Airbnb reveals top tips for booking a more adventurous family holiday

By Airbnb · 1 October 2024

· Destinations

Key Takeaways

Airbnb reveals UK parents eagerly book their next family trip within just a few weeks of the new school year starting.
New data highlights that two in five UK families choose to return to the same place every year, with half of parents admitting to finding booking holidays stressful.
In a bid to encourage more families to unlock the excitement of visiting somewhere new, mother of two and Airbnb’s General Manager for Northern Europe, Amanda Cupples, shares how to bag a safe and stress-free getaway to a trending destination this half term.

Key Takeaways

Airbnb reveals UK parents eagerly book their next family trip within just a few weeks of the new school year starting.
New data highlights that two in five UK families choose to return to the same place every year, with half of parents admitting to finding booking holidays stressful.
In a bid to encourage more families to unlock the excitement of visiting somewhere new, mother of two and Airbnb’s General Manager for Northern Europe, Amanda Cupples, shares how to bag a safe and stress-free getaway to a trending destination this half term.

New Airbnb data¹ reveals that 1 October is the busiest day for booking trips this side of the year, as UK families turn their attention to half term getaways to beat the seasonal blues. Yet, new research² shows that over 40% of families choose to return to the same place every year. This is no doubt related to half of UK parents admitting to finding booking holidays stressful, and over a third struggling to agree on a destination.

To help more families pursue an adventure by visiting somewhere new this half term, Airbnb’s General Manager for Northern Europe and mother of two, Amanda Cupples shares her top tips for booking an exciting getaway in a stress-free way. Amanda is also sharing her favourite recommendations for family-friendly listings on Airbnb, to inspire those who tend to stick to familiar favourites.

Tip 1: Use family focused search hacks – even in reviews

Booking a trip with little ones comes with its own checklist of considerations, and research shows nearly two thirds (64%) of parents find it difficult to stick to a routine while away.

As families start planning their half term trips, they want reassurance that the destination and accommodation meets their entire group’s needs – another reason why two in five UK families (41%) choose to visit the same place each year.

To help find peace of mind when venturing to new destinations, search within listing reviews for keywords like ‘family’ and ‘children’ by clicking ‘Search reviews’ to get a sense of what other parents are saying about it.

Filtering accommodation searches by amenities such as high chairs, cots and washing machines will also help narrow down over 8 million listings to find a perfect home away from home. Wondering whether the listing has a particular item, family-friendly activity or supermarket nearby? Guests can message the host prior to booking to get answers to specific questions.

Tip 2: Going on holiday with family friends, teenagers or grandparents? Avoid debates on where to stay by sharing your wishlist with the whole group

Whether it’s planning a staycation with a newborn or booking a remote villa with family friends, every holiday has an unsung hero who leads the organisation of a trip, with nearly half (47%) of mums saying they have the biggest influence when deciding on the destination.

Families can say goodbye to holiday admin and endless spreadsheets, as guests can now share their Airbnb wishlists with the entire group, meaning everyone can chip in and share the load when it comes to planning the trip. All guests can add the homes they like, write notes and vote on their favourite listings to help find a place that suits everyone’s needs – whether it be an extra bedroom for sleeping little ones or a reading nook for parents in that precious downtime.

Tip 3: Book on trusted sites to help keep your money safe

Have peace of mind by always booking, paying and communicating through Airbnb to take advantage of Airbnb’s secure processes and refund policies. Airbnb holds onto payments made on the platform until 24 hours after check-in while AirCover means we’ll help guests find a similar place or give them a refund if there’s a serious issue with the listing that the host can’t resolve. If anyone asks a guest to go off-platform, they should report it to Airbnb.

Tip 4: Time your booking right to get the best deal

Budget is a top priority for parents, with over a third (38%) admitting it’s their primary concern when planning a trip. With Airbnb, families can accommodate the whole group in one place, meaning they don’t have to fork out for multiple rooms like in traditional accommodation.

Timing your booking on Airbnb can also help save cash, as hosts sometimes offer discounts to guests when booking in advance, or if it’s for a long term stay. Thousands³ of UK hosts also offer an evergreen last minute discount on stays, and guests can also manage budgets with the Pay Over Time feature, meaning it’s never too late to plan a budget friendly getaway.

Tip 5: Find the cream of the crop with these quality assurance measures

Filtering by Guest Favourites will show listings most loved by other guests while Superhosts are known for going above and beyond to provide excellent hospitality. Airbnb also flags when listings are in the bottom 10% of reviews, giving guests the full picture so they can decide whether a stay is right for them.

Tip 6: Keep child-friendly safety measures front of mind

For parents with little ones, keeping children safe is the number one concern while on holiday. This is a consideration for the nearly three quarters (70%) of parents stating that their dream accommodation would feature a private pool, removing the need to rush out at the crack of dawn to secure a sunbed. Safety is a priority at Airbnb, which is why we partnered with international organisations to share updated tips for hosts and families to help understand how they can make their home and pool child-friendly. Tips from Safe Kids Worldwide include checking the listing for a pool fence and using water watcher cards and avoiding distraction when children are in the water.

Travelling abroad and need to unexpectedly contact emergency services? Airbnb’s in-app feature connects guests with the local emergency services when travelling internationally. Guests can also contact Airbnb’s 24/7 Community Support team while the 24 Hour Safety Line provides a direct line to our specialised team during an active reservation.

Top trending international categories for UK families this half term⁴