Family travel has evolved. Sure, road trips to the shore or mountains are still beloved traditions. But today’s parents are dreaming — and doing — bigger adventures.

Traveling with the whole family is more popular than ever. Flying overseas with a toddler? Navigating five countries with five kids? It might sound intimidating. But it’s absolutely doable.

Don’t just take our word for it. Parents from our Bucks County, Main Line, and Philadelphia communities shared their best tips for trips with kids. So pack your sense of humor, do your homework on current travel policies, and start planning some memorable family travel adventures.

Here’s a tip from us: whether you’re traveling on the ground or in the sky, check out our list of 21 Totally Awesome Family Podcasts to Listen to On Your Next Road Trip!

Tips for Passports and Other Travel Paperwork

Navigating passports and travel paperwork can feel overwhelming, so we turned to the experts for their best advice. Here’s what local travel professionals have to say about making the process as smooth as possible.

• “The passport process with littles can be involved, so start early to avoid rush fees. And to apply for a child’s passport, both parents must be present in the office.” ~ Lacey Long

• “Passports expire every five years for minors, while adults only need to renew every ten years. Some places require you to have a passport that has 6 months of time left on it, so be careful!” ~ Steph Gunderson 

• “Get the travel insurance! Especially if you have littles in school or daycare! Sicknesses are constantly going around, accidents happen, whatever the case may be, travel insurance can reimburse your non-refundable payments due to trip cancellations.” ~ Mir Anda Nap

• “TSA precheck and Global Entry also covers kids flying with parents within the US. Very worth it! If you fly internationally each person, including kids, need Global Entry.” ~ Anastasia Shown 

• “Get a ROAD ID bracelet for your kids just in case. Make sure text messaging on your mobile works. Most people outside the US use WhatsApp.” ~ Lara Wolfson

Keeping Kids Safe on the Road (and in the Air)

Traveling with little ones comes with its own set of challenges, so we gathered some helpful tips on keeping kids safe whether you’re hitting the highway or taking to the skies. Here’s what some experts recommend for a safe and stress-free journey with your family.

• “If you are traveling and only taking Ubers I 100 percent recommend this travel car seat device. It’s pricey but easier than a car seat and renting a car and I have lent it out to friends who also used it and trusted it. I use on my 2-year-old for both test-driving cars and in Ubers and no one has given us a problem.” ~ Jaesi Goldstein

• “If traveling internationally with kids who have food allergies, there are extra precautions to take. Don’t let a child with allergies eat airline food. Pack safe snacks in your carryon. Bring Select Wisely translation cards if visiting a country where English isn’t the official language, they were invaluable when we visited Italy and Mexico! And contact restaurants ahead of time to verify they can assist.” ~ Jennifer G. Morgan

• “If your child has food allergies, Ireland or other EU countries may be a great place to visit. All of the dishes on the restaurant menus in these countries must identify 14 different types of allergens. Most menus make it easy with little pictures or numbers next to each dish.” ~ Julie Lathia

• “Know the laws and customs of the country you’re visiting, know the food and options, and always know where the closest medical center is in case of emergency. Also, depending on where you’re traveling to, research how women are treated and what their rights are in regards to children and decision making.” ~ Eileen McKeefery O’Connor

Tips for Taking Toddlers & Kids

• “We have a book that describes flying on an airplane that I highly recommend, and we read it in the weeks leading up to travel. Preparation is key for us! Going on an Airplane: A Toddler Prep Book (Toddler Prep Books).” ~ Colleen Rieders

• “We got our kid psyched for her first international trip by doing a month of language lessons on the Pimsleur App. Our 5-year-old really did a great job of following along!” ~ Lacey Long 

• “If kids are old enough, assign each with the responsibility to research and help plan one realistic family activity and provide a budget.” ~ Jennifer G. Morgan 

• “Put stickers on all your luggage that your kids can identify. We do iridescent owls and my kids love looking for it at baggage claim.” ~ Lara Wolfson 

• “When visiting a foreign country, practice some basic conversational greetings in advance and teach your kids to say them if they are old enough. It goes a long way and locals appreciate the effort!” ~ Jennifer G. Morgan 

Travel With Babies

Traveling with a baby brings a whole new level of planning and preparation, so we rounded up some helpful tips to make the journey a little easier. Here’s what experts recommend for a smooth and stress-free trip with your little one.

• “The week you bring them home from the hospital use a white sheet background in their car seat and take your own photos. Newborns are only awake on their own time. Make your life easier. Travel as soon as the passport arrives. Babies don’t understand time zones anyway.” ~ Kelly Finn Stormer

• “For children who are breastfeeding, wait until takeoff to feed! It will allow their ears to pop naturally and likely put them to sleep. Bring a boppy pillow for your lap so you can comfortably hold the baby the whole flight as well as a ring sling to free your hands if you have to use the bathroom during the flight.” ~ Danielle Rostick 

• “Skip the stroller and baby-wear! Especially when it comes to older cities with cobblestone sidewalks and tiny restaurants. Many museums don’t allow strollers, but my kids have napped for hours on my back through the Musee d’Orsay, the British Museum, etcetera. It’s a great way for us to do “boring adult things” with littles who still need a nap, without getting stuck going back to a hotel every afternoon.” ~ Julie Barber-Rotenberg 

Plane-Planning and Packing

Getting ready for a flight requires a little extra thought, especially when traveling with family, so we rounded up some helpful tips to make the packing and planning process easier. Here’s what experts recommend for a smooth and stress-free airport experience.

• “Pack a change of clothes for both adults and kids in carry on. My poor husband had to stand in line with a wet shirt for two hours until we cleared customs at our destination after my son fell asleep on his chest during the flight and his diaper leaked all over his shirt. Of course we had clothes for the kids in carry on, but forgot to bring any for ourselves!” ~ Erica Smith-Klocek

• “Even though our guy was under two, we bought him a seat. He slept in his car seat and we slept as well as you can as an adult in economy. Worth every penny. Plus, earphones your kid likes so they can watch the Muppets on repeat!” ~ Julia Judson-Rea

• “Take lots of little toys and snacks. Try to fly late in the evening so they sleep on the flight. Make sure to take a couple of blankets to make them extra comfy. Definitely layer clothes so you’re not too cold or warm. Carry two sets of spare clothes in your carry-on in ziplock plastic bags.” ~ Gauri Shiroor

• “Bring a bag of new, never-before seen toys!” ~ Catherine Wargo Roberts 

• “We use lollipops for take off and landing.” ~ Trish O’Donnell 

• “Always buy them their own seat! It’s safer and makes life easier for you too.” ~ Sarah Ridgley Kowalaski

At the Airport

Navigating the airport can be one of the most stressful parts of travel, especially with kids in tow, so we gathered some helpful tips to make the experience a little smoother. Discover tips from other parents for getting through the terminal with ease.

• “Utilize curbside-check for your bags and a car valet service at the airport. Makes drop-off and pick-up with bags much easier.” ~ Susan Lorenz-Fisher 

• “Even if your toddler isn’t normally a runner consider a “leash” backpack. This brought to you by the woman who was seven months pregnant when her non-runner decided to give it a try in the transit line in Qatar. He got bored waiting, pulled his hand out of mine and took off past and through security-who didn’t see him because he was short-and into the airport. Nearly caused an international incident when his dad attempted pursuit! There was a lot of yelling in Arabic, English, French and in my panic, Swahili. The little runner was apprehended by a flight attendant in Hermès who saw him run by. After that, we utilized the tail feature on his monkey back pack.” ~ Ashley Best-Raiten

• “For the toddler phase we found it very helpful to know ahead of time which airports had indoor playgrounds, especially for longer flights. Since we usually had a decent commute to the airport, we would leave extra time for playing on the playground before boarding. This would burn some energy before twelve hours on the plane!” ~ Alicia Kroat-Aronovich

• “One tip is always plan for things to take at least an hour longer than you expect. That way you don’t have the added stress of beating a clock” ~ Maria Catherine

Lodging

Once you’ve arrived, a little preparation can go a long way in making your destination feel like home, so we rounded up some helpful tips for navigating life on the ground. Here’s what parents recommend for a smooth and enjoyable experience once you arrive.

• “We try to book lodging near a local playground to get energy out before dinner. It gets harder with more children, but we successfully traveled internationally with three under five!” ~ Anna Swynford 

• “We learned early on that room setup is key. When possible, we chose rooms with a separate or semi-separate living area or a balcony so we could still talk/stay up once little went to sleep. Once we just had a long hall from room door past closet and bathroom that had enough space for the pack and play, which worked great. And can’t say enough about how much easier Airbnbs have been for traveling as a family. Elbow room, laundry, kitchen, whatever is important…and fewer worries about nighttime crying waking folks in the next room.” ~ Kelly Kolb

• “We look for Airbnbs with a washer and dryer so we can run a load of laundry, and pack less, too.” ~ Clare Herlihy Dych 

• “It’s way better than you anticipate it to go! We took my son on his first trip to Curacao at 7 months, then at 15 months to England and Ireland. Even with the time difference his naps and all went smoothly just sticking to his ‘normal’ routine. The only thing that stunk was he did not eat really any of the food in England or Ireland, so I was thankful I overpacked for his snacks/pouches/shelf stable food!” ~ Erin Schneider

On the Ground

Once you’ve landed, the real adjustments begin. These local parents share what actually works when you’re navigating jet lag, meltdowns, and must-see sights with kids in tow.

• “For my kids we keep them up later and they sleep in and it’s a bit easier to adjust to time zones.” ~ Susan Roberts

• “Be flexible in your plans. We scheduled several museums in Florence, but the kids were breaking down just fifteen minutes into our first stop at the Accademia Gallery. We switched up our plans and went to a toy store, had pizza, strolled the streets, and then headed to Pisa for the afternoon instead. When all else fails – you can bribe kids with gelato!” ~ Erica Smith-Klocek 

• “This might just be my extreme nerdiness, but I think research and planning is where it’s at. Of course adaptability is important in the moment, but it helps to know if you can buy tickets ahead (like at the Vatican to avoid the 3 hour line) or what the hours are for each site you’re planning to visit, etc. you can always change it up in the moment, but knowing how to avoid crowds or other inconveniences can make all the difference when you have impatient kiddos in tow.” ~ Julia Cuccaro-Green

• “No matter what you show them, toy stores will always be tops. Took our kids to London twice and Hamley’s is their favorite attraction. Also, it won’t be the same vacation as an adults only. Just go with it and enjoy it, because your kids will remember the experience!” ~ Alexis Marchio Stumm

• “Try to include cultural experiences in your travels. My kids remember climbing the pyramids at Uxmal and visiting a Mayan village more than they remember sitting on the beach or playing in the pool.” ~ Erica Smith-Klocek 

On the Road

Hitting the road with family can be an adventure all its own, so we gathered some helpful tips to make the journey as enjoyable as the destination. Here’s what parents recommend for a smooth and stress-free road trip with your crew.

• “Plan drive around naps and meals.” ~ Elise English

• “For long road trips, keep a separate suitcase with necessities. Pack things like an outfit for every member of the family, tooth brushes, Tylenol, etc. It’s much easier to grab a single bag to take into a hotel room than finding items for each member of your family in separate suitcases.”

• “Don’t make any solid plans on travel days! And go with the flow when it comes to eating, making stops, etc.” ~ Sarah Vonderheid

• “Bring a potty training toilet for those emergencies that just can’t wait for the rest stop! Speaking of rest stops, you never know what the restrooms will look like. Amazon sells disposable seat covers and toilet wipes! My child is 9 and we still use these!” ~ Miranda Kap

• “We drove to Myrtle Beach in the summer — building in stops along the way was key. We made sure to find a playground where our three year old could run around and get out of his seat for a little about halfway there. We also stopped for food, potty and brought flash cards to go over.” ~ Christine Wolkin 

• “PBS games. Tablet from library. We listened to Circle Round for a podcast story to get him asleep. Magic revel books, wow water books, let them pick toys to hold, happy meal toys.” ~ Keren Peymani

• “Went on two 14 plus hours road trips this year to Iowa and again to Florida. “Don’t bring any toys that make noise that will drive YOU crazy! We also got lap trays to make eating easier and they can also be used to prop tablets, color, etc. Depending on how long your drive is, nap time isn’t going to matter at all. They’ll either be sleeping tons or not at all.” ~ Jessica Berkovitz

Manage Your Expectations

Setting realistic expectations before you travel can make all the difference in how your trip unfolds, so we rounded up some helpful advice to keep in mind before you head out. Here’s what experts recommend for keeping a positive mindset and making the most of your family travel experience.

• “Number one piece of advice is LOWER EXPECTATIONS. Drive normally takes five hours? We’re going to be happy if it’s anything less than eight. We also chose all our hotels or airbnbs based on location and the assumption that if we needed to we could spend like 80 percent of the trips in them. Nice view from deck? Can walk to a place for breakfast? Then those are our top two priorities and anything else is icing.” Laura Anderson Zhu

• “Nap or bedtime schedules might get wacky, flights get delayed and you’re not going to get to go everywhere you want or do everything you planned on. And that’s okay. It gets easier with each trip and you’ll get to a point where you can involve them in the planning and everyone is on the same page.” ~ Veen Huffnagle

The Best Tip on Family Travel?

Experience all you can through their eyes, and bring it all home. Family memories make the best and longest-lasting souvenirs.

Lead photo courtesy of Canva