7 family trips that’ll have teens off their phones (and loving it)

Planning a family vacation with teens can sometimes feel impossible. Is there really a spot the whole family will enjoy? At some point, you might find yourself thinking, “Maybe a staycation… or maybe next year.” Not so fast, though. The right destination can absolutely turn eye rolls into excitement (and screen time into memories). 

Better yet, with flexible options like PayLater Travel, you can lock in your flights now without the upfront cost, just a small deposit to start with, and then easy installments over time. 

Here are 7 of our favorite family vacations with teens:

Tokyo, Japan

Best for teens into: Anime and pop culture.

If your teen wants to explore a big city, Tokyo is the perfect choice. Safe, clean, and incredibly efficient, it hits the sweet spot between independence and togetherness. Teens will love all the quirky corners to explore—think vending machines, convenience stores (Japanese 7/11s are on another level), and arcades.

Plus, Tokyo blends modern tech with pop culture, yet still holds centuries of tradition. You can go from a futurist robot café to a peaceful shrine in a matter of minutes. No one will be bored—teen, tween, or parent.

Things to do with your teen in Tokyo

• Go shopping along the 130+ shops of Takeshita Street, a vibrant strip in Harajuku, known as the epicenter of youth and kawaii culture.
• Explore the Ghibli Museum and peek behind the magic of classic films like Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro (disclaimer: tickets sell out fast, so be quick!).
• Tour the many themed cafés across the city, from Pokémon Café to Kirby Café and animal cafés, where you can hang out with cats, hedgehogs, and even capybaras.

Gold Coast, Australia

Best for teens into: Beach and a bit of adventure.

One perk about traveling to the Gold Coast? Nothing’s ever far away. Beaches, theme parks, shopping centers, nightlife, nature hikes are all within 30 minutes of each other, which will come in handy if you’re also traveling with kids.

For many American teens, there’s not much of a culture shock, which can be comforting if it’s their first time overseas. They can wander around with some independence and pretend they’re backpacking solo (even though you’re right there, only a couple of blocks away). 

And yes, Wi-Fi is plentiful, which will get you extra points when they inevitably need to post something.

Things to do with your teen on the Gold Coast

• Hit the themed parks. Dreamworld or Movie World for a dose of adrenaline, iFly for indoor skydiving, GC Aqua Park for a giant inflatable water playground… you’re seriously spoiled for choice.
• Sunbathe and enjoy the crystal-clear waters at one of the many beaches. Take your pick: Surfers Paradise, The Spit, Broadbeach, Coolangatta—and the list goes on.
• Wander through the trendy cafés and dining scene of Burleigh Heads, just a quick walk away from the sand.

Hawaii, USA

Best for teens into: Surf and wildlife.

Hawaii is a super practical pick for those traveling with a teen. The islands have everything you need for a stress-free trip, from resorts with pools and teen-approved activities to vacation rentals for extra space, and convenient car rentals, too.

The relaxed vibe is contagious, and it’s easy to mix adventure days with downtime at the beach. Plus, flights from the U.S. mainland are pretty short, which means less time in the air and more time catching waves.

Things to do with your teen in Hawaii

• Go for a surf at Waikiki. Don’t worry if it’s your (or their) first time, the long rolling waves are perfect for newbies and pros alike. And you can always book a lesson with a local surf school.
• Get up close with Hawaii’s wildlife. Snorkel with sea turtles at Hanauma Bay, ride a horse at Kualoa Ranch, or go diving with manta rays on the Big Island.
• Catch a sunset luau and enjoy a traditional Hawaiian feast while fire dancers whirl flaming torches in a hypnotizing show.

Rome, Italy

Best for teens into: History with a side of food.

Let’s be honest, Rome is in everyone’s travel wishlist, and that probably includes your teen. A lot of major landmarks are within walking distance of each other, so you can cover a ton without even stepping onto a train or bus (although, should you need them, they’re cheap and easy to navigate).

The food is most definitely teen-approved, and there are gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegetarian options, so no one misses out. 

If you need a break from history (and pasta), there are loads of day trip options you can plan pretty much on the spot, like Ostia for a beach day or Castel Gandolfo for lake views.

Things to do with your teen in Rome

• Tour through iconic sites like the Colosseum, Pantheon, Roman catacombs, and Trevi Fountain for a hands-on history lesson. You can even take them on a gladiator class, if you’re really committed.
• Go on the food tour of a lifetime. Pizza, pasta, gelato, tiramisu… need we say more?
• Wander through the cobblestone lanes and discover the street art of Trastevere, widely hailed as Rome’s coolest neighborhood.

Abu Dhabi, UAE

Best for teens into: Desert fun and exotic animals.

Perhaps not your typical family getaway, Abu Dhabi has a little bit of everything. We’re talking desert safaris, pristine white-sand beaches, cultural landmarks, extreme theme parks, and massive malls (and when we say massive, we mean 400+ stores under one roof). In other words, no one will be left twiddling their thumbs.

The city is also incredibly clean, safe, and easy to get around, so you can give your teen a bit of freedom to explore on their own terms.

Things to do with your teen in Abu Dhabi

• Hit up Yas Island, home to many theme parks, including Ferrari World, Warner Bros World, Yas Waterworld, and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi.
• Get hands-on at Emirates Park Zoo, where you don’t just look at animals, you can feed giraffes, enjoy breakfast with sealions, or have dinner with elephants or big cats. A must-do if you have a wildlife enthusiast at home.
• For a full-on Arabian adventure, go dune bashing in a 4x4, try sandboarding through the golden dunes, or ride camels across the giant desert.

Banff, Canada

Best for teens into: Hiking and the outdoors.

Teen’s been begging for a nature-packed vacation? Banff delivers. No matter what time of the year you go, there are outdoor activities to keep you all busy—hiking and kayaking in the summer, skiing and snowshoeing in the winter, and, of course, the Banff gondola all year round.

There are plenty of hidden gems and off-the-beaten-path trails to discover; plus, the town is compact and easy to get around, so logistics are a breeze (big win for the parents!).

Things to do with your teen in Banff

• Lace up your hiking boots and explore Banff’s many scenic trails. There’s something for every level: Moraine Lake for a gentle, Insta-worthy stroll, Plain of Six Glaciers for a bigger challenge, or Johnston Canyon for something in between.
• Ride the Banff gondola all the way to the top of Sulphur Mountain and soak in bird’s-eye views of the Rockies all around.
• Go canoeing or kayaking on Lake Louise. You don’t need prior experience, you can rent all the equipment you need, and the calm waters are perfect for beginners.

Rotorua, New Zealand

Best for teens into: Adventure sports and unique landscapes.

Rotorua is like nowhere else on Earth, and the whole family’s bound to love it. Just picture it: steam rising from the ground, mud bubbles in bright colors, geysers shooting water into the sky. Geology class, but make it hands-on, exciting, and without the homework.

The town is compact and easy to navigate, with accommodations, restaurants, and shops all close to major attractions. And, there are loads of guided tours to see all the best sights without having to plan an entire itinerary.

Things to do with your teen in Rotorua

• Walk among bubbling mud pools and erupting geysers at Whakarewarewa or Wai-O-Tapu. It’s like stepping onto another planet.
• Zipline through the forest canopy at Redwoods Treewalk or Rotorua Canopy Tours for an adrenaline rush with epic views.
• Hop on a mountain bike and blaze your way through the scenic tracks. There are trails for all levels from gentle loops for beginners, all the way to flowing downhill tracks for extreme adventure pros.

Tips for traveling with a teen (or tween)

Here are a few tried-and-true strategies for stress-free teen-friendly travel:

• Involve them in the planning process. Get their opinion on the different destinations you’re considering, encourage them to do some research (TikTok will come in handy here!), and let them choose some activities. 
• Give them space during the trip. No one values privacy quite like a teen, so let them do their thing every once in a while. The perfect opportunity for you to tick off that one activity you’ve been dreaming about (and suspect they’ve been dreading).
• Cater to their interests. They’ll be a lot more engaged if they’ve got something to look forward to.
• Be flexible. Keep options open, go with the flow, and let a little spontaneity in. It is a vacation, after all!

Book your family getaway with Paylater Travel

With Paylater Travel, you can lock in the best flight deal today with just a small deposit, and pay the remainder off in weekly or bi-weekly installments, whatever works best for your family. 

You can grab your tickets sooner rather than later, enjoy flexible payment plans, and get your teen excited for the trip ahead. Search flights today!