22 February 2023
Travelling with your children can be an immensely rewarding experience and can connect the family like never before. However, we can't sugar coat it, travelling internationally with children can be at times, rather challenging.
We firmly believe having a great tool kit for coping will help you to get the best out of your overseas adventures with the kids. So, check out our top tips for travelling the world with kids and not losing your mind.
Make it a family decision on where to go – yes time for a ‘family meeting’. In this meeting you can all chat around the purpose of your trip – do you want to relax, discover a new culture or have the family entertained? You can also discuss which type of trip is going to best suit the family? Are you looking for a bustling city experience, quiet rural experience, or action-packed adventure?
Consider your budget carefully - it may be cheaper to fly the family somewhere but is more expensive for activities or accommodation once you're there. Or you may need to fork out a bit more cash to get the family somewhere that is much more budget-friendly when you are there.
Also have a good think about if you want the family to travel independently or with a packaged tour. Although the latter comes at a cost, having someone else doing all the ‘logistical heavy lifting’ can be life-changing, especially if you are travelling to more intrepid locations. Check out these family adventure holidays from Intrepid Travel.
If you’re dipping your toes into international waters for the first time, don’t be afraid to travel the well-trodden (by small feet) path – it's been carved out for a reason. There are some fantastic family-friendly destinations a short flight from New Zealand. Think Fiji, Samoa, Queensland or even Hawaii that are set up superbly for kids.
As you'll know, when you go is important. Most likely it will be during school holidays, so consider if it’s the best time to travel to your chosen destination – what will the climate be, are there any festivals or significant events on or public holidays? Bonus tip: You can visit Lonely Planet, search your location and get detailed ‘when to go’ information under their free Planning Toolkit.
Once you have decided on a destination. Your first port of call should be the Safe Travel website. Safe Travel houses all warnings inclusive of non-COVID-19 advisories which are issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT). You can also register with them to receive important information following an emergency.
Dependent children travelling with someone covered under a policy can be covered at no additional charge (for Domestic Cover – that's under 18 years of age, and for International Cover – under 21 years of age). (Terms, conditions, limits, sub-limits and exclusions apply.)
There is no such thing as over-preparing for an international family holiday. So, our first tip is to be as prepared and to plan as much as you can. We highly recommend Lonely Planet’s ‘The Family Travel Handbook’ for everything you need to know to take amazing trips with the kids.
Consider taking a first aid course or having a refresher of the basics before you head overseas. And of course, make sure to have a basic first aid kit in your day pack. When you arrive at your destination, make a note of the emergency numbers there.
Even in the early planning stages of the trip, it’s important to consider taking out travel insurance, as AA Travel Insurance policies can cover for cancellation and loss of deposits before you even go. Plus, it offers cover for some COVID-19-related situations^, both domestic and international options include selected cover for epidemic and pandemic diseases,. So, if you’re diagnosed on your trip and need medical assistance or need to change your plans, you’ll be covered. (Terms, conditions, limits, sub-limits and exclusions apply.)
Make sure to check all the passports (as kid's passports can expire earlier than adults). Some countries require that your passport has at least six months validity remaining after your intended departure from the country you are visiting. You can check with the Embassies of the countries you are planning to visit to understand these requirements.
To find out whether the family needs to apply for visas for your trip, you can ask your travel agent or check with the Embassy or High Commissions of the countries you plan to visit or transit through. We recommend giving yourself plenty of time to complete this step before your planned departure date so that you know you have the correct visa/s in place.
Spend time creating the ultimate packing list. You can pack your carry-on like you are about to be a contestant on Survivor. Think thin warm layers (merino), spare clothes for the little-ones, adaptors, chargers, devices, emergency snacks, medical kits etc. If the kids are old enough to have their own day packs, have a good chat to them about what they really want and need and what they will use. (The entire Hot Wheels classic collection may not be useful through the back streets of Bangkok.)
It could be a good idea to get health and dental check-ups for the family prior to travelling. As wouldn’t you much rather deal with any issues at home beforehand than when you are on the road? If you are travelling to somewhere that requires vaccinations, then give the family plenty of time to have all the doses (as some may require doses over several months). You could also consider organising the family international vaccination certificates (that would include COVID-19). If you are travelling to locations with known mosquito-borne illnesses then long sleeve clothing and decent insect repellent is a must.
Visit SeatGuru to look up the aircraft of your flight and view a seat map – from here you can see ratings of all the seats onboard, so you can be in the know on where you can strategically sit the family!
Prior to leaving make sure to have a family movie night or read some great books that are set in your destination to get the kids excited and form a deeper connection to the place.
Don’t worry, the actual getting there will most likely be the most stressful part of the trip. Survive that and here’s hoping the rest is smooth sailing.
Remember it’s all about your attitude. Your kids will reflect what you are projecting. Dial up the anxiety and stress factor and it will ripple through the whole family. Try to be (or at least look) calm and ready to tackle the bumps in the road (and there will be bumps in the road) and you will be able to work better together to solve these problems.
Take a slow travel approach. By this we mean giving yourself plenty of time to get the kids and luggage in the car, head to the airport etc. Research the facilities at the airport, do they have dedicated kids play zones or entertainment? Consider paying to enter the airports lounge to begin a trip on a high. (What kid doesn’t love to be let loose at a buffet?)
Always plan for the unexpected – illnesses, lost luggage and stressful situations. Talk to you kids about plans for if something does go wrong, what would they do if they get separated from you? You could write your contact number on their arm in permanent marker.
Try and wear your kids out prior to getting on the plane. If time permits, you could take them for a big indoor swimming session the day of travel to really burn some energy.
Go for night flights if you can, so that at least for part of the journey those little cherubs will (hopefully) be asleep. Plus, there are options to capitalise on your kid’s small statue – you could book an Economy Skycouch™ with Air New Zealand. While you are there, check out Air New Zealand’s travelling with children advice.
Pack the devices, pack the charger, pack the noise-cancelling kids’ headphones and taste that sweet SANITY! There is nothing wrong with letting the kids go ‘loose’ on the devices on your travel, they will soon be unused during your explorations on the ground.
In this modern age of travelling, there are plenty of accommodation options that cater for travelling families. You can consider rural stays, home swaps, camping, apartment rentals and homestays, alongside kid friendly resorts and destination hotels.
Home swapping is an excellent way to really get to know a destination, plus you can use the resources of the family (new toys!) and save a significant amount on accommodation. We also have the advantage that New Zealand is a highly desirable location to visit.
When you arrive, factor in some time to ‘get to know your surroundings’. Take the kids carefully through where they will be sleeping and importantly where you are. This is also a great time to get kids familiar with the location and layout of the rooms, be it in a hotel or house.
It is important to stay healthy on any trip (or anytime for that matter). Remember that children are more prone to dehydration and can go downhill a lot faster. If it is your only option, you can buy bottled water or alternatively boil water for at least five minutes.
If necessary, make sure to be careful around what and how you eat - clean your hands, opt for fruit that has its own skin and avoid raw food that may have been washed in the water (e.g. salads) or having ice in drinks. If you or your family have any allergies, you could have a laminated card with illustrations and the name of the food in the local language explaining.
Exploring a new cuisine can be an eye (and mouth) opening adventure. However, consider that the place you are visiting may have different mealtimes (e.g. lunch main meal and dinner much later) and that kids might want to stick with the familiar and bland.
If your children are young, plan the high energy activities for the start of the day when the energy level is running at maximum.
Being on the ground is a great opportunity to introduce your kids to sustainable travel. This could be catching public transport, eco-friendly accommodation options, sustainable activity providers, using reusable water bottles, hiring/borrowing gear and adopting a ‘leave no trace’ approach to minimise your impact on the environment.
Just like life, travelling with young kids is going to have its dizzying highs and some pretty epic lows, but it is these experiences and sense of connectedness that will resonate with the family for many years to come.
So, what are you waiting for? Go out and see the world!
^The policy still has a general exclusion for epidemics and pandemics, and does not cover disinclination to travel due to fear or change of mind. Cover is only provided if you have not commenced your journey against the New Zealand Government’s advice not to travel. There is no cover for lockdowns, changes in government alert levels, quarantine or mandatory isolation that applies generally or broadly to some or all of the population, vessel or geographical area, or that applies based on where you are travelling to, from, or through. Please refer to the Policy Wording for full details.
