If ‘Home Alone’ has taught us a lesson, it’s this: traveling with your family is chaotic. It doesn’t matter if there’s one or 11 of them, someone is bound to lose their cool, poop at the last minute, and spill some form of edible on your outfit!
There will be kicking, wailing, and tears as you stand in the most beautiful and exotic destinations on Planet Earth. And while we can’t promise to make the tantrums and the tears magically disappear, we do have 11 family travel tips that can keep that chaos in check while you make memories that last a lifetime.
These family travel tips and tried-and-tested hacks can prevent you from losing your sanity, and save you from leaving an important document – or an offspring – behind.
1. Choose the right destination
Unless your kids are history buffs, skip the audio guide and old town tours. Instead, pick destinations that offer something for everyone.
From the kid-friendly villas in Bali to exploring piazzas and pizzas in Italy, to soaking up some sun by a pool in a bohemian home in California – the world is your oyster. All you need to do is pick a destination that suits your family. Here are some tips to help:
- Babies don’t need entertainment and won’t whine ‘I’m bored’ every 5 minutes, so country retreats and coastal escapes are excellent picks (for now).
- If you have multiple kids under four in strollers, choose stroller-friendly destinations and walkable cities like Amsterdam and London.
- Always check the weather! Phuket in the rainy season can dampen all your plans, and Europe in the middle of a heat wave is just self-sabotage.
- For young kids and tweens, you’ll need some entertainment, culture, food and relaxation.
- France: From the South with it’s fine wines to the city of love, Paris, this country has something for everyone. You get the romance, and the kids get to live the magic. Hello, Disneyland Paris! Stay at The Saint Denis Residence or check in at The Rue Sedaine Residence which has toys and a playroom to keep them entertained.
- Indonesia: Whether you’ve got littles or tweens, you can never go wrong with Bali and its beaches. Stay at the Villa Bloom Bali: the place is designed for families and has everything you’ll need for kids. From snorkeling equipment, and helmets to a chef who knows how to make baby food.
Been there already? Find your new dream destination and plan your luxury family vacation with our hand-picked rentals across the world.
2. Get your family excited by planning together
With destination decisions out of the way, it is time to recruit the little ones. While your baby may be indifferent, your toddler can start flying his planes and packing- and repacking-his tiny bag.
And since travel is a great teacher, we suggest you use this opportunity to teach your older ones. Here’s how:
- Watch YouTube videos together to learn about the cities and countries you’ll be visiting (their history/things to do/places to visit) or get a great kid-friendly travel guide
- Print out maps, flags, and currencies for children to color and play with. (They’ll get excited when they spot the flags during their trip.)
- Focus on their research and organization skills: Older kids can plan the itinerary, research ticket prices of museums, days and times, and even the best way to get there.
- ‘Salut! Ça va?’ Traveling to France? Go ahead and learn a few phrases with the kids. Download a language app for some extra fun.
3. Plan for the unexpected
Plan for the expected: a leaky diaper, lost luggage, ear popping, mild motion sickness. And then plan for the unexpected: a delayed flight, a sick child and foot blisters.
But since you can only tackle one disaster at a time, seasoned travelers recommend planning ahead. So, family travel tip #3, alleviate unexpected issues. Here’s how:
- Book pickups to and from the airport ahead of time. Download and sign up for any transport apps you plan to use or ask your hotel for pick up. No one wants to be stranded with cranky toddlers.
- Rent a car in advance. (Public transportation with luggage and kids isn’t worth the savings.)
- Get an e-sim so you can connect and coordinate once you land.
- Choose accommodations near a grocery store or market. Emergency snacks, band-aids, and cough medicines will be needed at some point.
- Have a connecting flight? Pack milk, nappies and extra outfits in a hand carry in case there is any delay.
- It might be tempting to book non-refundable park entry tickets well in advance, but it is not worth it. Your plans may change to stay flexible, and avoid non-refundable, non-cancellable bookings.
4. Book travel at least 3 months in advance
The early birds get the best seats and the sweetest steals. So, book tickets and accommodations at least 3 months in advance. Last-minute tickets could have you paying extra, worrying about availability, and even compromising on seating.
- Request bulkhead seats if traveling with a baby and let the airline know that you’ll need a bassinet.
- Got two kids? Divide and conquer! Seat one child with one parent if both want window seats or choose four seats in the center if you prefer to travel as a family.
5. Consider TSA PreCheck or global entry
“Shoes off, belts off, everything out of your pockets!” Aah, the dreaded security screening with a wailing toddler and a breastfed baby who doesn’t appreciate being awoken from its restful slumber.
Is there a way to skip the small strip show and the security line circus just so you can avoid waking up the baby? The TSA PreCheck or Global Entry. The process is simple: apply online, complete enrollment, and get your KTN.
And you get to skip the part where you juggle a baby in one arm, slip shoes onto a squirming toddler with the other, all the while keeping an eye on your bags. It took a while for you to tuck your shirt in nicely like those Gen Zs and the last thing you want to do is go back to looking like a disheveled millennial mum.
Top tip: as you take off items and place them in the basket, just make a count of the number. For example, 3 bags and 6 items. That way, you are less likely to forget something when collecting your stuff.
6. Pack the essential supplies
A good backpack with great gadgets can make all the difference. So, pack essential supplies that you can whip out as and when needed.
- Travel stroller/Baby Carrier
- Healthy and Clean Snacks (Skip the messy food)
- Toys (Lightweight, open play, and not noisy)
- Diapers and Wipes
- An extra outfit Accidents happen; be prepared.
- First Aid Kit with band-aids and medicines
- A prescription
- Layers and Blankets
- An empty sippy cup or bottles
7. But don’t overpack
Do you really need to invest in a portable high chair? Or lug that Pack n Play halfway across the globe? While it’s best to be prepared, don’t fall into the trap of over-packing.
Many kid-friendly destinations offer these amenities and you can easily buy items like bug spray, sunscreen, and even umbrellas and toiletries from a grocery store at the destination. Not sure where to start? Download our family vacation packing list.
8. Schedule downtime
Traveling with kids? It’s time to go slow. Nope, slower. Packing up your itinerary with places to see or things to do will only result in YOU rushing the kids and running from one place to the next.
That’s why we suggest you plan one big activity per day and add pockets of time around it for breaks. (Downtime is very important for overstimulated babies and toddlers and helps avoid meltdowns.)
Planning a day at the waterpark? Add a slow activity for the next day to allow the kids and yourself to regain your energy.
Top tip: a non-refundable, non-cancellable ticket might feel like a steal now, but it could end up costing you more. So stay flexible with dates and buy tickets after you land.
9. Book an ideal flight time
If your kids aren’t too excited about being on a plane, your best bet is to opt for a direct flight and hope for the best. With multiple kids, it’s also best to avoid the hassle of layovers and connections.
Similarly, you could book an overnight flight and snooze your way to your destination. This works great for long flights and younger children. However, some parents prefer early morning flights because they’re less crowded.
Whatever you go with, make sure you make the best of nap times and sleep schedules and exhaust the kids during transit so sitting in their seats for a long stretch doesn’t feel like torture.
10. Sign up for frequent flier programs
Sign up for frequent flier programs so you can accumulate miles, get priority boarding, and check in and use those miles for bonus upgrades.
Plus, these programs also allow you to access lounges with amenities such as food, drinks, and even a shower. Comfortable places to nap and rest are a blessing during long transits.
11. Stay in rental properties instead of hotels
Cooped up in a hotel room with two kids may make you wonder WHY you even thought this vacation was a good idea in the first place. But then, you may not if you pick the right accommodation.
Staying in a tiny space that is not designed for kids is setting yourself up for disaster. By far, one of the most valuable family travel tips, is to pick your home away from home wisely.
Instead of hotels, stay at family-friendly rentals so you can vacation in a cozy home with child-safe spaces. Kid & Coe’s hand-picked kid-friendly rentals are a paradise for kids and adults.
The baby friendly amenities like high chairs, safety gates, baby monitors, and even a list of babysitters make parenting easy. With toys, books, and dedicated playrooms, adults can actually hold an adult conversation and sip a warm cup of cocoa while the kids play.
You also save money and your sanity by whipping up quick go-to meals your picky eaters love. And with children’s dinnerware, high chairs and even chefs who can cook a great kids’ meal, life becomes easy.
Lots of rentals have a pool AND a pool gate, corner guards and even game consoles so the kids can have fun and be safe, which in turn allows you to relax and even sleep in.
And with over 1000+ Kid & Coe properties in over 50 destinations worldwide, parents who love to travel find themselves spoiled for choice.
- https://www.kidandcoe.com/destinations/north-carolina/the-cabana-cornelia-residence
- https://www.kidandcoe.com/destinations/var/the-chemin-de-peymeyan-residence
- https://www.kidandcoe.com/destinations/lisbon/the-rua-dos-acores-residence
- https://www.kidandcoe.com/destinations/belgium/the-wowie-and-germain-residence
- https://www.kidandcoe.com/destinations/stoke-newington/the-manor-road-residence