12 epic 40th birthday trip ideas for a group

Reaching a new decade is a big milestone to celebrate, and 40 deserves a big celebration—like a vacation with your nearest and dearest to commemorate.

If you’re ready for the best 40th birthday trip ever, start here. From skiing in Chamonix and California vineyards to snorkeling in Bora Bora and hiking in the Arctic, these unforgettable 40th birthday trip ideas are here to help you usher in the big four-oh.

Why should you take a group trip for your 40th birthday?

There’s nothing wrong with commemorating a birthday with a solo spa day or a quiet movie night. But entering a new decade, especially your 40th, calls for something more memorable—preferrably with the people you love most.

Why not turn your 40th birthday into an adventure you’ll never forget? Traveling with a group has its perks, too. Booking at least nine hotel rooms scores you preferential rates. It’s the perfect way to bring everyone together while getting the best deals.

Here are a few more reasons to kick off the next phase of your life with a group birthday trip:

1. Catch up with old friends

Life in your 40s often comes with new responsibilities, and spending time with friends and loved ones might not be as easy as it once was. A group birthday trip gives you a chance to revitalize friendships with the people you love most, free from everyday distractions. 

2. Make unforgettable memories

Set the tone for this next chapter with something you’ll never forget. If you’ve been meaning to travel and want your friends and family along for the ride, a group birthday getaway to a bucket-list locale is the perfect opportunity to do just that.

3. A little R & R for all

A group birthday trip is a gift for everyone, a chance to relax, put some miles between you and your worries, and recharge together. After all, as the saying goes, a change in latitude brings a change in attitude. 

12 exciting 40th birthday trip ideas

Luxury group 40th birthday trip ideas

Your 40th birthday offers you the chance to finally enjoy the fruits of your labor from your 30s—a little luxury at the end of a decade of hard work. 

1. Kruger National Park, South Africa

Get up close and personal with elephants, lions, giraffes, and other exotic African wildlife at one of the many resorts near the breathtaking Kruger National Park. Experience the fierce beauty of the savannah on safari and limitless hiking opportunities. And with your most fearless friends, you can self-drive the adventure in an all-terrain vehicle.

2. Bora Bora, French Polynesia

If your idea of a lavish birthday celebration involves palm trees and pristine beaches, Bora Bora is for you. Take a lagoon tour in a unique glass-bottom boat, then marvel at the crystalline waters on the broader reef on one of the many chartered yachts available. If life on the water isn’t your thing, resorts in Bora Bora offer a wide range of tropical activities, including aqua biking, hiking Mount Otemanu, and parasailing over the surf.

3. Kyoto, Japan

For serene simplicity and charm, Kyoto's traditional Japanese inns, called ryokans, offer full cultural immersion. Experience cotton yukata robes, futon beds atop tatami floors, and soothing outdoor onsen baths. When you’re ready for dinner, kaiseki meals—culinary kaleidoscopes of seasonal flavors and rich Japanese traditions—are waiting.

Fun group 40th birthday trip ideas

The good times don’t stop at 39. Check out these fun 40th birthday destinations for the forever young. 

1. Ambergris Caye, Belize

Ambergris Caye offers much more than the standard bellini-and-bikini experience. The nearby Belize Barrier Reef offers snorkeling and guided underwater dives, and the remote atmosphere of San Pedro’s secret beach gives groups access to rare cenotes, caves, and ruins—all within a short distance of the main resorts.

2. Chamonix, France

No matter the season, Chamonix is the perfect birthday getaway for outdoor lovers. Home to the world-famous Mont-Blanc resort, Chamonix’s winter skiing and snowboarding are unparalleled, and when warmer weather comes around, take in breathtaking views from the hiking trails crisscrossing the French Alps. If skiing or hiking aren't your thing, cable cars offer similar views without all the legwork. 

3. Dublin, Ireland

Dublin has much to offer, which makes it perfect for group trips. With their remarkable architecture and storied past, Dublin Castle and Trinity College's famous Old Library entice history buffs and book lovers alike. Then, head to Dublin’s beloved Moore Street market and enjoy the finest coddle––a traditional stew made of layers of bacon, potato, and onion––or a warming Irish coffee with whisky and sweetened cream. Cap off the birthday celebration with a visit to the Temple Bar neighborhood’s cultural hub, flush with the finest pubs, Eire-specific vintage shops, and the rainbow walls of Love Lane, an alley-turned-gallery decorated with love letters.

40th birthday trip ideas with couples or families

If you can’t imagine a milestone birthday celebration without your kids or better half, bring them along for a family-oriented or romantic group trip. Check out these iconic places to go for your 40th birthday.

1. The Maldives

No matter your age, the fresh sea air from an island vacation will reinvigorate your senses. The Maldives may be Asia’s smallest country, but it’s packed full of activities, from fresh local markets to snorkeling safaris.

Start your adventure with a seaplane arrival, then follow up with a scenic submarine tour 150 meters below the ocean's surface. Kids will love a birthday getaway to Siyam World, which is the biggest waterpark in the Indian Ocean. And thanks to the region’s rare bioluminescent sea life, you might glimpse a once-in-a-lifetime underwater light show.

2. New York City, New York

New York City is an excellent destination for a group birthday celebration: The city is anything you want it to be. For a romantic getaway, couples can walk the High Line—an above-ground subway line turned into a beautiful hanging garden—or experience the nightlife after a Broadway show. For more varied groups, NYC's Museum of Modern Art, the historic Flatiron shopping district, and sprawling Central Park offer something for everyone.

3. Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Amsterdam is an unconventional city on the sea. Explore its waterways with a group canal boat or rent an affordable bike and cycle your way from cafe to cafe. Wander through Haarlem Market, a 14th-century square with hundreds of local stalls, or visit the romantic floating flower greenhouses for the perfect tulip. At night, stroll through the glowing city center, and if you have a December or January birthday, you’ll spot installations for the famous Amsterdam Light Festival. 

40th group birthday trip ideas within the United States

While hotspots like Florida and New Orleans are great options, there’s plenty more to see and do in the Red, White, and Blue. If you want a celebration closer to home, tour these 40th-birthday destinations in the USA.

1. Four Corners

If you can’t decide between Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, or Colorado as a milestone birthday destination, don’t choose. Instead, head for Four Corners—the only place in the U.S. where the borders of four states meet. Then, pick a shared activity to enjoy in one city from each state: 

• Colorado: Cortez and Durango have significant archaeological sites open to tourists. Mesa Verde National Park, which is full of ancient cliff dwellings, surrounds these two cities and makes them perfect for history-curious groups. 
• Utah: With some of the top golf courses in the U.S., including The Hideout in Monticello, Southwestern Utah is the perfect place to swing under par.
• Arizona: Northeast Arizona is an unrivaled hiking destination. It’s home to the stunning precipice of the Canyon de Chelly, which is one of the most visited national monuments in North America.
• New Mexico: Northwest New Mexico has a lot to offer history buffs. The area hosts a collection of steam train relics from the western Rio Grande and the Aztec Ruins National Monument, a preserved 12th-century Pueblo structure.

2. Anchorage, Alaska

While it’s possible to spot the mesmerizing northern lights further south, it takes a trip to Alaska to witness their full scale. Alpine enthusiasts will love hiking or dog sledding through Chugach State Park, and a day trip to the Alaskan Wildlife Conservation Center lets adventurers see the natural habitat of bears, elk, and wolves. Follow up with beluga or humpback whale encounters during a Northern Pacific cruise.

3. Napa Valley, California

Raise a glass to (and in) some of California’s scenic vineyards for your 40th birthday getaway. Along with sampling wine from the most renowned labels in the U.S., you can also indulge in savory local, seasonal cuisine from Napa’s array of world-renowned restaurants, such as the three Michelin-starred French Laundry. The scale of Napa’s culinary scene makes this trip perfect for both experienced and growing palates.

Make your group's 40th birthday trip come true with Engine

Whether booking a milestone birthday getaway or a celebration marking an iconic life event, managing the details is the trick to a successful group vacation. 

Let Engine take care of your group’s accommodations for you. Simply fill us in on the details of your 40th birthday getaway—your itinerary, group size, and preferences—and we'll do the rest. From hotels and car rentals to flights and resorts, we’ll provide a curated list tailored to your trip. Once you’ve chosen your favorites, we’ll manage the bookings and any guest list updates so you can focus on celebrating in style.

With Engine on the job, all you have to do is show up ready for a celebration worthy of four decades well-lived.