Family Travel Planning, Start to Finish

Travelling with children is a logistics exercise. The trip goes well or badly mostly because of decisions made weeks earlier.

Choosing flights

• Direct beats cheap. Every connection is another chance for the day to unravel.
• Match departure times to your children rather than to the fare. Some families do best on an early morning flight; others only on an overnight one.
• Book seats together at the time of booking. Do not rely on the airline doing it at the gate.

Documents

Every child needs their own passport, regardless of age. Some countries ask for a consent letter when a child travels with one parent or with another adult. Check the destination's rules and the airline's unaccompanied-minor policy where relevant.

Packing

1. A full change of clothes for each child and one spare top for the adult.
2. Snacks that are not sugar, plus more than you think.
3. Ear pressure help: a bottle, a dummy, or something chewy for landing.
4. Medicines in hand luggage, in original packaging.
5. One new small toy per child, unopened until boarding.

At the airport

Family security lanes exist at most large airports and are worth finding. Pre-boarding is usually offered, but boarding last means less time sitting on the aircraft — decide which problem is worse for your family.

The first day

Do less than you planned. A pool, a park or a beach on the arrival day is a better investment than any attraction. See our guide on flying with children.