Last updated: . Reviewed travel-document, airport security and flight-delay guidance, and replaced static airline price and route tables with official planning links.
Packing, check-in, seats, security, and delays are the parts of a travel day I plan around. Here are the habits that have helped our family of seven, with official guidance to check for your own route.
Traveling with children is different from traveling as a couple. Frankly, before we had kids, we were young and broke, so we traveled little and not internationally (unless our parents were helping us out!).
Our first big international trip was to Grand Cayman with my parents when we had two small children, and I still remember how stressed I was! Everything was SO foreign; the flight stressed me out, and the unknown was quite scary.
Now, we could book tickets in the next few hours to fly on a 10-hour flight tomorrow, and our kids would be so excited! They love traveling, even when it’s hard sometimes. However, this comes with hundreds of flights of practice. A primary focus of this blog is to empower more families to travel. I hope this guide helps.
Now that we live in Europe, we’ve flown quite a bit around the European continent. We’ve also tackled it by road trip and by train. Flying with kids in Europe can be a smooth experience with the right preparation. Here are some tips to help you navigate European airports and airlines effectively.
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Traveling with kids opens a unique set of challenges and considerations that require careful planning and preparation. You know your kids better than anyone and have a decent idea of what they might do on a flight.
If they love a tablet, embrace that. We limit tablets to only travel times (seriously), and this makes travel days super special. They want LOTS of hours of travel to enjoy them. If your child is too small, bring something else novel and new.
Ensuring your kids feel comfortable during the flight is key. Be sure to pack essential items like extra diapers, wipes, formula, and plenty of snacks to keep them content. In fact, when we were still in diaper mode, I packed enough diapers and wipes for 2-3 days! An unexpected layover is a LOT more stressful without diapers or formula, and these supplies can be hard to find in airports and airport hotels.
I pack enough snacks that could potentially serve as meals for 24 hours. We’ve had many travel days where we didn’t have enough time to get food in airports. Flights get delayed, baggage gets delayed, and connections can be tight. Meal service and prices depend on the airline, route, and fare, so I don’t count on being able to buy everything we need onboard.
With younger kids, introducing new toys can add excitement and keep them engaged. Many times, I have hit up the dollar store before a flight to get some cheap, totally new stuff for the airplane. A bit of painter's tape and new toys have been useful distractions for us. Window stickers can also be fun! I pack a few options rather than expecting one activity to last the whole flight.
Additionally, don’t forget comfort items such as blankets and stuffed animals to help create a cozy environment for them onboard.
Ensuring your travel documents, including passports, visas, and travel insurance, are well-organized can significantly alleviate stress, especially when navigating busy airports with kids in tow. Having all essential information in one accessible place ensures you’re prepared to provide it promptly whenever required.
You’ll always find that traveler with a file folder ready to go… I’m not that prepared. Everything is basically on your phone these days, but having a good passport holder and labeling your passports can be very helpful! We have some small tape on the front of each of ours so I can quickly pull the right one.
I also keep travel details handy for check-in and arrival forms. Protect copies of passport details and other personal documents, and have a way to access the documents you need if your phone is unavailable.
Choosing seats together can make helping the kids easier. Check the airline’s seat-assignment and family-seating policy before paying for particular seats, and confirm how any extra fee applies to your booking.
Since we are an odd number, someone always has to sit alone, or two kids must sit with a stranger. It’s not ideal, but we make it work. We prefer to sit near the front of the plane, but this can be expensive if you don’t have airline reward privileges.
Usually, we have a parent in each row. When we plan to sleep, we work out the seating so an adult can help the kids nearby. Keep children in their assigned seats and follow the crew’s instructions; the aisle and floor are not sleeping spaces. Official guidance.
Comfortable clothes and a few layers help when cabin temperatures change. I would rather have an extra layer in my bag than spend a long flight wishing we had one.
Don’t assume you’ll get a blanket on a flight. Consider packing a travel blanket, as these can also be used for sleeping in airports. We’ve had to do that many times.
Selecting a late flight? In this situation, sleep plans become particularly crucial. Encourage your children to rest during the flight by ensuring they have travel pillows, blankets, and eye masks for a cozy sleeping setup. For red-eye flights, we always take a nap during the day before the flight.
On long flights, we often wait until the first meal has been served before trying to sleep. That has worked for us, but service timing varies. Check the flight’s meal arrangements and work around what your children need.
When purchasing tickets for your family’s trip to Europe, it’s essential to consider various factors, including the airline options available, their specific restrictions, and any regulations that may impact your travel experience. Overall, they are similar but can vary in their prices, layovers, and travel times. When it comes to restrictions, here’s what you need to know:
When purchasing your tickets, I recommend considering the schedules carefully. While you know your kids best, it’s essential to ensure that the flight disrupts your child’s routine as little as possible, especially considering that flights can be long depending on where you’re traveling from.
Baggage allowances depend on the operating airline, route, fare, and any benefits attached to your booking. Compare the total trip cost, including the bags and seats your family needs, before paying.
Check the baggage links above for your exact booking, then confirm the rules for strollers and car seats. Ask what can be checked, what can go to the gate, what is approved for use onboard, and when you can collect it. Label your equipment and avoid assuming another airline’s policy applies.
Arriving at an airport in a new European country can be overwhelming, especially when traveling with kids. Whether you’re flying into a bustling hub like Heathrow-UK or a smaller regional airport, these tips will help you and your family navigate with ease.
Arriving at the airport with plenty of time before your flight helps manage the unexpected, such as long security lines or last-minute diaper changes. Additionally, many airlines want or require check in to happen BEFORE you get to the flight. This is especially true for budget European airlines.
On one past Ryanair trip, we had trouble checking in online in connection with our Portuguese visa documents and paid a few hundred euros in airport fees. That was our experience on that booking, not a statement of today’s rules. Before travelling, check your airline’s current check-in and document-verification process, deadlines, and airport charges; contact it if you cannot complete a required step.
Tip: Follow your airline and airport’s recommended arrival time, check-in cutoff, and boarding deadline. Build in extra time for your family’s bags, documents, and any assistance you need.
Familiarizing yourself with the layout of the airports, especially the location of your airline gates, can save time and reduce stress. Knowing where bathrooms are with little kids can be a lifesaver!
Tip: Research the airport layout online or use airport apps to find the locations of check-in counters, security checkpoints, restrooms, and family-friendly amenities.
Family lanes have been incredibly helpful when we have found them. They are an airport-specific service, with eligibility and opening times that can vary; travelling as a large family does not guarantee priority.
Tip: Look for signs indicating family lanes, or ask airport staff for directions.
Some airlines offer family boarding. Check whether your carrier offers it on your flight, which children qualify, and when your group should board.
Tip: If family boarding is available and useful for your family, be ready when the crew calls your group. Keep what you need during the flight within reach.
Some airports have play areas, nursing rooms, and other family facilities. Check the airport’s own map for your terminal and whether a facility is before or after security.
Tip: Locate these amenities ahead of time to provide your kids with a place to burn off energy before the flight.
Strollers and bulky items take some planning at security and around a city. Cobblestones and stairs can make a stroller awkward in some places; a baby carrier has been helpful for us. Choose what suits your child and itinerary, then check your airport’s screening and airline’s equipment rules.
Tip: Keep liquids and electronics accessible, check the departure airport’s instructions, and follow screening staff’s directions about children, strollers, and items that need to come out of bags.
Having snacks on hand can prevent meltdowns and keep kids satisfied during waiting times. Check the rules for drinks, baby food, and other liquids before reaching security, and present any permitted exceptions for screening. Don’t misdescribe an item or try to get around a restriction.
Tip: Pack a variety of snacks, and check the rules for any liquids. EU guidance generally limits ordinary cabin liquids to containers of no more than 100 ml in a transparent, resealable one-litre bag, with exceptions for necessary medicines and special dietary needs, including baby food. Check your departure airport’s current instructions, especially for a connection outside the EU. Official guidance.
Flight delays can happen, and having a plan can make them more manageable. On a journey covered by EU passenger-rights rules, a qualifying delay at your final destination may give you a compensation claim, subject to conditions and extraordinary-circumstance exceptions. Care while waiting and reimbursement are separate rights with their own rules. Keep your booking, actual arrival time, airline messages, and receipts, then check the official guidance for your journey. Official guidance.
Tip: Bring extra activities, snacks, and comfort items to keep kids occupied. Know the locations of family-friendly restaurants and rest areas.
Watch our related family airport-delay film on Vimeo (3 min 26 sec).
We have often been able to use English in airports, but I wouldn’t assume it will cover every situation. Save your accommodation address and essential travel information in a form you can show someone if you need help.
Tip: Learn a few key phrases in the local language or use a translation app. Airport signs are often in multiple languages, including English.
An overnight flight from the US to Europe can make the first day feel long. We try to get some sleep on the way and leave room for a slower arrival day, rather than packing it with plans.
Our family has often needed three or four days to feel more settled after a big time-zone change. That is our experience, not a timetable for every child. Leave some flexibility for tired travellers and avoid expecting everyone to adjust at the same speed.
Jet lag can make the first days harder. We allow some breathing room in our plans. For more of our family’s experience, see our jet-lag tips below.
Finally, you’ve made it through the flight and arrived! Give everyone a little breathing room. Some of our travel days have been more about getting there than enjoying every minute.
A few final checks are worth making before you leave home and again on travel day:
Hope you have a nice trip with your kids to Europe!
Xoxo,
Leslie
Plan your next trip to Europe and get some budget-friendly tickets from Expedia, Booking.com, Skyscanner, or Kiwi.com.
Find great deals on family-friendly hotels in Europe from Expedia, or Vrbo, (we also love Tripadvisor and Hotels.com).
Discover Europe through exciting activities from GetYourGuide, Airbnb Experiences, or Viator.
Need to rent a car? Visit Europcar
Get insured while traveling with SafetyWing
Want to have a photo shoot while on vacation in Europe Book a professional photographer from flytographer.
Capture your best travel memories in Europe as we do with a GroPro, Sony camera, or our favorite drones: DJI FPV, Air, and Mini
Check out your travel necessities from a comprehensive list of all the 7Wayfinders Travel Must-Haves. Click Here!
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