September 2, 2024, 4:02 pm | Read time: 8 minutes

Whether a short trip or a long-haul flight, the travel experience is completely different with children! Instead of simply setting off spontaneously, a family vacation requires much more advance planning. We show you how to guarantee a successful trip with children.

Preparing for your vacation

Preparation is the be-all and end-all when traveling with children. To avoid unnecessary stress, consider a few key points when planning your trip with children.

Tips for traveling with children – vacation preparation checklist:

• Preparing children for the trip: Are there any concerns or questions your child might have?
• Where are you going? Is the destination family-friendly?
• What type of accommodation is suitable, and what special considerations should be made for children?
• Is it better to plan a trip by car or plane?
• Are all travel documents available and valid? (e.g., identity card, passport, insurance card, flight tickets, driver’s license, etc.)
• What travel documents do children and babies need?
• What does my child need on vacation? (Clothes, toys, medication, sun protection, etc.)

Choose a destination and suitable accommodation

There are numerous options when choosing a destination. However, it is advisable for families to bear a few things in mind. This is especially true if you want traveling with small children or a baby to be relaxed. Especially when traveling together with children for the first time, it makes sense to approach this new experience slowly and choose a nearby destination. It is also important to plan in advance what parents and children need on vacation and what highlights the destination offers for all age groups in order to harmoniously integrate different wishes.

When choosing accommodation when traveling with children, you should consider the following:

• Are there pools, open banisters, gardens, or other dangers for my child?
• Are these areas child-proofed?
• Does the pool have a suction system that could be particularly dangerous?
• Is there a lot of furniture or objects with sharp corners that children could bump into?
• Are there child safety locks on the sockets? (if not, you can mask these yourself)
• Are windows equipped with child-safety locks?

Traveling with children outside of school vacations

Are you planning a longer family trip that extends beyond official vacation periods? This raises the question for many travel enthusiasts: Can I take my child out of school for vacation? Officially, the answer is no. Yet, there are exceptions that may allow for travel outside of school vacation times. Parents should know that children in Germany must attend school and, therefore, attend lessons. Without permission, there is a risk of fines and even imprisonment. However, parents can apply for an exemption from school. The school management will check the application and can grant the exemption if necessary.

Comprehensive packing list for a vacation with children

After choosing a destination and accommodation, it’s time to tackle the details to prepare for your trip with children. This means getting all the necessary documents and papers and packing your suitcase. In the excitement of traveling, it can happen that you forget or overlook a few things. But don’t worry, in this case, TRAVELBOOK has put together a comprehensive checklist for traveling with children:

Checklist for travel documents and travel planning:

• Tickets (train, flight, etc.)
• ID cards and/or passports, also for children and babies (these should be checked for validity or applied for a few weeks before the trip)
• Credit card, EC card, cash
• Phone and charger
• Health insurance card
• Vaccination passports
• Driver’s license, if applicable
• Foreign health insurance (if available)
• Addresses of accommodation

Packing list for the trip or flight:

• Cuddly toy, toys, books
• Pacifier and child seat, if necessary
• Snacks and plenty to drink
• Wet wipes, tissues, and diapers if necessary
• Pillow and blanket
• sun protection
• A change of clothes
• Nausea bag, anti-nausea, and painkillers, decongestant nasal spray (for flight)
• Small change for the reststop toilet

Packing list for your stay:

• Medication such as aspirin or ibuprofen for children
• Mosquito repellent
• Stroller or baby carrier, if needed
• Sturdy shoes
• Umbrella for unexpected rain
• Swimwear and sportswear, if necessary
• Shampoo, washcloths, etc.
• Beach towels, hand towels, sunglasses

Travel documents for babies and children

If you’re unsure about the necessary passport for your child when traveling, know that every child, regardless of age, requires their own identification document. Parents can choose between an identity card, a children’s passport, and a regular passport for their children. Depending on whether you are staying in the EU or traveling to a country outside of it, you will need to have different identification documents ready.

In some countries, such as the USA, visa-free entry as a tourist is only possible if the passport is valid for several years. Children’s passports can only be used for entry into the USA if they also contain a visa. Before traveling to a country, you should inform yourself about the respective regulations and apply for all documents in good time.

Van or car trips with children

Many families go on vacation by car or van, as this is usually the most relaxed option (not only for the parents). Nevertheless, this way of traveling should not be underestimated. If you decide to take a longer trip by car, you should plan enough breaks – preferably every two hours, depending on the length of the journey. The best places to do this are highway rest stops with equipped children’s playgrounds.

It is also important that children under the age of 12 or 150 centimeters are secured with a child seat. For smaller children, the seat should also be comfortable for sleeping. Also, take cuddly toys, blankets, and pillows with you to make long journeys as comfortable as possible. Entertainment options such as books can also help to make the journey a little more exciting.

Flying with children

Booking early can lead to significant savings, a tip that’s especially useful for expectant parents. Some airlines even make it possible to book flights for an unborn baby. As a rule, however, parents do not need their own seat for children up to the age of two and only pay a fraction of the normal fare. The little ones travel on a parent’s lap and are secured with a seat belt provided by the cabin crew before take-off.

The first family flight can be overwhelming, so you can go through the following steps before you board the plane:

1. Prepare your child for flying in advance and explain what to expect. If they are anxious, try to make the experience a positive one.

2. Pack toys, books, and snacks to prevent boredom and hunger during the flight.

3. Anti-nausea medication and painkillers such as ibuprofen or a decongestant nasal spray are also helpful for a long flight.

Tips from a seasoned flight attendant could be invaluable for parents flying with children.

Pool as a source of danger

Extra caution is advised when enjoying hotel swimming pools. Large pools, in particular, can pose a great danger to children. On the one hand, the suction can be so strong that you are held underwater. Secondly, long hair can be sucked in when diving in and get caught in the grating. To avoid accidents in the pool, you should inspect it carefully before the little ones go in. Locate the suction system and then warn your children not to go near it.

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Editor’s tip for a trip with children: Family vacation in the Algarve

Beach lovers take note: The Algarve in southern Portugal is an ideal destination for a family trip with children. Especially in the east, the Algarve offers particularly good conditions for families with small children with its gently sloping sandy beaches. However, this region is significantly hotter than the windy west of the Algarve. There you will find impressive dark gray cliffs and high waves. Although there are also many family-friendly beaches in the west, there are also strong ocean currents, so you need to be careful with small children on the beach.

For those who prefer hotels, the Algarve offers a wide range of family-friendly accommodation via popular booking portals. There are also inexpensive alternatives such as private vacation homes or apartments allowing for self-catering and sharing the pool and garden with others.