Whether you’ve booked an all-inclusive beach holiday or an action-packed week at Disneyland, travelling as a family takes some planning!
To make sure you get the most out of your trip, here are some tips for travelling with kids – from toddlers to tweens.
Tips for travelling with kids
Before you head off, tick off these things to make the trip as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Pack snacks (and lots of them!)
It’s a good idea to have a stash of snacks ready for the journey, so you can hold off any hunger-related tantrums.
If you have any fussy eaters, it might be worth packing a few extra of their favourite snacks to take with you to your destination.
Keep spare clothes handy
If you’re a parent, you know things can get messy – whether that’s a little accident or spilled food and drink.
Bring a spare set of clothes just in case you need them.
Bring entertainment
The kind of entertainment you bring will depend on how old your children are and what you have planned.
But toys, books and puzzles are a great place to start.
Pack medication
If your child needs medication, make sure you pack enough for the whole trip. Keep a few spares in a separate bag too, in case your luggage gets lost.
You might also want to bring a small supply of things like Calpol, paracetamol and plasters just in case.
Remember to declare any prescription medications on your policy.
Read our handy guide on travelling with medication for more tips. Or check out some extra health advice based on which country you’re heading to.
Get the right vaccinations
Before you head off, take a look at what vaccinations you and your kids will need for wherever you’re travelling to.
It’s best to get them at least eight weeks before you travel. Ask your GP’s advice on vaccinations if you’re breastfeeding or pregnant.
Stay prepared
Travel plans can change at a moment’s notice – your flight could be delayed, or your taxi might get stuck in traffic.
Things don’t always go to plan, so it’s best to stay prepared for anything.
Whether you’re on a flight or out for the day on holiday, remember a packed bag with the essentials. Think spare clothes, nappies, snacks and suncream if it’s hot.
Buy travel insurance
Making sure you have travel insurance is a really good idea. It gives you a safety net if something goes wrong on your holiday or while you’re travelling.
You can buy a family policy with us to cover up to two adults and five children.
Remember, policy limits and exclusions will apply. Always check your policy book carefully to see what is and isn’t covered.
Travelling with young children and babies
It might be your first trip with a baby. Or maybe you’ve done it all before with older kids.
Either way, here are some useful tips for travelling with really young children or babies.
Pack disinfectant wipes
You’re probably used to always having a pack of wipes on you. But remember to pack plenty for your holiday too.
They’ll be super useful for wiping down highchairs in restaurants or any other surface your baby is going to crawl on or eat off.
Stick to usual sleep routines as best you can
Especially with travel days, your baby’s usual routine can be really thrown out of whack.
As much as you can, stick to their usual routine to help settle them more easily. Consider any time zone differences too.
Take breaks if you’re driving
You might have a road trip on the cards or have booked a hire car for day trips when you get there.
Either way, remember to take regular breaks if it’s a long drive. Generally, babies should have a break from being in their car seat at least every two hours.
Flying with kids and young infants
Flying can be a challenge if you’re travelling with children. But it doesn’t have to be – here are some extra things to think about:
- Prebook aeroplane seats – it might cost extra, but it means they won’t randomly allocate your seats. You can make sure you’re all sat together.
- Book evening flights if possible – you might find it easier to fly through the night, so you can hopefully get your child to sleep through.
- Keep sweets handy for older kids – if your child is old enough, it can be useful to offer them a sweet or mint to suck on during take-off to help when their ears pop.
- Feed your baby during take-off and landing – the pressure changes can be overwhelming for little ears. Try to breastfeed or give your baby a bottle, as swallowing can help balance their ears.
- Book a carrycot - some airlines offer a carrycot for babies under two. You’ll need to speak to the airline before you fly to organise this.
- Change your baby’s nappy before boarding – if you can, it’s best to try change your baby just before you board so they’re fresh and ready for the flight. It can be a little trickier changing your baby in the aeroplane bathroom.
- Have someone board first to set up seats – if you’re travelling with your partner or another adult, it’s a good idea for one of you to board first to put the bags away and set up your seats.
- Check in online – this means when you arrive at the airport, you can head straight through to security and then settle in departures before your flight.
Do I need to buy a ticket for my baby?
Yes, you always need to buy a ticket for children you’re travelling with – whether they’re two months or two years old.
Infants under two usually fly for free on your lap, but you still need to make sure the airline knows they’ll be travelling with you.
Can I bring breastmilk or formula on a plane?
Yes, you can bring bagged breastmilk or formula on a plane up to a certain amount.
It’s different depending on the country. But in the UK, you can bring breastmilk in containers up to 2,000ml in your hand luggage.
Luggage allowance for infants
It depends on the airline but generally, infants under two years will get:
- a free checked bag up to around 23kg
- one or two extra free items, for things like a pushchair or travel cot
Can I take my pushchair on the plane?
You can put your pushchair in the hold. Or, if you’d like it as hand luggage, just remember it’ll need to fit certain dimensions.
Check your airline’s website for their rules.
When can babies fly?
Healthy newborns can usually fly once they’re two weeks old. But ideally, it’s best to wait until they’re at least two months old.
If your baby is younger than two weeks, chat with the airline before you book.
Do I have to pay full fare for my infant?
In most cases, children under two fly for free or at least at a discounted rate.
If your child’s over two, you’ll need to pay full price.
Will my infant get a meal on the flight?
It depends on the flight and the airline.
Some airlines offer baby food or kids’ meals, depending on how long the flight is.
You might need to pre-order it, so get in touch with your airline ahead of time to check.
What age range is classed as an ‘infant’ and ‘child’?
In most cases:
- two weeks to two years old is classed as an infant
- two years to 15 years old is classed as a child
Does my child need their own passport?
Yes, your child needs their own passport, no matter how old they are.
Head to the GOV.UK page to get a passport for your child.
They’ve also got extra advice for what you need to apply for a passport.
Extra travel support
Need more? Whether you want advice on how to travel on a budget or what visas you need, our travel planning hub covers it all.
Or if you have any questions about our travel insurance, head to our travel FAQ page.
