International travel with kids-for dummies
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
|
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! |
Anonymous
|
Our kids are 3 and 8 and have traveled overseas with them since thy were born.
No need to freak out. I suggest you think it through and the Post specific questions. Your post is now too long. |
Anonymous
|
Personally I wouldn't make the travel to and from any longer than it needs to be and wouldn't add an overnight layover. Your kids will be fine on the plane - encourage them to sleep as much as possible and let them watch movies or shows on the screens. Have them pack carry on backpacks with a few toys and activities and snacks and they'll be fine.
When we travelled internationally recently with our kids and rented a car we brought these portable car seats called Bubble Bums with us. They were easy to pack and install and saved us a lot of money not having to rent 2 booster seats. |
Anonymous
+1 I was just going to write this exactly. Same experience down to the bubblegums. |
Anonymous
|
If possible, I'd try to do a connection in the US instead of Paris/London to minimize time spent in immigration/customs.
Greece? |
Anonymous
|
As for the car seats...
I would recommend looking into renting a booster at your final destination. We did that recently in Munich and it wasn't a problem. The four year old can safely ride in a backless booster we did an overnight abroad somewhere in Europe and it was not bad. We had 24 hours, though. We pack light so getting out of the airport wasn't a big deal. We then did a layover in Seoul that was four hours and that was fine too. Of course, I am very liberal with snacks and ipad when traveling. My nearly five year old handled the whole trip like a champ. |
Anonymous
| OP here. Thank you! I'm totally clueless about what I need. Would my own backless boosters work? I suppose the issue is lugging them through the airport. |
Anonymous
|
Yes your backless boosters will work. You can easily put them in a bag or something so you can carry them.
They have tv on the plane so we don't do ipad at all. We do books, coring, etc or we just allow them to get used to waiting, observe other people, be aware of their surroundings, etc. no need to stare at that screen all the time. Each kid can carry a small back with some things they choose from home to entertain themselves on the Tripp. Explain the trip in advance to the kids on a map / globe, showing how many planes they will take etc. |
Anonymous
Ditto! Another int'l bubble bum user. I aim for the shortest travel time (within logistical and financial reason) and just power through. Generous use of iPads and comfy clothes also help. And I bring a few new activity toys (aquadoodle type stuff) for when the first round of the wiggles sets in. |
Anonymous
| Are you traveling alone with the 2 kids? |
Anonymous
Probably. You could stick them in a duffle bag and check them through b/c you won't need them until you land and have to take a taxi/car. Also, for the kids, I'd get them little rolling backpacks. Pack and extra change of clothes for them in each one (just in case). Also, I got my kid this kind of towel for swimming: http://www.amazon.com/NEW-RatTowels-Microfiber-Sapphire-Emerald/dp/B005HQ7Z8M/ref=sr_1_6?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1411217555&sr=1-6&keywords=towel They are very compact and dry quickly. |
Anonymous
|
You are over thinking this. All the advice give so far is spot on.
For my kids, they each carry a back pack with a change of clothes, headphones, and a few activity type things. they each have an ipad, but we carry those. We have done many international flights, some 24 hours and never had issues. Your kids will be fine. As for the car seats, yes, bubble bum seems to be the way to go. But do check that they are legal where you are going. We live in the UK, and car seat requirements here are completely different than in the States. I believe there is another post about bubble bum and someone called the company and was told the seat is approved for use in Europe, but do check for yourself. |
Anonymous
|
Don't stay in the stopover city (BTDT). You'll be too tired to appreciate it. It's easier just to press on through and get the travel over as quick as possible. If you'd like to spend a day or so in stopover city, do it on the home journey.
+1 on bubblebum!! We have one that we use for cab trips around town. They aren't great for long long drives, but as long as your trips are less than, I dunno, an hour or two max, you'll be fine. Packing light is critical. If it's a warmish place and you have laundry access, pack 5 days of outfits per person, a pair of PJs and a bathing suit apiece. Stick an extra pair of pjs for kids in your carry-on luggage. Try to stick to two mid-sized checked suitcases. For carry-on luggage, have each kid pack a backpack with books, favorite toy/teddy, a pair of pjs, extra undies and socks, and their toothbrush/toothpaste. Your carry-on should also have some extra snacks, some wipes, and a change of undies. Ideally, have everything in carry on that you need for 24hours at your destination, in case of lost check-in luggage. |
Anonymous
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. |
Anonymous
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? |