Travel with Kids

18 Beginner Tips for International Family Travel

18 Beginner Tips for International Family Travel

Last updated: October 23, 2026. Updated flight and connection planning, medicines and child-restraint precautions, destination-specific entry and customs guidance, payment and transport qualifications, linked-product context, and framing for our earlier family journeys. Date information added October 30, 2026.

How we narrowed down clothes and shoes

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Originally published in January 2022; these memories reflect earlier journeys. Check current route and operator requirements.

You know that feeling you get when you finally click “book” for your upcoming international trip?
You’ve researched, chosen your location, and finally made the purchase. The butterflies of excitement and anticipation begin swirling inside of you! 

…then, shortly thereafter, in creeps the fears of the unknown. The questions begin circling: What can you expect?  Will this new, foreign land be uncomfortable?  Will you enjoy this new experience?  Will you be able to find what you need?

Your first trip overseas can be nerve-wracking, and questions on whether this is the right decision are commonplace. 

Let me assure you right now, YES, IT IS!

While there is a small learning curve, international travel is 100% worth the effort.  Experiencing different cultures and ways of life enriches and amplifies your life and helps you appreciate life in general.

This post will explore a few tips that will help you prepare and enjoy your international travel.

Stay Calm and Carry On

My number one tip for anyone traveling abroad: RELAX.

*Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. Opinions shared are my own, and I only endorse products I support. By clicking on any of the links below, I may get a small commission if you purchase at absolutely no additional charge to you. I appreciate your support.*

Travel is challenging, and travel days are the worst part.  The more you can relax, the better things will go.  You should expect some hiccups and certainly don’t plan for everything to go smoothly.  You’re ahead of the game if you are mentally prepared for a few mishaps, and they never happen. 

Keep in mind everything can be fixed eventually.  Even if you miss your flight, don’t have time for food, have cranky kids, your baby cries the entire flight, or can’t get a taxi… it will all work out. Default to tip number one and stay calm. Use the resources and people around you to reroute and get back on track. Rest assured, many people have been in the same situation and lived to tell their tale.

Travel days are the price we pay for travel.  Once you’ve had a few days of making fantastic memories, the stress of the travel day won’t be anything but a story to tell.

Packing Tips for International Travel

One of the first things people consider when traveling internationally is what to pack! Here are a few quick tips to consider.

• Check the weather for your destination. You’ll obviously want to pack clothing that aligns with the forecast. I just use my Apple Weather App and plan accordingly.
  
• Opt for layering.  If you are heading somewhere cold, consider substituting your large winter coat with a windbreaker and sweater.  This will save you room in your suitcase and be more versatile for the warmer days as well.
  We executed this in Iceland with sweaters and rain jackets, which was perfect.  We also utilize thermal underwear, like this set, for cold weather destinations, outdoor markets, Disney, etc.

• Consider your wardrobe. While you want to be comfortable and true to your style, neutral staples that don’t wrinkle are the easiest way to go, giving you more outfit pairing options. Nylon material is excellent as it offers stretch and looks great. Neutral colors will also, generally speaking, help you blend in better if you are looking to avoid standing out as a tourist. When traveling, you really want to prioritize comfort and functionality above fashion.
  
• We try to stick with only two pairs of shoes per person, but occasionally I’ll go for three. This will obviously depend on your itinerary, but shoes are heavy and take up loads of precious room. Generally, a functional pair, formal pair, and casual pair will do the trick. (For example, I packed high heels for the formal night on our cruise, which I typically wouldn’t bring)
  
• You’ll want a smaller carrying bag.  Keep your essentials within hand reach with a small, secure bag. Chris calls this his “nurse.”  You can use a fanny pack, backpack, purse, etc. Just make sure not to lose these precious valuables and if you opt for a backpack or purse, beware of pickpockets.
  
• We have a few travel items we love and can’t travel without.  See this post for more suggestions!

More Packing Tips For Travel Abroad

• Roll your clothes rather than fold them.  Believe it or not, this gives you more room and makes your clothes easier to see in your suitcase.
  
• Don’t overpack. Plan your activities and only bring what you really need…overpacking is very common and a huge hassle. We suggest packing once and then going through and taking a few things out. 
  
• Ordinary items may be available after arrival. Focus on your essentials and recognize you may be able to buy ordinary forgotten items after arrival. While it might take a little bit to find, essential medicines, suitable child equipment, and specialist items are worth confirming before you leave. Sometimes we even plan to buy things in the country (like beach toys, sunscreen, winter boots, etc.), which saves us precious packing room.  We call these our “BIT” items for “Buy It There.”
  
• Keep essential medicines accessible. The original post suggested bringing vitamins and packing extras, but supplement needs vary. Keep prescribed medicines with you as appropriate for your itinerary, and ask a clinician whether any supplement is suitable for you or your children. The list below records supplements used in the past; it is not a general travel-health prescription.
  • Vitamin D
  • Vitamin B Complex
  • Good multivitamin
  • Probiotic (part of our past routine; it is not proven protection against travelers’ diarrhea)
  • Fish Oil (our past supplement list, not a treatment recommendation for mood or depression; ask a clinician about your own needs)

Flying International

It’s very difficult to travel abroad without boarding a flight to get there. You’ll want to prepare for some serious flight time when traveling to a foreign country. Depending on your destination, you could be in the air for 10-12 hours. Our longest flight was to and from New Zealand, which was about 12 hours.

This means hours of sitting, lots of time to kill, and several bathroom breaks; which only increase when traveling with kids. You can find my best tips for flying with a baby here.

Health and Wellbeing On Long Flights

Move during long journeys when it is safe. CDC advises frequent leg movement and walking about every one to two hours. Follow the crew’s instructions and seatbelt sign, and ask your clinician before travel about pregnancy, circulation conditions, or other personal risk factors. See CDC’s long-distance travel guidance.

Bringing Your Own Snacks. You’ll want to pack some healthy snacks in your carry-on. While most international flights offer one meal, it’s often not very large, and meal and allergy arrangements vary by airline, route, cabin, and advance notice. The last thing you want is to be hungry with hours to go or have grumpy hangry kids with no snacks to offer. 
Candy and junk food will make you feel yucky, especially with limited movement, so think crackers, veggies, oranges, etc.

Entertainment: Whether you are traveling as an adult or with kids, you’ll want some form of entertainment for long flights. Some of our favorites with kids are:

• Sticker books
• Playdough
• Small toys
• Crossword puzzles
• Reading books
• Tablet (we love the Kindle Fire; the current linked page is a tablet listing)

Small toys for a family flight

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Gadgets to Make Flying More Comfortable

None of these items are necessary, and I would not recommend buying all of them.  Finding the perfect travel accessories takes a bit of trial and error. Eventually, you’ll find one or two that make all the difference for you. 

Blankets and pillows vary by airline, route, cabin, and availability. In the family’s past flights, some items were at the seats, some had to be requested, and some flights had run out of supplies. Check the operating airline for current details.

When taking an overnight flight with kids, I will bring items to help them to sleep better.  I love this inflatable footrest pillow that turns the seat into a little bed. 
I also love my travel pillow like this one.  It’s the first (after many tries) that allows me to sleep sitting up.

Check the airline’s rules before using a footrest or other seat accessory. A comfort accessory is not a child restraint. The FAA recommends an approved child restraint system in a child’s own seat; check that it is certified and fits the child, and follow the airline’s requirements.

Some other comfort items we love include:

• Compression socks or stockings
• Flypal inflatable footrest
• Travel pillow/blanket
• Kids Plane Pillow 
• Noise-canceling headphones
• Plug-in headphones for the plane TV
• Children’s headphones
  For more recommended travel products, see this post and this post.

A Vento travel pillow listing is linked here; check the current model and details.

Gate Assignments at the Airport

In some countries, specifically throughout Europe and Brazil, we’ve found it’s common for your gate to be unassigned until it’s time to board your flight.  This differs from the USA, where you often know your gate before arriving at the airport. In these scenarios, you’ll need to pay closer attention to airport signs and the clock.

Layovers When Booking International Flights

When booking your flights, pay attention to flight times and layovers, including the operating airline’s connection rules and any airport or terminal changes.

Border and customs procedures depend on the route, traveler nationality, transit arrangement, and destination. The EU and Schengen area are different groupings, and a change of country does not always mean the same checks. Processing times vary with the airport, staffing, queues, and itinerary.

Because of this unpredictability, our minimum layover time on an international arrival is 1.5 hours.  This is tight!  We prefer three hours for more room and comfort. No connection time guarantees entry processing, baggage transfer, terminal changes, or a meal. Check the operating airline’s minimum connection time and your particular itinerary, including any airport or terminal changes.

Our longest layovers have been 7-10 hours during the day, and a few have been overnight.  If you have a layover of more than 6 hours, check to see if there is a hotel in the airport you can book.  If you have an overnight layover, try to book an airport hotel; preferably one you can walk to or take a quick shuttle.
Nothing is more refreshing than sleeping on a real bed and getting a hot shower after a long day of travel.  A quick hotel stay and break from the airport can really help reenergize and boost morale!

We’ve also slept in our fair share of airports.  For this, I strongly recommend bringing your own blanket or coat to lay on the floor.  Choose a quiet area, stick in some earplugs, and cuddle with the little kids so you can feel if they wake before you. For very small children, follow current safe-sleep guidance; a car seat is not a routine sleep surface outside travel.

We have used melatonin on past trips, but it is not automatically suitable or free of side effects. Ask a clinician whether it is appropriate, particularly for children. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends discussing children’s use with their pediatrician and establishing healthy sleep habits before considering it.

Arriving on International Flights: Customs

Custom Forms

Check your destination’s current arrival and customs declarations before departure; some are electronic and others may use paper forms. Arrival procedures may include immigration, customs, and other checks depending on the airport, route, and traveler status.

 In general, these forms want you to declare the following:

• cash or monetary instruments that meet the destination’s reporting threshold; currency, amount, and definitions vary, 
• goods restricted or subject to declaration under the destination’s current rules, which may include foods, plants, animals, or other items,
• if you are importing a large number of goods without paying customs.

On flights where paper declarations are handed out, keep the form and your information handy.  I try to make it a rule of thumb to fill them out right when I get them. I’ve often forgotten and am scrambling to fill them out in line, which adds more stress.

Tips for Customs Declarations

• Pack a pen if your route may require paper forms; do not assume one will be provided.
• Keep passport details accessible if your destination’s current forms request them; having the information handy can be easier than rifling through passports.
• If individual forms are required for each passenger, fill them out and place them in the corresponding passport when done.
• You can always ask the flight attendants for basic help if you have questions.
• Often you’ll need to provide an address in the country.  Use your hotel or Airbnb address here. (this is another excellent thing to keep in your phone’s note)
• Don’t stress too much.  While these forms are essential, they shouldn’t induce a panic attack.  Do your best to fill it out and correct it with the agent later if you make a mistake.

Going Through Customs

Arrival procedures may include immigration, customs, and other checks depending on the airport, route, and traveler status. Follow posted directions and staff instructions.

Pay attention to signs and staff directions, and use the line appropriate to your passport and traveler status.

Sometimes, if you are a US Passport holder, you’ll have a line grouped with other countries.  For example, when we flew from Lisbon to London, we went into a line that included EU Passports, Japan, Canada, and a couple of others.

At a desk or machine, present the documents required for your route. Some destinations stamp passports; others use electronic records or different procedures.

Check the current entry and health requirements for the countries on your route, including any transit points.  Bring these through customs as well, as sometimes they are rechecked.

After completing the required arrival checks, follow airport directions to baggage claim. Travelers declaring goods or currency may be directed to an additional inspection, depending on the destination’s rules.

*Generally, do not bring fresh fruits, vegetables, or meats into a new country.

General Tips for Traveling to a Foreign Country

Safety In Foreign Countries

• Don’t let fear alone plan the trip. Review current official travel advice for your destination and use sensible precautions. Conditions vary, and no precautions can guarantee safety.
  
• Before travel, find the current emergency number and local response information for your destination; it may differ from the number used at home.
  
• Keep children close and stay aware of your surroundings; other people’s behavior is not a reliable measure of your own safety.
  
• Go out in the daylight and stay in at night until you know the area.

Spending Money Abroad

• Payment options vary by destination. Some places rely more on cash, while others accept cards widely; check the payment options for your route and carry what suits your plans.
  
• To obtain cash, we use ATMs. We have used the Charles Schwab debit card; eligible Investor Checking accounts may receive ATM-fee rebates under current terms. Currency-conversion fees and dynamic currency conversion are separate. Check the account terms and local ATM limits. I’ve heard horror stories of ATM machines “eating” people’s debit cards, leaving them in a severe predicament.
  
• Check whether your credit card charges foreign-transaction fees. At the time of the original post, our card charged a fee and we were considering this Amex Travel Card. Compare current eligibility, fees, benefits, and terms for your circumstances; any lounge access depends on the current product rules.
  
• Compare currency exchange options.  If you need cash on arrival, compare available ATM and exchange options, the rate offered, and all fees before choosing.

• Know what your ATM withdrawal limit is.  Check your issuer’s limit and any local ATM limit before relying on a particular amount. Limits may be daily, per transaction, or both.
  
• Tipping customs vary by destination and service.  Check current local guidance.
  
• Prices and negotiation customs vary by place and vendor. Check local expectations and decide what you are comfortable paying. I have walked many times but also negotiated down a lot.

Eating Internationally

One of our favorite ways to experience a new culture is through food. Don’t be afraid to venture outside your comfort zone and try the local cuisine you usually avoid.

I forced my family to try escargot as a dare on our first trip to Paris; it is now one of our favorites!  (Note, if you like mushrooms, you’ll love escargot).

When navigating food in a foreign country, here are some things to keep in mind:

• Some restaurants offer menus in English; availability varies. Translation tools may help, but check names and ingredients when accuracy matters.
  
• Watch what the locals are ordering and give it a try!
  
• If you prefer familiar food, international chains such as McDonald’s operate in many places, but availability varies by destination and neighborhood.
  
• Grocery stores often look different in foreign countries and can be confusing. Again, Google Translate can help you communicate with associates to find what you need.  Remember to bring or buy reusable bags, as many places are battling disposable bags.
  
• The original post shared the author’s opinion that restaurant competition in large cities can make it easier to find a good meal. Experiences vary by neighborhood and budget.
  
  *France has the best food in the world, in our opinion :). 

Transportation in A Foreign Country

Getting around depends on the destination and route. Compare walking, public transport, taxis or rideshares, and rental-car options using current local information.

Car Vs. No Car

Renting a car can add lots of freedom to your trip. You’ll be able to explore much more and avoid the stresses of public transportation.

However, it can also add stress! In big cities, cars are much more of a hassle than they are a convenience. You’ll have to consider parking if you choose to rent a car, which can be tricky to find.

We didn’t rent any cars in Asia and skipped a car in Rome and Paris.  However, exploring outside of the city is quite difficult.

A good compromise might be to rent a car for just part of your trip.

Tips for Parking Internationally

• Use Google Maps to find “parking near me.”
• Use Google Translate to understand the signs.  In Japan, we learned the hard way that only certain SPOTS in the parking lot were overnight.  We paid a fortune leaving our car overnight in the wrong spot due to the language barrier.
• Try to rent a car that fits into parking garages.  This will be your best option in cities.
• Have cash for parking machines, including coins. Not all will accept credit cards.
• Brush up on your parallel parking skills; you’ll use them often!
• Take a picture of where you parked.  We’ve lost our car several times and been convinced someone stole the car.

Ride Share Apps in Foreign Countries

Rideshare coverage, vehicle types, prices, and payment rules vary by city. With large families like ours, this can be tricky as we typically have to reserve more than one car. Compare current local options, pickup rules, capacity, and fare details before relying on a ride.

You’ll need to research the appropriate rideshare apps for where you are going ahead of time.  For example, Uber currently lists services in Rome, while FreeNow and other services may also be available. Apps and service types vary by city; check the official coverage and the option actually offered for your destination.

Why we love rideshare apps abroad:

• You don’t have to exchange money or charge a credit card.  Check the payment method and pricing model before confirming. Some services offer an upfront price, while app-booked taxis may use a meter or add permitted fees.
• No need to try and explain the address you want to the driver.  You put in the address, and off you go!  You may still need to confirm the pickup, destination, capacity, or child restraints, so keep those details accessible.
• In our experience, rides have often arrived within about 10 minutes in some cities; availability and wait times vary.
• You might be going somewhere that would be impossible to walk or take 3-4x as long on public transportation.
• Often, you’ll get a very nice driver and can learn fun facts or suggestions about your location.
• Some drivers may offer tours; verify the arrangement, licensing, and terms before booking.
• You don’t have to worry about parking and can travel between cities without having to backtrack for your car.

Downsides of ride-share apps in foreign countries:

• If you are traveling with small children, it’s a pain to carry around car seats.  A mifold booster may be an option only if the exact model is approved for the destination and fits the child and vehicle. See the mifold model instructions and check current local rules; it is not an infant seat or a universal substitute for a restraint.
• If you are traveling from a beach or swimming and are sandy, you might be refused a ride.  This happened to us a few times in Brazil.
• It’s hard to just “explore” without your own car.  You always need a destination in mind.

Other Tips For Getting Around In Foreign Countries

• Some city centers can be explored on foot, but walkability varies by route, access needs, weather, and local conditions.
• The original post recommends checking Google Maps for transport options; map coverage and directions vary, so compare with current local transit information.
• Floor numbering varies by country and building; ground level may be marked 0, G, or another label. Check the building’s own signage.
• Like in the US, many buildings won’t have a “floor 13.”
• Stroller access and surfaces vary by destination. The original post recommended considering a baby carrier such as this one; choose based on your route, child, and carrying needs.

Overall, the anticipation of international travel is often much scarier than the realities. Our advice: stay calm, go with the flow, and enjoy as much of the country as possible. Do what you love! If you love to lounge by the pool, do it. If you want to visit every museum in the city, get moving! 

International travel is exciting and is meant to be enjoyed. Take in the culture and trust us; you’ve got this!! 

Good luck with your travels! Like all things in life, the easier it gets the more you do it.

Xoxo,

Leslie

Additional Reading

A Review of Christmas at Gaylord Of The Rockies: The Perfect Colorado Family Holiday Vacation

Best Apps For International Family Travel

Obtaining Two Passports: When You Need Them and How to Get Them

Tips for Flying Through the Lisbon Airport