Top Tips For Travelling Internationally With Tiny Kids In Tow

Are you planning an international trip? It’s such an exciting time – the sense of the unknown, adventures awaiting, new sights, smells, tastes and sensations to experience. Travelling can be some of the most fun you can have in life. However, what happens when you’ve got kids under five to bring along for the trip? It can make everything seem a bit more nerve-wracking, with having to manage your little people’s feelings and moods as well. Yet it doesn’t have to mean that your trip won’t be fun! In fact, you can enjoy an overseas holiday even more with tiny tots in tow as you get to see their unabashed excitement.

This helpful article will share our top tips for travelling internationally with small children. Read on to discover how your next big trip with your little kids can still be exciting and enjoyable.

Table of Contents

Convert Your Currency Before You Leave

It’s worth visiting a money converter before embarking on your sojourn overseas. Waiting until you get to the airport with overtired, over-excited bubs might not be your best bet if you’re looking for a straightforward solution. Once you reach your destination, we can guarantee that all you’ll want is a warm bed and a shower.

By converting your cash before leaving, you’ll save a significant hassle along the way. You can even keep an eye on the exchange rates for a few weeks and pick a moment when there is a great rate. This will see you get more bang for your buck, particularly as the Aussie dollar is often weak compared to US dollars or Euros.

Invest in Aeroplane Beds for Your Kids

Several portable beds designed for use on aeroplanes are available online and in specialist kids’ stores. It’s definitely worth investing in one, so your child is comfortable and can nap on the long flight. Without it, they’ll feel confined and cramped in the aeroplane seat and may complain about not being able to sleep due to their discomfort. With an aeroplane bed for your kids, you mitigate this risk and ensure that they are comfortable and cosy for the flight.

Consider a Night Flight

You may want to consider booking a night flight that leaves around 8-10 pm at your local time. This means the kids will be tired from the day and will sleep easier than if you board a day flight. It also means that you don’t need to worry as much about keeping them entertained as they’ll be sleeping.

If you opt for this route, prepare them for a usual evening before arriving at the airport. Give them a wash, get them in their pj’s and with their favourite soft toys and a drink, and from there they’ll be cosy and ready to bunk down on the plane.

Be Prepared – Use a Checklist

Being prepared for travel with the kids is essential. Before you are due to depart, make a checklist of everything you’ll need. You may want to include the following on your checklist:

Their favourite toys
Suitable clothing for the destination and flight
All medications, inhalers, supplements and other medical supplies
Snacks for the flight
Wet wipes and cleaning supplies
Nappies
Dummies
A smart device and kids headphones
Books
Small puzzles and games

Then, check everything off your list as you pack for your holiday.

Prepare Your Kids Leading Up to the Trip

In the lead-up to your trip, spend some time talking to your kids. Let them know where you’re going, that it will be a fun adventure for the whole family, that it will involve a long flight, and that you’ll be away from home for a while. Tell them they may not have all their usual activities, toys and books. However, tell them it will still be a special treat to explore another country together.

This will help to psychologically prepare your kids for the journey and will help to alleviate any anxiety or worries they may have about the trip.

Book Family Friendly Accommodation

When booking your hotels, hostels and resorts, try to consider your kids’ needs’ as well. Some venues don’t cater for kids particularly well, and the last thing you want is to be locked into staying at such a location. Enquire with the hotel about their facilities before booking. Some resorts have play equipment, kids pools and other activities that young kids enjoy, but don’t assume that everywhere you stay will. It’s worth doing some research here to avoid disappointment.

Summing Up

In this handy blog, we’ve shared our top tips for travelling internationally with tiny kids in tow. Most of them are for the flight, but this is often the most stressful part of a holiday with children. Once you’re there, you’ll all have a lot of fun, so it is worth preparing for the flight as much as possible, so it doesn’t get off to a bad start. However, do follow the advice of ensuring that your accommodation is appropriate for kids. The most important tip of all is to enjoy your family holiday!