Travelling With Kids? Take Note Of These Parent-Approved Hacks For A Smooth Journey

Parents share their favourite tips and tricks for family getaways with kids—how to make the journey better, which places to pick and more.

Travelling with your children or young adults often means that the adventure starts much before you arrive at your destination. From packing their bags to planning plane, train and car journeys, every moment is full of excitement but also unpredictability. Whether it’s managing a mid-flight meltdown, keeping toddlers entertained in a restrictive hotel room or finding ways to keep your pre-teen engaged on a family vacation; holidays tend to resemble the Olympics of parenting.

So, we turned to celebrity parents and family travel pros for their expert advice on how they prepare for long-haul flights and luxury vacations to off-the-grid adventures with their brood. These well-travelled moms and dads have all experienced the highs and lows of vacationing with their kids and may have even mastered the art of stress-free family travel (if such a thing exists?).

Hacks To Make Your Travel Journey Smoother

Actress Kajal Aggarwal has been travelling with her son since he was three months old. “When my son was an infant, I’d carry his travel bed to be inserted into a baby bassinet, and if there was no bassinet, I’d attach it to my seat. That way, we were both comfortable during the journey,” she shares.

Food planning also evolved with her child’s growth. “When he was on milk or formula, I carried enough for the journey but found that international brands were easily available everywhere.” As he transitioned to solids, she packed home-cooked meals like parathas, theplas, and khichdi before eventually introducing local cuisine. Some non-negotiables for travel include her son’s beloved blanket, a potty seat, a few favourite books and toys, and a well-stocked medicine kit. “A bottle warmer that worked on a USB cable was a lifesaver when he was younger—I could use it anywhere, from a car to an aeroplane.”

Aggarwal adds that as parents, they are non-fussy and quite flexible as their child’s needs change. “What has worked very well for us is getting him excited and acclimatised to local environments—whether it’s a market or a garden with an outdoor play area.” She insists that it’s the attitude of the parents that determines how their child travels. “The more flexible you are, the easier they will be to manage!”

Choose Your Kind Of Holiday And Plan In Advance

When it comes to deciding what airline to fly, British Airways has been consistently named as the most family-friendly airline while others like Emirates and Air Canada have also been recognised for their kid-friendly policies. For example, British Airways guarantees seating children with their parents at no extra fee, while Emirates’ onboard entertainment is known to be one of the best for children.

Vinita Rawat, founder of bespoke travel consultancy Amazing Vacations, shares some of her expert insights on planning an easier vacation with your children.

“Young kids love to play on the beach, and big resorts make it even more fun with kiddie pools, slides, and plenty of entertainment,” she explains. Many larger resorts offer structured kids’ activities, making beach vacations a breeze for parents. “Some resorts even have a full timetable of activities, from singing and Zumba to rock climbing and arts and crafts. It keeps the little ones engaged while parents get some time to unwind.”

For families considering a ski vacation, school trips often play a big role in shaping interest. “Many kids go to ski camp with their school and love it so much that they convince their parents to take them on ski vacations too,” she says. A ski trip becomes a great bonding experience, with families spending their days on the slopes together and evenings cosying up by the fire.

Simple But Versatile Solutions
When it comes to a city break, fashion designer and mother of two, Gabriella Demetriades, found her saviour in the form of her son’s stroller. “We bought a really good quality stroller that worked well on cobblestones and narrow streets for a trip we took to Hungary, Poland and the UK.” Gabriella and her partner, actor Arjun Rampal, would strap their elder son Arik in and take him sightseeing, out for dinner, and to brunches in the park. “Sometimes, it’s the simplest solutions which offer the most versatility!”

Travelling as a family can be incredibly memorable and fulfilling but comes with its own set of challenges. Our suggestion? Consider this time a break from your regular rules, go with the flow and enjoy the ride.