International Travel with Kids: The Essential Guide

International Travel with Kids

If you’re reading this post, you’re probably in the same boat that I was at one point, considering international travel with kids. I totally get that it can be overwhelming, but it can also be one of the most rewarding things you can do to create memories with your kids in dream destinations.

Over the past few years, we have done several trips overseas with kids, car seats and all. In every single one of these trips, I realized that planning is key! I wanted to share the things I learned along the way to help make your international travel with kids a little less stressful, and a lot more enjoyable.

Before my husband and I had kids, we always thought of big international trips as something we needed to do as much as possible before we had kids. Now that we’re parents, international travel is something we prioritize for our family for a number of reasons.

True, traveling with kids is different and can be a little chaotic. When we were in France last year, I realized that it would be chaos at home or chaos in Paris. I’ll choose chaos in (insert favorite international destination here) every time!

Travel Logistics: Before your Trip

Solid planning can make or break a trip, especially when traveling on a budget with kids. If you’re thinking of going overseas within a year, you can start taking care of any of these things to make your next trip smoother.

Start planning your trip about 6-12 months ahead of time, if possible!

Passports

If you plan on traveling to another country with your kids, be sure to apply for passports as early as possible when you start to consider traveling out of the country. In the US, children’s passports are only good for 5 years (age 16 and younger), so keep that in mind when planning.

Next, go to the government website to get a list of everything you need for your application. You can find it here.

Check the local usps office for passport appointments if you have one nearby. This is the most cost-effective way to get everything done in one place. The rules for passport photos are pretty specific, so save yourself some trouble and let them do it for you so you don’t have to do it more than once.

There are several other companies that offer passport services, and if you live near a major city there is usually a passport office there as well.

When we went to the passport appointment for our kids, our youngest was about a year old. The employee that helped us was so sweet, and even had a white blanket for the background of the photo that we could lay her on for her big moment.

Turn time for passports varies, the expectation is that you should have it within approximately 4 months of application, but we got ours in about 6 weeks!

Airport Security Tips and Tricks

Going through airport security is probably my least favorite part of international travel with kids. In the US, airport security is a little fast paced and the rules can vary from person to person or city to city.

Before you go, make sure to look over the TSA regulations for traveling with babies and kids. Here is the complete list of TSA rules for traveling with kids. There are specific guidelines for them that can make your life a little easier, so be sure to check them out.

A few of my favorite TSA tips are:

• Medically necessary exceptions: apply to breast milk and formula, so you don’t need to stress about bringing plenty of it on your flight! This also applies to baby food and medication that exceeds the usual limit of 3.4 ounces.
• Children’s refillable water bottles with water in them are usually allowed for babies.
• If you’re hesitant about traveling with water, fill your bottle with ice before you leave home (solids are allowed!). The ice hack can be used for any water bottles you travel with.
• If you’re traveling with a lightweight stroller, you may have to fold it up and place it on the belt with carry on bags.

TSA Precheck

Most airports now have TSA precheck which can be used to expedite going through security a little easier. TSA precheck can be used domestically and for outbound travel internationally. It’s good for 5 years and kids under 17 can accompany you for free!

Using TSA precheck shortens wait time to ten minutes or less in most cases, you can leave your shoes on, and you can leave electronics in your bag, depending on the agent assisting you.

This is one of the most affordable options, with the cost being under $100 per adult, renewable every 5 years,

Many travel credit cards offer reimbursement for the TSA precheck fee as well, like the Amex platinum card, one of our favorites!

Global Entry

If you travel internationally a few times a year, you can apply for Global Entry which will give you an expedited line through customs when you return to the US. This application process is a lengthier and involves an in-person interview that must be done from an eligible international airports.

We just did ours and the interview for all 4 of us only took about 20 minutes! It involved reviewing our ID documentation including passports and driver licenses with a current address and fingerprinting. We had TSA recheck already which did speed up the process. In my opinion, it’s a small price to pay to speed up the process of re-entering the US on overseas trips.

Global entry also recently dropped the enrollment fee for children under 18 and is also valid for 5 years.

Clear

Clear is a service similar to TSA precheck and can help expedite the trip through security even more! The annual fee for Clear is reimbursed by many of our favorite travel credit cards (which is how we enrolled).

This service is available at a few international airports nationwide and is constantly improving. The last time we used it; all they needed was my boarding pass and we were escorted to the front of security via a separate line.

TSA precheck can be combined with Clear which allows you to use the “Clear plus” line. When checking in for your flight, just make sure you enter your TSA “known traveler number” or KTN to be eligible.

Airline Apps

Using the airline’s app is a trick I started using recently and it has helped simplify getting through the airport. Instead of constantly searching for paper boarding passes, download the app for the airline you’re flying on.

Once the app is on your phone, you can check into your flight, save boarding passes in your apple wallet, and even save a credit card to your app for in flight purchases such as food or seat upgrades. Most will let you select seats and order snacks before you go, so once you get on the plane you don’t have to worry about it.

This is also a great way to stay on top of flight updates like delays or boarding prompts.

Best gear for Traveling with Kids

The amount of gear babies need can be really overwhelming! When traveling with babies or toddlers that need car seats and strollers, there are a few things to consider to make life easier.

Car Seats

After traveling with TWO car seats for our kids (1 and 4 at the time), on planes, trains, and boats, we learned so much! These are my favorite tips.

Opt for lightweight travel car seats. You can rent them, but they average 8-10 euro a day which can add up fast. Here are my fav travel car seats:

• Way B Pico: this folds for easy travel and is great for toddlers!
• Cosco Car seat: favorite lightweight car seat.
• Ride Safer travel vest: this is great for being on the go! Easily use this to hop in an uber for day trips.
• Graco Snug Ride: this one is lightweight and can be used for babies from newborn-2 years or so. We brought this one to Italy!

Now my youngest is 3 and we only travel with one car seat and a ride safer vest for my 6 year old. This is a great option for taxis and rentals because it is super easy to pack, and easy to take on and off.

When traveling with a car seat, you have two options:

• Check the car seat and use my all-time favorite travel hack: the car seat travel bag.
  • Airlines let you check this bag for free! We use this heavy-duty bag for checking: (link). The best part about this is that you can fill the bag with extra diapers or clothes to reduce the weight of your checked bag!

• Now we use this car seat strap to attach the cosco carseat to our luggage. We bring it on board and my toddler is much more comfortable on long haul flights. The airline will check for the TSA approved sticker that the manufacturer places on the car seat, so double check for this feature before you board with a car seat.

Strollers

A good travel stroller is non-negotiable! Traveling requires a ton of walking in the airport and around whatever destination you end up in. You can check your stroller at the gate if you want, which is what we usually do! We opt for one that is:

• Lightweight (15 lbs or less, ideally)
• Folds easily
• Has some storage
• Has a rain cover accessory available
• Converts to a “travel system” where you can attach a car seat for little travelers

Here are our favorite travel strollers:

• Uppababy travel stroller
• Bombi travel stroller
• gb Pockit Folding Travel Stroller

Baby carriers: We intermittently use these on trips, even with toddlers!

• Ergobaby: great for small babies
• Baby Tula: great for toddlers up to 40 lbs and can be worn on the back
• Boppy carrier: I loved using this one, it’s the most comfortable one I have found!

Things to leave at Home

Baby and toddler beds: almost every place you go will have pack and plays or cribs available, and this is not an easy item to travel with.

• Baby rental gear companies are a great option for this if you need something specific!
• Blackout curtains for naps: again, most places you stay will have these! We dragged some blackout curtains all the way to Italy for 3 weeks and didn’t use them once. They took up some valuable suitcase space, and we haven’t used them since.
• Diapers! Pack enough for the flight and buy what you need at your destination. We usually bring about 1-2 packs and stop at the store in the first town. European diaper sizes are the same as the US, and you can double check the weight ranges. Weights will be listed in kilograms (kg), which 1 kg = 2.2 pounds.

Long Haul Flights

Whenever we go on an international flight, we try to book a red eye. Allowing the kids to be able to sleep for most of the flight is helpful for everyone! We try to make it fun by putting them in their jammies and making a big deal about sleeping on the plane.

We do bring things to do for them as well, such as new coloring activities, snacks, and tablets.

When scheduling your flight, make note of the time you land. Try to make sure the flight doesn’t land too late so you can get to our destination (or home!) and get settled at a decent hour.

Ground Transportation

When traveling abroad with kids, this is one area that I plan pretty carefully. Getting from point A to point B can involve car rentals, trains, and even ferries! Here are some things to consider when planning ground transportation overseas.

Use a route planning site such as Rome 2 Rio or Google Maps to plan your route. Understanding delays, if you need to walk between connections, etc., can help you plan what you need to make your trip safe and efficient. When traveling with kids, I try my best to ensure that travel is done during daylight hours.

Car rentals

If you’re traveling with a car seat, make sure you have enough time to install it. Most companies do allow you to rent one if needed! Keep in mind that cars in Europe are smaller than in the US, so traveling as light as you can will help this issue.

If you plan on driving on your trip, make sure to get an international driver’s permit (IDP). You will not be able to get one at your destination. Look up how to get one locally, we got ours at a AAA local to us. They’re good for one year!

Trains

Once you narrow down your destinations and route, check out the local trains available in the area. In Europe they will have trains of different speeds, different classes available to purchase, and more!

Most train systems have their own app that you can download to purchase tickets and keep track of routes. I highly recommend getting these ahead of time to plan your route. Make sure you arrive about 45 minutes to an hour beforehand to get to the right place, as most trains are very punctual.

Safety

Safety is a huge priority when traveling, but when traveling internationally with kids there are a few things that we always consider.

• Travel insurance: there are a variety of different types available, and they cover everything from minor issues such as flight delays, to trip cancellation, medical expenses, and more. These are my recommendations:
  • Arch Roam Right
  • World Nomads
• Check travel warnings: check the state department website and plan accordingly.
• Ensure you have a way to communicate: call your phone provider before you travel to make sure you activate an international calling plan before you go. If your phone is unlocked, you can purchase an esim card for a lot cheaper!
  • Make sure you have a translation app like sayhi or google translate for language barriers.
• Know local emergency numbers: 911 won’t be the emergency number to call in other countries. Look up the local emergency numbers before you go!

FAQs

What do I need to Travel Internationally with my child?

This varies depending on your destination. If you are traveling alone with children, foreign border officials may require custody documents or notarized written consent from the other parent. Check the embassy website of your travel destination for specific requirements that you should be prepared to have.

If you are traveling internationally with minors and both parents, you will need their passports, and we do also carry a copy of their birth certificates.

Do I need to take my child’s birth certificate when Traveling Internationally?

We do, for peace of mind! Make sure to also check the embassy website of your country (or countries) of your destination.

What is the best age to travel with kids?

Honestly, the best age for international travel with kids is entirely dependent on your comfort level or preference. We took our first international trip with our kids at the ages of 3 and 13 months! There are pros and cons to each age, and it IS doable at all ages! Personally, this is my experience:

• Pre-walking babies: kids under two fly free! For long haul flights, you can call the airline and request the “bulkhead” which has a bassinet you can secure baby into. They may not remember the trip, and you may have more gear, but they don’t mind being in the stroller and you will make amazing memories!
• Toddlers: May require a little more effort to entertain, but they will love exploring new places.
• Little kids: Some of the challenges of little kids are less of an issue, but the trip will need to be adjusted to their preferences a little more. It’s so fun to see kids that don’t speak the same language figure out how to play! It is a little easier to occupy them with activities on the road.

Take Aways

International travel with kids is something that we absolutely love and prioritize in our life. It can have some challenges, but they are easily mitigated with a little planning, and the memories are invaluable! It might not be perfect, but it is always worth it!

If you’re headed to Paris, be sure to visit our guide about where to stay in Paris with kids. Happy travels!