Top 10 best family-friendly holiday destinations revealed
New research from Japan Rail Pass provider JRPass.com has revealed the best family-friendly holiday destinations around the world, analysing 46 cities based on affordability, safety and overall visitor experience, including factors such as happiness levels and destination popularity.
The study evaluated destinations across seven factors, including average meal prices, daily travel costs, accommodation costs, crime rates, national happiness scores and Instagram popularity. These metrics were weighted and combined into a final score out of 100 to determine which destinations offer the best overall experience for families.
According to the analysis, Porto ranks as the best family-friendly holiday destination, achieving the highest overall score of 74.3 out of 100.
The Portuguese city performed particularly well across affordability metrics, including relatively low accommodation costs and manageable average daily travel expenses compared with many other major destinations analysed. With food, transport and activities often available at lower prices than many Western European cities, families visiting Porto can stretch their holiday budgets further.
Affordability, safety and overall visitor experience
Porto also benefits from a compact and walkable historic centre, meaning many of its major attractions, neighbourhoods and waterfront areas can be explored without long transfers once families arrive.
Beijing ranks second, with a score of 73.7, performing strongly due to its overall affordability, particularly when it comes to meal prices and daily travel costs. Compared with many global tourist destinations, Beijing offers a wide range of budget-friendly food options and relatively low day-to-day spending requirements, helping families manage costs while exploring the city’s major attractions.
Meanwhile, Osaka takes third place, achieving a score of 69.3. The Japanese city scored particularly well for safety and overall quality of life, which are key factors for families when choosing where to travel. Osaka is also known for its efficient public transport system and reputation as one of Japan’s most welcoming and family-friendly cities, making it easy for visitors to move between neighbourhoods, attractions and nearby destinations.
Top 10 best family-friendly holiday destinations
| Destination | Meal Price (avg main meal, £) | Average Daily Cost (per person per day, £) | Transport Cost (single ticket, £) | Accommodation Cost (avg night for family room, £) | Crime Rate | Happiness Score | Instagram Popularity (No. of Posts) | Score |
| Porto | 8.67 | 30 | 1.34 | 15 | 33.61 | 6.013 | 13,600,000 | 74.3 |
| Beijing | 3.13 | 68 | 0.42 | 60 | 25.11 | 5.921 | 7,900,000 | 73.7 |
| Osaka | 4.73 | 77 | 1.14 | 67 | 32.95 | 6.142 | 21,000,000 | 69.3 |
| Prague | 8.91 | 108 | 1.25 | 114 | 24.73 | 6.775 | 19,600,000 | 67.9 |
| Shanghai | 3.13 | 99 | 0.31 | 123 | 26.6 | 5.921 | 12,300,000 | 65.1 |
| Tokyo | 5.68 | 133 | 1.04 | 111 | 24.33 | 6.142 | 70,000,000 | 65.1 |
| Kyoto | 7.1 | 82 | 6.47 | 92 | 14.24 | 6.142 | 23,900,000 | 64.0 |
| Seville | 10.4 | 129 | 1.21 | 98 | 35.64 | 6.466 | 2,200,000 | 60.1 |
| Madrid | 13 | 138 | 1.3 | 132 | 28.81 | 6.466 | 53,700,000 | 58.9 |
| Valencia | 13 | 130 | 1.73 | 98 | 36.74 | 6.466 | 32,300,000 | 58.3 |
While long-haul destinations rank highly on affordability and safety, travel time and entry requirements may affect what works best for each family. Several other destinations across Europe and Asia also appear within the global top ten, including Prague, Shanghai, Tokyo and Kyoto, which all scored well across safety, affordability and visitor appeal.
Easy to explore
Many of the top-ranked destinations are also known for their walkable city centres, strong public transport networks and family-friendly attractions, making them easier to explore with children.
Haroun Khan, Founder of JRPass, said: “When families choose a holiday destination, they’re often looking for places that strike the right balance between affordability, safety and things to do for all ages. Our analysis highlights destinations that combine these factors particularly well, making them ideal choices for family travellers. ”
Overall, the findings highlight how destinations that combine affordability, safety and accessibility tend to stand out as the best options for family holidays, particularly as travellers continue to prioritise value and convenience when planning trips.
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