Travelling with young children (or partners…) can be a challenge, but a few quick preparations now can help your trip go a lot more smoothly. Take a look at our sanity-saving family travel tips and get prepared for your next adventure!
The real key to travelling with kids is planning and preparation, and our family travel tips are all about keeping life as simple as possible. Make things easier on travel day by knowing you have your bases covered – but also be prepared for the fact that there could be speed bumps along the way, in the shape of flight delays, travel sickness, lost luggage or something similar.
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Practical Family Travel Tips
Passports at the Ready!
When was the last time you looked at the passports? Kids’ passports have a much shorter lifespan than adults’, and those expiry dates can sneak up on you before you realise. Some airlines require at least six months remaining on a passport, so make sure you’re not cutting things close.
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Pre-Book Everything
Whatever you can book and organise early, do it. Whether that’s lounge access at the airport, a taxi to pick you up on arrival or a special kids’ meal on the plane, if it will make travel day go smoother, it’s worth the extra planning time.
Time Check
Everything takes longer when you travel with kids, so make sure you leave plenty of time to get to your destination. Plan in toilet breaks, even for short trips by car, time for browsing at the airport, and time to re-fuel with food along the way.
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Comfort is Key
You and the kids will want to be as comfortable as possible while travelling – save the new outfits for your destination, and stick with comfy favourites for the plane. Don’t forget your footwear either – there’s lots of walking in the airport!
Plan For the Inevitable
You may already pack a spare outfit (or two) for your child when you travel – but, take it from me, pack one for yourself too! The confined space of plane travel means spilled drinks are more likely, as well as the risk of accidents or travel sickness.
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Buggy Basics
If you’re travelling with an infant, look up the airport’s policy on buggies and car seats – can you bring them all the way to the gate, will they be waiting for you as soon as you disembark, or will they come out on the baggage carousel?
Consider the Extras
Whether it’s fast-tracking through security or priority boarding, consider the benefits of these extras when it comes to saving time and keeping the peace. There’s enough waiting around while you’re travelling, so any queues you can avoid are welcome!
Relax En Route
More and more airports are adding kids’ play areas, so check the airport website before you travel to see if there’s one you can visit. A last run around before boarding is a great idea!
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Lost Treasures
Never, ever pack the all-time favourite cuddly toy in your checked-in luggage. Take it from experience, it will be the one time your suitcase ends up on a round-the-world trip without you, and you’ll be explaining to your sobbing child at bedtime why Teddy is away on a solo adventure…
High Tech
I find my own ‘tech restrictions’ are happily relaxed while we travel, as it’s really a very efficient way to keep kids of all ages amused.
The sheer number of child-friendly apps, books, podcasts and games available to download means you don’t have to jam-pack your carry-on bags with toys and games. Just don’t forget the chargers and headphones…
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Tiny Tots
If your child is under two, they’ll be sitting on your lap during the flight. While the ideal situation is that your flight coincides with nap time, that’s not always possible. Having some board books, handheld activities and things you can do one-handed is essential.
If your child is at the throwing stage, you won’t want to spend the flight chasing down toys from under the seat in front of you. One great idea is to tie some toys, rattles and teethers onto string and keep everything in one place!
Doctor Mom
No matter what age the kids are, there’s nothing worse than not having what you need if a child is sick or unwell on holidays. At a minimum, pack a change of clothes, nappies/pants, some antiseptic wipes, a couple of rubbish bags, and a basic first aid kit with paracetamol, ibuprofen, plasters and similar essentials.
If your child has an allergy or an ongoing medical condition, it’s a good idea to carry a letter from your healthcare professional and a copy of your prescription, particularly if you need to bring medication onboard.
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Have a Back-Up
Take a photocopy (or even a photo) of your passport details, travel itinerary, travel insurance, medical information, important contacts and accommodation bookings. You could bring these with you and keep them entirely separate from the real documents, or leave a set with a trusted friend or family member at home in case you need them.
Many parents find it easiest to email everything to themselves, so nothing needs to be carried physically but it’s still easy to access if needed.
Stay Safe
New places like an airport can be very exciting and distracting for your child, and wandering off can happen easily. With the volume of people travelling around you, holding hands and staying close matters more than ever. Talk about this with your children before you leave, and remind them again on the day.
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Feed Me Now
There’s something about travelling that tends to make everyone feel slightly peckish, so pack some snacks you know your kids love. This ensures you have something on hand when they get hungry (or hangry!), and it also saves you forking out for expensive airport food at every turn.
Try to avoid overly sweet snacks and treats, particularly on a long flight or in a confined space where your child can’t run around and burn off a sugar high.
Wipes at the Ready!
Extra nappy changes, sticky fingers, spilled drinks, cleaning up messes… bring an extra pack of wipes, you’ll use them!
Buckle Up
If you’re renting a car or booking a private airport transfer at your destination, be sure to request appropriate child seats or bring your own. Depending on local laws, this may not be a legal requirement, so don’t assume it will be included automatically.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the most important thing to do before travelling with kids?
Check your documents first – passport expiry dates especially, as children’s passports run out sooner than you’d expect. After that, pre-booking anything you can (seats, meals, transfers) takes the most stress out of travel day.
How do I keep young children entertained on a long flight or drive?
A mix of familiar comfort items, a few new small surprises, and screen-based entertainment like apps, podcasts or downloaded shows works well. Tying small toys to a string keeps them from disappearing under the seat.
What should I pack in case a child gets sick while travelling?
A basic first aid kit with paracetamol, ibuprofen and plasters, a change of clothes, nappies or pants if needed, wipes, and a couple of spare bags. If your child has an allergy or medical condition, carry a letter from your GP and a copy of any prescriptions.
How can I stop my child wandering off in a busy airport?
Talk to them beforehand about staying close and holding hands, and remind them again on the day itself. Busy, exciting new places are exactly when children are most likely to get distracted.
Related Articles
- How to Keep Children Entertained During Flight Delays
- Tips for Travel with Kids for Passing Time in Airports
- 8 Practical and Simple Tips to Ease Motion Sickness in Kids
- 6 Simple Travel Tips for Making Travelling With Kids a Breeze
Do you have any more family travel tips we should add to our list? Leave a comment below and let us know – we’d love to hear from you!
Save These Tips for Your Next Trip
Not travelling just yet? Bookmark this page or save it to your phone so you’ve got these tips handy when packing day comes around. Browse our Adventure section for more family travel ideas while you plan.
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