06/24/2026
Traveling with kids can be hard and flying with babies and toddlers is extremely intimidating. You never know how they will react to the pressure changes? what if they have a blow out? What if they cry and a stranger gives you a hard time?
Let me put you at ease! Here's some help on making your trip easier.
-Baby gear - don't worry about the size of your stroller for the flight. You can always gate check it. Instead, focus on the right stroller for your destination. Not all wheels are built for cobblestones or the infrastructure. Make sure you can carry it with you gear.
Assess if you will need a car seat. Car seats might not be legally required in public shuttles. While it is the safer option, some vehicles like coaches might not have the proper clips or seat belts making it unsafe. Taxis might not need a car seat either.
My choice of wheels for Amsterdam was a travel Graco stroller that had a clip on car seat option and a baby carrier. This allowed me to use the stroller as a pack mule in airports while wearing baby on and off the plane and around the airport.
- Bags -do not take a diaper bag. This is just 1 more bag to carry. Instead, have a personal item like a backpack or tote bag to carry a couple diapers, a small thing of wipes, 1 bottle and pre-portioned formula, hand sanitizer and an extra onesie. You can combine your personal bag with baby's. Your carry-on will have extra diapers, wipes, formula and clothes.
- Planes - people are not as rude as you think. Flight attendants and other passengers often offer help or distraction for your babies.... take the help! Change tables are located in the bathrooms above the toilets. They fold down into a table, but make sure you don't bring an excess of stuff into the bathroom, there's not much room. Always bring pain relief for babies on your flight. Flights will be the time they get sick. It's just Murphy's law. Make sure you call the airline to book a cot for your flight. Warning though, you might have to be moved to a different seat.
- Beaches and pools - safety is a priority! Pack the same stuff as you would have here but do not bring, the cooler, massive beach bag, umbrella and other creature comforts. You already have enough to bring. Instead bring a small mesh to bring sand toys that can be used at the pool and bath as well. The mesh bag can be also used for wet gear and is easy to pack.
- City and cultural trips - bring a baby carrier carrying them will be much easier than navigating through attractions and uneven terrain. For the slightly older kids (3 to 6), make them walk! This will burn them out, but take a lot of breaks between meals, snacks, exploring local flora, fauna, fountains ect.
- inter city trains - strollers are a pain in the butt. But you need them. Find a stroller that can collapse. A change table might not always be possible, so I like to have large Blue pads (puppy pads) to lay down on a counter or floor. They are disposable and waterproof.
Traveling with kids doesn't have to be intimidating. It's amazing to see them discover new places. Babies can still be transported everywhere. Toddlers are the hard phase. The potty training phase is difficult.
If you're looking for tips on traveling with kids or have any other ideas, put them in the comments!
