5 Tips for Surviving Long-Haul Travel with Kids: Planes, Trains, and Toddlers

For many parents, the thought of going on a long-haul journey with their kids is enough to stop them from taking a vacation. However, after a busy and stressful year of being a parent, it is important that you go on your family vacation for a well-earned rest and to make memories that will last forever. Traveling with your kids doesn’t have to be as bad as you may think, and by having some tricks up your sleeve, you can combat the problems that come from traveling long-haul. Whether you plan to travel by plane, train, or car, there are a number of ways that you can make the journey more bearable for both you and your children. Therefore, we have provided you with 5 tips to help you survive long-haul travel with your kids.

Have Plenty of Snacks 

Children can become restless if they get hungry, so be prepared by having a few snacks with you to keep them satisfied, instead of complaining of hunger throughout the long-haul journey! 

Don’t Stress About Fellow Passengers 

Unfortunately, sometimes children cry. That is a fact that most people would agree with, so if you find yourself worrying about the other passengers around you and feel stressed about whether they are being disturbed, then don’t! You becoming stressed will only make your child more distressed, which may even disrupt your fellow passengers more. Don’t worry about what others are saying or thinking and just focus on getting through your journey. 

Keep Them Entertained 

A great way to get through a long-haul journey with children is to have plenty of activities to help keep them entertained. This could include allowing them some screen time throughout the journey or packing their favorite toy into your bag. But don’t underestimate the power of car games when it comes to keeping your little ones distracted and entertained during your trip! 

Communicate with Them 

Even if you think that maybe your child is too young to understand, explain to them that you are going on a trip and that you need them to behave throughout the journey. Children like to feel secure, so communicating with them could help to make them feel safer. 

Consider Travel Time 

When traveling with children, you should consider carefully what time is best for you to travel as this could hugely impact your experience on the journey. If possible, you should try and plan your travel time around your child’s nap time and if you are lucky then they may stay asleep for the duration of the journey. Similarly, while many parents would avoid traveling throughout the night with their children, when on a long-haul journey, you can try to time it so that they sleep for most of the way. This will make your journey more peaceful and help to keep your children in their routine as much as possible. 

By following our tips and advice, you and your children will survive your journey and be free to enjoy your time away!