Air travel has never been more accessible, yet the experience of moving through airports often feels more strained than it used to. Passenger numbers continue to climb, terminals are busier than ever, and delays have become a familiar part of modern travel. At the same time, expectations around efficiency and ease have only sharpened, making friction harder to ignore.

This tension raises a simple question: Where does stress in air travel actually come from? A recent global analysis by iSelect suggests the stress experienced is shaped less by isolated disruptions and more by the everyday realities of airport operations—capacity, accessibility, and how systems perform under sustained pressure. Taken together, the findings provide a clear picture of where that strain is most consistently felt by passengers. Below, the 10 most stressful airports in the world in 2026, ranked.

Overlooking the Schiphol International airport in Amsterdam, the Netherlands

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10. Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, The Netherlands

Amsterdam‘s Schiphol Airport ranks 10th, reflecting recent operational pressures rather than long-standing dysfunction. Staffing shortages and capacity limits have affected processing times, particularly at security and passport control. While the airport retains a reputation for efficiency, sustained passenger growth has tested its ability to maintain smooth passenger transit.

The end of the year brings a lot of anticipation—holiday parties, gift-giving, scrambling to finish a to-do list before some hard-earned PTO. Potentially one of the most exciting things about this season is the daydreaming about how you’re going to fill those precious vacation days, and our team is no different.

In 2026, we’re looking forward to journeys near and far to celebrate loved ones and revisit places of trips past. The map is widespread: Bolivia, Utah, Scotland, France, Yellowstone, a superyacht cruise, and so much more. One big pattern that seems to be woven throughout most of our plans is the people we’re spending it with or traveling to see. Weddings, birthdays, family road trips, beach nights with friends, mother-son glamping—it’s clear we’re all craving quality time with the people who brighten up our lives.

If you’re looking for inspiration to build your own 2026 adventure, this is a fantastic place to start. Here’s to a year of sights, eats, new and old friends, and more than a few laughs.

Scotland’s Sutherland region

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An exploration of Scotland’s northern reaches

Each time I return to Scotland, I’m reminded of how much I’m drawn to its vast, broody landscapes and lilting pace of life. This year, my husband and I enjoyed a long weekend in Cairngorms National Park—prime Scottish wild lands with a tapestry of habitats and ecosystems primed for hours of climbing, fishing, and swimming. I stayed at Killiehuntly, a Scottish farmhouse with a Scandi personality that is a family favorite. There, we warmed our bones in a wild sauna yurt, fished in nearby lochs, and took our afternoon tea on sheepskin rugs in a glass greenhouse. This year, I hope to explore the Sutherland region up north, which promises drama in its rising peaks and crashing waves. I can’t wait to fill the days up with hiking and fishing, peaceful walks through storybook villages, and stops at every distillery. I am also conjuring up many hours of doing absolutely nothing by a cast iron fireplace, tattie scone in one hand, whisky Mac in the other. —Arati Menon, Global Digital Director

The world’s most influential travelers share their must-packs.

You may know award-winning actor Justin Theroux through his eclectic range of films and cult-favorite television roles—Mulholland Drive, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, The Leftovers. Or maybe you’ve followed his global travels via social media with his pitbull, Kuma, who accompanies him everywhere, from film sets to far-flung escapes. Now, 11 months into a year that’s taken him all over, Theroux steps into the role of Global Explorer for Marriott International’s The Luxury Collection, starring as “The Curator” in a new series of short films that follow the actor as he enjoys breakfast, unwinds in a bubble bath, and generally shows off his love of hotels. “I’m a pretty good traveler,” says Theroux. “I make it a point to get at least out of the country once or twice, if I can, three times a year. Some of them are just convenient places [from New York City] like Mexico, but I really love Asia—and of course, Europe.”

Condé Nast Traveler spoke with Theroux about one particularly standout European work trip: Milan, to film The Devil Wears Prada 2, followed by a planned—and deeply enjoyable—stretch in Lake Como. It was a trip, he says, spent discovering new favorite local restaurants, celebrating both lavishly and like a local, and taking in la dolce vita between shooting days. “Travel sometimes gets more and more homogeneous as time goes on,” says Theroux. “So you have to work a little bit harder for more unique travel experiences. And they always pay off.” Below, Theroux unpacks his trip for us.

The trip

What trip are you unpacking for us?

A lot of my trips have been work-related—so it’s always that duality of a location, rather than a vacation. I always try to sneak in a vacation while I’m there, though. The last one I went on was Milan and Lake Como to shoot Devil Wears Prada 2, which we also filmed a bit in New York. I was traveling with the cast, as well as my wife.

Why was this trip special?

It was one of those business trips where work felt more incidental. I was also able to explore with my wife on downtime, and to spend time with my brother’s girlfriend, who is Milanese. I love Italy—I think everyone does—but this was my first time exploring Milan with a local.

I spent the last seven days of 2023 in Antigua with my parents, my siblings, some extended family, and my son, Leo, who was 10 months old at the time. It was my first trip after becoming a mom, which made having the whole family in one place even more exciting. Instead of staying at a resort, we rented this huge three-story house with a view of the mountains. We brought in a local chef who cooked Antiguan food like plantains and saltfish for breakfast; massage therapists for treatments on our big outdoor balcony; and instructors who led yoga sessions by the pool. My little sister Lawrencia is big on traveling and planning, so she made the schedule. We sailed on a private catamaran to a secluded area of the island, where a chef cooked fish and veggies on a makeshift grill. After lunch we went swimming. The coral reefs were so orange, yellow, and blue. We even swam with stingrays. We went in the water almost every day, even Leo. He was so little that we all kept passing him around from person to person. Being with my family and having my son there, I thought, was very representative of what my life was now going to be like. I remember a moment when I was breastfeeding Leo and just feeling really supported by everyone around me. I had been working so much that past year. Then things started to slow down because of the baby. Having Leo allowed me to make choices for my peace and calm that I didn’t always make for myself, like taking this vacation. Actually, that’s the thing I remember most about Antigua: a sense of calmness. I’ve been to other islands in the Caribbean that can feel very different, very live and in-your-face. I mean, Antigua has some of that too: Toward the end of the trip, my parents babysat Leo while my siblings and I had a little nightclub moment. But overall Antigua felt very calm to me. Maybe that’s just how I felt. Because I got to be with the people I love.

Keke Palmer stars in the film Good Fortune, in theaters October 17. This article appeared in the November 2025 issue of Condé Nast Traveler. Subscribe to the magazine here.

I’ve been a travel editor for nearly a decade—and a travel enthusiast for far longer than that—so at this point, I feel quite comfortable calling myself a packing expert. I’ve checked bags on budget airlines and first-class flights, tested duffel bags and backpacks in every shape and size, and rolled carry-ons across more countries than I can count on my fingers and toes. The result? A breadth of packing knowledge that you can really only gain by learning from your mistakes and coming out stronger with every new adventure (…and airport misadventure).

If you’re on a mission to stay a little more organized on your next trip, you’ve come to the right place, because I’m sharing my 15 golden rules of packing that I think every traveler should follow. Read on for my go-to tips and tricks to keep in mind as you gear up for your next journey.

This article is part of Condé Nast Traveler’s third annual Luggage Week, for which dozens of suitcases, backpacks, and weekender bags were road-tested by our editors. It has been updated with new information since its original publish date.

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Our editors are packing Monos’s Expandable carry-on

Andrew Bui

Start packing sooner rather than later

Leaving it all until the night before might sound manageable, but you’re way more likely to forget important things when you’re working under a time crunch. Try to take your suitcase out of storage at least a day or two before you depart, and start filling it slowly and intentionally—before any pre-travel stress kicks in. I also like to start making piles of clothes and accessories I know I want to bring on my trip around a week before I take off, so I don’t accidentally wear or misplace anything ahead of time (no one wants to be doing laundry right before a big flight).

Make a “morning of” list and check it twice

Keep a handy list (mine is in my iPhone notes app) of everyday essentials that you always need to wait until the last minute to pack, like your toothbrush, phone charger, emotional support water bottle, and hairbrush. It’s a game-changer when you’re rushing to get out of the house before a trip—scan through it quickly to make sure you’re not leaving without any must-haves.

Invest in travel-ready pouches

Speaking of essentials, it can be helpful to curate grab-and-go bags that you only use for travel. For example, a makeup bag full of essential toiletries, or a pouch full of plane necessities (an eye mask, sleeping pills, hand sanitizer, etc.). If you avoid opening them when you’re at home—and make sure to refill them when things get low—they’ll always be ready for your next adventure.

Know that packing cubes are your best friends

No, really, our entire office is obsessed with them, and for good reason. They may not look like much, but a good set of compressive packing cubes can help you a) fit more in your suitcase, b) stay organized while traveling, and c) section out specific outfits to make your mornings simpler when you’re on the go. I always make sure to pack at least two large packing cubes and use one to separate my dirty clothes from my clean clothes. When I get home, I dump the entire thing straight in the washing machine!

Know that AirTags are your second-best friends

If you assume that your checked bag is going to make it to your final destination, you’re doing it all wrong. Airlines lose baggage more often than you’d think, so it’s best to play it safe by putting an AirTag—or similar tracking device—in every suitcase you fly with. Even if your bag gets misplaced, you have a much better chance of getting it back safe and sound when you can pinpoint its exact location.

If you don’t wear it at home, don’t assume you’ll wear it on vacation

When you’re out of your element, reliable favorites are the first thing you’re going to grab when you’re getting dressed in the morning. That said, don’t pack that cute-but-teeny dress that you’ve been too nervous to wear, or the chic loafers that have sat in your closet because they gave you bad blisters the first time you wore them. Chances are, they’re just going to take up valuable space in your suitcase.

Weigh your bag with time to spare

If your suitcase has ever been slapped with the “overweight” label at the airport—and you subsequently had to pay a hefty fee or rearrange things in front of a million people—chances are you’ve already invested in a luggage scale. If you haven’t, let this be your sign. Once you have one, plan to use it to weigh your checked baggage well before you leave for the airport. You don’t want to be scrambling to hit the under-50-pound mark while the clock is ticking.

If it can spill, keep it contained

There’s nothing more devastating than opening your travel bag and realizing your expensive shampoo leaked all over your precious personal belongings. Stop spills in their tracks by placing liquids in leakproof containers—even a Ziploc bag will do the trick in a pinch! And if you’re traveling with important documents, make sure they’re sealed up tight somewhere, just in case any substances make their way into your bag.

Assume your bag will go through the wringer

Sorry to tell you, but the baggage handlers at the airport don’t care how much you spent on your swanky luggage set. You never know where your suitcase is going to end up or how much it’s going to get thrown around after you leave it at the check-in desk, so you’re going to want to pack accordingly. Use bubble wrap and extra clothes to give breakables a buffer, and try to keep them contained just in case they do break, so you don’t have sharp pieces floating around.

Keep essentials close to your chest

If there are any items you don’t want to part with at any point during your travel journey—medications, passports, cash, priceless jewelry—put it in a crossbody bag and wear it across your chest. Even your carry-on has to go in the overhead bin eventually, but a slim sling can stay on even while you sleep.

Keep multiples to a minimum

Are you really going to wear three pairs of white sneakers or eight gold necklaces on your trip? Be mindful about packing multiples of the same type of item, and you can save so much space in your suitcase.

Plan full outfits ahead of time

Some people suggest packing in a color scheme, or with a certain bottoms-to-tops ratio, but I firmly believe that you should be planning all of your outfits head-to-toe before your trip, then laying them out and taking pictures of them for easy reference. It helps cut back on unnecessary clothing items, keeps you looking put-together, and makes getting ready in the mornings so much easier when you’re away. This is a hill I will die on!

Wear your bulkiest pieces on the plane

A puffy parka or clunky pair of boots can take up a solid chunk of suitcase space. Take back square footage by wearing your bulky items to the airport—I like to swap my boots for slippers and use my coat as a blanket as soon as I get on the plane.

Leave room for souvenirs

Let’s be honest—you’re always going to end up taking more home than you brought to a destination. So don’t pack so much that you don’t have space for souvenirs! If you travel with an expandable suitcase (which I highly recommend), a good tip is to save the expanding feature until you’re on your way home, so you know you’re working with a couple of extra inches of space.

Actually unpack as soon as you get home

This one might seem obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people forget to unpack their suitcases when they get back from a trip, leaving dirty laundry, food, and other perishables cramped together for days on end. Just unpack it ASAP. You’ll feel better than you did.

Across Europe’s most popular destinations this weekend, the weather forecast says cloudy with a chance of water guns.

Coordinated anti-tourism demonstrations, which recently have taken the form of crowds of locals spraying tourists with water pistols, are scheduled to happen on Sunday, June 15, in cities such as Barcelona, Ibiza, and Palma in Spain, as well as elsewhere in Europe, including Venice, Palermo, Lisbon, and other cities.

“Tourists have been warned of potential disruptions caused by activist groups preparing a large-scale protest for June 15th,” says Pablo Calvo, Spain Manager for travel operator Tours For You. “The demonstration, organized by the Southern European Network Against Touristification (SET), will focus on major Spanish destinations, such as the Canary Islands (Lanzarote and Tenerife) and the Balearic Islands (Barcelona and Mallorca).”

The protests are a continuation of a movement that first gained momentum in summer 2024 in Barcelona and the Canary Islands, as locals demanded action from politicians to limit mass tourism’s impact on housing, jobs, and daily life. Spain, and Barcelona in particular, remain ground zero for the movement. Here’s everything to know if you have an upcoming trip planned to one of the impacted destinations.

When and where are the protests?

In Barcelona, the protests are scheduled to start at noon on June 15 at the city’s Jardinets de Gràcia.

Additional cities in Spain that are planning to participate include Donostia-San Sebastian, where demonstrations will begin at 12 p.m. at the clock at La Concha beach; Granada, where protests will start at 11 a.m. at the Mirador de San Nicolas; Palma, where demonstrations are scheduled for 6 p.m. at Placa d’Espanya; and Ibiza, where protests will start at 6 p.m. at Portal de Ses Taules and follow the Plaça de la Constitució, ending in the Plaza de sa Graduada at 9 p.m., according to local news site Periodico de Ibiza.

Protests are also expected to take place on June 15 in major cities throughout Europe, including Venice and Lisbon. Specific plans have not yet been released to the public, but parks, public squares, or popular tourist sites are likely gathering places.

What are the protests about?

The protests aim to highlight the “growing concern over the uncontrolled growth of tourism and its negative effects on local communities,” Calvo says, including rising housing costs, overcrowding, and the treatment of the industry’s hospitality workers.

Lluís Diago, a worker at Barcelona’s famous Park Güell, said in a statement many of the jobs in the city’s tourism sector are “plagued by subcontracting and undignified and unsafe working conditions.”

Improving working conditions and the housing market is a core focus of the coordinated demonstrations on June 15. The protests are fighting against “injustice from the economic model [tourism] sets,” said a spokesperson from the Assembly of Neighborhoods for Tourist De-Growth. In Barcelona, locals are pushing the city’s politicians to reform policies like stopping a proposed expansion to Barcelona’s El Prat Airport, tightening restrictions on Airbnbs and other short-term rentals, and placing limits on cruise ship arrivals.

Should travelers be concerned?

The message of the demonstrations may be geared toward politicians, but tourists could still be caught in the watery crossfire. “We don’t think there will be aggressive behaviors against tourists, so no fear for travelers,” says Bruno Gomes, who works for We Hate Tourism tours in Lisbon, which aims to help visitors experience the city in a deeper way beyond its biggest tourist attractions.

You don’t have to go far to find family fun in a tropical setting—in fact, you don’t even need to leave the country. Florida boasts beaches, idyllic towns, historic charm, and plenty of activities to entertain kids (and adults) of all ages. In towns like Delray Beach or Naples, kids can romp on the shoreline and hunt for seashells while parents kickback and unplug, and everyone can appreciate the abundance of great seafood. Or, opt for a bustling metropolis like Miami that allows you to switch it up between beach lounging and cultural exploration. Pro-tip: while summer brings the heat, it also means fewer crowds at beaches and restaurants.

Many of these towns also provide educational opportunities, whether its witnessing turtles laying eggs on the beach or a winding through 17th-century fort. There’s plenty to discover in Florida—read on for seven family-friendly destinations in the Sunshine State.

Anna Maria Island

Anna Maria Island on Florida’s Gulf Coast is made up of three charming cities—Anna Maria, Holmes Beach, and Bradenton Beach—each offering great dining, shopping, and laid-back coastal vibes. Families will love sunrise at Bridge Street Pier, meandering through mangroves on the Coquina Baywalk, or just relaxing on the beach. Bali Hai Beach Resort is ideal for longer stays with full kitchens in some suites and a spa for parents. In Holmes Beach, the boutique Anna Maria Beach Resort has just 31 rooms, golf cart rentals, and poolside cabanas. Traveling with a pup? Waterline Villas and Marina invites them to join with condo-style lodging with bay views and easy beach access. Dining is a highlight: The Ugly Grouper serves up fresh seafood in a casual, alfresco setting, while Salt Bar presents a more artistic spin on coastal fare that still welcomes kids. Don’t miss a morning stop at The Donut Experiment for sweet treats.

Palm Beach

Known for its glitz, it’s hard not to fall in love with Palm Beach’s palm tree-lined streets and historic architecture found at places like the Henry Morrison Flagler Museum. Even the glamorous Breakers hotel invites kids to have fun in the family entertainment center with an arcade and playground. Everyone can partake in the resort’s amenities which include an oceanfront pool and golf course. If you prefer to stay in walking distance of restaurants and shopping, hop over the bridge where the Ben‘s rooftop pool gives guests stunning views of the bay and Palm Beach. Nearby, Ann Norton Sculpture Garden’s lush landscape invites kids to wander. Restaurants like Lynora’s Kitchen, known for pizza, and Hive Bakery & Cafe with scrumptious breakfast and pastries, can feed the crew.

Delray Beach

In Delray Beach, an artsy town between West Palm Beach and Ft. Lauderdale, most of the action centers around Atlantic Avenue making it easy for families to get around. The stretch boasts restaurant like Elisabetta’s, a lively joint known for house-made pasta, and Deck 84, located on the intracoastal. Just off the main drag, Dada’s tree-filled outdoor seating sets a fun tone for all ages. Standout hotels in the area include The Seagate, with a serene pool and shuttle access to its private beach club, and Opal Grand Resort with a prime oceanfront location. While there’s plenty to enjoy on Atlantic Avenue, including boutiques and ice cream shops, Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, a few minutes inland, intrigues kids and adults alike with its strolling paths and expansive gardens. A quick drive south in Boca Raton, Gumbo Limbo Nature Center houses a butterfly garden and animal exhibits.

Tallahassee

Found in the Panhandle, Tallahassee isn’t what most people imagine a Florida town to look like. Here, you’ll find a southern-meets-tropical vibe where oak trees draped in Spanish moss and magnolias mingle with sable palms. It’s also a college town and state capital so there’s plenty for family travelers to see and do, from outdoor fun to dining in quirky restaurants. Florida State University sits at the heart of the town and it’s worth taking a self-guided tour to see its iconic Westcott Fountain and Gothic buildings. Other interesting stops include the Florida Capitol, the 24-acre Cascades Park, and Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park with its brick walkway and “secret” garden. About an hour away, St. Mark’s Lighthouse gives a glimpse of the coast and the St. Mark’s River. In between sightseeing, restaurants like Bada Bean (known for its pancakes) and Bella Bella (Italian) make great spots to refuel. Catch some zzz’s at Hotel Duval and Aloft (which has a pool), both locate downtown.

Miami

Visiting Miami with kids is a totally different way to experience the metropolis known as an adult playground, but no less awesome. For a beach stay in the heart of the action, the Loews Miami Beach has a kids club with daily activities and supervised care (even at night). Further north, the Four Seasons at the Surf Club in Surfside allows families to enjoy a quiet, charming beach town just a quick drive from the commotion of Miami. It also has a kids club and a can’t-miss coconut cracking demonstration on the lawn. It’s tempting to lounge on the beach all day, but Miami beckons. Kayakers enjoy paddling through the mangroves in Oleta River State Park in North Miami Beach, where dolphins sometime join in on the fun, while the vibrant Wynwood Walls and Frost Museum of Science provide a cultural and educational fix near downtown Miami. The historic Venetian Pool in Coral Gables lets kids cool off in a unique way thanks to pools fed by spring water. Miami’s exciting culinary scene welcomes kids to join in on the fun, whether its swanky mainstays like Macchialina or casual favorites like Blue Collar, known for its elevated comfort food. There are plenty of treat options, too, like pastries from Zak the Baker and Cuban-inspired scoops from Azucar Ice Cream in Little Havana.

Naples

Beloved for its high-end yet laidback vibe, Naples sits on the Gulf coast in southwest Florida. The heart of Naples, 5th Avenue South, is lovely for a stroll with boutiques and chic restaurants, but families are often happier staying at one of the beach resorts where there’s ample room to spread out. The Ritz-Carlton Naples, which reopened in July 2023 after a major renovation, appeals to families with its spacious rooms and ideal beach location. Beyond updated guest rooms, there’s kid-centered educational programming, a sparkling pool—and the poolside cabanas are pretty sweet. Of the dining options at the resort, Sofra stands out with its open-air setting and Mediterranean dishes. Gumbo Limbo, with its beach-front views, also sets a relaxed tone. Off property, Grouper & Chips is a no frills restaurant that excels at all things fried, while Coconut Jacks, a few minutes away in Bonita Springs, serves seafood dishes with serene estuary views. If a boutique hotel option is preferred, head to the recently opened Perry Hotel in north Naples by the Cocohatchee River. It has two pools (one just for adults) and a boat shuttle to the beach. While in town, the 170-acre Naples Botanical Garden is not to be missed with its tropical plants and a nature preserve to explore.

Ponte Vedra Beach

Although Ponte Vedra Beach is best known as the home of TPC Sawgrass (which hosts the Players Championship), you don’t have to be a family of golfers to appreciate the north Florida town. That said, golf fans may want to stay at Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa which offers access to several golf courses, including the TPC Sawgrass Stadium Course and Dye’s Valley Course. The hotel itself has four pools to splash in and a shuttle to the beach. If you want to stay on the beach, Ponte Vedra Inn & Club’s historic property makes a great backdrop for fun in the sun. Not far from either hotel, Palm Valley Fish camp serves up southern favorites and seafood dishes in a relaxed atmosphere. About an hour south, St. Augustine can turn anyone into a history buff with places like Castillo de San Marcos, a 17th-century fortress. While you’re in town, you may as well stop at the Hyppo for a bougie popsicle. On the drive back, consider stopping at Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve for a stroll on the boardwalk for a glimpse of a Florida swamp.

The pinkish light of the setting sun spills across the desert just as I crest the ridge, breath shallow from the climb, boots coated in a thin layer of dust. All around me, the Santa Catalinas glow as if lit from within, their jagged edges softened by the dusk, while the valley below stretches endlessly, the silhouettes of cacti fading into shadow. I pause, letting the silence press in, broken only by the faint call of a cactus wren. Out here, surrounded by so much space, it’s impossible not to feel the weight of what my brother is missing—and the strange, aching freedom I carry in his place.

Two years ago, I unwittingly joined a vast, often invisible network of travelers—nearly six million strong. We come from every walk of life, journeying by car, train, bus, or plane to bridge the distance to our loved ones. My own journey begins in Rhode Island and ends on a dusty, desolate road on the outskirts of Tucson, Arizona, where I visit my youngest brother in prison. In America, the majority of prisons are located far from where inmates—and their families—call home. According to the Prison Policy Initiative, over 63 percent of people in state prisons are incarcerated more than 100 miles from their families, while in the federal prison system, it jumps to 500 miles. For me, that distance stretches over 2,500 miles. The physical distance underscores the emotional isolation incarceration creates. Having a loved one in prison burdens families not only financially—with the cost of travel, lost wages, lawyer fees, long-distance phone calls, the ongoing expense of funding commissary accounts for basic necessities—but emotionally, straining relationships, breaking family units apart, and deepening the sense of helplessness and grief.

My brother is 16 years younger than me—we share the same parents, and I still remember the day he was born, the tiny weight of him in my arms as I first held him. I’m his big sister, and he’s my baby brother. Nothing will ever change that, though now the time we share is regulated and restricted. Our visits take place on weekends, in a sterile room with chairs bolted to the floor, under strict rules: no food, no drinks, no cell phones, no distractions. For seven uninterrupted hours, we talk. Through our words and memories, we transcend the barbed wire and armed guards. Together, we imagine a future beyond confinement—what we’ll eat, where we’ll go, what it will feel like to once again plunge into the cherished lakes of our Midwestern childhood summers, together and free. These conversations, unbroken by modern distractions, have taught me the value of sitting with discomfort. My brother’s life will never be what we once imagined, and we talk about that with unflinching honesty. The hardest moment is always the end of the visit. We’re allowed a single, brief hug before he is led away, and I step back out into the desert’s fading light—heartbroken yet steadfast, ready to begin the long journey home.

Reaching Tucson from Rhode Island is neither straightforward nor inexpensive. Each time, I weigh whether to drive into Boston and fly direct or leave from our smaller airport, where I’ll have to connect in Atlanta. Should I rent a car or rely on a rideshare, knowing full well how difficult it will be to get an Uber to pick you up from federal prison 15 miles outside of town? And then there’s the matter of lodging. The costs pile up—and that’s assuming the visit goes as planned. More times than I care to count, I’ve arrived in Tucson after a long day of travel, only to learn the prison is on lockdown with visitations suspended. Our family—my husband, our three kids, and I—once spent Thanksgiving week there, planning to visit my brother on the holiday itself and during the weekends before and after. Upon landing, we learned the prison was locked down and would remain so for the entirety of our trip. I’ve since learned to book refundable hotels and airline tickets, plus a window seat on my return flight, so I can cry in private.

On my first visit, I fully expected to resent the perpetually sunny desert town surrounded by vast mountain ranges. The Santa Catalinas, the Rincons, the Santa Ritas, and the Tucson Mountains circle the city, glowing a brilliant gold at sunset. How dare this place remain warm, bright, and beautiful in the face of my grief. Yet, over time, the stark beauty of the Sonoran Desert has captivated me. Now, I look forward to these visits—not just to see my brother, who I miss with an unending ache, but also to experience this remarkable landscape.

Among the things that don’t come cheap, family vacations can feel like one of them. There’s an oft-repeated joke that traveling with children isn’t really a vacation—it’s just picking up after them in a new location. Add in the often high cost of flights for the whole family, plus hotel rooms or home rentals and meals, sometimes it seems like it might be easier to just stay home. But travel, as you already know if you’re reading this, pays dividends that can’t always be quantified: There is no price that equates to that first sip of fresh coconut water from the roadside stand in Puerto Rico, or watching the delight in your children’s eyes the first time they see a giant panda in person.

But happily, you can make these memories without spending a small fortune on your vacation. In fact, many of the country’s liveliest cities, as well as hotspots in the Caribbean and Europe, are absolutely doable on a tight budget. You just have to know where to look. Below is a list of nine of our favorite family-friendly spots where you can eat, stay, and play without spending a ton. We’ve found places for every type of family trip, from sandy escapes and outdoor adventures to city spectaculars. All that’s left for you to do is to pick. Read on for the best destinations for cheap family vacations from the United States, with affordable destinations in the US and beyond and hotel recommendations below $200 a night.

Aruba

The Caribbean playground whose nickname is “one happy island” will also keep your wallet quite pleased. With plenty of affordable (and direct!) flights from the US, plus a surplus of hotels that are both inexpensive and family-friendly, there may be no better cheap warm weather destination than Aruba. Beaches here are the main draw, and those outside of the resorts are open to all (and often very easy to reach via public transportation). Eagle Beach is considered the crown jewel, known for its soft sands and family-friendly turquoise waters, plus beach huts and water sport rentals. Those looking for more active activities can head to Arikok National Park, where you’ll find the otherworldly limestone Fontein Cave and the remote and beautiful Natural Pool. Many local businesses and hotels also take part in the One Happy Family program, which offers deals specifically to those traveling with kiddos—think free accommodations for children or discounts on activities like sailing trips.

Where to stay in Aruba:

For beach time: Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort
For kids stay free: Holiday Inn Resort Aruba
For walkability: Courtyard Aruba Resort

Croatia

This Balkan nation has been steadily rising in popularity amongst European destinations, but a trip here can still be far more affordable than to Italy or France. The Dalmatian Coast is the most popular stretch of the country: It’s here you’ll find both the historic city of Dubrovnik and Split, its more relaxed counterpart. In the former, you can wander the Old City and explore the beautiful wall walk, as well as take a dip in one of the many nearby beaches (Banje, though sometimes crowded, is wonderful for families). Split, meanwhile, has a more modern feel outside of its Old Town, although some of the best-preserved Roman ruins outside of Italy can be found within its perimeters. And if the crowds of the Coast have you craving a bit more solitude, the country’s eight national parks offer some respite. UNESCO-listed Plitvice Lakes and Krka are two of the most popular; both boast plenty of waterfalls, serene hiking paths in the forest, and peaceful lakes.

Where to stay in Croatia:

In Dubrovnik: Berkeley Hotel
In Split: Hotel Corner
In Plitvice Lakes National Park: Ethno Houses

Guatemala

While its neighbor to the north, Belize, has long been a favored destination for adventure family travel, Guatemala has not always enjoyed the same level of recognition. In the last few years, though, this Central American nation has become one of the most exciting—and affordable—places to visit in the region. After all, there’s an area to entice every type of traveler: the beautiful and lively UNESCO World Heritage site of Antigua, with its Spanish Colonial architecture and bountiful hot chocolate shops for the kids; to the famed and majestic Lake Atitlán, the deepest in all of Central America; to the impressive and sprawling ruins of Tikal, a Mayan citadel which is now a national park. And if all else fails, there are always the beaches, which fly more under-the-radar here than the historic sites but are nevertheless absolutely worth a visit. Playa Dorada on the shore of Lake Izabal, and Playa Las Cristalinas at Lake Atitlán are two of the best for families.

Where to stay in Guatemala:

In Antigua: Posada del Angel
Near Tikal: La Lancha
In Lake Atitlán: Casa Palopó

Mexico City

There are few cities as saturated with affordable, kid-friendly activities as this sprawling North American capital. And, with many American cities on both coasts flying directly into Mexico City, airfare is often quite reasonable. Once on the ground, you can steer your trip in whatever direction your family is interested: big on trying local food? Explore one of the city’s many markets for cheap and unique eats on the go. Love to wander museums? Then a trip to Museo Nacional de Antropología, which has the world’s largest collection of Mexican artifacts, is a must. Toddlers just need to run off some excess energy? Head to Bosque de Chapultepec, a huge expanse of 1,700 acres that includes botanical gardens and a large lake. And finally, art lovers shouldn’t miss Coyoacán, a charming, family-friendly neighborhood that also contains the Frida Kahlo Museum, one of the city’s premier and most fascinating attractions.

Where to stay in Mexico City:

For views: Hilton Mexico City Reforma
For design: Gran Hotel Ciudad de México
For kid-friendly amenities: Camino Real Polanco

The Poconos

The northeast has a plethora of plural noun destinations: The Hamptons. The Berkshires. The Catskills. But none stick the landing mixing family-friendly and affordable quite the way The Poconos does. The region—an area of northeast Pennsylvania just north of Allentown—has long been a favored vacation destination, but prices have remained accessible even so. In the summer, head to the enormous Lake Wallenpaupack: 13 miles across with six public recreation areas. In winter, ski slopes—many that are ideal for beginners and with lower rates than further north—are the biggest draw, especially Camelback Mountain. The area is also famed for its campgrounds, which offer an even more inexpensive way to explore the region via tent and RV sites, or camping cabins. And if the weather isn’t cooperating, you can always head to a waterpark for indoor fun: The Poconos has three year-round parks—Kalahari, Camelback, and Great Wolf—from which to choose.

Where to stay in The Poconos:

Best for large groups: Stroudsmoor Country Inn
Best for on-site activities: Skytop Lodge
Best for skiing: Camelback Resort

Lisbon

In the past, Lisbon often played little sister to the likes of Barcelona. Now the Portuguese capital takes her rightful place as one of Europe’s most vibrant (not the mention affordable) cultural centers. Although its hilly streets are tricky to navigate with a stroller, once you get the hang of it, you’ll be rewarded with a superb restaurant scene, lively neighborhoods filled with boutiques that will tempt shoppers of any age, and stunning vistas from the many miradouros (viewpoints) scattered around the city. Kids will love seeing the winding paths of the city via the famed No. 28 tram, as well as exploring the Moorish São Jorge Castle (don’t miss its camera obscura). And we’d be remiss if we didn’t call out Portuguese desserts, specifically: the famed egg custard tart pastel de nata, a revelatory, creamy bite no one should leave without sampling. You can also consider taking the train for a day trip to Sintra: where colorful palaces abound and are beautiful enough to inspire dreams of fairy tales in everyone, young and old.

Where to stay in Lisbon:

For design lovers: The Vintage Lisbon
For entertainment: Lumen Hotel
For sightseeing: Mama Shelter

San Juan, Puerto Rico

Few places in the Caribbean tick all the boxes the way Puerto Rico does: dozens of daily non-stop flights, a mix of beach and culture, and plenty of affordable activities and places to stay. Plus you don’t even need your passport. San Juan is the most popular home base for good reason: It’s home to the airport, and the abundance of beachfront hotels means the whole family can have their feet wiggling in the sand not long after landing. Make sure to carve out time to explore the castillos of San Felipe del Morro and San Cristóbal, as well as the charming cobblestoned streets of Old San Juan. Budding biologists will get a kick out of the island’s bioluminescent bays (there are three here), where the water glows otherworldly from the presence of dinoflagellates. Laguna Grande, in Fajardo, is the closest to San Juan.

Where to stay in San Juan:

For beach access: AC Hotel San Juan Condado
For Old San Juan: Alma San Juan
For resort vibes: Caribe Hilton

San Diego

On vacation, few things are worse than being relegated to a cramped hotel room with your whole family when the weather takes a turn. To give yourself the best possible chance of temperate climes, there is probably nowhere better to visit in the United States than San Diego. And while the sunny skies and plentiful beaches would probably be reason enough to book a trip, this southern Californian city has more to offer than good looks. Most famous is the city’s eponymous zoo, which has 100 acres and over 600 species on display—plan to spend at least half a day here. It’s nestled inside Balboa Park with its 1,200 acres of museums (some of which are free), the Old Globe Theater, and tons of restaurants. And for sea views on the cheap, grab ferry tickets for the ride to Coronado, the oozing-with-charm island just across the bay. Its main street, Orange Avenue, is especially filled with family-friendly shops and places to eat.

Where to stay in San Diego:

For access to Downtown: The Bristol Hotel
For resort-like feel: Humphreys Half Moon Inn
For beach access: Beach Haven

Washington, DC

There may be no city in the United States with more free, family-friendly activities than our nation’s capital. And we’re not just talking local playgrounds or libraries: Many of DC’s most famous attractions are completely gratis, making the city a no-brainer for an inexpensive family trip. The greatest concentration of free museums is on the National Mall: biggest hits with kids include the National Museum of American History and the National Museum of Natural History. If the latter doesn’t suffice for animal lovers, however, make a beeline for the National Zoo to see the pandas for free. Another interactive way to learn about the city is through a DC by Foot tour, which range in topics from the ghosts of Georgetown to Arlington Cemetery and has free or name-your-own-price options. And don’t leave without trying some of DC’s most famous foods, many of which are super affordable, like Ben’s Chili Bowl’s half-smokes and the stalls inside Eastern Market.

Where to stay in Washington, DC:

For sightseeing: Arlo Washington DC
For access to Capitol Hill: Kimpton George
For everything under one roof: Generator Washington DC

Our first stop in Uzbekistan was Shahrisabz, the 14th-century birthplace of Emir Timur, the nomadic conqueror and national hero also known as Tamerlane. He founded the Timurid Empire and, over a period of 32 years, invaded an area now divided into 25 countries. At Timur’s Ak-Saray Palace, we craned our necks first at the towering blue-tiled ruins of the entrance portal (125 feet high, though centuries ago such edifices were twice that) and then up at a colossal bronze statue of Timur himself, who died of pneumonia in 1405 on his way to invade China. Under that blazing sun in Shahrisabz, with the flat landscape sloping away unbounded over the horizon, I could imagine how an ambitious and ruthless ruler might believe the whole world lay open to him there.

The exterior of Almaty’s Ascension Cathedral

Angelo Zinna

And, to be fair, Timur did in fact usher in a period of rebirth after 150 years of Mongol rule. Samarkand, which we reached two days later, was the center of this Timurid renaissance. At least 2,500 years old, with a current population of 600,000, Samarkand is one of the most iconic cities of the Silk Road, and its most iconic site is Registan Square, where the awe that had eluded me at the Navruz Palace hit with full force. Three spectacular madrasas dating from the 15th and 17th centuries loomed over a vast plaza like a vision from One Thousand and One Nights. “Registan is our heart, our blood, and our soul,” said our local guide, Armida Nazaryan.

While I would not describe anywhere we went as a beaten track, the way in which Golden Eagle conducted its tours had plenty of hallmarks of conventional tourism. When our train arrived somewhere, a bus would be waiting, and we would zip from site to site, following a flag-toting local guide who spoke to us through earpieces connected to receivers we wore around our necks. This model might not suit the most rugged individualists, but I will say it helped us see a lot of stuff, particularly in a region where overland travel between countries is logistically challenging. Traveling this way can be hard work. You are always on the go, listening and looking and trying to synthesize a deluge of new information. At 41, I was a couple decades younger than the average passenger, but at the end of every day, while my elders were still carousing in the bar car, I was happy to collapse into bed.

By the time we got to Tashkent, Uzbekistan’s capital, I’d begun to get a better handle on some of the region’s history, which mostly boils down to centuries-long cycles of a formidable conqueror being succeeded by rivalrous successors, whose conflicts bring about a fragmenting of territory and a decline of empire, followed by the eventual rise of a new strongman. One day we dipped into the radiant Kosmonavtlar stop of the Tashkent Metro. Trains came and went, disgorging people, and in their faces I thought I could see traces of the waves of ancestors that washed across this country’s deserts and steppes from all points of the compass. Then: back on the bus, back on the train.