Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Direct flights for $400pp? In 2025? How?

And to Paris/international to boot?


Are you using vouchers from a previous trip? Redeeming points?

United Basic Economy- they're still in the $400s round trip for almost all of August (I'm flying from ORD) and they recently made a policy that a basic economy adult can be seated for free with up to 2 kids.

Wow. She’s right. Unfortunately the same trip from Dulles is in the $800s RT on United Basic Economy.

Paris in Aug with 2 young kids?

Curious what your itinerary is? Especially if it requires walking or budgeting for transportation if it's too hot to walk.

You mentioned free accommodations. Do you have relatives youre staying with? Hotel points?

Anonymous wrote:OP here- if I pay for a checked bag add on, I'd obviously have to do it both ways. I'd much rather use that couple hundred dollars for an activity with my kids.

Our flights were $1200 total and our accomodations are free. This is a very low budget trip for us. I make $78k per year for context and own a house, have one in daycare still etc. $200+ is not worth a checked bag for me (wish it was!)

You cannot afford this trip at all, cancel your flights get your money back.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Direct flights for $400pp? In 2025? How?

And to Paris/international to boot?


Are you using vouchers from a previous trip? Redeeming points?

United Basic Economy- they're still in the $400s round trip for almost all of August (I'm flying from ORD) and they recently made a policy that a basic economy adult can be seated for free with up to 2 kids.

Wow. She’s right. Unfortunately the same trip from Dulles is in the $800s RT on United Basic Economy.

My 4 yo would DEFINITELY need a stroller for 10 days in Paris/France with no car. I think you need a stroller, a backpack for each person (4 yo/s backpack can go on the stroller) and 1 roller bag that the 7 yo can roll while you push the stroller. I would not be able to manage more than that.

Everyone gets their own carry on suitcase. A 4yo can pull a suitcase with wheels and a handle.
4yo gets small backpack and you and 7yo get regular size backpacks.
I go to England every year with one kid and she’s pulled her own suitcase since 4.

I would take one rolling carryon and then each of you take a backpack. If you really need more space, have the 7 yo pull a second rolling carryon. No stroller.

I traveled alone often with my three kids. Here is what worked for me. Each kid from the age of 3 pulled a small roller bag that fit into the overhead bins. I also pulled one. I took a backpack of entertainment and snacks and another for things that didn’t fit into the suitcases. I purchased toiletries when I arrived to avoid issues with going through security. And until the youngest was around 5 or 6 I took a fold up stroller.

My strategy for going through security was oldest first and he waited for the other two while I brought Up the rear.

Once I got pulled out for an extra security check and they literally took my kids from me including the one I was carrying. We were put in separate areas until my screening was done.

My kids are really great travelers - if they have stuff to do. So pulling their own suitcases got us through airport in a very orderly way and the toys I packed kept them entertained on the flight.

Good luck and enjoy.

I would do a rolling carryon and a backpack for everyone. Make sure 1) the luggage rolls smoothly and 2) you can loop the backpacks over the luggage handle and still wheel it. Your 7 year old can easily wheel one. You can easily take the other two rolling bags either one each in each hand, or put them back to back and put two in each hands and hold the hand of the 4 year old with the other.
Have fun!

Two wheeled carry-ons for you and 7 year old and 3 backpacks.
If you can afford it, one of the wheeled carry-ons is one that the 4 year could sit on as you pull it through the airport.

This past weekend, I saw motorized wheeled carry-on that a big kid was riding on his own, flying back from.Hong Kong. His mom didn't even have to pull it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Direct flights for $400pp? In 2025? How?

And to Paris/international to boot?


Are you using vouchers from a previous trip? Redeeming points?

You can fly cheaply to Europe if you do it without what the carriers consider bells and whistles (checked bag, seat selection, etc) and are flexible on dates.

For OP - each kid with a backpack with their plane “stuff”, iPads, toys, whatever. Throw an outfit or two in there with sweatshirt for the plane if it’s cold. Have them wear their sneakers on the plane.

Older kid can bring a smaller roll aboard with remainder of kid clothing. You have your roll aboard with your stuff and your purse/personal item. Don’t bring a stroller, if you feel like you need one, rent from Baby on a Trip or Babono.

You can also have the gate agent gate check the larger bags if you want, you just have to schlep them to the gate. Normally you will pick the bags up at checked baggage when you land (rather than grabbing on the jet bridge). Checked baggage is picked up after you go through immigration (passport control)

Do NOT dilly dally when you get off the plane and head towards immigration. You and the kids will be tired. The line for non residents will get busy at that time of day since the US flights all land around the same time. It might be easier to gate check the bags in that regard. Just make sure you have the essentials if the checked bags get delayed (shouldn’t happen if gate checked but weird stuff happens).

Each kid wears a backpack that holds a change of clothes, snacks, water bottle, coloring book/fidgets. You pack as much as you can in your rolling carryon. One pair of sneakers for everyone wears on the plane, pack flip flops. Everyone wears a hoodie on the plane as your top layer. Minimal clothes, plenty of underwear because it packs small. Use toiletries where you’re staying or pick some up there, don’t pack.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Direct flights for $400pp? In 2025? How?

And to Paris/international to boot?


Are you using vouchers from a previous trip? Redeeming points?

United Basic Economy- they're still in the $400s round trip for almost all of August (I'm flying from ORD) and they recently made a policy that a basic economy adult can be seated for free with up to 2 kids.

Anonymous wrote:Direct flights for $400pp? In 2025? How?

And to Paris/international to boot?


Are you using vouchers from a previous trip? Redeeming points?

Two small spinner carry-ons, each kid has a backpack, one large purse for you (I have a nice laptop bag and a small Fjallenraven thing that is my day purse). Freezer ziplocks in backpacks with changes of clothes, art supplies/passports and foreign currency), snacks are your friend.

Direct flights for $400pp? In 2025? How?