International Family Travel Tips
Tips for Traveling Internationally with a Toddler
Are you considering taking your toddler on an international trip or even a domestic one? In the United States, traveling from the East Coast to the West Coast can feel like going to another country. We recently took our four-year-old daughter to Switzerland for a week, and it was her first time traveling internationally outside of my belly. She enjoyed the plane ride, but there were a few things I learned from domestic travel that I implemented for our successful international trip.
Preparing for the Flight
Since it was going to be an eight-hour flight and we weren't flying first class, I got a sling to put her feet up so she could sleep comfortably. It hooks onto the back of the seat in front of you via the tray table. As long as the tray table was up, she could raise her feet.
We also got her an Amazon tablet, which comes with its own case and is pre-programmed with educational content and TV shows. At home, we usually lock the tablet to restrict TV shows, but for international travel, we wanted her to be happy. We initially tried an Apple tablet, but she wasn't ready for it, and it got destroyed. The Amazon tablet has been fantastic, and we've had it for two years now.
Essential Travel Items
We bought her a Yeti water container with her name engraved on it. Many people have Yetis, so having a unique design helps identify it. It's a great container for travel because it's not made of plastic.
We flew Swiss Airlines, which I chose after extensive research. While there were cheaper options, Swiss Airlines was more family-friendly and kid-friendly according to online reviews. They ensured we all sat together, which is crucial when traveling with a minor.
Food and Snacks
Our daughter is a food-sensitive eater, so we packed plenty of fruit and bread. I also brought oatmeal for breakfast to avoid scrambling for food in the morning.
When checking in, I requested a kid's meal for her. However, the meal they provided was fish and rice, which isn't typical for most kids. I'm glad I packed extra food. Another tip is to schedule your flight later in the day. Our flight left at 8:45 p.m., close to her bedtime, so she got a good eight hours of sleep.
Packing List
Here's a detailed packing list that made our trip smoother:
Amazon Tablet: Pre-loaded with educational content and TV shows.
Yeti Water Container: Personalized with her name or a unique design.
Snacks: Fruit, bread, and oatmeal for breakfast.
Extra Clothes: For all family members.
Comfortable Slide Shoes: For easy on and off during the flight.
Additional Tips
Special Needs Program: If you have a child with special needs, there's a program called TSA Cares that provides assistance through the security checkpoint. You can call TSA Cares at least 72 hours before your flight to request help[1].
Global Entry: I highly recommend getting Global Entry, which comes with TSA PreCheck. It made our airport experience much smoother.
Traveling with a toddler can be challenging, but with the right preparation, it can also be a wonderful experience. If you have any tips or experiences to share, I'd love to hear about them!
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