tour
- 21-Day China, Laos, and Thailand Discovery
- 3-Week Nepal, Tibet, and Bhutan Tour
- Southeast Asia Ports and Shore Excursions
- 14-Day Myanmar and Thailand Essence Tour
- 15-Day Best of Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam Tour
- 12-Day Laos to Vietnam Tour
- 19-Day Highlights of Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam
- 14-Day Vietnam and Cambodia Family Tour—Quality Time Journey
- 14-Day Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos Itinerary: Premium Private Tour
- How to Plan a 2-Week Itinerary in Japan and South Korea
- Plan an Awesome Trip to India, Bhutan and Nepal (6 Tips)
- Planning a Romantic Trip to Asia for a Honeymoon/Anniversary
- The Top 10 Places to Celebrate New Year 2024 in Asia
- 2-Week Southeast Asia Itineraries for Couples, Families, and More
- How to Plan a 3-Week Southeast Asia Itinerary
- The Ultimate 4-Week Southeast Asia Itinerary for You! (Expert Advice)
- How to Plan a 10-Day Southeast Asia Itinerary (2023/2024)
- How to Plan an Incredible Family Trip to Japan in 2023/2024
- Best & Worst Times to Visit Southeast Asia 2023/2024, Rainy Season...
- Best & Worst Times to Visit Japan 2023/2024, Best Month
- Best (and Worst) Time to Visit Vietnam 2023/2024 for Great Weather, Low Prices
- Best (& Worst & Cheapest) Times to Visit Thailand 2023 & Rainy Season
- Best (and Worst) Times to Visit India 2023/2024 & the Monsoon?
- Best (and Worst) Times to Visit Bali 2023/2024 & When is the Rainy Season
- Best & Worst Times to Visit Vietnam and Cambodia 2023/2024, Best Month
- Best Times to Visit Nepal —Guide to Nepal Weather and Travel Experience
Get Inspired with Some Popular Itineraries
At Asia Highlights, we create your kind of journey — your dates, your destinations, at your pace. You can have any trip tailor made for your travel.
