Story Excerpt:
(Today) With summer just around the bend, many families are planning getaways. But figuring out all the details — from which hotels are child-friendly to how many diapers to pack for that five-hour flight (more is better) — can be critical for a smooth trip. Here are some lessons I have learned over the years, both from other travelers and through my own experience.
DON’T PACK WHAT YOU CAN GET THERE. Leave the extra formula, suntan lotion and Cheerios at home.
THINK COMPACT. The more you can leave behind the better, but there are times when taking along a travel bed or a foldable highchair is worth it.
TRAVELING BY PLANE? DON’T STUFF EVERYTHING INTO ONE CHECKED BAG.Airlines are generally losing fewer checked bags these days. But that’s little consolation if you’re one of the unlucky ones whose bag goes missing, especially if all the children’s clothes, gear and toys are in it.
DON’T SCRIMP ON AIRLINE TICKETS. When you are trying to stick to a budget it’s tempting to book the cheaper connecting flight or convince yourself that you don’t need to spend $25 extra each way to check that portable travel bed. The nonstop flight and checked bag fees will add to your expenses, but it’s often not worth the risk of missing a connection or the effort involved in schlepping all those carry-on bags.
GET CREATIVE WITH ENTERTAINMENT. You can quickly turn a luggage rack into an activity gym for an infant by hooking some dangling toys on it.
Related articles
- Hey fliers: You can’t have it all (cnn.com)
- Six Tips for Your Kid’s Trip (delta.com)
- United Raises Second Checked Bag Fee on International Flights (abcnews.go.com)
- United Airlines Is Hiking Fees For A Second Checked Bag On International Flights (businessinsider.com)
- Packing Guide for Travellers – Flight Centre NZ (flightcentre.co.nz)
