*Updated for 2023*
Travelling by yourself can be an anxious and worrying experience; this is all amplified when travelling with children and your responsibilities have increased too! Travelling with children doesn’t have to be a nightmare if plenty of forward planning has been involved. Our top tips below help guide you through the process and keep the travelling as stress-free as possible. Remember to take your time and do as much in advance as possible.
Before you travel
Plan everything to avoid last-minute panics. Check that your passports are up to date and will be eligible for the country you’re travelling to. Check that all travellers have the necessary medication or medical papers they need to travel with. Be sure you’ve invested in a worthwhile travel insurance policy and be safe in the knowledge of what you’re covered for. Does the country you’re travelling to require you to have visas? Make sure you’ve got all the relevant paperwork organised and printed ready for travel.
Check our handy list of other preparations you should make before you travel.
The more you can do in advance and get checked off your list quickly, the less you will have to worry about closer to your travel dates. Plus, the earlier you start your preparations, the longer you have to resolve any unforeseen issues.
Packing and luggage
When packing luggage, consider the essentials for children. I don’t just mean clothes and nappies, but other items they have that you know they’ll be restless and grumpy without. Do they have a comfort blanket or favourite stuffed toy they have to take everywhere with them? Ensure this is packed, but consider taking a duplicate item should one go astray on your travels. You have all-important knowledge when it comes to items your children will behave for. Use it wisely, Padawan.
Familiarise yourself with the luggage allowance of your airline and what items you can take for the child(ren) and any potential costs involved. If possible, ensure you compare these terms before booking your flight and let them influence your final booking choice. Some airlines will allow you to take prams or car seats free of charge. Consider our tips for packing luggage effectively.
Backpacks make the best for hand luggage as it keeps both hands free for child wrestling or pushing prams. Keep a change of clothes in hand luggage and baby wipes- just in case of travel sickness and any other sticky situations they might get into on the plane.
Pack a plane bag for your child- keep its contents mysterious and secret so they’re excited to receive it once on the plane. Pack cheap toys, colouring books, pencils and small sweets inside. Don’t pack anything expensive in here or items you worry will get lost. This pack must be expendable.
The airport
Spend some time researching in advance of the airports you will be visiting. Learn what, if any, facilities they have that particularly cater for children. Learn where any play areas are or family-friendly restaurants.
Pre-book your parking so you don’t fret about this on arrival. If the thought of lumbering through car parks with a party of grizzly children and luggage that you regret taking and you’re sure you probably could have survived with one change of clothes than face this trek, consider taking advantage of the airports meet and greet service. You can unload the car right near the airports doors and a member of staff will safely park your car for you. Remember: If using this service, make sure you keep the relevant paperwork to ensure swift and guaranteed return of your vehicle.
I touched on losing a child’s favourite toy, but a more serious outcome when travelling is losing your child. Have a contingency plan in place- it’s better to have one than not. When walking through the airport, locate an easily identifiable place or object for your family to meet at should someone get lost. Place a plastic band around your child’s wrist and write your mobile number on it. You may also wish to consider investing in a child locator. These small devices can be worn by the child to either emit alarms or record their whereabouts. Check the reviews of any item before you purchase so you know what you’re getting for your money.
Know what you can and can’t take through security, especially baby food. Many Boots stores located in airports allow you to pre-order milk and other essentials ready for collection once you’ve passed security. Ensure that you’ve selected an Airside store, rather than a Landside.
The plane
Before travelling, pre-book your seats to ensure that your whole family can sit together.
Consider booking an overnight flight- your kids are more likely to sleep through your travelling.
Keep the kids comfy on the plane- they’ll fidget more if they’re in itchy restrictive clothing. Why not let them travel in pyjamas? A pillow is also a useful addition to a flight so they can snuggle up if they wish.
Take drinks and snacks, ready for these urges on the plane. Instead of plying your children with sweets which will keep them hyperactive, consider a snack of cheese cubes, fruit and breadsticks. Use sweets for emergency situations only.
Top tips from our Web Developer, Ian: When travelling with our son, we pointed out planes in the air before travelling and encouraged him to get excited about the prospect of being on one. We pre-downloaded episodes of his favourite programme onto a tablet, and gave him his favourite headphones to wear while watching. We’ve found that when taking a pram onto the plane, we’ve received priority boarding.
Most important tip: Take care of yourself. It’s all too easy to become 100% immersed in your children’s wants and needs. They’ll know when you’re feeling stressed and emotional. Share the care and take time for yourself.
Renting a car with children
Using a rental car can be a far easier and safer way to travel whilst abroad with children. Public transport systems can be crowded and convoluted for children to navigate. Renting a car gives you your own space with the option to rent a larger vehicle or get a children’s booster / child seat as a local added extra!
Car rental booster and child seats
Keep in mind than in some countries there are laws surrounding child seats, children in the UK must use a child/booster seat until they’re 12 years old or 135 centimetres tall. Child and booster seats will be both be payable directly to the car rental provider in local currency upon collection of the vehicle:
Child seat – Generally suitable for Children aged 9 months to 4 years.
Booster seat – Generally suitable for Children aged 4 years to 11 years.
Book car hire for your family holiday today
Zest works with car rental suppliers in over 1200 destinations around the world. Wherever you’re planning to travel, get a quote for car hire there now.
