Updated 2026
RTW travel isn't just for solo young travelers or couples. Families do extended world travel too - some for gap years, some for sabbaticals, some for educational reasons.
Why Families Go RTW
Parents take families traveling for various reasons. Some want gap years before formal schooling. Some are homeschooling and using the world as curriculum.
Some take career breaks and travel as families. Some are simply embracing education differently.
Family RTW Realities
Family travel is slower than solo travel. You can't move every day. Children need stability and routine.
Budgets are higher. Multiple people cost more. But cheaper destinations make family travel economically feasible.
Family travel is logistically harder. Visas, accommodations, activities - more complex with dependents.
Education Angle
Many families homeschool while traveling. The world becomes the curriculum.
History is learned at historical sites. Biology is learned observing ecosystems. Language is learned through immersion.
This educational approach isn't for everyone, but some families embrace it.
Whom It Suits
Adventurous families. Parents willing to step outside conventions. Children adaptable to change.
Families with flexible schooling or homeschooling options. Families with saved capital or sabbatical options.
Practical Challenges
Finding family-friendly accommodation. Some places cater to families, others don't.
Pacing activities for children's needs. What works for solo travelers doesn't work for families.
Healthcare access. What happens if a child gets sick abroad?
Schooling continuity. Homeschooling while traveling requires discipline.
Benefits for Children
Broad perspective. Children see how different people live globally.
Adaptability. Children learn to navigate different cultures and systems.
Language exposure. Living in different countries provides language learning opportunity.
Family bonding. Extended travel forces quality time.
Why Less Common
Family RTW travel is uncommon because it requires privilege: time off work, saved capital, flexibility.
Not everyone can do it. Those who can often don't because it seems impossible.
But families do it. Successfully.
The Honest Assessment
Family RTW travel is harder than solo travel. But it's doable and worthwhile.
Children remember extended travel differently than adults. It shapes their worldview.