Booking your baby’s first holiday is exciting, but it can also feel like a lot to think about. Suddenly, you are not just choosing somewhere sunny. You are checking flight times, nap routines, transfer lengths, cot availability, shade, feeding options and whether the hotel room will actually work once your baby is asleep.
The good news is that a first holiday with a baby does not need to be perfect. It just needs to be practical, comfortable and planned around what makes family life easier.
TL;DR: Keep the flight short, the transfer short and the hotel well-equipped. Pick a destination that is easy on parents, not just beautiful on Instagram. Check cots, high chairs, shade and transfer times before you book. All-inclusive can simplify meals and budgeting. Short-haul destinations like Majorca, Menorca, the Algarve and Crete are the most manageable first trips from the UK.
This guide covers:
- When to take your baby on holiday
- What makes a destination work for a first trip
- The best short-haul options for families
- What to check before you book
- Flying with a baby for the first time
- What to pack
- Whether all-inclusive is worth it
- Baby-friendly hotel facilities to look out for
When is the right time to take your baby on holiday?
There is no perfect age. The right time depends on your baby, your confidence and how your family routine is settling.
Younger babies (under six months) are often more portable than you might expect. They sleep a lot, they are not yet crawling or walking, and they tend to feed and nap wherever you are. The challenge is that they need more frequent feeding, more nappy changes and more careful attention to sun exposure.
Older babies (six to eighteen months) are more engaged and interactive, which can make the holiday feel more fun. But they are also more active, more easily distracted and more likely to need entertainment on a plane or during a long transfer.
The most useful question to ask is not “how old is my baby?” but “how confident do I feel?”
A few things worth sorting before you book:
- Passport: UK baby passports take time to process. Apply well in advance of your travel date.
- Travel documents: Check whether your destination requires any additional paperwork for infants.
- Health: If your baby has any ongoing health concerns, speak to your GP or health visitor before booking.
- Vaccinations: Some destinations may require or recommend vaccinations. Check the NHS travel health guidance for your chosen destination before you go.
There is no wrong time to take a first holiday. The right trip is the one that suits your family.
What makes a good first holiday with a baby?
The best first holiday is not necessarily the most beautiful destination. It is the one that makes everyday care easier. That means thinking less about sightseeing and more about logistics.
Here are the things that actually make a difference:
Short flight times
For a first trip, shorter is almost always better. A two-hour flight is much more manageable than a four-hour one when you are managing feeds, nappy changes and an unsettled baby. Short-haul destinations from the UK such as Majorca, Menorca, the Algarve and Crete all offer flight times that keep the journey feeling achievable. Check our guide to the best family holiday destinations for more inspiration.
Short transfers
A 45-minute transfer from the airport to your hotel is very different from a two-hour coach journey with a tired baby in the dark. Always check the transfer time before booking, not after. If the transfer is long, consider whether a private transfer is worth the extra cost.
Baby-friendly accommodation
Look for hotels that offer cots, high chairs, fridges or kitchenettes, lifts, shaded outdoor areas and family rooms with enough space to set up a travel cot away from the bed. A room that works for your baby’s sleep is worth prioritising over a better view.
Easy feeding options
Whether you are breastfeeding, formula feeding or introducing solids, access to simple food and supplies matters. Check that the resort or nearby area has a supermarket, that the hotel offers flexible dining times and that you can store milk or food safely.
Shade and cooler spaces
Babies under six months should be kept out of direct sun entirely. Even older babies need careful sun protection. Look for hotels with shaded pool areas, parasols and air-conditioned rooms. Plan beach or pool time for early morning or late afternoon, when the sun is less intense.
Pushchair-friendly surroundings
Cobblestones, steep hills and narrow pavements can make getting around with a pushchair genuinely exhausting. Resorts with flat promenades, beach-level access, lifts and paved paths make daily life significantly easier.
Best destinations for baby’s first holiday
If you want somewhere tried and tested, these four short-haul destinations are consistently popular with UK families travelling with young babies. All are reachable in under four hours from most UK airports.
Majorca
Majorca is one of the most popular first family holiday destinations from the UK, and for good reason. Flights are short, around two to two and a half hours from most UK airports. There is a huge range of family-friendly hotels and resorts, and areas like Alcudia, Playa de Muro and Sa Coma offer calm, shallow beaches that are well suited to young children.
The Blau Punta Reina Family Resort in Majorca is a great example of the kind of resort-style hotel that works well for families with babies. For a wider selection, browse family holidays to Alcudia on TUI. You can also explore the best hotels in Majorca for families to compare options by resort area.
Menorca
Menorca is the quieter alternative to Majorca, and that is exactly what makes it appealing for a first trip with a baby. The pace is slower, the beaches are gentler and the resorts are less crowded. Son Bou is a particularly popular area for families, with a long sandy beach and good hotel options.
The Royal Son Bou Family Club in Menorca is worth looking at if you want a resort designed with families in mind. You can also browse family holidays to Menorca or family holidays to Son Bou on TUI.
Algarve, Portugal
The Algarve is a reliable, easy-going choice for families. Flight times from the UK are manageable (around two and a half hours), the weather is warm and sunny, and the area has a good mix of beach resorts and family-friendly hotels. It suits parents who want a relaxed pace with the option of simple days out. The best holiday destinations in Europe guide has more ideas if you are still deciding.
Crete
Crete is a slightly bigger commitment than Majorca or Menorca. Flights are typically around three and a half hours, but it rewards families who want strong resort facilities, warm weather and a good range of hotel options. It works best for parents who are happy to base themselves around the hotel, pool and local beach rather than exploring widely. If you are considering an all-inclusive stay, Crete has some excellent options. See our roundup of the best all-inclusive resorts in Europe for ideas.
What to check before booking your baby’s first holiday
This is the section most parents wish they had read before clicking “book”. Use this checklist to filter hotels and packages before you commit.
Flight and transfer checklist
- Flight duration (aim for under three hours for a first trip)
- Departure and arrival times (do they work around your baby’s routine?)
- Transfer time from airport to hotel
- Transfer type: private, shared coach or self-arranged
- Baggage allowance for baby items (pushchair, car seat, extra luggage)
Hotel and room checklist
- Cot available (and whether it needs to be requested in advance)
- High chair available in the restaurant
- Fridge or kitchenette in the room
- Air conditioning
- Lift access (essential if you are above the ground floor with a pushchair)
- Family room or interconnecting room option
- Quiet room location away from entertainment areas
- Pushchair-friendly paths and access around the hotel
Facilities and surroundings checklist
- Shaded pool area or parasols available
- Baby pool or shallow pool area
- Distance from hotel to beach (and whether the route is pushchair-friendly)
- Supermarket or pharmacy nearby
- Medical facilities within reasonable distance
- Laundry facilities (useful for longer stays)
- Whether baby equipment hire is available through the hotel or operator
One thing many parents overlook: cots, high chairs and baby club places often need to be pre-booked, not just requested on arrival. Check this before you travel. Do not leave it until you get there.
Browse TUI family holidays to filter by destination and compare hotel facilities for families with young children.
Flying with a baby for the first time
Flying with a baby is one of the things parents worry about most before a first holiday. The reality is that it is rarely as bad as the anticipation. But it does help to go in prepared rather than optimistic.
The honest truth: you cannot fully control how your baby behaves on a plane. What you can do is make it easier on yourself.
- Choose flight times that work around your baby’s sleep or feed schedule where possible
- Arrive at the airport earlier than you normally would. Security, feeding, nappy changes and boarding all take longer with a baby in tow
- Keep all essentials in your hand luggage: nappies, wipes, a change of clothes (for baby and for you), milk or formula, snacks, a dummy and a comforter
- Pack more nappies and wipes than you think you need. Then add a few more
- During take-off and landing, feeding, offering a dummy or giving your baby something to suck can help with ear pressure
- Bring one or two small, familiar toys. You do not need to pack a bag full of entertainment
- Accept that the flight may not go perfectly. Most passengers are more understanding than you expect, and the journey will end
The key mindset shift is this: the flight is not the holiday. It is just the bit in the middle.
What to pack for baby’s first holiday
The temptation is to pack everything. The reality is that most resorts have supermarkets, and most hotels can provide basics. Pack what you genuinely need, not what you might need.
Travel essentials
- Passport and travel insurance documents
- Lightweight pushchair or travel buggy
- Baby carrier or sling (useful for uneven terrain)
- Travel cot if not provided by the hotel (always confirm in advance)
Nappy and feeding kit
- Nappies and wipes (more than you think)
- Swim nappies
- Travel changing mat
- Bottles, steriliser or sterilising tablets
- Formula or baby food if needed
- Bibs and muslins
- Favourite snacks
Sun and sleep
- Sun hat with neck protection
- Baby-safe sun cream (factor 50)
- UV suit or rash vest
- Lightweight blanket
- Comforter or bedtime toy
- Travel blackout blind (worth its weight if your baby is light-sensitive)
Health and safety
- Baby thermometer
- First aid kit
- Usual medicines (Calpol, teething gel, antihistamine if prescribed)
- Reusable water bottle
- Plastic bags for wet or dirty clothes
Flight bag (keep this accessible)
- Full change of clothes for baby (and one for you)
- Small toys or board books
- Dummy and comforter
- Extra nappies, wipes and a snack
One tip worth knowing: you are allowed to take made-up formula through UK airport security in quantities that are reasonable for the journey. Check your airline’s policy in advance to confirm the exact rules.
Is all-inclusive a good idea for baby’s first holiday?
For many parents, all-inclusive is genuinely the easier option for a first trip with a baby. Meals are sorted, snacks are available throughout the day, and you do not need to research restaurants or worry about finding somewhere that will accommodate a high chair and a tired baby at 5pm.
All-inclusive also tends to simplify budgeting. Many family resorts include pools, entertainment and practical facilities that make staying close to the hotel feel like a choice rather than a limitation.
That said, it is not the right fit for everyone.
Self-catering or apartment-style stays may suit your family better if:
- Your baby has specific feeding needs and you want full control over what they eat
- You prefer quieter evenings without resort entertainment
- You want kitchen facilities to prepare meals and store supplies easily
- Your routine requires more flexibility than a set dining schedule allows
Both options can work brilliantly for a first holiday. The question is which one makes daily life easier for your family specifically.
For ideas, see our guides to the best family holidays abroad all inclusive and the best all-inclusive resorts in Europe. You can also browse best all-inclusive family resorts on TUI to compare options by destination.
Quick first-holiday matchmaker
Not sure which direction to go? Use this table to match your priorities to the right choice.
| Your priority | Best fit |
|---|---|
| Short flight and lots of hotel choice | Majorca |
| Quieter pace and gentler beaches | Menorca |
| Relaxed beach break with easy days | Algarve |
| Resort-style facilities and warm weather | Crete |
| Kitchen access and feeding flexibility | Apartment or self-catering stay |
| Easy meals and onsite facilities | All-inclusive family resort |
| Maximum convenience, minimal transfers | Short-haul with private transfer |
Tips to make baby’s first holiday feel easier
The families who tend to enjoy a first holiday the most are the ones who go in with realistic expectations and a simple plan.
- Keep the itinerary light. A first holiday is not the time for day trips, long drives or ambitious sightseeing. Pool, beach, lunch, nap, repeat is a perfectly good holiday.
- Stay close to your base. Choose a hotel that is near the beach or resort centre so you are not hauling a pushchair and a changing bag across town every morning.
- Plan around naps. A baby who has napped is a much happier travel companion. Build your day around rest times rather than fighting them.
- Leave extra time for everything. Airports, restaurants, getting in and out of taxis. Everything takes longer with a baby. Build in buffer time and you will feel less stressed.
- Take familiar bedtime items. A consistent bedtime routine, the same comforter and the same sleep bag can make a huge difference to how well your baby settles in an unfamiliar room.
- Keep expectations realistic. There will be moments that do not go to plan. That is normal. A slower, simpler holiday can still be a brilliant one.
Remember: the point of a first holiday is not to do everything. It is to enjoy being somewhere new together, at a pace that works for your family.
Ready to start comparing baby-friendly holidays?
A baby’s first holiday does not need to be perfect to be memorable. The best choice is usually the one with manageable travel, practical hotel facilities and enough flexibility to make daily routines feel easier rather than harder.
Start by getting the basics right: a short flight, a short transfer, a hotel with the facilities your baby actually needs and a destination that is forgiving for first-time family travellers.
Browse TUI family holidays to compare short-haul destinations, family-friendly hotels and packages with the practical facilities that make travelling with a young baby feel that bit more straightforward.
And if you are still in the planning stage, these guides are a good next step: