A mother-daughter trip is always a good idea, and you don’t need to break the bank to enjoy some quality bonding time. That’s why we turned to the pros at Kayak to determine the best mother-daughter vacation destinations for those on a budget, including a mix of domestic and international picks.
“To determine the most affordable destinations for a mother-daughter trip,” explains Cara Johnson, Kayak’s consumer travel trends expert, “We pulled the 100 most popular international and domestic destinations for summer travel (using Kayak flight searches between 11/1/23 – 3/15/24 for travel between 5/24/24-9/3/24), sorted by lowest average economy round-trip airfare, and narrowed the results down to the most affordable destinations.” From there, we narrowed down the top 10 destinations based on Kayak’s data, our own research, and first-hand insight from A-List travel advisor Henley Vazquez of Fora Travel. It just so happens that our top 10 picks all offer average round-trip flights under $1,000 — an added bonus in our book. Pro tip: “To ensure a great deal on your flight,” says Johnson, “use Kayak PriceCheck to check flight prices by simply uploading a screenshot of a flight itinerary from any site to the Kayak app, and Kayak can quickly check hundreds of sites to verify you have found a good price.”
If you’re a mother planning a trip with your daughter, Vazquez recommends involving your child in the planning process from the very beginning. “That way,” she says, “it will really feel like a trip you’re planning together, and they’ll even feel more ownership over the success of the trip.” The key, she explains, is to “try to fuse your interests together as best you can, not going overboard in one particular direction like visiting every museum or going on every walking tour.” Also, while it is helpful to have a loose itinerary in mind for each day, the travel pro recommends leaving room to “simply explore, or even cancel dinner last minute to order room service in bed (sometimes, that’s exactly what the evening necessitates!).”
Here are 10 of the best budget-friendly mother-daughter trips.
Charleston, South Carolina
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Average round-trip airfare: $349
According to Vazquez, The Holy City “has a mix of food, shopping, and history,” making it an excellent pick for mother-daughter duos of all ages. While you can easily spend an entire afternoon popping in and out of boutiques in the King Street Antique District, be sure to carve out enough time for spa treatments at Hotel Bennett, followed by afternoon tea at the Instagram-worthy Camellias. “Explore the beautiful historic district with its multicolor townhouses,” says Vazquez. For pre-dinner drinks, head to Little Palm or The Citrus Club to watch the sun slip away before tucking into fresh-caught seafood at 167 Raw Oyster Bar, Hank’s, or Amen Street. While there is no “bad” or “wrong” time to travel here, Vazquez says the best time to visit Charleston is “in the spring when the flowers are in bloom, or the fall when temperatures are a little cooler but still perfect for touring the city.”
Miami, Florida
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Average round-trip airfare: $375
“For moms with teenage daughters,” says Vazquez, “Miami is always a great idea.” While this South Florida city is famous for its bustling nightlife scene, the travel advisor tells Travel + Leisure that “there’s plenty to do that’s appropriate for the under-21 set (or older if it’s an adult daughter and mother).” While we’d be remiss not to mention the city’s beautiful beaches, Vazquez also recommends saving enough time to explore the vibrant arts and cultures scene — including Wynwood Walls for incredible street art or the gardens at the Vizcaya Museum. Stop by Little Havana for an authentic Cuban sandwich or shop ‘til you drop at Brickell City Centre or Lincoln Road. Also: For the lowest rates on lodging and airfare, consider visiting in the summer months, the destination’s off-season. Budget-conscious foodies should plan to visit in August or September, when Miami Spice Restaurant Months takes place.
Asheville, North Carolina
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Average round-trip airfare: $377
Outdoors-loving mother-daughter duos will have a blast in Asheville. Nestled in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, this North Carolina city offers an abundance of scenic biking and hiking opportunities ranging from easy to advanced; favorites include the Upper Whitewater Falls Trail and Pink Beds Trail Loop in Pisgah National Forest. After, refuel with some BBQ and brews at foodie-approved spots like Funkatorium (one of the city’s 50-plus breweries) and Daddy Mac’s Down Home Dive. Then, tour the extravagant 8,000-acre Biltmore Estate, where you’ll find lush gardens and an on-site winery. Explore the city’s artsy side by spending some time in the River Arts District, where you’ll find plenty of galleries like Wedge Studios and Hofman Studios. Explore the mile-long neighborhood via e-bike tour; alternatively, pop into the North Carolina Glass Center for a glassblowing or flameworking class.
New York, New York
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Average round-trip airfare: $378
From epic museums to iconic restaurants, New York City really does offer something for everyone. All in all, it’s pretty much impossible to be bored here — unless you want to be. Explore the Big Apple on foot by strolling the Brooklyn or Williamsburg Bridge. Alternatively, pick up some snacks and sandwiches from a local bodega for a picnic lunch in Manhattan’s world-famous Central Park or Brooklyn’s Domino Park along the water. Speaking of BK, venture to the trendy Williamsburg or DUMBO neighborhoods for supreme shopping or gallery-hopping. And don’t sleep on Queens, The Bronx, or Staten Island, either. The latter is home to the Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden, which offers a calming reprieve from the city’s bustle, while The Bronx boasts the city’s namesake botanical gardens, where you’ll find over a million living plants across its 250-acre campus. Last but not least, Queens is home to Rockaway Beach, where city slickers go to soak up the sun.
Boston, Massachusetts
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Average round-trip airfare: $391
“Boston is the perfect, easy-to-get-to spot for moms and daughters kicking off the college search,” says Vazquez. She continues, telling T+L, “History, food, shopping, museums — these are great, but you also get an incredibly high concentration of top universities.” Additionally, “Activities beyond campus touring [include] visits to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum or wandering Newbury Street for cafes and boutiques.” Mother-daughter duos mustn’t miss the Seaport District, which is lined with chic restaurants and bars like the Rooftop at The Envoy, along with the Institute of Contemporary Arts and the Lawn on D, which offers al fresco games and live music. History lovers will, of course, be in heaven here, too: The 2.5-mile-long Freedom Trail includes sites like Faneuil Hall and the Boston Common. Finally, says Vazquez, “For a special mother-daughter treat, have lunch at the perfectly decorated Beacon Hill Books & Cafe.”
Montreal, Canada
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Average round-trip airfare: $456
“For French flair when you don’t have time to get to Paris, visit Montreal,” says Vazquez. “In addition to some pretty incredible historical landmarks — [including] a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest military fortification in North America — the food and music scene is booming.” Speaking of the former, Montreal has over 40 breweries and 4,000 restaurants, including La Banquise, a 24-hour joint serving up over 30 different types of poutine, and Mon Lapin, a cozy wine bar in the city’s Little Italy neighborhood that was voted Canada’s best restaurant in 2023. In terms of getting around, “The city has an exceptional metro system and a bike share system, and for a large city, it’s incredibly clean, quiet, and safe,” says Vazquez. And while there are dozens of hotel options to choose from in this UNESCO City of Design, Vazquez especially recommends the luxe Four Seasons since it’s connected to high-end department store Holt Renfrew.
Cancún, Mexico
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Average round-trip airfare: $486
Those craving a beach vacation need not look further than Cancún. An easy three-to-four-hour flight from the East Coast, this beloved resort town “has come a long way from its ‘90s party days,” according to Vazquez. Cancún is “the ultimate ‘fly-and-flop’ destination for moms and daughters looking to be reading on the beach immediately after landing,” says Vazquez. A slew of oceanfront all-inclusive resorts can be found here, including the adults-only, wellness-centric Le Blanc Spa Resort and the more family-friendly Moon Palace Cancún, which is an excellent option for moms traveling with younger daughters. For a non-all-inclusive option, consider the swanky Kempinski Hotel Cancún. Beyond the beach, travelers can shop along Luxury Avenue or La Isla, go snorkeling, or embark on day trips to archaeological sites like the Tulum Ruins or Chichén Itzá.
San José, Costa Rica
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Average round-trip airfare: $608
Known for its diverse landscapes (from beautiful beaches to lush rainforests), majestic wildlife, and action-packed activities, Costa Rica — T+L’s 2024 Destination of the Year — is definitely having a moment. “For the mom and daughter looking for a more health-focused or active experience — Costa Rica is where to go,” Vazquez says. The capital city, San José, boasts an impressive arts and culture scene. Spend some time pursuing Museo de Arte y Diseño Contemporáneo, shop locally made souvenirs at Tienda Eñe, and uncover works from up-and-coming Costa Rican artists at Galería Talentum. The cuisine is equally spectacular: Grab coffee and produce at the San José Central Market to hold you over until brunch at DOMA Escalante (tostadas, anyone?). For dinner, make a beeline for Restaurante Silvestre to try the seven-course tasting menu; wine-pairing options are also available.
Moms and daughters may opt to extend their trip, too. “Spend seven nights at Surf Synergy learning a new sport with the best instructors, or check into Hacienda AltaGracia for the ultimate spa-in-nature experience (they partner with New York’s The Well, and they know pampering). To take a yoga class in the mountains, stay at Origins, an ecolodge that also offers whitewater rafting and horseback riding,” says Vazquez.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos
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Average round-trip airfare: $643
Turks and Caicos is world-renowned for its blue waters and stunning stretches of sand, making it a beloved island escape amongst all types of travelers. Its third-largest island, Providenciales, serves as the hub of tourism activity. It’s here where you’ll find the famous crescent-shaped Grace Bay Beach, as well as scenic snorkeling sites like Smith’s Reef and Bright Reef. Opportunities to get out on the water also abound in Providenciales, from kayaking and paddleboarding to yachting and jet skiing. Mothers and daughters can take their pick of hotel options, including the massive Beaches Turks & Caicos — one of a handful of all-inclusive resorts here — to the tony Shore Club, where accommodations take the form of swanky suites and villas. Even if you do opt for an all-inclusive stay, it’s worth shelling out some extra bucks to visit Da Conch Shack or Bugaloos for fresh-caught seafood washed down with a refreshing rum cocktail (or two). For the best deals on flights and lodging, avoid traveling in peak season (December-April).
Reykjavik, Iceland
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Average round-trip airfare: $805
Reykjavik has recently been named one of the most affordable places for solo travel, so it’s no surprise it made this list, too. Ideal for long-weekend getaways (or longer trips) filled with adventure and sightseeing, the Icelandic capital city is home to dozens of museums and landmarks worth exploring, including The National Gallery of Iceland, the striking Hallgrímskirkja church, and the National Museum of Iceland, among others. Beat the jetlag by fueling up on some java at spots like Kaffitar or Reykjavik Röst; then, hop in a rental car to explore nearby sites like Mount Esja or the Fagradalsfjall volcano. For some rest and relaxation, retreat to Sky Lagoon, where you and your mom (or daughter) can soak in the springs. The most affordable way to get here is via a low-cost carrier like Icelandair or PLAY, both of which fly from many U.S. cities.
