Children are travelling far more widely, and earlier, than their parents did when they were young,a survey has shown.

As many as 69 per cent of British parents said their children travelled overseas more often than they had at the same age, the Sainsbury’s Travel Insurance poll found.

The average age at which people took their first trip abroad has come right down, from 12 for those who are now over 65 to fewer than four years of age for the under-18s.

A quarter of those who are currently under 18 visited another country before their second birthday, while 63 per cent did so before they were 10.

Of the under-18s who have been overseas, 81 per cent travelled with their parents and 35 per cent with their school.

As many as 27 per cent have taken a long-haul flight and 11 per cent have been overseas with their friends or friends’ parents.

The survey was based on responses from 2,050 adults.

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