My family lived between Montreal, New York, and a few cities in Florida before we finally settled back in New York—so we’ve been on a lot of planes. My boys are 6 and 3, and they’ve already visited almost as many countries as my husband and I. Along the way, I’ve learned a few things that made a huge difference in our travels—especially overseas—and I wanted to share them for any parents planning a trip.
Pack light.
This might sound obvious, but I can’t overstate how much easier it makes everything—from avoiding extra baggage fees to being able to take public transportation instead of needing a car. Public transit often gives us more of a local experience and saves money. That said, Ubers sometimes beat the price of taxis, so if you have the app, check and compare.
Bring what you need, but eliminate the extras. It’s nice to have room to buy something meaningful on the trip and actually bring it home. People who overpack usually end up needing to buy and check extra bags. If you’re traveling on a budget, this becomes both stressful and expensive.
Invest in direct flights.
When I traveled alone, layovers were no big deal. I’d have a glass of wine, read, and wait. But with kids? Not the same. Missed flights, overtired little ones, and long airport stretches are just not worth it. If there’s a city you’d normally have a layover in, consider staying a day and enjoying it. The extra cost of a direct flight often saves you far more—time, stress, and sanity.
Choose late-night flights.
We once tried an early evening flight thinking the kids would fall asleep right away. They didn’t. Now we book later departures. We get to the airport early, eat dinner, let the kids run around, and wear themselves out. They usually fall asleep just before boarding—and stay asleep.
Know the perks of flying with kids.
When you travel with children, you’re allowed to bring more than 100ml of liquid (milk, formula, etc.), as long as you declare it and allow time for security to inspect it. Also, if you’re flying with a baby under 2, you can choose the “infant in lap” option and avoid the cost of a separate ticket. Call the airline ahead for international flights—you can often request a free bassinet.
Pick a place with breakfast.
Some of our favorite stays were in hotels or Airbnbs that offered free coffee and breakfast. It’s not just the money you save—it’s the peaceful start to your day, knowing food is already handled. Sometimes my husband and I even take turns going down alone, just to get some quiet before the day begins.
Find the nearest grocery store.
We always look for accommodations with a kitchenette or at least a fridge. It helps avoid restaurants when the kids are tired or picky. Even if there’s no fridge, we always stock up on snacks, water, fruit, juice, and wine. It saves money and avoids meltdowns or impulse buys on the go.
Explore the free things.
We get the best feel for a city by walking, using local transport, and checking out parks or street events. You’ll see how people actually live—and often find your kids playing alongside local kids. That’s something you can’t replicate going from hotel to restaurant and back.
Be flexible.
Parenting on the road requires some willingness to pivot. That said, we do choose a few “non-negotiables”—the activities we know we don’t want to miss. Buying tickets in advance helps us commit, and we always leave buffer time so nothing feels too packed.
Buy travel insurance.
Hopefully you’ll never need it. But it’s affordable, and having it takes a huge weight off your shoulders. It helps me relax and not sweat every little thing when we’re abroad.
Take more pictures.
Time flies. You’re often too busy making sure your kids are okay to be fully present in the moment, but photos give you a way to remember the sweetness later. Even if you’re tired, snap a few. You’ll be glad you did.
Traveling with kids is not always easy. Sometimes I complain. Sometimes I wish we could shorten the trip or change how we did it. But I never regret doing it. The memories we make, the lessons we learn—it’s all worth it.
Bon voyage to all of you brave parents out there. You’re not just taking your kids somewhere—you’re showing them the world.
