International travel with kids-for dummies

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If possible, I'd try to do a connection in the US instead of Paris/London to minimize time spent in immigration/customs.

Greece?

You don't have to go through customs on a layover.

OP, I'd take the cheapest and shortest flights I could get. The kids will be fine - they are old enough to enjoy electronics and getting up and moving around on the plane. As far as carseats, I have no idea what to suggest because you haven't mentioned your final destination. It really will depend on what type of vehicles you are going to be traveling in. If they are picky eaters, you might want to find food in the airports on your layovers instead of relying on what is served on the plane. Also, if your younger one is a runner or even a child that is not used to long walks, you might want an umbrella stroller in the airport. When we traveled, I recall that we did take a stroller when my kids were four. Even if they didn't use it, we had it to put all of our crap that we carried on the plane.

Before any long travel, I typically give each of my kids a duffle or backpack for them to pack with things to do and snacks for the plane.

We did on a recent flight connecting in Munich. Must depend on the countries? Maybe it's fine if you're staying within the EU?

We also had to clear customs on a layover in Frankfurt on our way to Budapest.

[Anonymous]

You may not have to go through customs again but you may have to go through security. We had to do that at Heathrow and it took forever. So plan a long layover to be safe. We also do what many PPs do - each child has a backpack with some books, paper/pencil/markers, and we bring some easy-to-pack card games. But mostly on the flight the kids like to choose movies to watch on the screens on the backs of the seats and watch the moving map on there to see where they are. It's never been an issue. During layovers we walk around a good bit to get out energy and we read.

[Anonymous]

Heathrow makes you clear security on any connecting flight, which is a pain.

Whether you clear customs on your first European leg depends largely on whether you are entering the Schengen area, which is the customs union of 26 countries-- most of continental Europe. Because for customs/border control purposes flights between those countries are treated like domestic flights, you need to clear customs and immigration at your first entry point.

[Anonymous]

I remember Amsterdam as being fairly child friendly. I remember Heathrow as being a nightmare to connect in as inevitably your connection is on the other side of the airport from your arrival gate.

Depending on where you're going to, I've found flying into Vienna from Dulles to be a decent flight. You can take Austrian Airlines. I also connected to go to Vienna in Zurich when I lived somewhere other than here and didn't have a direct flight there.

You do have to clear immigration to enter Schengen though, if I remember correctly.

[Anonymous]

I would stop and have a layover in Europe before the second leg. Break up the trip, let them adjust to time. Paris would be lovely and my child loved it!

As for car seats I had no need, we always used taxis or metro. Boosters are the way to go, though.

[Anonymous]

I've been travelling internationally with my son on my own since he was 6 months old. He's now 10. Is there another adult with you?

1) travel in am if you can. everyone's on better behaviour
2) fewest stops, shortest layovers possible
3) carry ons only. Do not check bags. You can do it! Use rolling suitcases, small backpack for each kid
4) Bring in addition to clothes, shoes, toiletries
- snacks and something to entertain for long waits and for the flight.
It is a lot harder these days with the greater security checks. The hardest part is getting your kids through the wait times - I always have snacks for lines, for the plane. When he was an infant/toddler, a few small toys - some old, some new. at age 4 and up - I'd give in and bring an ipad to entertain, use your phone. You save on space and weight instead of lugging toys around, it's easy to download new games, drawing programs, reading material, movies on.
- sets of ear buds for ipad, phone, in flight movies if available
- gum for descent
- water bottle (the collapsible kind)
- hand sanitizer, package of wipes, tissues
- a couple of plastic bags - for motion sickness, garbage if you can't throw out right away
- plastic cutlery, collapsible cup - see hiking depts for these - you may not need if not staying in hotels
- carbiners (sp) - those clips that let you hang small items from bags
- favorite stuffed animal - can be easily squished, can be carried by kid, function as pillow
- travel pillow if red eye

Also I have gone through security passing through Frankfurt -more waiting

Bon voyage!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have traveled through Europe before but never with kids. I'm finally taking my children (4yrs and 6yrs) to meet my family. We would likely need to connect once in Paris or London, fly another 3 hours to home country and then another 1 hour to island where family lives. I have no idea how to prepare for this trip. Cars there would be much too small for our carseats let alone the luggage. I know we will need to pack very light. We will have access to do laundry and go food shopping.
Should I aim for longer than usual layover times or will that not matter if kids are tired? Are there better airports with places for kids? Would spending a day or two in stopover city help or be too much for everyone?

Im also trying to understand what the options are for car seat rentals and what to think about in terms of sleeping arrangements, toys/activities to bring.


There won't be toys or tv there but I figure we will spend most time on the beach.

My family is no help, they are very laid back, always late and never plan ahead so I cannot count on them to prepare for us in any way. Visiting as a single person has always been a logistical nightmare and now I'm bringing my DH and two kids.

I'm freakish out but can't put this trip off any longer.

Help!

no, no, no, you need the shortest layover where you can still catch the next plane, or no layover, if possible. your kids are not going to rest at the airport.

[Anonymous]

If you're getting a rental car, it's super easy to bring your own booster seats along. You just check them with your luggage and pick them up on the other end. We didn't do this the first time we went to Europe- we signed up to rent car seats from the car rental place. But when we arrived, they didn't have any car seats for us! Then you're really stuck.

Much easier to bring your own.

[Anonymous]

Just check the car seats/boosters unless you want them on the plane. And I don;t think you want them on the plane. And you can rent a car big enough. I have rented C class mercedes and the the audi wagon in two different countries and both are great safe and kid friendly. When in doubt, ask for an automatic (much more expensive) but tends to be the bigger cars (they must be catering to the americans for that . Ipad, books are all you need. there will be plenty of new stuff for your kids to do, they won't need toys. Bring pillows for flight so your kids can get comfortable and hopefully sleep.