Travelling with children
Photo: Highways Agency, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Travelling as a family allows experiences to be shared. It can add interest to family time together away from the pressures of work and education. You can gain different perspectives on places when travelling in a group with children. It is often easier to get to meet local people, people can be friendlier, and when picking educational experiences for children you often learn something yourself.
However, it also often means extra preparation to ensure that you can all enjoy the experiences. You have to balance the needs of everyone in the group, and try to avoid many of the additional expenses that can apply to travelling as a group. You may have to deal with bored children in airports or on long trips, extra luggage when they get tired, and some frustration when they complain after going to all the planning effort when you could have left them at home with the grandparents.
Luckily, when you return home the crisis times seem to fade, and the memories of the activities together get remembered.
Who qualifies as a child?You know what a child is, but when travelling the definition of a child varies. Normally it is based on age. There may also be minimum or maximum weight and height restriction on some attractions for safety purposes.
DestinationsOften you are lucky enough to be able to choose your destination or the timing of the voyage.
DocumentsIncreasingly, any child, including a newborn baby, needs their own passport, rather than being able to travel on their parent's passport.
Get in and aroundIn general, flying is the most uncomfortable way to travel both for children and their parents. In turn, it can also be uncomfortable for other passengers.
DoTake your time. If you try to visit a destination as in adult company, you will soon be miserable.
EatBreastfeeding is by far the easiest way to feed infants and young children on a trip. There's no preparation or utensils required and nothing extra to pack.
DrinkPlaces that serve only or primarily alcoholic drinks may prohibit children, either due to the local laws or due to the owners' belief that they'll make more money if they provide an adults-only environment.
SleepMany accommodation places are set up for adult singles and couples. Travelling as a group of three or more may require you to reserve an extra room or a special family suite.
BuyThe physical environment when travelling may have a negative effect on your child. To be prepared, you should consider bringing a few helpful provisions:
Pregnancy and childbirthTravellers, especially those on long trips for business or study, may have children born while outside their home country.
Stay safeYour children should have age-appropriate knowledge of what to do when lost. Have an age-appropriate plan, and make sure everyone knows what they are going to do before setting out.
Stay healthyChildren may have special health needs while travelling:
CopeMake sure your kids are well rested before any long distances of travel. You do not want to bring a tired and grumpy child through security, or have them squirming and complaining in the coach or car.
See also
Sources and licences
- Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Travelling with children" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Photo: Highways Agency, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons