How to Travel Internationally with Kids (And Keep Your Sanity Intact)
That said, international travel with little ones can be tricky. Jet lag, tantrums, missed connections, and the ever-present threat of a diaper blowout at 30,000 feet can turn even the most exciting trip into an exhausting ordeal.
So, how do you pull off a smooth(ish) international trip with your kids—and actually enjoy it? Here’s a realistic, no-fluff guide from one parent traveler to another.
10 Tips for Traveling with kids
1. Start Planning Early—Like, Really Early
Gone are the days of spontaneous, last-minute travel. When you’ve got kids, planning ahead becomes your lifeline. Start researching your destination months in advance. Look for family-friendly accommodations, activities, and local customs that might affect your plans.Booking early can also save you money and ensure you get seats together on long-haul flights. (Never assume the airline will automatically seat your family together—they won’t.)
Create a loose itinerary that includes must-see spots but also builds in downtime. Remember: your kids don’t care about how many cathedrals you visit—they care about snacks and nap time.
2. Choose Destinations Wisely
Every place isn’t kid-friendly, and that’s okay. But if this is your first international trip with children, it helps to pick a destination that’s relatively easy to navigate with little ones. Think: safe, clean, and stroller-friendly. Bonus points if the locals love kids (hello, Italy!).Also, consider time zones. A 12-hour time difference might be a recipe for cranky days and sleepless nights. If you can, ease into the idea of international travel by starting with closer time zones or places that don't require too much of an adjustment.
3. Prep Like a Pro (Especially for the Flight)
Long flights with kids are not for the faint of heart. But with some smart packing and preparation, you can turn a dreaded flight into a semi-manageable experience.Here’s your in-flight survival kit checklist:
- Snacks—More than you think you need. Trust me.
- Wipes—For everything from sticky hands to tray tables.
- Tablet loaded with movies, games, and shows—Don’t forget headphones sized for kids.
- New toys or books—A little novelty goes a long way.
- Comfort items—Blankets, stuffed animals, or anything that helps them sleep.
4. Don’t Overpack—But Don’t Underpack Either
There’s a fine line between being prepared and hauling half your house around Europe. Pack smart, not excessively. Think mix-and-match clothing, a solid stash of essentials (diapers, meds, sunscreen), and a lightweight stroller or baby carrier.It also helps to pack a "go bag" for each day—something small you can carry during excursions that includes snacks, wipes, a change of clothes, and whatever you might need in a pinch.
Pro tip: Use packing cubes. They’re game-changers for staying organized, especially when you’re digging through clothes at 2 AM trying to find your kid’s favorite pajamas.
5. Adjust Expectations (And Then Lower Them)
This might be the most important tip of all: don’t expect your trip to go perfectly. Things will go wrong. Your kid might throw a tantrum in a Parisian bakery. You might miss a train in Tokyo because someone really had to pee.Take a deep breath. Laugh when you can. And remember that flexibility is your best friend. If you only make it to one museum before everyone melts down, that’s okay. The world isn’t going anywhere—you can always come back.
6. Make Time for Rest (Seriously)
When traveling internationally, the temptation is to pack your days full to maximize your time. But kids don’t care about efficient travel—they care about their routines.Plan for naps, quiet time, and early nights. Trust me: everyone will be in a better mood if they’re well-rested, and a cranky kid on vacation is still a cranky kid. The Eiffel Tower will still be there after a nap.
7. Lean Into the Experience
One of the best parts of traveling internationally with your kids is watching them soak in the newness of it all. They might be amazed by vending machines in Tokyo, mesmerized by street performers in Barcelona, or weirdly obsessed with German pretzels. Let them be curious. Let them explore.Involve them in the journey. Teach them a few local words. Let them help pick an activity or a snack from a market. These little moments are what they’ll remember, more than any monument or museum.
8. Document the Adventure
Take photos, sure—but also jot down the funny things they say, the foods they try, the questions they ask. Give older kids a travel journal to record their own impressions. These memories are gold, and they’re even better when captured in the moment.You’ll laugh later about that time your toddler called the Leaning Tower of Pisa “the falling building” or refused to eat anything but bananas in Bali.
9. Travel Slowly
This one is huge: don’t rush. If you’re used to fast-paced sightseeing, you’ll need to adjust. With kids, less is more. Stay longer in each place, and give yourselves time to breathe. Slow travel reduces stress and lets everyone settle into a rhythm.Plus, you get to know places more intimately. You’ll find that little café on the corner, meet local families at the park, and have time to actually relax—imagine that!
10. Remember Why You’re Doing This
Traveling with kids isn’t just about the destination—it’s about showing them the world. It’s about opening their eyes, making memories, and bonding in ways you just can’t do at home.Sure, it takes patience, planning, and an epic snack stash. But it’s worth it.
Because someday, they’ll look back and say, “Remember that time we saw the monkeys in Bali?” And you’ll smile, knowing you gave them the world—one messy, magical trip at a time.
