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21 ways to make travelling with kids easier
Just exiting the house with little ones can be challenging, especially with all the kit you need to lug about in anticipation of hunger, accidents, boredom and tired legs.
Even if you're a logistical wizard, going on a family holiday will inevitably amplify this stress.
The good news is that parents on the Which? Travel team, who have successfully crossed time zones and navigated onboard tantrums, have shared their tried-and-tested methods for making travelling with kids as easy as possible.
Packing hacks
It’s impossible to travel lightly with young children, but thankfully most airlines offer free extra luggage allowance for bulky car seats, travel cots or foldable prams you may want to bring along (even inside the cabin). That said, you can still maximise the space these extra items provide.
Maximise space
1. If you're taking car seats get a car seat bag. Yes, it will keep your seats from getting scuffed in the hold but crucially, it gives you extra luggage space for free – ideal for stuffing your outdoor coats into.
2. Use the space in your bagged-up travel cot too, you can pack bed sheets and books inside.
3. It’s also worth accessorising your pushchair with a snoozeshade for on-the-go naps, portable white noise machine and a rechargeable fan for keeping children cool in hot countries.
Pack less
4. Sometimes, it doesn't make sense to bring your child car seat as it won't meet the specifications required by the country and/or fit vehicles. Most car hire companies offer child car seat rental, but factor this into the total cost as it can be expensive. In some instances, on longer holidays, it may actually be cheaper to buy a car seat at the destination. Check out child car seat laws around the world.
5. If you’re travelling with a child under two years old, we recommend a carrier. They take up minimal space and are an easy way to get around if your pushchair ends up in the hold.
Can you take your car seat on a plane? Find out different airlines’ seat sizes
Effortless airport experience
Leave home early and plan ahead how you’ll juggle youngsters at security so you’re not spilling half the contents of your case out while searching for your boarding pass and their comforter.
6. Airlines, such as British Airways at Heathrow Terminal 5, have a dedicated family check-in zone (and complimentary activity packs) so you’re not queuing alongside impatient business travellers or rowdy wedding parties.
7. Pin or tie favourite travel toys to prams so they’re not lost, even dummies can come with a clip to attach them to babies’ clothing.
8. Find out if the airport you're travelling from has a kids' area. Many of them, like Heathrow, Gatwick and many international airports, do have free soft play areas. This lets the kids burn off steam before they board.
9. Find a window where you can watch the planes land, take off and unload. Endless fascination for toddlers.
10. Even for adults, airports involve a lot of walking. Buy a cabin-approved foldable buggy, and then your child can relax all the way up to the plane doors (except for a quick hop out at security). Check out our guide to compact and lightweight strollers for travel.
Check airline restrictions and find a travel pram to suit your needs
Onboard distractions
Priority boarding for families allows you to clean and set up your space before other passengers squeeze into the cabin.
Baby on board
11. Keen to keep your baby on their sleep schedule? You can request a bassinet or child seat for free on long-haul flights, but you’ll need to book it in advance. You can sometimes reserve the seats at the bulkhead when booking and the seat map makes it clear that it’s a bassinet seat. This is true of BA. On other airlines, the seats only appear as 'extra legroom', and you need to phone to be assigned a bassinet for free. In both cases, you should phone and tell the airline you want a bassinet or child seat onboard as there is a better chance you'll get one – although no airline will ever guarantee that they will be provided.
12. Help babies to sleep soundly with a Star baby wrap, which is easy to take on and off while they’re dozing and is less fiddly than a blanket. Banz Ear Defenders can reduce cabin noise, if nattering neighbours are distracting your child.
13. Changing nappies in a tiny airplane toilet is challenging and messy. Only take the essentials and a spare outfit to the back of the plane, as the door is unlikely to close while wearing a change backpack.
14. For teething babies, tie all their sensory and chew toys together with a piece of string so that nothing gets dropped or lost on the dirty cabin floor.
15. Carry sick bags, Calpol and other required medicine in your hand luggage in case your child becomes ill while travelling, and to remove the risk of not having them at your destination if your hold baggage is lost.
Nervous about taking a youngster away? Swerve these common travel mishaps when flying with a baby
Avoiding toddler tantrums
16. For toddlers with their own seat, tuck a muslin into the seat in front so they can stretch their legs out to sleep.
17. Airlines including Virgin Atlantic and Jet 2 allow you to preorder your children’s meal before the flight. Some airlines such as Britsh Airways serve kids their meal first, although it can be helpful to request this of cabin crew.
18. Obviously you’ll have lots of snacks in your hand luggage but don’t forget drinks for sipping during landing as it can help ease painful ear pressure.
19. Pack mess-free entertainment: wipe-clean activity books, water-pen coloring books, reusable sticker books, magnetic puzzles, and books and tablets preloaded with favourite shows for older children.
20. Travel by ferry
Depending on your destination, it’s worth considering taking the ferry. Not only will your luggage allowance be greater, but it will likely be cheaper than flying, too.
For example, if a family of four (where the children are over 2 years old) were heading to Paris in November, a DFDS return ferry to Calais costs £157 (plus petrol) whereas flights add up to £635 with Vueling. To go by Eurostar instead, it would cost £600.
21. A family-friendly destination
Destination is key to a memorable family holiday. Forget pushing a pram up the near-vertical hills of Lisbon and plump for easy-to-navigate pavements, promenades and plentiful playgrounds in San Sebastian or Copenhagen. Find out which European cities are easiest to navigate and have the best food and drink, according to readers.
Fancy a Mediterranean sunshine escape? See the top rated resorts in Europe.
Disney need not break the bank either, see our ways to visit on a budget.
