Having
recently travelled abroad with the kids and the peak summer season almost being
upon us I thought it was high time to share some tips and hacks that I’ve learnt
over the years and I also asked a few blogger friends to share their wisdom
too.
Ahead of Time
1. Booking your flights
Use a site like Skyscanner to find the best flight deals and then head over to your chosen airlines website and book direct, that way you'll secure the best deal possible. I’d always say to void third parties if you can.
2. Experts seem to agree that Tuesday is the
best day to buy flights and that about 6 weeks before you travel is the optimum
time to get a great deal. You have to have nerves of steel though, not sure I
could leave my flights until that close to the travel date! Tuesday (or even
Wednesday) is often the cheapest days to fly as well as it is away from the
peak weekends.
3. Have copies ready
Take photographs
of all your important documents, keep a copy on you and email a copy to your
at-home contact in case anything gets lost or you have a problem.
4. Keep track of what you are spending
Download a free app like XE currency,
so that whilst you are abroad you can easily work out how much things would
cost in your local currency.
5. Check out the airport lounges
Check
out the deals available for day access to the VIP lounges. Why? Because many of
them offer free food and drink and if there are a number of you requiring
dinner it can work out really cost effective and you have a comfy area to wait
too.
6. Book your parking in advance
Shop
around for your airport parking in advance. There are some great deals if you
check the voucher sites or go via a cash back site like Quidco. Signing up for
newsletters can also secure you a good discount for your first booking. I
recently booked via Looking4Parking and got a great Meet & Greet deal
through them.
Packing your Cases
7. Split your clothes
across cases
If you are travelling with family
and have multiple cases, make sure you spread your clothes across each of your
cases, that way if one goes missing you still all have some clothes to wear! This
is always something I’ve done since a teenager and Happy Mummy
advocates it too.
8. Pack a multi-plug
Take an extension lead or
multi-plug as hotels abroad never seem to have enough power points and this
means we can be charging the iPad at the same time as doing our hair! Of course
don’t forget converter plugs too.
9. Stop
those leaks
If you
want to take an open bottle of shampoo/ shower gel etc just unscrew the lid and
put a bit of cling film over and then screw the lid back on, this will ensure
you don't get any leaks even if the cap is broken off.
10. Make sure you can spot your case
Around
80% of the cases that arrive on the airport turnstile are black or navy and it
can be incredibly hard to spot yours, especially as you don't have to use
luggage tags nowadays. I have personalised luggage straps which make my cases
easy to spot but you can tie a bright ribbon on the handle or use chalk pens to
put your initials on in a vivid colour.
11. Have a power pack with you.
If you get delayed there is nothing worse than not being able to get in contact with those you need to as your phone battery has died or worse still the kids iPad dies and they whinge from boredom!
If you get delayed there is nothing worse than not being able to get in contact with those you need to as your phone battery has died or worse still the kids iPad dies and they whinge from boredom!
12. Pack
a tiny capsule wardrobe in your hand luggage.
A couple of pairs of knickers, bikini/swimsuit, a couple of small tops and a skirt/shorts that match. That way if your hold luggage goes missing, it won't ruin the start of your holiday! Tip from Pondering Parenthood
A couple of pairs of knickers, bikini/swimsuit, a couple of small tops and a skirt/shorts that match. That way if your hold luggage goes missing, it won't ruin the start of your holiday! Tip from Pondering Parenthood
Family friendly Preparations
13. Invest in a car seat bag
If you're travelling with a car seat, make sure you buy a car seat bag ( I highly recommend the isafe), you can then shove all your bulky/heavy items such as nappies, towels etc in with the car seat and save on your luggage allowance! Tip from Hello Baby Blog.
If you're travelling with a car seat, make sure you buy a car seat bag ( I highly recommend the isafe), you can then shove all your bulky/heavy items such as nappies, towels etc in with the car seat and save on your luggage allowance! Tip from Hello Baby Blog.
14. Prepare for flight boredom with little ones
Wrap up toys or buy toy bags for your little ones. You can then put all sorts of small items in there it amuse them, stickers, cards, healthy snacks etc. Tip from Mumma and her Monsters
Wrap up toys or buy toy bags for your little ones. You can then put all sorts of small items in there it amuse them, stickers, cards, healthy snacks etc. Tip from Mumma and her Monsters
15. Keep smiling and stay confident
My tip when flying is don't worry about what anyone else thinks - you've got as much right to be on the plane as anyone else! Crumbly Mummy wrote this post on tips for flying with kids and I also wrote 18 tips for flying with older kids too.
My tip when flying is don't worry about what anyone else thinks - you've got as much right to be on the plane as anyone else! Crumbly Mummy wrote this post on tips for flying with kids and I also wrote 18 tips for flying with older kids too.
16. Use a Sling
Sophie and Lily suggest that if you have a baby or young child you could consider a carrier or a sling for use at the airports and enjoy being hands free for a little while. Devon Mama also adds that you should take a carrier that doesn't contain metal. It then means you can babywear through security including the body scanner and your little one can continue to sleep.
Sophie and Lily suggest that if you have a baby or young child you could consider a carrier or a sling for use at the airports and enjoy being hands free for a little while. Devon Mama also adds that you should take a carrier that doesn't contain metal. It then means you can babywear through security including the body scanner and your little one can continue to sleep.
At the Airport
17. Photograph your parking space/ zone
If you are parking at the airport, make sure you take a photo of your parking area, so you can easily find your car again. Nothing worse than returning home and realising you have no idea where your car is!
If you are parking at the airport, make sure you take a photo of your parking area, so you can easily find your car again. Nothing worse than returning home and realising you have no idea where your car is!
18.
Mystery shopping could get you a free meal at the airport
Mystery
shopping agencies like Market Force and Grass Roots regularly have assignments
at airports and if you make them aware of your travel plans in advance they can
offer them to you.
19. Call
Customer Services if Delayed
If your flight is cancelled or severely delayed, rather than join the massive queue at their customer service desk use the freephone number and speak to the operator. They will be able to help you in just the same manner.
If your flight is cancelled or severely delayed, rather than join the massive queue at their customer service desk use the freephone number and speak to the operator. They will be able to help you in just the same manner.
 |
| Airport image from Shutterstock |
Airport Security
20. Take your own water container through
security
We all
know you're not allowed to take any liquids bigger than 100ml through airport
security but empty roll-up or easy pack drinks containers can be and are
perfect for filling up from the water fountain on the other side.
21. Follow the suits
Well
not literally but get in queue behind them when you are waiting to go through
security as chances are they are the people who will travel frequently and are
fastest. Steer clear of the lanes full of families. Research also shows that
lanes to the left should be quieter as with most people being right handed
their natural tendency is to head to the right!
22. Dress for going through Security
Wear slip-on shoes (no laces) and trousers that don't need belts - especially for children. This will speed up security and is much less stressful for you as a parent, as it's already a juggling act helping the kids and making sure you don't leave any bags/coats behind! Tip from Pack the PJs.
Wear slip-on shoes (no laces) and trousers that don't need belts - especially for children. This will speed up security and is much less stressful for you as a parent, as it's already a juggling act helping the kids and making sure you don't leave any bags/coats behind! Tip from Pack the PJs.
23. Prepare your Liquids
Make sure you separate your
liquids out in advance in your hand luggage and be aware of what is actually
classed as a liquid. Aside from actual liquids you need to be able to fit any make
up and lip balms/ pastes etc into your clear plastic bag. The security guards
don't make exceptions (and rightly so). Tip from Diary of
a Frugal Family
24. Liquid Medicines
If you are carrying liquid medicines they must have a prescription label on them and the name must be the same as on your (your childs) passport. Medicines don’t have to be under 100ml like other liquids. Tip from Mum on a Mission Blog
If you are carrying liquid medicines they must have a prescription label on them and the name must be the same as on your (your childs) passport. Medicines don’t have to be under 100ml like other liquids. Tip from Mum on a Mission Blog
On the Plane
25. Wear layers
For
some reason the temperature on planes is always unpredictable. Therefore it is
best to layer up and make sure you remember a light scarf, socks and easy to
remove shoes if you have a long flight.
Returning Home
26. Keep your case contents smelling fresh
If like
me you have a little problem with sweaty feet then don't forget to put a couple
of tumble dryer sheets in with your shoes and case as this will keep everything
smelling fresh.
If you have any great tips or hacks for flying the please do leave them in the comments and I'll update the post and if you want me to link to you, leave your URL as well.
Mich x
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