Whether you are going by plane or by car, traveling with kids can be very stressful. Tension can start from the planning stage up to the time you are leaving. However, stress does not have to ruin your vacation. These simple tips are guaranteed to help you get rid of that travel stress bug and have stress free family travel.
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Plan ahead
There is no replacing good planning. To ensure that your travel will be stress-free, make sure that your flights and hotel accommodations are booked and confirmed. Have an idea of how you will get from the airport to your hotel (our preferred transport around the world with car seats is Welcome Pickups), where you will get your money, and a few activities you would like to do.
Come Prepared, but don’t overpack
Kids require a lot of stuff. Pack what you need, but don’t bring too much. Carrying large suitcases through cities, on public transportation, and up stairs can be difficult. Wrangling small kids while keeping track of luggage adds to the stress. We like to pack light so we are nimble and have less to pack and unpack at our destinations. Check out our carry on packing lists for men, women, toddlers, and babies.
Be ready to get lost
Remember that you are on a foreign land and unless you have already traveled there a couple of time, youíll have no way of knowing how to get around. Becoming lost is probably the biggest nightmare for some travelers.
Before embarking on your trip, buy a travel book with maps and some useful phrases that you can use with the locals. Carry with you a credit card, identification papers and enough money to get around the city in case you get lost. It is also a good idea to ask your hotel for a business card which you can show to locals when you ask for directions, or have the address of your apartment.
By acknowledging that you can get lost, you can better prepare and be ready for anything.
Eat local cuisine
Eating can be a highlight of travel! So, treat yourself to local foods and stay away from your usual staple of burger, spaghetti and cola. Be adventurous and have fun in local restaurants. Before leaving, you can ask people who already traveled in the country if they can recommend any restaurants. When youíre there, donít hesitate to ask for the house specialty and enjoy!
If you have picky eaters, we like to get a few staples from a local grocery store, so there is always something familiar for our kids, and so they have healthy snacks between meals.
Keep a travel journal
Writing down your experiences in a travel journal will not only preserves the memories, it will also help you relieve stress. Describe the sights that you have seen, the places that you have been to, even the people you have met. Get small keepsakes from each experience, a napkin from the restaurant where you have eaten, a receipt from a souvenir shop, a bus ticket going to a special place. This will keep the magic of your travel with you.
Kids can participate by drawing what they see and writing about their favorite experiences in their own travel journal.
Protect Your Trip
If the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us anything, it is that insurance is necessary to protect our travel investments and keep our family safe on the road. Depending on the policy that you choose, travel insurance can protect your family in the event of medical emergencies and canceled trips. It also takes the sting out of minor trip mishaps, such as lost baggage and delayed flights. Check out Squaremouth to compare plans and choose one that fits your family.
Need more travel tips?
- How to Protect Your Family- 5 Steps For Safe Family Travel
- 6 Ways to Avoid Jet Lag Once and For All
- The Beginner’s Guide to Flying with a Lap Child- Everything You Need to Know