Travelling with kids: our best tips

Travelling with kids works if you plan differently than you used to on your own. So here are our tips – by age, for getting there, accommodation, rental cars and packing.

The ground rule: plan for your child, not against them

Family trips rarely fail because of the destination – they fail because of the pace. Adults want to see a lot; kids want to eat, sleep, play and touch things. So plan one fixed activity per day and leave the rest open. A beach, a playground or an ice cream count as a full programme.

Three principles carry almost every trip:

• Take your routine with you: mealtimes, bedtime rituals, the cuddly toy. The younger the child, the more important.
• Involve the kids: from kindergarten age, let children choose between two outings or pack their own backpack. It noticeably reduces whining.
• Have a plan B: bad weather, fever or tiredness happen. Note down an indoor alternative for each place, such as a museum with a children’s area, an indoor pool or a library.

Travelling by age: guide values that have proven themselves

Every child is different. The following values are a guide, not a rule. They help you plan stages and daily programmes realistically.

Babies (0–1 year)

Babies are often easier to travel with than toddlers, because they sleep a lot and need little entertainment. What matters is short distances, quiet accommodation and medical care nearby. Choose a destination without a big time difference and without extreme heat. In the car you need an age-appropriate seat. Even if the seat comes from the rental company, check its condition and fit on site.

Toddlers (1–3 years)

This is the most exhausting phase: kids are walking and want to explore everything, but still nap during the day. A base with a garden, a terrace or a beach within walking distance is worth its weight in gold. Don’t even plan round trips with a daily change of place. Two to three nights per place is the minimum – a week is better.

Pre-schoolers (3–6 years)

Now travelling becomes much more relaxed. Children this age love animals, water and playgrounds; museums only hold their attention briefly. Child-friendly activities like farms, shallow beaches, zoos or short hikes with a goal (a waterfall, a hut, an ice cream) work well. The journey is usually more of a challenge than the destination itself. Audiobooks and snacks matter more than any tablet.

School-age kids (6–12 years)

School-age children can join round trips, city breaks and active holidays. They benefit from having tasks: reading the map, keeping a travel diary, holding the tickets. Don’t assume they’ll find every sight exciting. A city visit works if you limit it to two or three hours and follow it with something active.

Teenagers (13+ years)

Teenagers want a say and some freedom. Accommodation with a place to retreat to, Wi-Fi and the option to do something on their own now and then all help. Give them a choice of daily programme and half a day without obligations. It prevents endless discussions.

Finding the right destination

Good family destinations have four things in common: short distances from the airport or motorway to the accommodation, reliable medical care, child-friendly infrastructure and a climate you can cope with comfortably with kids. Check before you book:

• Getting there: a two-hour transfer after a flight feels like six with tired children.
• Weather: heat above 33 °C is rarely fun with toddlers. In the Mediterranean, spring and early autumn are often more pleasant than high summer.
• Water: shallow, sheltered beaches are better for small children than beaches with currents and waves.
• Pushchair accessibility: cobblestones, stairs and old-town alleys are hard work with a buggy. A carrier is often the better choice there.

European destinations are the easiest way to start. Currency, healthcare (the European Health Insurance Card for EU residents) and driving are straightforward, and you can get home quickly if necessary. Long-haul trips work with kids too, but need more preparation for vaccinations, time difference and insurance – we did it with Florida, among others.

Getting there: car, train or plane?

Car

The car gives you flexibility and plenty of storage space, especially with a pushchair, a dog or lots of luggage. Drive during nap times or early in the morning if possible. A boot with an easy-to-reach “break bag” (snacks, a change of clothes, wet wipes, toys) saves you rummaging around at the rest stop.

Train

The train is often less stressful for families because children can move around. In Austria, for example, children under 6 usually travel free on ÖBB trains (as of 2026 – check the current conditions). On night trains, a family compartment is worth it, and you should book it early.

Plane

Flying is fast, but logistically more complex. Early flights sound unpleasant but often fit in with sleep patterns. Several hours of waiting in the terminal are usually more exhausting with toddlers than the flight itself. For connecting flights, allow at least two hours of buffer. Many airlines let you reserve seats together for a fee – check your airline’s rules.

Accommodation: what families really need

When choosing, amenities and location count for more than stars. A holiday apartment or Airbnb usually offers more space, a kitchen and often a washing machine. That’s practical for baby food, breakfast and dinner at kids’ times. A hotel scores with a breakfast buffet, a pool and childcare, especially for short stays.

What to look out for:

• Sleeping arrangements: clarify in advance whether a cot or mattress is available and whether it’s included in the price.
• Separate bedrooms: as soon as a child goes to bed earlier than the parents, a second room or a balcony helps.
• Safety: an unfenced pool, steep stairs or open balconies are deal-breakers with small children.
• Location: a supermarket, pharmacy and playground within walking distance save a lot of car journeys.
• Cancellation terms: children get sick. Flexible bookings often cost a little more but are usually worth it.

With private rentals, search the reviews specifically for words like “noisy”, “stairs” or “not child-proof”.

Rental cars with kids

Child seats are mandatory in Austria and most European countries. In Austria, children up to 14 and under 150 cm need a suitable child restraint. Rules in other countries differ, so check with the local automobile club before you travel.

You have three options: bring your own seat, add one from the rental company or buy one on site. Your own seat is familiar, but takes up luggage space. Airlines usually carry child seats free of charge, though conditions vary.

• With rental seats, check the condition and age rating, and ask whether the seat fits the car (Isofix or belt).
• When thinking about space, don’t just count the seats – remember the pushchair and travel cot in the boot.
• An estate, SUV or van is much more relaxed with two child seats and luggage than a small car.

Costs at a glance

Prices vary by provider, season and destination. The table shows typical guide values (as of 2026 – please check current prices before booking).

Packing list: less, but the right things

Most families pack too much. A lot is available locally in the supermarket or pharmacy. Bring what you can’t replace quickly:

• Medication and a first-aid kit: fever reducers in child-appropriate doses, something for diarrhoea and electrolyte solution, plasters, wound spray, sunscreen, insect repellent. If unsure, ask your paediatrician.
• Cuddly toy and dummy – two of each, in case one gets lost.
• A change of clothes in your hand luggage – for you too.
• A carrier for babies and small children. In many cities it’s more practical than a buggy.
• Things to do: a drawing pad, small toys, audiobooks. Download everything in advance, because Wi-Fi isn’t always reliable.
• A little laundry detergent if your accommodation has a washing machine. Then half the clothes are enough.

Health and insurance

Before travelling outside the EU, ask your paediatrician or a travel medicine clinic about vaccinations and precautions in good time. For trips within Europe, the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) does not replace private travel medical insurance – it only covers services of the local state system. Repatriation and private doctors are generally not covered.

When choosing insurance, check that children are covered, the excess, repatriation cover and exclusions (for example pre-existing conditions or certain activities). Read the terms carefully before you sign up.

Documents and entry

Every child needs their own valid travel document – passport or ID card, depending on the destination. Entry requirements vary widely. Your government’s travel advice and the embassy of your destination country can tell you more; there you’ll also find current travel and safety information.

• Check the document’s validity early. Some countries require several months of remaining validity.
• If you’re travelling with only one parent or with other adults, find out whether a letter of consent from the other parent is advisable or required.
• Keep copies or digital photos of all documents separately from the originals.

Travelling with kids and a dog

With a dog, planning gets more complex but is doable. For travel within the EU, your dog usually needs a microchip, an EU pet passport and a valid rabies vaccination. Some countries require additional measures, such as a tapeworm treatment. The exact requirements are available from the responsible veterinary authority.

• Ask accommodation explicitly whether dogs are allowed, and clarify extra costs, size limits and conditions.
• Beaches, restaurants and public transport often have their own dog rules.
• In the heat, a destination with shade and cool places to retreat to is equally important for dogs and kids.
• In a rental car you need a way to transport the dog safely, such as a guard or crate, and the rental company must allow dogs.

What is overrated

• The perfect itinerary: a tight daily schedule collides with tiredness and hunger. The fewer appointments, the more relaxed.
• Kids’ clubs and entertainment as a must: they’re a nice addition but no substitute for family time. Whether they’re worth it depends on the age and the child.
• Lots of toys in your luggage: children often play longer with stones, shells and chance finds than with toys brought from home.
• Ticking off sights: with kids, one or two highlights per leg of the trip are realistic.

Avoiding typical mistakes

1. Too many changes of place. Every move costs energy. Stay longer in one place and do day trips.
2. Driving days that are too long. If you drive eight hours straight with small children, you pay for it with bad moods at your destination. Plan an overnight stop.
3. Booking too late. Family-friendly accommodation with several bedrooms goes quickly in the holidays.
4. No insurance or the wrong insurance. Check the cover for children before you sign up.
5. Underestimating sun and heat. Children’s skin is sensitive. Sun protection, a hat, water and a midday break in the shade are a must.
6. Forgetting food. Hungry children are the most common trigger for arguments. Snacks always belong in the backpack.

Your planning timeline

1. 3–6 months before: decide on the travel dates and region, check documents, book accommodation.
2. 6–8 weeks before: secure flights or a rental car, take out insurance, get vaccination advice for long-haul trips.
3. 2 weeks before: first-aid kit, packing list, tell the kids about the destination.
4. The last few days: online check-in, documents and cards to hand, check the weather.

How this looked for us in practice – theme parks, heat and all – is in our story Florida with kids and in our guide where to stay in Orlando.

Frequently asked questions

Last updated: 20 Oct 2026. Prices and rules change – please check with the official sources before you travel.

Travelling with kids: our verdict

Our verdict on travelling with kids: fewer changes of place, more breaks and accommodation with a kitchen make the biggest difference. It also helps to involve the children in planning, because then they look forward to the trip more. You can read how this worked for us in our Florida story; official EU information on travel documents for children is on Your Europe.