Traveling with kids is a rewarding, enriching, and unforgettable experience. But let’s be honest: It’s also a pain in the you-know-what.

Kids whine, complain, pout and get sick at inconvenient times. After a long family vacation, you probably feel like you need another vacation all to yourself. Why not do it? Child-free travel is good for the soul, points out blogger Patrice Poltzer. “When you travel and can be fully present without a bunch of kids tugging on your leg, you allow yourself the capacity to invite new experiences into your life, which you then take back home.”

Just remember that travel insurance is an absolute must, whether you bring the kids along or leave them! Insurance can protect your trip investment if you must cancel for a covered reason (like a child suffering a covered serious illness or injury). Insurance also can provide emergency medical benefits, if you or your child should experience a covered medical emergency overseas. And it won’t break your budget: The OneTrip Prime and OneTrip Premier plans both cover kids 17 and under for free when they’re traveling with a parent or grandparent (not available on policies issued to Pennsylvania residents).

We recognize that not every parent has the luxury of leaving their kids with a trusted caregiver while they travel. But if that’s an option for you, it’s worth weighing the pros and cons of taking the kids on vacation.

Should You Take Your Baby On Vacation?

I’ll never forget the first time I dipped my daughter’s tiny feet in the ocean, when we were on a winter getaway to Jamaica. She was just four months old, and she laughed in delight as she felt the cool water lapping her toes.

It’s a lovely memory. But was it worth the expense and difficulty of traveling internationally with an infant? I have to be honest: No, it wasn’t.

Our daughter doesn’t remember a thing. And because we were focused on her care and had to adapt our activities to her schedule, we never fully relaxed or enjoyed all the amenities of the resort. Looking back, I wish we had left her with the grandparents while we went for a short getaway, or instead planned a simpler, shorter vacation in the U.S.

But every parent is different! You know yourself best. The main question to consider: Will you (and your partner) have more fun if you’re traveling with your baby? Or do you really need some time to yourselves?

The pros of traveling with a baby:

• Airfare is typically free for infants in laps.
• Infants may stay free at resorts and theme parks.
• A non-mobile baby is easier to wrangle than a high-energy toddler.
• You won’t suffer anxiety about leaving baby home with caregivers.
• Resorts with nannies or baby-care programs let you relax.

The cons of traveling with a baby:

• You’ll have to deal with the messy stuff, like dirty diapers and sudden illnesses.
• Cruise fares are not free for babies. Unless there’s a special promotion, you’ll pay the standard third-person rate.¹
• Expect to schlep a ton of gear.
• You’ll be vacationing on your baby’s schedule: early to bed and early to rise.

Read more: 9 Tips For International Travel with an Infant 

Should You Try Going on Vacation Without Your Kids?

Children — from preschoolers up to pre-teens — really can benefit from travel. It teaches them to be adventurous, curious and independent. Once kids attain the age of 8 or 9, they may be able to keep up on longer hikes and bike rides, and can entertain themselves during the duller parts of a journey.

However, vacations with kids often turn into vacations for kids, centered on child-friendly restaurants, attractions and activities. Parents deserve time to explore their own interests (and eat grown-up food!)

The pros of traveling without your kids:

• Younger kids may enjoy a week with grandparents more than a week of travel.
• You can save a lot of money on your vacation.
• You get the chance to reconnect with your partner or your friends.
• Stay out late and sleep in!
• You can try experiences — whether adventure travel or high-end dining — that you can’t do with children.

The cons of traveling without your kids:

• Kids may say, “It’s not fair!” when you leave them home. Make it up to them by suggesting a shorter trip they can help plan.
• You’ll miss an opportunity to broaden their horizons and bond as a family.
• One study showed that children do remember family vacations long-term, and use them later in life as “happiness anchors.”²

Traveling with Teens: The Pros and Cons

Your teen may be moody, stubborn and uncommunicative — not exactly the recipe for a great travel companion. But soon your kid will be flying the nest, and a family vacation is a rare opportunity to spend time together without the pressures of everyday life.

Plus, travel can be a meaningful experience for teens instead of just a vacation. Maybe your daughter’s a total Anglophile, or your son has always loved wildlife. If you plan an adventure that dovetails with your kid’s passions, they’ll be thrilled to travel with you. So should you buy a ticket for your teen?  

The pros of traveling with your teen:

• You can work together on planning the trip. Challenging your teen to take the lead is an effective way to reduce complaining.
• Teen travelers can do their own thing. You can roam a museum while your teen explores the street markets, or vice versa.
• Teens can exercise independence in a controlled environment, such as a cruise or a tour.
• They also can learn responsibility by packing their own possessions and keeping track of their budget.

The cons of traveling with your teen:

• Your schedules might be incompatible. Teens are hard-wired to sleep late, which means you might lose precious vacation hours every morning.
• Teens sometimes behave badly. What are you going to do if your kid sneaks out at night, or orders room service without your permission?
• Is it even possible to pry their devices from their hands for a week? You can try, but it won’t be fun.
• You can’t demand gratitude. Even if you spend thousands on a family cruise, your teen may sulk in her room the whole time.

Read more: How to Survive — and Enjoy — Vacations with Teens

Related Articles

• 7 Reasons You Need Family Travel Insurance
• 9 Tips for International Travel with an Infant
• How Travel Insurnace Covers Family Members