Travelling with Extended Family: Our 8 Top Tips

Back in January, my husband, our son (20), my cousin, her husband, their two kids (15 and 13), and I—all seven of us—jetted off to the USA together for a fun trip travelling with extended family. Now, if you’ve ever travelled with a bigger group, you’ll know there’s always a chance it can turn into a logistical nightmare. Or at best, a mixed bag of good and not-so-good moments—yikes!

But thankfully for us, it was neither. We had the best time and just clicked. The whole trip felt easy, and that is exactly what you hope for when you’re on a fun holiday together, right? It would be so disappointing to spend all that time planning, daydreaming, and counting down the days, only to have it turn into an awkward experience.

That definitely wasn’t our story. We’d do it all again in a heartbeat — and if the stars align, we’re hoping for round two. Yay!

Why Our Extended Family Trip Worked So Well

So what made it all run so smoothly, and how did we manage to have such a great time as a group?

Good Vibes From The Start

In a nutshell, I’d say we already genuinely enjoyed each other’s company before the trip, so that was a bonus. Our kids were probably at the perfect age for it, too. One was already an adult, and the younger ones have a really nice relationship with him, full of friendly banter and playful teasing in the best way.

The Group Dynamics

We also had a great mix of personalities. Some of us were super laid-back, others were happy to take the lead, and there was always plenty of open, easy communication. Things like “Do you guys want to do this?” or “Should we eat here?” or “What do you think?” were asked often. Nobody felt unheard, and there wasn’t anyone trying to control the schedule or insisting we do this or that. It just felt really easy and respectful — everyone pitched in, but no one was bossy about it.

Quick and Clear Decision Making

Oh yes — and we also had great decision-makers, which you one hundred per cent need when you’re travelling in a group. Everyone was heard, and then a decision was made quickly… 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 — decision! We all loved that. There’s nothing more stressful than trying to please everyone and ending up stuck because nobody can decide.

Be Flexible: How We Handled the Unexpected

Even when you plan everything carefully, you have to leave room for the unexpected. For us, it was the LA fires — they started the day we landed. Definitely not something any of us saw coming! Universal Studios, which we had planned for day one, was suddenly closed for two days.

On our first night, we found ourselves in our pyjamas, sitting in the hotel lobby, figuring out what to do. My cousin came up with a great plan, and we shifted things around. In the end, we still did everything, just not in the order we had planned. That’s the thing about travelling with a group — being flexible is key.

Communicate Openly: Making Room for Everyone’s Wishes

Communication is key when travelling with a group. I had one big bucket list item: eating at the Blue Bayou in Disneyland. I’d dreamed about it forever!

I shared this during our trip planning, and everyone knew upfront that I needed my wish-come-true moment. So we booked our table and spent a few hours apart. While my husband, son, and I enjoyed the Blue Bayou, my cousins rode the Incredicoaster and a few of their favourite rides. It’s perfectly okay to split up sometimes, especially when there’s something you really want to do. Being open about it means no regrets later.

Respect Different Energy Levels

Travelling with extended family meant we had a wide mix of ages — some younger, some in-between, and ahem… some of us a little older. My husband had a knee replacement just eight months before we set off, so throughout the trip, he paced himself and took breaks whenever needed. He also (very sensibly) stayed back at the hotel instead of doing The Narrows hike and a couple of other more adventurous walks.

I shudder to think what might have happened if he’d pushed beyond his limits. That hike through The Narrows was one of the most incredible experiences I’ve ever had — but also one of the most challenging. We navigated stronger-than-expected currents over slippery rocks, all in below 0ºC temperatures!

Plan Logistics Early to Save Stress and Money

My two cousins were the major force behind all the planning — and I’ve said it before, and I’ll keep saying it: they were total rockstars! And when it came time to book the flights, accommodation, and tickets to theme parks and experiences, they came over to my place and we did it all together.

They booked for their family, I booked for mine, and it made the whole process so much easier. No confusion, no crossed wires — just a clear plan, as well as the peace of mind knowing we were locked in as a team.

We booked well in advance to get the best deals and avoid the inevitable price hikes that pop up the closer you get. There’s real money to be saved by planning ahead — prices for some of our accommodation had jumped by over a thousand dollars when we checked back later. Safe to say, we were incredibly glad we made our bookings early!

Pack Smart and Light for Easier Travel

Less luggage meant less hassle. With seven of us on the trip, that meant seven suitcases to haul through airports and fit into the van for our road trip. We all used the same size suitcases and made a conscious effort not to overpack — and wow, what a difference it made.

Since we were on the go every few days, packing light made loading and unloading so much easier. We didn’t waste time playing Tetris with our stuff, which meant more time enjoying the trip!

Bringing It All Together

And those are my eight top tips for travelling with extended family—or really, any group! Oh my gosh, we had so much fun on our trip, and I can confidently say we nailed every single one of these tips.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff and Celebrate the Little Moments

To wrap things up, here are two more quick tips: don’t sweat the small stuff, and celebrate the little moments. Sure, we had epic experiences, but it was the everyday moments woven throughout the trip that made lifelong memories — like the funny one-liners and corny jokes on the road, the great playlist that now instantly transports me back whenever I hear those songs, and those quiet pauses when words couldn’t do justice to the amazing views around us. It was those small moments that truly made our trip unforgettable.

Ready for Your Own Extended Family Adventure?

Travelling with extended family was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I hope our story and these tips inspire you to create your own unforgettable adventures. So, what are you waiting for? Life is too short — grab your favourite people and go!