Essential tips for travelling with kids

1. Plan flight times around naps and sleep. Depending on when your kids sleep best, you may want to choose mid-morning or early evening departures.
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3. Book seats together and choose seat positions with easy access to the aisle.
4. Try to get direct flights or allow 60 to 90 minutes extra for connections to avoid rushed transfers.
5. Pack travel documents, snacks, spare clothes, chargers, and entertainment in your carry-on.
6. Create age-specific carry-on kits for your kids (infant, toddler, school age).
7. Prepare a mix of activities, including colouring-in, quiet games, and screen time with child-safe headphones. Make sure to download entertainment before you leave home so they can watch in airplane mode.
8. At the airport, burn off any energy before travel, use the family lanes, and board early to settle in calmly.
9. While you’re away, maintain a sleep routine. Use familiar bedtime cues, bring comforts from home, and consider how to best manage jet lag.
10. Photograph any medicine prescriptions. Check medical access at your accommodation and save local doctors and travel insurance contact details in your phone.
11. Consider family-friendly accommodation. Plan flexible days with low-effort back-up plans.

Places like Fiji, Thailand, and Japan are popular choices for family travel. Their cultures are generally welcoming to kids, and there’s plenty to keep them busy.

Wherever you go, don’t forget to check that your travel vaccinations are up to date before you head off. Just tell your GP where you’re going and they can organise the right vaccinations for you and the kids.

If you’re planning on taking any medication on your trip, you should also check if there are any laws or restrictions in your travel destination. You may need to get a letter from your doctor to show overseas authorities.

Firstly, check airline rules for children under two. This will help you understand seating and fare options before you book. Some airlines also offer priority boarding for families with children under two, which allows for early boarding to settle in easier.

Opt for mid-morning departures or an early-evening flight around 5:30 pm to line up with sleep routines. 

Try to book seats together where possible. Consider a window for nappers, an aisle for easy bathroom access or a bulkhead row for extra space for kids to move.

You may also wish to consider travel insurance when you book. A family-focused policy may cover trip cancellation, medical and hospital costs, baggage delay or loss, and rental vehicle excess.¹ Allianz Travel Insurance offers online quotes and 24/7 assistance. 

Most importantly, keep your key items within easy reach to make travel easier. Consider practical gear like ride-on suitcases and include the following in your carry-on luggage:

• Travel documents – paper and digital copies of passports, boarding passes, and booking confirmations
• A change of clothes for each family member
• Chargers and a small portable battery
• Hand sanitisers, a refillable water bottle, and a basic health kit 
• Travel pillows, eye masks, and any other items to help with sleep

Pack specific kits for each age group:

• For infants, include nappies, wipes, bottles or formula, a changing pad, and a comfort blanket.
• For toddlers, bring two extra outfits, small toys, and snacks.
• For school-age children, pack books, drawing kits, and charged devices with noise-cancelling headphones. 

Check your airline’s guide on infant travel to confirm permitted items and any baggage allowances for baby gear.

Download a printable family packing checklist (PDF, 48 KB) before you pack so you can tick items off as you go.

At the gate, allow time for a short, supervised play session to help little ones burn energy so they’re ready to nap on the plane.

Once you’re on the plane:

• Hand out some surprise toys to keep curiosity high and boredom low. 
• Set screen rules before boarding. Keep child-safe headphones charged and ready. This makes device time a helpful break rather than a bargaining tool. Manage ear pressure at take-off and landing with bottles or pacifiers for babies and gum or chewy snacks for older children. 
• Small familiar snacks can double as a distraction and comfort.
• Tuck essentials like wipes, a change of clothes and medications into an under-seat bag for easy access.
  

• Prepare a health kit so you can handle minor issues.
  
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• Include a basic first-aid kit. 
• Pack labelled doses of paracetamol and ibuprofen. 
• Pack enough medication for your trip, just in case you’re unable to refill the prescription at your destination.
• Photograph prescriptions and store them on your phone.
• Keep your travel insurer's emergency assistance number and policy details handy for quick referrals and claims help.
• Before you go, save nearby clinics and pharmacies in your maps app and check medical access at your accommodation.
  

Preparation isn’t just about the journey. Try to find accommodation that helps maintain your normal sleep and daily routine.

• Look for a kitchenette, in-unit laundry, and separate sleeping areas for kids. 
• Read recent family reviews for noise levels, safety and staff helpfulness.
• Confirm practical amenities such as a cot, child bed rails, and late check-in or out before you book. 
• For longer stays, consider serviced suites or apartment rentals. This can help keep routines familiar and give kids room to move without disturbing neighbours. 

When it comes to activities:

• Plan days with breathing space so excitement doesn't turn into meltdowns. Block each outing into an activity window and schedule quiet time around meals and bathroom breaks. 
• Use a simple day-trip checklist for essentials so you have wipes, snacks, or medication on hand. 
• Prepare two versions of the day. A full itinerary for high energy days. A low-effort backup plan that keeps you near conveniences when weather or tiredness changes plans.
  
  

• Travelling with your kids can open their eyes to all the world has to offer. Family holidays can create travel experiences that you’ll never have by yourself or as a couple.
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• Set your holiday up for success by planning travel around your family’s needs. The key to avoiding meltdowns and making good memories often lies in timing and preparation.

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