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Traveling with children

Baggage regulations for children

• One car-type baby seat
• One children restraint device (CRD)
• One baby basket
• One foldable stroller
• One hiking backpack carrier
• One foldable bike trailer
• One foldable wagon

Baby on board

Children traveling alone.

Child seats

• We recommend that you choose a window seat for the child using the child restraint system. As the accompanying adult, you should take the seat next to them in any case.
• Please avoid choosing seats in the emergency exit rows.
• The child seat must be in perfect condition.
• The child restraint system must not impede anyone in the event of an evacuation.
• Parents are familiar with the use of the child restraint system and can attach the seat themselves. The child seat is the property of the parents and is their responsibility.
• In principle, child restraint systems must be able to be attached with the seat’s lap belt.

Flying with peace of mind during pregnancy

• Uncomplicated single pregnancy: Flying is permitted until the end of the 36th week of pregnancy. From the 28th week of pregnancy onwards, a certificate from the attending gynecologist should be presented stating that the journey is safe.
• Uncomplicated multiple pregnancy: Flying is permitted until the end of the 32nd week of pregnancy. From the 28th week of pregnancy onwards, a certificate from the attending gynecologist should be presented stating that the journey is safe.
• Pregnancies with complications: If complications (heavy bleeding, threatened premature birth, pregnancy infections, pre-eclampsia, etc.) have already occurred during pregnancy, a medical certificate from the attending gynecologist must be submitted before traveling.
• Confirmation that the pregnancy is uncomplicated
• The expected due date
• The gynecologist should explicitly state that the pregnancy does not prevent the patient from traveling by air.

Children's menu

On-board entertainment for children.

Kids’ entertainment on long-haul routes

Kids’ entertainment on short and medium-haul routes

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Eurowings: Children Flying Alone

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Can an unaccompanied minor travel on Eurowings?

Children up to 5 years must travel with a responsible parent. Children 5-11 years may travel on direct Eurowings flights within Germany and direct flights between Germany, Zurich, and Vienna with a responsible sibling aged 16 years or older or, if unaccompanied, must travel with use of Eurowings’ UM Service (UM = Unaccompanied Minor).

How do I register my minor child for travel on Eurowings?

You must contact a Eurowings call centre or visit an airport counter for reservations and other arrangements. A list of Eurowings call centres may be accessed by clicking here .

Is there a fee for an unaccompanied minor traveling on Eurowings?

The fee [as of 1 November 2016] per unaccompanied minor traveling on Eurowings is €50 for short- and medium-haul flights. Unaccompanied minors are not allowed on long-haul flights.

SeatGuru was created to help travelers choose the best seats and in-flight amenities.

Eurowings minors flying alone

Does eurowings allow children to travel alone.

Eurowings allows children to travel alone with certain restrictions and offers the Unaccompanied Minor Service on request .

The Unaccompanied Minor Service is only available on direct domestic flights and direct flights from Germany to Vienna and Zurich . On international routes, children are not allowed to travel as Unaccompanied Minors.

From what age a child can travel as an Unaccompanied Minor?

On Eurowings flights, children up to the age of 12 years must travel accompanied by a responsible adult, but children aged 5 to 11 years may also travel accompanied by a sibling aged 16 years or older.

However, if special circumstances require a child to travel unaccompanied, the Unaccompanied Minor Service may be requested only for children from 5 to 11 years old, inclusively .

Children under 5 years of age are never accepted unless accompanied by an adult passenger.

Unaccompanied Minor Service

Booking the Unaccompanied Minor Service , as well as the corresponding flight, is not possible online and must be done by contacting the Eurowings or Eurowings Discover call center or at an airport sales desk . If your child’s booking has an etix ticket number (for example, if you make the booking through the Lufthansa website or a travel agent), you can only book the Unaccompanied Minor service at the airport.

You should know that, for children and young people traveling alone, special entry and exit provisions apply in some countries . As it is the passenger’s responsibility to ensure they comply with the national entry/exit provisions, Eurowings recommends you obtain information from the appropriate national authorities, in good time before traveling, and procure the necessary documents for your child .

The legally responsible adult must accompany the child at the airport, to the check-in counter and then to the departure gate. You must arrive at the check-in counter at least 2 hour before departure because the required formalities lead to a longer check-in time. After this check-in deadline, Unaccompanied Minors will no longer be checked-in. The legally responsible adult will receive an authorisation allowing them to accompany the child traveling alone to the departure gate, through security controls. Only at that point, the child will be left in the care of Eurowings, but the accompanying adult must remain at the airport until the plane has departed .

Eurowings’ friendly staff will look after the well-being of your child and will make sure he/she arrives safely at the destination airport. On board, a free refreshment will be offered to every child traveling as an Unaccompanied Minor.

When the Unaccompanied Minor Service is requested, Eurowings will levy a fee of €75 per leg and per child traveling alone, payable at the time of booking the Unaccompanied Minor Service for the child.

For Unaccompanied Minors traveling on Eurowings Discover flights , in addition to the price of the flight, a special service charge applies per route and per child (even in the case of siblings traveling together):

More information here >>

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The 5 best airlines that make flying with babies and kids a whole lot easier

Baby-friendly meals, guaranteed family seating, nut-free flights … These carriers can make air travel with little ones way less of a headache.

How we chose the best airlines for families

• Best domestic airline for amenities: JetBlue
• Best domestic airline for on-time performance: Delta
• Best budget airline: Southwest
• Best European airline: Lufthansa
• Best international airline: Emirates

Factors to consider when choosing an airline for your family

Seeing new things, having new experiences, visiting relatives, jumping from freezing temperatures to sunny beaches in an afternoon … There are plenty of great reasons to fly with kids . But for anyone who says "getting there is half the fun," I'm guessing they haven't been to an airport with a toddler.  

Even as a professional travel writer and mom of "big" kids, I still stress about finding seats together, getting delayed, and having something to eat on the flight. That's why knowing what airlines are truly family-friendly, and, let's face it, just friendly in general, is important. 

At the very least, you want an airline that's going to guarantee your 4-year-old isn't sitting with strangers while you're stuck in a middle seat in the back of the plane. In the best-case scenario, though, there are a host of airlines that go out of their way to make flying comfortable and actually fun – not just for the littlest members of your traveling party, but for the grownups, too. 

"Pretty much any airline is able to accommodate families," says David Slotnick Opens a new window , the senior aviation business reporter at The Points Guy and dad to a 1-year-old son. "Most of them will let you preboard, if you ask, so that you can have time to stow your bags and get everyone settled into your seats, and most will let you gate-check a stroller, so that you can pick it back up as soon as you step off of the plane." But, he cautions, there are things that some do better than others, like free checked bags and guaranteed seat assignments, that really make a difference when flying with kids.

As a travel writer with more than 20 years of experience, I've circled the world and reported on everything from Animal Kingdom in Walt Disney World to safari lodges in Africa. I've flown with my son both alone and with my husband hundreds of times to dozens of locations (last stop, Spain, next stop, Japan). And I can tell you we've had great experiences – the whole family upgraded to lay-flat business class seats returning home from London on United – and terrible flights – Air France canceling our flight home from Paris and rescheduling us 18 hours later. And I've learned some valuable lessons along the way.

In addition to this personal experience, I utilized the BabyCenter Community to see what airlines have come through for families flying with their little ones in tow and spoke to nearly a dozen travel-savvy parents who among them have logged more miles in the sky than many travel professionals. From these conversations, I was able to learn what parents prioritize when looking for an airline. 

Based on this combined research, all of the airlines below:

Offer pre-boarding for families with young children so you're not fighting to cram your bags into an overhead bin while simultaneously installing a car seat. 

Ensure families sit together – to say this is a hot-button topic would be an understatement; the Department of Transportation (DOT) even created an  Airline Family Seating Dashboard Opens a new window  to track airline policies. 

Offer a range of amenities – including the ability to warm up bottles and borrow baby gear, like strollers, in the airport.  

For additional insight into flying with babies and kids , I spoke to the following family travel experts: 

David Slotnick, Opens a new window the senior aviation business reporter at The Points Guy website and dad to 1-year-old son. 

Alexis Bowen, co-founder of Elsewhere Opens a new window by Lonely Planet, a travel site connecting local experts and travelers, and a mom to a baby girl.

Best domestic airline for amenities: JetBlue Opens a new window

As far as general carriers in the United States go, JetBlue comes out on top for several reasons. First, there's the variety of free in-flight entertainment options to keep the kids entertained, including free WiFi, live TV, and movies at every seat, not to mention copious free snack options that include cookies, chips, and an addictive snack mix. Plus, JetBlue has the largest legroom in coach, which helps with everything from letting kids stretch to giving you room to  maneuver your car seat into place.

JetBlue also guarantees families sit together no matter how much you paid for your tickets, which is (almost) priceless. All of its planes have changing tables — a win for when you need to change a diaper mid-flight . Finally, families who know how to work their points will appreciate how easy it is to pool and redeem rewards.

Heads up: JetBlue recently raised their domestic checked bag fees: Your first checked bag will now cost $35 if you commit online more than 24 hours in advance, and $45 within less than 24 hours' notice. (International baggage is free.) JetBlue does not charge to check your car seat.

Parents say: "JetBlue let my husband board early with our seat harness, diaper bag, and carry-ons so he could get our row set up before I walked my toddler on board with our regular boarding group. This was game-changing since I could give my 2-year-old a final diaper change before the long flight without missing our chance to get our things onto the plane before everyone else."

Buy tickets Opens a new window

Best domestic airline for on-time performance: delta opens a new window.

Many parents I spoke to raved about Delta's service, so it wasn't a surprise that Delta was the top-rated domestic airline on Bounce's 2023 Airline Index Opens a new window . Delta had the highest percentage of on-time arrivals (82%), one of the lowest cancellation rates at 2%, and also the lowest level of passenger complaints at just 2.66 per 100 customers. (For comparison, Frontier had 10 times that number of complaints.). 

Delta was also named the Most Reliable Airline in the U.S. by AirAdvisor Opens a new window . In other words, if you want to get your family to your destination without delays, Delta is your airline. 

Another top-selling point that many parents shared with me was Delta's peanut allergen policy. With advance notice, Delta will refrain from serving peanuts on your flight Opens a new window .

Heads up: There are limited snack options on short domestic flights. 

Parents say: "Delta is hands down our favorite airline to fly as a family … My daughter's first flight was around a year old, and I was flying solo with her. The flight attendants brought her special kids' snacks, the pilot gave her Delta wings, and they truly went above and beyond to help me get her to the changing station in the bathroom, clean up snacks, you name it … [Delta is] just generally a very family-positive airline. They allow families to board first if desired. They easily check any luggage or strollers at the gate — and we've never had an item go missing or be delayed in any way! We've [now] gone on 10-plus flights with our 4-year-old, and the times we've experienced delays (weather-related only), we were kept informed and felt like we were in really good hands." 

Best budget airline:  Southwest Opens a new window

First, let's start with the transparent pricing on Southwest, which usually beats other major carriers on the same route. There's no laundry list of extras, in large part because checked bags – two per person – are completely free. That means you can check your suitcase instead of dragging a carry-on, a stroller, your child, a car seat, and luggage onto a plane. 

And while Southwest isn't included in the DOT list of airlines that guarantee family seating, they do have some safety nets in place to work with their unique no-pre-assigned-seating policy. You can, of course, pay to be in the early bird group to board the plane first. However, if you have kids under 6, take advantage of the family boarding Opens a new window , which happens after the A group and before the B group, meaning you'll be among the first people on the plane and can usually choose seats together. 

Heads up: If your child is older than 6, but under 14, Southwest promises it will "reasonably endeavor to seat a child next to one accompanying passenger." If you want your entire family to sit together and you have a larger party, you might want to pay for early boarding.

Parents say: "I like the boarding process, and I like that they have family boarding up until age 6. It's so nice to have the extra time to get to the seats. And we usually install the extra airplane seat belts, so we like having the extra time for that too." 

Buy tickets Opens a new window  

Best european airline: lufthansa opens a new window.

Europe's biggest carrier ranks high for its comfortable seats and extensive in-flight entertainment system. The airline keeps the comfort going for families with special check-in areas in Frankfurt and Munich and the extensive Kinderland play area in Munich. 

With the thought that well-fed kids are happy kids, Lufthansa offers in-air children's menus taste-tested by a panel of junior chefs. Expect dishes like "pretzel face," "tortoise muffins," "Lu's favorite lasagna," and "sausage mummies." Meals for babies – such as baby food, mini sausages, and soups – are also available on board Lufthansa flights.  

Heads up: Lufthansa mostly flies to European destinations, so you can't really use them to travel around North America.

Parents say: "Lufthansa made it very easy to travel with kids. We boarded early and settled quickly. They offer children's meals ([which you] must request in advance) that are served prior to main cabin meals. This gave me time to both attend to them and also allow me to eat my meal in peace. An overall wonderful experience." 

Best international airline: Emirates Opens a new window

For kids, flying Emirates is a little bit like attending a  birthday party in the sky: There are goodie bags, stuffed animals, toys, and even special snacks. If you're flying with a baby , you'll receive a kit with a reusable changing mat, diaper cream, cleansing wipes, a bib, a plush toy that attaches to the seatback, and a special collectible blanket. Bigger kids get fanny packs and backpacks filled with games and activities. 

Kids' meals include favorites like pasta and chicken tenders served on special colorful trays, and there are snack boxes filled with cookies and fruit snacks for mid-flight munchies. Emirates even has special kid-sized headphones to watch the collection of Disney movies and other in-flight entertainment. 

Parents will be happy to know that families always board first, and at the Dubai hub, there's a special family check-in desk as well as complimentary strollers to navigate the airport. 

Heads up: Emirates doesn't operate domestic flights, so you can only use this option for international travel , and the airline is often one of the priciest options when comparing fares, although you do get what you pay for.

Parents say: " I chose to fly Emirates through Dubai as I knew their economy class section was roomier and more comfortable than most airlines and that their entertainment system would keep my son engaged throughout much of the long flight. The service on board and at the Dubai lounge were excellent – truly helpful to this single mom!"

If you're deciding between a few different carriers for a trip, keep the following in mind to help you make your choice.

Price. Let's face it, paying for a family to fly is pricey. So finding an airline with well-priced seats, as well as perks, is definitely important for a budget-friendly vacation . 

On-time performance. You do not want any delays, if you can help it, when traveling with kids. (I say this as a mom who was stuck for 11 hours in Newark Airport with a 6-year-old waiting for a replacement plane on an airline that only had one scheduled flight per day out of New Jersey). While weather can't be helped, choosing an airline with a noted performance record can get you off the ground sooner. 

Kid-friendliness. Does the airline have kids' meals? How about entertainment? Do they offer any additional toys or perks for little ones to make the trip more memorable?

Seating policies for babies. Are there lap infant policies that let you hold your baby under 2 for free? And do they offer bassinets for infants? "When flying long-haul, booking a bassinet is a lifesaver," Bowen says. "Prioritize airlines where bassinets can be booked in advance, as this will drastically change your experience."

Checked bags. "One thing I always keep in mind is the cost of checking bags," says Slotnick. "I used to travel with carry-on only, but with car seats, clothes, diaper bags, strollers, and more, that's much harder these days. So I try to stick with airlines that, for me, have the best checked bag options."

Was this article helpful?

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BabyCenter's editorial team is committed to providing the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information in the world. When creating and updating content, we rely on credible sources: respected health organizations, professional groups of doctors and other experts, and published studies in peer-reviewed journals. We believe you should always know the source of the information you're seeing. Learn more about our editorial and medical review policies .

Bounce. 2023. The 2023 Airline Index. https://usebounce.com/blog/2023-airline-index Opens a new window [Accessed March 2024]

U.S. Department of Transportation. 2023. Airline Family Seating Dashboard. https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/airline-family-seating-dashboard Opens a new window [Accessed March 2024]

Family Travel Association. 2023. US Family Travel Survey 2023. https://familytravel.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/FTA-Survey2023-Report.pdf Opens a new window   [Accessed March 2024]

Air Advisor, Most Reliable Airlines in the US Opens a new window   [Accessed March 2024]

David Slotnick, Opens a new window Senior Aviation Business Reporter, The Points Guy.

Alexis Bowen, Co-founder, Elsewhere Opens a new window by Lonely Planet.

U.S. Department of Transportation. 2023. Air Travel Consumer Reports for 2023. https://www.transportation.gov/resources/individuals/aviation-consumer-protection/air-travel-consumer-reports-2023 Opens a new window [Accessed March 2024]

Melissa Klurman is a veteran writer, editor, and travel expert and is the winner of a Lowell Thomas Gold Award for excellence in travel writing. She has more than 25 years of journalism experience in both print and digital platforms. A New Jersey native, ice cream addict, and lifelong Bruce Springsteen fan, Klurman lives in Montclair, New Jersey, with her husband, son, and rescue dog.

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Flying With a Baby? Here’s What to Know Before You Go

How old should a baby be to fly, read this next, what do children need to fly, tips for flying with an infant.

What to Expect the First Year , 3rd edition, Heidi Murkoff.  WhatToExpect.com, Do Babies Need Passports? , May 2019.  WhatToExpect.com, Should You Bring Your Child’s Car Seat on an Airplane? , August 2021. WhatToExpect.com, Your Ultimate Guide to Traveling While Breastfeeding , August 2020. American Academy of Pediatrics, Family Friendly Flying , November 2015.  American Academy of Pediatrics, Flying With Baby: Parent FAQs , November 2019.   American Airlines, Traveling With Children .  Delta Air Lines, Infant Air Travel , 2021.  Federal Aviation Administration, Flying With Children , March 2021.  Transportation Security Administration, Coronavirus (COVID-19) FAQ .  Transportation Security Administration, Identification .  Transportation Security Administration, Will Minors Need to Have a State ID to Fly Domestically? United Airlines, Traveling With Children , 2021.  U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Children – Child Traveling With One Parent or Someone Who Is Not a Parent or Legal Guardian or a Group , December 2019.

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Handlers help raise half-sister patas monkeys born weeks apart at an upstate New York zoo

Two baby patas monkeys born weeks apart at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo in upstate New York are being raised by keepers after their mothers showed a lack of maternal instinct, a zoo official said Thursday.

CORRECTS DATE TO AUG. 8, 2024 - This photo, provided by the Rosamond Gifford Zoo, in Syracuse, NY, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, shows a pair of half-sister, baby patas monkeys born at the zoo weeks apart in April and May 2024, that are are being hand-raised by keepers after their mothers showed a lack of maternal instinct, a zoo official said Thursday. (Rosamond Gifford Zoo via AP)

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) — Two baby patas monkeys were born weeks apart at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo in upstate New York and are being raised by keepers after their mothers showed a lack of maternal instinct, a zoo official said Thursday.

Iniko gave birth to Sisu on April 26 and Iniko’s older sister, Kasi, also gave birth to female, Mushu, on May 11. The wide-eyed, big-eared babies were fathered by the patas troop leader, Mac, making them half-sisters.

The Rosamond Gifford patas troop lives at the zoo the way the highly social species does in the wild, in a group featuring one male and several females, according to the zoo. The survival rate for patas monkeys is relatively low in the wild because young monkey mothers often can’t or won’t raise their young.

Zoo handlers were on the lookout for signs that Iniko and Kasi needed help and stepped in when it appeared they did. The staff is rearing the half-sisters together, drawing from the experience of raising Iniko after her mother died during delivery in 2020.

“Given the adversity that this species faces with reproduction, Iniko and Kasi’s babies are an exceptional contribution to the zoo’s patas monkey troop and the North American population,” zoo Executive Director Ted Fox said in a news release.

Are there any special rules for traveling with an infant?

Passengers traveling with infants are encouraged to reserve a separate seat and bring aboard an approved child safety seat. A list of seats approved for flights may be accessed by clicking  here . However, infants aged 2 and under may travel on their parent's lap and are subject to an applicable service fee.

Prince Hussein and Princess Rajwa Welcome a Baby Girl, Princess Iman

The baby is King Abdullah and Queen Rania's first grandchild.

The Jordanian royal couple welcomed their first child, a daughter named Princess Iman, on August 3. She was born at at the King Hussein Medical Center (KHMC) in Jordan. Because Princess Iman is a girl, she is not in the Jordanian line of succession.

"The Royal Hashemite Court is pleased to announce that Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II and Princess Rajwa Al Hussein were blessed, on 3 August 2024, with a baby girl they named Iman," the Court announced . "The Royal Hashemite Court extends its sincere congratulations and best wishes to Their Royal Highnesses and to Their Majesties King Abdullah II and Queen Rania Al Abdullah on this happy occasion."

Princess Iman is King Abdullah and Queen Rania 's first grandchild. "Iman, you’ve already got a hold of my heart. Our family has never been happier!" Rania posted on Instagram.

The Court also added in their birth announcement, "Their Royal Highnesses are immensely overjoyed and thankful on welcoming their firstborn, and call on well-wishers to consider donating to Al-Aman Fund for the Future of Orphans in lieu of sending gifts or flowers."

The new baby's full name is Her Royal Highness Princess Iman bint Al Hussein bin Abdullah II. Per the Court, Iman is "a feminine Arabic name meaning 'belief' and 'faith.' It is customary in Arab and Muslim cultures to choose meaningful names for children, and it is a longstanding tradition for the Hashemite Family to adopt authentic Arabic names for its family members. " Prince Hussein's younger sister is also named Princess Iman .

Hussein and Rajwa married in a glamorous royal wedding in June 2023; guests at their wedding included royals and world leaders , such as the Prince and Princess of Wales , Princess Beatrice , and First Lady Jill Biden .

Emily Burack (she/her) is the Senior News Editor for Town & Country, where she covers entertainment, culture, the royals, and a range of other subjects. Before joining T&C, she was the deputy managing editor at Hey Alma , a Jewish culture site. Follow her @emburack on Twitter and Instagram .

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Welcome to Travels with Baby!

First time here dive in to our most popular topics…, flying with babies and toddlers.

Thorough advice for booking flights with infants, clearing security with extra liquids, checking strollers and car seats, keeping babies content on airplanes and more!

Car Seat Advice

How to travel with a car seat.

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I write about travel, books, and beauty (and everything else, kind of). I live in San Diego with my husband Tyler and our two little girls, Charlotte and Emmie. 

Prepare yourself for a long, detailed post about our experience traveling with a baby.

Tyler and I knew that we wanted to take Charlotte to Europe before she turned two. We had enough United points to cover both of our flights and wanted to avoid paying for her ticket while she is still considered a “lap infant.” (that term became all too real lol). The trip ended up being one of the best trips we’ve ever been on (maybe even our favorite after our honeymoon). Charlotte was such a trooper, and it was so special. 

We hadn’t traveled with her outside of visiting family, so this was our first “vacation” with her. Being able to get away for an extended period of time and just bond as a family of three is something I’ll treasure forever. It was so good for mine and Tyler’s relationship too. 

Throughout the whole trip, I kept a note on my phone to keep track of things we discovered along the way about traveling with an infant. I was shocked at how much we’d learned after just a couple of days. I have done my best to sum everything up here in this blog post. 

How To Travel Internationally With A Baby

Managing expectations + a little encouragement about traveling with a baby

When we were pregnant with Charlotte, we weren’t that surprised when people would ask if we were done traveling now. It seems like a common theme in our culture is that kids and babies can ruin travel and that you should get your bucket list squared away before “settling down.” 

I mean, of course, traveling with a baby is different and more complicated. BUT. You CAN do it. 

And you can do it without a nanny or an unlimited budget, and it’s still really, really fun. 

In the months leading up to the trip, I oscillated between feeling SO excited and then really nervous about how Charlotte would do. I kept hearing horror stories of catastrophic plane flights, embarrassing dinners, and stubborn jet lag.

I think the best thing we did for ourselves was keep our expectations realistic while maintaining a positive mindset. We knew that there was a good chance of the aforementioned horror stories happening to us (they did). But we also knew that even if those things happened that we would still have fun (we did). 

So, yes, traveling with a baby is hard. But it’s so worth it. 

She won’t remember it, but I think the trip did so much for her brain and social development. I heard someone say once that traveling with a baby is similar to reading with a baby–they don’t really know what’s going on and they won’t remember it, but it’s all a part of their development and setting the stage. 

I could go on and on, but this trip was one of my favorite parts of the year and hopefully this will help inspire someone to take the leap. 

How to plan a Europe trip with a baby:

Age of Baby

When it comes to traveling with a baby, there are a few factors to consider while deciding exactly when to go. The biggest one, in my opinion, is the “lap infant” rule: children under two years old can fly for free. We definitely wanted to take advantage of that. 

We went when Charlotte was almost 11 months old. In my opinion, anywhere between 6 months and a year old is ideal, if you have that flexibility. 

Charlotte was sleep trained, eating almost everything, and in the happiest stage. 

It was also right before she started walking. (I had dreams of her taking her first steps in Europe but of course she decided to wait until the day after we got home to do that, lol). 

I’m not saying we won’t ever do this, but I can already tell that it would be much harder to travel with a toddler. Now that she’s walking, she isn’t quite as content in the stroller. I also would hate to deal with terrible two-induced tantrums on the go. 

One note: Charlotte is really tall, so she was a bit long for the bassinet (more on this later). She would have slept much better in it a few months earlier when she was smaller. 

 Choosing your itinerary

This is probably the thing you’ll have to be most strategic about. Everyone is different, but Tyler and I really wanted this trip to be as relaxing as possible. 

We knew that having Charlotte with us would make things more complicated, so we decided to avoid any busy cities or really touristy areas. The last thing we wanted was to spend our days dealing with metro schedules, crowded streets, and a mile-long to-do list. 

I definitely did have moments on the trip where I was wishing that we could’ve shown Charlotte Paris, Rome, or even London, but I know that it just would’ve been so much more hectic. For our first trip traveling with her, it worked out perfectly to keep it low key. 

We decided on five nights in the South of France, using Antibes as our base, and four nights in Lake Como , using Torno as our base. 

**If you’re interested in this trip’s specific itinerary (South of France and Lake Como), you can click here to check out all of the guides I wrote.***

We purposefully chose only two destinations for this trip. Also, we only had about ten days to work with, and we really didn’t want to have to pack up and move more than once. 

Limiting travel days

One of our new things is doing our best to limit “travel days.”

Over the years we’ve learned that no matter how “easy” that short flight, drive, or train ride might seem, between packing up, checking out, getting to your next spot, checking in, unpacking, freshening up… it kills the whole day. And obviously we’d have to multiply this tenfold when we factored in having a baby with us. So we chose two spots, requiring just one “travel day” in the middle of the trip. 

If we had closer to two full weeks, we might have considered tacking on another spot. If that were the case, however, I’d still want to make sure we stayed for at least four nights in each location. This would limit the demands of constant packing and unpacking that would undoubtedly squash any feelings of rest and rejuvenation gleaned from the vacation in the first place. 

In terms of the exact locations we chose: Antibes and the South of France couldn’t have been more baby friendly. It was easy to bring the stroller everywhere we went, and we found the area relaxing, charming and so, so much fun. More on this in blog posts to come. 

Lake Como was hands down one of the most beautiful places we’ve ever been. However, the towns are full of stairs and aren’t very stroller friendly, so it’s not exactly the very best place to bring a baby. We rocked the Ergo carrier a ton, though, and Charlotte did great in that. I’m so glad we went there, but just a note for those trying to choose their own destinations. 

My own two cents on where else I think it would be fun to bring a baby in Europe: the Bernese Overland in Switzerland , the Black Forest in Germany , Salzburg or anywhere in Austria , the English countryside , or even Amsterdam and the surrounding area. 

 Consider renting a car

Again, this is a matter of personal preference, but we love renting cars in Europe. While taking the train is very fun and something everyone should do at least once, and flying horrible budget airlines is sometimes unavoidable and certainly a rite of passage every study abroad student should experience, renting a car allows the most freedom and flexibility when you are on a longer trip. 

This holds true for traveling with a baby, too. Not only did having the car give us wiggle room in our itinerary and the ability to manage our days and day trips how we wanted to, we also didn’t feel like we had to stay airtight packed up all day every day, if that makes sense. We could use the car as our “home base” for all of Charlotte’s stuff, and it made the days more relaxed. 

We were also able to make the 5 hour drive to Lake Como very early in the morning. Also, we just shoved all our stuff in the car, and Charlotte slept almost the entire drive. This was much easier, we thought, than dealing with what would have been 3 different trains and transport to and from the train stations, etc.

On this trip, we decided to bring our own car seat, but I would rent it next time to make the trip over easier.

Rent baby gear and equipment with Babonbo

One of the hardest parts of traveling with a baby is schlepping all of the gear through airports and cities as you go. When planning an international trip with a baby or a toddler, you might consider renting equipment through  Babonbo , a baby rental marketplace that connects travelers with a network of trusted local families and businesses. Babonbo carries strollers, car seats, high chairs, baby bathtubs for travelers to rent during their stay. Babonbo even offers perishable items for purchase such as baby food, and, best of all, flexible and convenient delivery and pickup options to make your rental experience as seamless as possible. This is an easy way to take some of the stress out of travel days  because you can simply arrange to have all of your gear dropped off at your hotel or Airbnb through Babonbo.

 Book an extra day or two at the beginning of the trip

You know when you land in a new place and you just feel horrible? And even the adrenaline of arriving somewhere you’ve been dreaming of for months isn’t enough to overcome your puffy face, greasy hair, and overall sense of dehydrated and jet-lagged disorientation? 

Add to that a violently delirious baby, and you have a low-grade hurricane of a day in store. 

Fortunately, Tyler and I were somehow smart enough to predict this and factored it into our booking five nights in Antibes. We knew that the first couple of days would be a wash. 

Because we had the extra days at the front end of the trip to get Charlotte acclimated to the timezone and area, we didn’t feel pressured to do anything too ambitious. 

We spent our first two days simply walking around in the fresh air, taking in our little city (as well as plenty of espresso and croissants). Once we got settled, we had three full days to really explore the surrounding towns and tackle our to-do list. 

 Choosing flight times

Our flight to Europe went as smooth as possible, but our flight home was a disaster. I think a lot of this had to do with the flight times. 

On the way there, our flight left at 3pm. She’s still doing two naps a day, so we napped her in the carrier at the airport after we got through security to avoid her being cranky going into the flight. 

We then had to just keep her awake and get her nice and tired for a few hours. She went to sleep for the “night” at 7pm our time and then slept (on me) for most of the flight after that (around 6-7 hours). We had to change plans in Frankfurt (always a migraine of an airport) and then finally landed in Nice the following afternoon. She catnapped on that second flight and then briefly again in the car, but we kept her awake after that until 7pm that night (Europe time). 

On the way home, the flight left at 7am. We had to drive from Lake Como to the airport in Milan, so we had to get her out of bed at 4am. She napped here and there on the flight, but it was her “daytime,” so she wasn’t tired enough to sleep for more than an hour at a time. She was SO cranky because she hadn’t had a full night’s sleep the night before and basically had to have the longest travel day of all time. 

The big takeaway was that we need to try to book both flights during her “night time.”

A 12 hour flight just isn’t possible without a good long stretch of sleep in there. She literally went nuts being trapped on the plane for so long. 

However, since a lot of the flights coming back our direction across the Atlantic leave in the morning (Europe time), that can be hard to manage. I think next time if we aren’t able to find an overnight flight, I would honestly have preferred to break up the long flight and switch planes on the east coast, rather than having one short flight to Frankfurt and then one long one to San Diego. 

Request a bassinet on the plane

If your baby is still relatively small, you may want to plan ahead and book the seat at the very front of economy. On a lot of airlines, this seat is reserved for families with babies who might need to sleep in the bassinet. The bassinet attaches on to the wall in front of the seats. 

As I mentioned before, Charlotte was just a bit too long to get really comfortable in the bassinet. She only lasted about an hour before she stirred and woke up from the strap being too tight (her toes were kind of jammed against the end of it too). 

BUT–just our luck–both babies we sat next to slept for several hours in their bassinets. So I can vouch that it seems like a great option. 

Call your airline way ahead of time to make sure you get the bassinet! We had to call a couple of times to confirm ours. 

If you do request the bassinet, you might consider bringing this little tent from Cozigo which helps block out the light and noise from the plane.

 Book a two-bedroom or bring a SlumberPod

We booked two bedroom apartments for both of our stays on this trip. 

Charlotte has always been a light sleeper. As much as this trip was about Charlotte and bonding as a family, Tyler and I wanted to enjoy our time to ourselves too. Mom and Dad gotta party, right? 

We weren’t able to do many dinners out, but having a two bedrooms made it so we could put Charlotte down for the night in her own room around 7pm and then still have the whole night to eat take out pizza, drink wine, and watch Netflix. And then we could still get good sleep without worrying about her waking up. 

In Lake Como , we were fortunate enough to work with a beautiful property that put us in a two bedroom apartment. But in Antibes, we paid for our own Airbnb and just went with a cheaper option that had two bedrooms, rather than a nicer one bedroom. I’m not even going to link it here because it was not a great situation, but it was worth it to have our own space and area to hang out after Charlotte went to bed.  

If you don’t want to splurge for a two-bedroom apartment, consider bringing a Slumberpod along! This product accomplishes the same thing–it’s a little tent that you put over a crib/packnplay. This gives your baby a little dark cocoon. Honestly such a game changer for us!

We have a full review of it here , but if you’re looking to buy one, use our code ruthznuss for 5% off your purchase at this link . (These always sell out, so if you see them in stock go ahead and jump on it!). This is WELL worth the investment–and it fits inside of a carry-on suitcase!

One other nice thing about staying in apartments as opposed to a hotel room was having the kitchen. This allowed us to be able to make and store our own food when we needed to. Tyler made eggs every morning, and we’d have that with fruit before we set off for the day. 

(This is a lesson we’ve learned the hard way too many times: never leave the house starving because then the entire morning–or worse, day–becomes about finding food. No one likes a hangry traveler. Or a hangry baby for that matter). 

It gave us peace of mind that Charlotte had a full tummy before we started our big day of exploring, so having the kitchen at our disposal was vital. 

International Travel Packing Checklist:

Packing cubes

I’ve discussed my love of packing cubes before and know they can be polarizing, but they really came in handy on this trip. 

I packed both mine and Charlotte’s stuff in a large, hard-shelled suitcase and organized all of it into packing cubes. This made everything so much easier. I could just pull her cubes out and put them in her room and then put my own cubes in the drawers in our room. It also made packing up both times a breeze.

(Lately I have been LOVING this packing cube set from CALPAK. So cute and functional. Use my code RUTH10 for a discount at checkout!).

Manual breast pump

I’m embarrassed to say that I actually read this advice on a blog and just blatantly chose to ignore it. So please listen. (skip this if you’re not breastfeeding, of course). 

My pump blew a fuse two seconds after I plugged it in right after we got there, and I immediately burst into tears. I was engorged and Charlotte was asleep and on the weirdest nursing schedule anyway. I was in so much pain, and there wasn’t anything I could do about it (well, ok, I tried to hand express but does that even actually work for anyone??). It was horrible. 

The next day we drove 30 minutes out of our way to the French equivalent of BuyBuyBaby and purchased a manual hand pump. I have NEVER been so happy to pump than the second we got in the car that day after buying it, lol. 

I strongly recommend bringing a manual pump if you’re breastfeeding or pumping. Mine blew a fuse even with the converter plugged into it. Also, because your body (and baby, for that matter) still thinks it’s in a different time zone, you can’t really count on your normal nursing schedule. 

Even if you’re savvy enough to bring a more competent converter to handle an electric pump, I would still bring the manual pump to bring out with you on long days just in case. 

Maybe this is obvious. But I didn’t think I needed one and I really, really did, so I just wanted to make sure I mention it here too. 

Baby Hydroflask

This might not work for every nursing baby, but it worked really well for Charlotte. Normally, Charlotte doesn’t nurse when we are out and about. We’ve had a long and sometimes trying journey with breastfeeding, and to this day she can really only focus on it when we are in a quiet place and she’s just waking up. 

Up until this last month, I was pumping quite a bit still. And when we were out and about, I’d give her breast milk in a tiny Hydroflask . I know, it’s probably not pediatrician approved or very conventional, but it worked for us. 

On the trip, I’d pump in the morning before we’d head out for the day and then give her the Hydroflask throughout the day. This way, I wouldn’t be engorged OR stressed about her getting her nutrients. 

Even if your baby isn’t nursing, you’ll want to bring a reusable water bottle to fill with water to make sure your baby stays hydrated throughout the day.

Portable sound machine

We love our mini sound machine and always keep it in the diaper bag in case Charlotte naps anywhere besides her nursery.

This little guy was especially helpful in Europe, as both of our apartments had thin walls. 

FYI: This one is battery operated, but it won’t last an entire night. Bring a converter specifically for the sound machine so you can keep it plugged in where your baby is sleeping all night. 

Extra converters/adapters

This brings me to my next point. We almost always wish we had brought an extra converter or two. And between our two phones, sound machine, blow dryer, camera battery charger, and our computer, we needed even more than usual on this trip. 

These are very inexpensive, so make sure to bring a bunch. 

Travel stroller

Everyone said to bring a lightweight umbrella stroller, so we bought this fairly affordable and highly reviewed one on Amazon. 

2024 edit: If you are looking for a high-quality, super compact travel stroller, consider the Zoe Traveler . We LOVE this stroller and have had such a good experience with it. Read my full review here and use my link for $15 off your Zoe Stroller purchase.

Before this trip with Char, I kept thinking that we could probably just bring our normal, bigger stroller. I remember wondering, “how bad could it be to bring the big one??” 

It only took a day of easily maneuvering this one through the cobblestone streets of Antibes to know we made the right choice. Tyler kept rolling his eyes at me, usually when we were squeezing through the farmers market or a tiny restaurant, and saying “Aren’t you glad we didn’t bring the Uppa stroller??” And yes, okay, I was. Also, a lot of times we’d use the stroller as Charlotte’s seat in cafes or while we were eating. Very handy. 

Ergo carrier

I loved both the Solly wrap and Wild One sling when Char was smaller, but now that she’s bigger and so much more wiggly, we pretty much exclusively use the Ergo carrier . 

Charlotte refuses to nap in the stroller, but she will fall asleep in less than 3 minutes if we put her in the Ergo facing toward us with the sun shade up. It’s SO nice. We were able to nap her every day in the carrier throughout the day. 

Even if your baby does nap in the stroller like a champ (please tell me your ways), definitely bring a carrier. You’ll want the flexibility to use it if you’re in an area that’s not stroller friendly or if you do a hike, etc. We’d also put her in it getting on and off planes and ferries to make things easier. 

We’d also use it if Char was too fussy to sit happily in the stroller, towards the end of the day or if she was hungry. 

Baby food and snacks

I brought tons of little snacks for her, but I wish I had brought even more! 

There would be so many times when Charlotte would get hungry before we had a chance to find a bite to eat. And Char is kind of like me but in a more extreme way: when she’s hungry, she’s starving and needs to eat right that second. 

She mostly eats “real” foods at home–and still did eat whatever we ate at restaurants, but we brought a few of those squeeze pouches with different meals in them. She tore through them within the first couple of days, and I was wishing so badly we had brought way more. Our little market in Torno didn’t carry them, and we had barely any food for her on the flight home. 

My advice would be to bring way more than you think you need. Furthermore, make sure to have a stockpile of snacks and pouches reserved exclusively for the flight back. I had to humiliatingly ask the flight attendants to spare any baby friendly food they had a couple of different times. The mom sitting next to me even felt bad for us and graciously donated a jar of German baby food to the cause. Not my best moment. 

Here’s the link to our favorite pouches and puffs .

Jammies and sleep sack on the flight

I don’t know when I will learn, but those huge planes are always absolutely frigid. 

We remembered at the last minute to pack Charlotte’s pajamas and her sleep sack in our carryon bag, and I’m so glad we did! Tyler and I were still freezing, but she was warm and toasty. I also think this helped get her in the “zone” to go to sleep.

Infant Tylonel/Motrin

Everyone has a different opinion about this. IF, however, you are comfortable giving your baby a little infant Motrin when the going gets tough, make sure to pack it in your carryon to give to them if the air pressure changes bother them. 

I’d love to pretend I’m one of those trendy minimalist moms whose babies have exactly three toys, all wooden, no color, and full of promise that their kids will turn out as calm and collected as their household. 

Sure, no one likes a spoiled kid, but at the same time you have to provide some stimulation, am I right? 

So, yes, I did purchase this $30 baby airplane kit from Etsy and have no regrets. 

Upon receiving it in the mail, I realized that I likely could have made a few trips to The Dollar Store myself and slapped something similar together. But DIY in any form has never been a strength of mine. 

The point is Charlotte was obsessed. And even if you don’t get this kit, I still suggest having a stash of brand new small toys and activities saved up for the trip and the plane ride in particular. 

Hand sanitizer and extra wipes for the plane

I like to wipe down the seats and trays whenever we travel, so I made sure to pack enough wipes for diaper changes, messes on flights, and mealtimes in my carry on. I also put a hand sanitizer in both of our bags.

Diapers + wipes

I packed enough diapers to get us through the first few days and then bought them at a market after that. If it’s a shorter trip, I find it’s easier to just pack enough for the whole trip to avoid a trip to the store. But for a longer, international trip, I recommend saving the packing space and buying them once you get settled.

Clothing/shoes/jackets

I felt like I needed to add this one only because Tyler and I had to buy not one but two new pairs of shoes for Charlotte on this trip.

If you’re going to a less popular city where you might not have access to an HM on every corner, you might want to pack a few of those items that you know you would definitely miss should you need them for your baby. What I mean is…sun hats, extra shoes, a good jacket, a swimsuit. These baby things are harder to find in more remote locations. 

Tips for traveling in Europe with a baby: While you’re there

How to help baby with jet lag.

In both my research and personal experience, there isn’t an exact formula to beating jet lag. There are just way too many factors at play. 

For this trip, we basically followed the same rough guidelines with Charlotte as we do with ourselves: stay awake until 7pm the first night, stay hydrated, and make sure to get a healthy, nutrient-rich meal ASAP. 

It took Charlotte three nights to get her body clock to adjust to the new time zone, both in Europe AND back home in California. I do think returning home was just a tiny bit harder, looking back.

We did sort of a modified “cry it out” in the middle of the night to get her used to the new schedule. I think I nursed her 4 times the first night, then 3, then 1, and then she was back to sleeping 12 hours. Obviously it was not pleasant those first couple of nights, but I was pretty proud of her for getting her act together in such a short amount of time. 

One tip I do have is to stick to your normal bedtime routine. For us, that meant: bath, story, nurse, then down in her pack-n-play. Babies are creatures of habit, and I think the routine helped remind her that it was time to go to sleep.

Planning your days

When it comes to planning out your itinerary, less is more.

Obviously, you want to see and do as much as possible when you have spent the money and time to go on a big trip. But, as all parents know, babies like to call the shots. When a baby is done for the day, the day is done. 

How we managed this was we would over plan each day. We did extensive research for each place we went and had everything starred on our Google maps that we might want to see and do. 

Then when it came to that day, we would go in with a very flexible “we’ll see what we see” attitude. And if Charlotte was doing well, we’d keep going and do a little more, etc. 

Again I’ll say: low expectations, positive mindset. (Is this the key to life?). 

Bench seating

Maybe every other parent knows about this already, but bench seating can really save your life at a coffee shop or restaurant. We realized that a lot of places in Europe don’t have high chairs available, so your best bet is to lobby for a table with some kind of bench. (Also, as mentioned, your compact travel stroller can be a life saver too). 

Char was at the age where she was totally happy with a tiny bit of space to crawl around and a couple of toys. One of us would sit on the bench with her and sort of put one leg up as a guard rail. This was a great way to let her get some wiggles out in a contained area. 

Eating in restaurants

We mostly stuck to smaller cafes and takeout on this trip, but we did eat a handful of meals in nicer restaurants. We recommend always getting a reservation–at a time a bit earlier than you think your baby will be hungry AND a bit earlier than a normal busy time for a meal. For example, we made dinner reservations usually for right when the restaurant would open for the evening. This way, it wasn’t as crowded, and we’d arrive not hangry. 

Our secret weapon during meals: we’d usually start Charlotte off with a couple of toys, but a lot of times we would give her a baguette to gnaw on. It sounds weird, but she was obsessed with teething on them! She would sit happily for thirty minutes just chomping on her baguette and looking at us. It was so cute. 

Nap at home once in a while

While we did most of her naps out, Tyler and I made sure to give her a nice long nap back at “home” every other day. She slept really good at night once she beat the jet lag, but we knew she’d burn out from just taking a couple of cat naps in the carrier every day. 

Having a couple of hours to rest and read at home was exactly what Tyler and I needed too. 

Thanks for making it to the end, and I hope someone finds this helpful!! 

More family travel posts:

Tips for flying with babies and toddlers 

Tips for roadtrips with kids

International travel checklist

30 tips for traveling internationally with small kids

You can find more family travel posts here , or head to my travel hub for city guides and itinerary inspiration.

Baby travel essentials:

 baby girl packing list:, baby boy packing list:, pin this post:.

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How is everyone traveling so much when gas and food prices are sky high?

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Susan Ewer watched as her kids rampaged around the play area inside the Kansas City airport, burning off energy for what promised to be a marathon travel day: flying to Ireland.

Seven members of her family were leaving from Kansas City, meeting up with another three in Chicago, for the jet trip across the Atlantic. They planned to spend 10 days driving around the Emerald Isle, meeting long-lost cousins in local pubs. They were supposed to have gone in 2020, but the pandemic screwed everything up, and this was the first chance they all had to travel together since then.

"A lot of people say we're crazy, but I’m really optimistic," she said.

Like millions of Americans, Ewer's clan is taking a big summer vacation this year, driven partly by pent-up COVID-19 demand but also funded in part by the booming stock market and increasing wages. Airports are reporting record travel, and analysts say vacationers plan to spend more on their trips, even as higher gas prices, interest rates and food costs are pinching their everyday spending.

About 60% of Americans plan to take a summer trip this year, roughly the same as last year, travel experts say. But the same time, 60% of Americans think the U.S. economy in a recession, according to a new poll , and former President Donald Trump argues many Americans can't afford summer travel.

During this presidential election, the economy and inflation are the single-biggest issue cited by voters, at 35%, with threats to democracy well behind at 21%, and immigration further back, at 19%, according to a July USA TODAY/Suffolk University survey . And even though wages and the stock market are both up under President Joe Biden , higher fuel and food costs, along with housing affordability, remain a major concern.

"It's kind of hard to understand how the stock market is doing so well when the economy doesn't really feel like it is," said Gary Smith, 54, recently as he waited for a Southwest flight to Las Vegas. "I can't quite get my hands around that."

Smith was flying with his wife, daughter, niece and a friend to the Evolution Championship Series, the world's largest e-sports competition. The long-planned trip was a graduation present for his daughter, he said, and they saved up for years to afford it.

"It did take a tad longer to put together the funds," he said, citing the higher costs of living. "But as inflation has a tendency to increase, so does our pay. It doesn't totally keep pace but any extra does help, and it's a blessing."

Experts say travelers like the Smiths represent a typical American family going on summer vacation: They know it's more expensive, but they're still going by cutting back elsewhere or saving longer.

"The fact that people are still prioritizing travel is a wallet-share shift: They are prioritizing travel, and that's a structural shift to Americans prioritizing experiences, how they want to spend their time," said Mike Daher, a longtime travel analyst at consulting firm Deloitte. "The pandemic was a reminder that life is short, and that people are wanting to prioritize time with loved ones and new experiences."

Scott Hughes is among those prioritizing travel. As he waited at Denver International Airport with his wife and four kids to fly from Alabama to Steamboat Springs, Colorado, where they have a second home, Hughes, a real estate developer, said higher interest rates have made business more expensive. He said they often fly a friend's private plane to Colorado, but that it's far cheaper to fly on United.

"I'm more concerned than I was last year about the economy, but not super concerned," he said.

The rising prices are hitting lower-income families the hardest, with about 19% of households earning $50,000 or less planning to travel this summer, down from 31% last year.

The July USA TODAY/Suffolk University poll showed that Americans, by a 54% to 40% margin, believe Trump, who is running for reelection, would do a better handling the economy than Biden. The poll was taken shortly before Biden dropped out of the race and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris . During the Republican National Convention this month, several speakers said the higher cost of living means they've had to adjust their vacation expectations.

"Under Biden and Harris, half of Americans are not taking a vacation at all this summer because they cannot afford to do it," Trump said at a July 9 rally, speaking days after Newsweek released a poll of 2,500 eligible voters that found 44% of respondents wouldn't be taking a summer trip, and 53% said they would have traveled if things were cheaper.

About 32% of Americans said they don't take any vacation in any given year because they are "too busy," according to Expedia's 24th annual Vacation Deprivation Report .

Among those who think the economy was better under Trump are Dwain and Kerrie Weinrich of Yuma, Colorado. Waiting to board a recent flight to Cabo San Lucas at Denver International Airport, the retired couple was among about 200 people from their small community flying to Mexico for a wedding. They said they prefer Cabo to Cancun because it's cheaper, and they had recently returned from a different wedding in Texas.

"We saved and now we get the payoff," said Jerrie Weinrich, 66, who wondered aloud how young Americans are affording to travel. "We didn't travel like this when we had kids in school."

Dwain Weinrich, 66, who recently retired as a hog slaughterhouse manager, said they were using a combination of savings, credit card points and stock market gains to pay for their trip. He said they also booked early to lock in low prices. Even though the stock market is dramatically higher under Biden than Trump, he said they felt the overall economy was more secure before.

"Right now, it's costing us more to live," he said.

Daher, the travel-industry analyst, said Baby Boomers – people aged 60-78 years old – are traveling more this summer than last year. Baby Boomers, who account for about 21% of the U.S. population , hold half of the country's wealth, according to NASDAQ officials, and with the stock market riding high, their 401(k)s and other investments are surging.

Daher said 34% of Baby Boomers planned to travel this summer, compared with 28% last year. He said Baby Boomers, and travelers in general, understand that vacations will cost more this year. But he said they also anticipate having a better experience as a result.

"They are expecting to spend more, they have higher budgets and they have an elevated expectation of that experience," he said. "They want to have a better experience and are willing to pay for it."

Social media is playing a big role, Daher said, with Americans spurred to travel by their friends and family posting about trips online, from Ally in Peru to Sam in Portugal, Deb in Greece and Eric in Andorra.

Daher said one significant shift is that vacationers are taking fewer trips this summer, an average of 2.3 compared to 3.1 last year. But he also noted travelers are flying more, even though experts would expect travelers trying to save money would drive instead.

Over the July 4 holiday weekend, for instance, AAA estimated road travel increased by 5%, with more than 60 million people driving more than 50 miles. Air travel on the Sunday of the July 4 weekend also set an all-time record, with more than 3 million people passing through TSA checkpoints, up 15% from 2023.

"People are protecting their longest trips (and) that marquee summer vacation has stayed pretty steady," Daher said. "What we've seen is a decrease in those short trips and weekend getaways. People are saying they are planning to take fewer of those."

For Ewer's family, the pandemic-delayed Ireland trip represented years of planning, saving and strategizing. The costs were slightly higher than they had initially planned for, in part because several of the young kids going on the trip now needed their own seats to fly.

Ewer's dad, Paul Linneman, 71, last visited Ireland more than 30 years ago, when he biked around the island. Now semi-retired, he said savings and investments are helping him afford the adventure. As his daughter played tour guide and worried about making their Chicago connection to Shannon, Ireland, Linneman watched his grandchildren clamber over a mock airplane in the Kansas City airport and reflected on his hopes for their trip.

“It’s like the best dream you’ve ever had, all of these relatives coming together," he said. "We’re having this great adventure."

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22 Best Places in the World to Travel with a Baby (Under 2 Years Old)

Who said your traveling days are over once you have babies?

Honestly, babies are only as adaptable as you are, and if you’re feeling adventurous, bring your little one to any number of baby-friendly destinations that are sure to be an enjoyable trip for both you and the newest traveler of the family.

Best places to travel with a baby in the USA

Hawaii has fantastic weather and beautiful beaches .

What makes Hawaii such a fantastic travel destination is that they accommodate everyone, including your little ones.

When packing, be sure to include baby-safe sunscreen and all the basic beach essentials.

Also, car seats are required here and in all US destinations.

Strollers or infant carriers are equally fine in Hawaii, so feel free to bring either.

The best months to visit Hawaii are December through April because the summer months can get really hot.

O’ahu is a fantastic family-friendly island in Hawaii that has wonderful resorts on the island.

Recommended accommodations with babies in Hawaii

Turtle Bay Resort This is the only resort located on the North Shore, perfect for a laid back vacation in a fantastic secluded location. Remember the movie: Forgetting Sarah Marshall? This is the resort you’ve seen in the movie.

You can enjoy many activities nearby: snorkeling with turtles, Waimea Valley,  the Polynesian cultural center, and the Dole Plantation, where you can grab a dole pineapple whip.

The beach cottages are just a few feet from the ocean, so you can hear the sound of the waves all day long. You and your baby will love this!

If you want to get the true“Aloha Spirit,” go to this Hawaiian style hotel.

Located in the heart of Waikiki beach, very close to the beach, shops, grocery stores, and restaurants.

They provide a free shuttle to Ala Moana shopping mall and Ala Moana Beach Park, a beautiful and calm park next to a beach, perfect for babies.

Reasonable price hotel for those who want to stay near the famous Waikiki beach.

Minneapolis

Minneapolis is a famously family-friendly city in the US and is known for being “Minnesota Nice” to all visitors.

Some tips for visiting Minneapolis (especially in the colder seasons) bring lots of layers. Minnesota isn’t kidding around about the cold. Think coat, sweater, hat, scarf, mittens, boots, and even long underwear.

The best time of year to visit Minneapolis is honestly the wintertime. I know, it gets cold, but hear me out–Minnesota is known for making winter enjoyable. If you’re going to do Minnesota, do it in the winter.

Minneapolis has a beautiful ice palace, a bright and sparkling holidazzle marketplace in the heart of downtown, and lots of opportunities for ice skating and building snowmen. It truly is a magical winter wonderland.

When going with little ones, Minneapolis is very stroller friendly, and some Minnesotans even have treads on their stroller wheels for navigating in the snowy sidewalks in the winter.

If you’re not used to driving in the snow, we recommend using an uber with a driver who is local to the area or utilizing public transportation.

Recommended accommodation with babies in Minneapolis

The Westin Minneapolis

Lovely hotel, originally built in the 1940s as a bank. It’s located right in the heart of downtown, perfect for exploring the city. It’s connected to the skyway so you can access most of the city indoors.

It features an indoor pool, a nice hot tub, and a spacious gym.

Great choice for travelers with toddlers or kids.

Known for its coffee and high tech hubs , Seattle is a fantastic city to visit with little ones.

Public transportation is easily accessible in Seattle, and your little one will love the bus ride.

Seattle is beautiful year-round with mild winters. June to September is considered the busiest time to be there; however, it’s because the weather is so wonderful.

When packing, bring a stroller. The city is really stroller friendly, but there are lots of hills. It’s a matter of if you’d rather climb a hill pushing a stroller or carrying a baby.

Some great things to do with your little one in Seattle include visiting the century-old Pike Place Market, or the Children’s Museum, walking around Seward Park, riding the iconic Great Wheel, and reaching the top of the Space Needle to get the best views of Seattle.

Recommended accommodation with babies in Seattle

Fairmont Olimpic Hotel

The elegant Fairmont Olimpic hotel is conveniently located in the center of downtown, close to the Great Wheel, Seattle waterfront, the famous Pike Place Market, and Space Needle.

They provide cribs, high chairs, infant or child-sized bathrobes, infant toiletry kits, and children’s menus.

New York City

What makes New York City such a great travel spot is that there is so much to do, even with a baby.

When going to New York, know that, while busy, it’s very accommodating for little ones. Strollers are fine in New York; we recommend public transportation, so you don’t need to carry a car seat everywhere, and definitely bring your walking shoes.

The best time of year to visit New York in the fall because of the beautiful changing colors in the trees.

When in New York, especially in the fall, visit Central Park with your baby. There is so much to do just in the Park, including the Central Park Zoo, carousel, and 21 playgrounds.

You can also visit Manhattan Children’s Museum or hop on a boat tour to see the Statue of Liberty from the water.

Recommended accommodation with babies in NYC

Four Seasons Hotel New York

This is a five-star luxury hotel designed with an art deco style.

Located in Midtown East, near Central Park and Madison Avenue. It’s one of the best kid-friendly hotels in New York. No additional charge for children under 18 years old who stay in the same guest room with parents.

Kids will get a welcome amenity with coloring books and crayons or toys. And there are children’s toiletries and bathrobes, complimentary baby bottles, lotion, powder or strollers available.

Orlando is a popular travel destination specifically for families with kids, including babies.

When traveling to Orlando, consider March-May because the weather is still nice, and it’s not high tourist season. Families with school-aged kids tend to visit Orlando June-August, so capitalize on going with a little one who is not yet on an academic calendar schedule.

When packing for Orlando, especially if you’re going to Disney World, Sea World, or really any popular resort, most things have rental options. This includes strollers and car seats. Yes, it costs money, but it is one less bulky thing to pack.

I also recommend going to one of the many family-friendly resorts in Orlando. This area is famous for catering to families with kids, so know that your needs will be met.

Recommended accommodations with babies in Orlando

Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek

Make your kid’s dreams come true with this resort!

Within minutes of Walt Disney World, they have buses running hourly to all the parks.

They have a couple of pools connected by a 3-acre lazy river and water slides. You will love it!

If you are a Hilton honor member, you will get a free complimentary upgrade to a pool and fireworks view room.

Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress

This place has it all for infants, kids, and adults!

It has a private lake, an outdoor lagoon pool with water slides, magnificent gardens, beach, hammocks, and children’s play area.

It’s a very family-oriented resort. Younger kids will love Merlot, the parrot in the reception, and the splash pad.

Best places to travel with a baby outside the USA

Barbados is a fantastic place to travel with kids of all ages; beaches and pleasant weather suit everyone.

What makes it so perfect for families with babies is that the island is small, safe and the locals are friendly . The people of Barbados are very kind to tourists and especially those with families.

When packing for your trip, be sure to include a child-appropriate car seat as seatbelt laws are enforced in Barbados.

You will also want to pack all the baby beach essentials like baby-friendly sunscreen, swim diapers, a beach towel, and beach toys.

Since beach weather is the main attraction for Barbados, it’s recommended to travel between mid-December and April because the air is less humid and the temperatures warm but not oppressive (think 30 °C/86 °F).

Some of the best family-friendly beaches are in Holetown that is famous for its wonderful boardwalk.

Barbados really does have everything that a family would want for the perfect beach vacation.

Recommended accommodation with babies in Barbados

Colony Club by Elegant Hotels

Located in the wonderful West coast, with easy access to many restaurants, a short taxi ride away.

An excellent choice for an enjoyable holiday with a baby! Housekeeping team provides a bottle steamer, gloves, bowls, detergent, and sponges to wash bottles.

Great facilities for kids of all ages, including the pools, the beach, and free watersports. Your kids will enjoy everything!

What makes Mexico such an ideal place to travel to with a baby, specifically if your goal is an international trip, is that it’s not difficult to travel to. Getting to Mexico from the US is a relatively easy journey. You will just have to fly with your baby for around 4 hours from the USA . Just enough time to entertain your kid during the flight before getting bored and tired.

Mexicans are a really inviting people who love children and especially families with babies, so your little one is sure to get lots of smiles from the locals. Although, full disclosure, locals are likely going to want to interact with your baby (pet, play with, touch) and while it is coming from a good place, you might not be comfortable with it. Or maybe you will be. Either way, be prepared for how you want to respond to this.

Some important travel tips for traveling with a baby, specifically those with formula-fed babies, use bottled water when preparing your formula.

Also, car seat laws are not enforced so; technically, you don’t need a car seat to get around by car.

The ideal season for traveling to Mexico is between November and March, especially if your goal is to hit the beaches. This time of year is well after hurricane season, so you won’t have any dangerous weather, and the climate is more agreeable.

For fun places in Mexico to visit, I highly recommend Cancun/Mayan Riviera because it has lots of family-friendly beaches and all-inclusive family resorts.

Recommended accommodations with babies in Mexico

Grand Palladium Kantenah

Grand Palladium Colonial

Grand Palladium White Sand

Grand Palladium is a huge hotel divided into Grand Palladium Kantenah, Grand Palladium Colonial, and Grand Palladium White Sand.

They are all five-star all-inclusive resorts, ideal for families.

There are water slides, baby pool, snorkel equipment, all sizes, play areas, x-box rooms, kids menu at the restaurants, and kids show in the theatre at nighttime, so plenty of activities for children.

And for the babies, we offer the baby club service that will take in little ones aged 1 to 3. Not many hotels give small children a dedicated service.

Aruba is one of those underrated travel destinations for families, but it is definitely worth your time.

There are family resorts, and more adult resorts for travelers, and this separation actually makes the experience more enjoyable for families because honeymooners are off in their own resort.

When packing for Aruba, know that car seats are not mandatory, but most car rental companies offer them so plan according to what works for your family.

January to March is seasonally the best time to visit Aruba ; however, the prices tend to jump as well. So families looking to save some money can still travel between April to August, and the weather is still enjoyable because Aruba is outside of the hurricane belt.

If you’re looking for a fun place to visit, there is a beach literally called Baby Beach in Aruba that is the perfect family-friendly beach. It’s great because it is a man-made lagoon with shallow water for wading that keeps kids very safe. It’s ideal for activities like snorkeling and feeding fish.

Recommended accommodation with babies in Aruba

I would recommend you to stay at the  Renaissance Aruba Resort .

This hotel has two parts: the Marina resort, for adults only, and the Ocean Suites, for families. The Ocean Suites has a small beach and a nice pool area, perfect for children, and its own private boat dock.

From there, you will be able to get a free ride to the famous Flamingo Beach and spend the day watching the beautiful flamingos and enjoying a private beach day.

Cayman Islands

The Cayman Islands are beautiful, and the Grand Cayman Island is considered one of the safest in the Caribean.

People who travel to the Caymans say there are families with small children everywhere, so those with little ones are welcome and encouraged to visit.

It also has an excellent infrastructure meaning tap water is considered safe to drink, the roads are paved well, there are reliable hospitals should any kind of medical emergency come up. Car seats are required, so pack accordingly.

If you want to travel to the Cayman Islands as a family, go between March and June because the prices drop. Thankfully, the weather is pretty consistently warm and enjoyable year-round, so traveling when you can save some money is ideal.

Things to do : snorkel among corals, sponges, and hundreds of tropical fish, visit the turtle farm, where you will get the chance to hold and pet the turtles.

One of the best places to stay in the Cayman Islands is the 7 Miles Beach because it has a flawless view, it’s a pristine clean beach, and importantly family-friendly.

Recommended accommodation with babies in the Cayman Islands

The Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort Spa

The beach here is exceptional: beautiful, warm, and calm, perfect for younger children.

They will love the floating platforms and making sandcastles (you can even borrow beach toys for them).

There are many activities for adults and kids of all ages.  Live music, cooking classes, kids movie night on the beach, bonfire, bingo, a great entertainment program for everyone.

When traveling to Italy with a baby, you’re sure to be welcomed by the Italians who love kids.

There is so much for babies to see in the hustle and bustle of cities like Rome. Stroll around Villa Borghese Gardens, throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain, or visit the Colosseum with your little ones.

When packing know that baby-wearing is the way to go here. Strollers are a personal choice, there are often lots of stairs, cobblestone walkways, and general crowdedness that make strollers a pain to bring, but it depends on your vacation plan and how active you want to be.

When traveling to Italy, consider visiting from April to June or the end of September to October because the weather is very not so hot as in summer but still very nice. And it’s more affordable.

Also, if you travel in winter, around Christmas time, there are more festivals and the famous Christmas Markets to visit (especially in Rome) that would be perfect to do with little ones.

Recommended accommodations with babies in Rome, Italy

Hotel Savoy (Rome)

This hotel is located in the historical center, close to everything: restaurants, and many attractions, in the best part of the city but out of the hustle and bustle.

You can walk anywhere from here or take the metro at Barberini or Spagna metro station. So super convenient for families with babies.

They also have babysitting services. Don’t miss out on a romantic dinner on the rooftop terrace!

Greece is a great place to travel with babies because the resorts are family-oriented and there are so many activities for them to enjoy–especially in the Greek Islands .

I would recommend traveling only during the summer (June to September) when visiting the islands because the beaches will be at best as far as the weather is concerned.

When traveling, don’t bother packing a stroller because it can be difficult to navigate the sidewalks. Car seats are encouraged and can be rented with most car rental spots in Greece.

The island of Crete is considered to be one of the best Greek Islands for families with young kids because there are more family-friendly beaches. Most notably, the Elafonisi beach of Crete has a famous pink color in the sand–so small children will love the color of such a unique beach.

Recommended accommodation with babies in Creta, Greece

Louis Creta Princess

Great family hotel located on the beach of Maleme.

There are lots of activities and facilities for big kids and toddlers, including supervised waterslides and pools, playgrounds, and water fountains, arcades, kids disco, and kids menu.

Once a week, they bring out popcorn and candy floss, and they have ice cream included many days.

A lovely all-inclusive resort for a perfect family holiday.

Going to France with a baby is wonderful.

There is so much for your little one to see and experience from arts and marketplaces to food and nature , France has a diverse range of activities for everyone, including your little one.

The public transportation system is extremely reliable, so I would recommend public transit to avoid lugging around the car seat.

April to June and September to early November are the most affordable times to visit France.

Since the weather in France varies so dramatically on when you visit and where in France you plan to visit, I recommend going based on price.

Paris is a classic and iconic travel spot in France, and that includes baby . Monuments like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre Museum are considered child-friendly and worth your time. The Louvre Museum even offers baby carriers and strollers to rent for free. Just outside Paris, the Versailles Palace and its beautiful huge gardens are great for babies too.

Other places like the Loire Valley castles or the French Riviera are also totally baby-friendly. On the other hand, visiting the infamous Mont Saint Michel (steep and narrow alleys) or Dune du Pilat (lots of sand!) with a stroller might not be recommendable.

Recommended accommodation with babies in Paris, France

Hotel des 2 Continents

This hotel has free baby beds (cot or wooden bed), which they install in your room on the day of your arrival.

You will also find all the necessary equipment for your stay (no extra fee): changing mat, bottle warmer, high chair for breakfast.

To avoid carrying your stroller in your room, you can leave it in the luggage room at any time.

What people love about traveling to Spain is the wide variety of things to do: museums, football games, delicious food, flamenco music and dancing, fantastic beaches and lots of sunshine . All of these things can be enjoyed with a baby!

When traveling to Spain, utilize public transportation so that you can ditch the car seat. Renting a car can be a hassle because there is rarely ever any free parking in the cities. I’d recommend using the metro to travel. It’s fast, cheap, easy, and convenient.

If you’re looking to hit the beaches, going to Spain in June or September is ideal. July and August are very busy and expensive months. If you’re looking for affordability, consider April, May, or October , the weather is not bad and it’s cheaper than summer.

Personally, I think Barcelona is one of the best places to go with little ones because there is a lot to see and do: Sagrada Familia, Park Güell, Casa Batlló, Poble Espanyol, Montserrat Monastery (outside Barcelona) and the Montjuic Magic Fountain show.

If you are looking for a park, Parc de la Ciutadella is the biggest urban park and a popular place to walk, read or relax. You’ll find wide pathways, a playground area, a lake, a big fountain, and the entrance to the zoo.

Recommended accommodation with babies in Barcelona, Spain

Le Meridien Barcelona

The location of this hotel is the best, right in the center of the tourist district.

If you are traveling with a toddler, it can be very convenient as you can enjoy many attractions within walking distance during the day and make it back for nap time.

They offer spacious and comfortable family suites, an outdoor dining terrace that is toddler-friendly, and a personalized welcome kit for the kids.

This is an excellent choice for families interested in city walks and sightseeing.

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom is wonderful to travel to, and for any Americans considering this as a travel destination will appreciate that everyone speaks English . Having no language barriers to worry about can help ease any concerns for people traveling with little ones.

When traveling to the UK, know that there is plenty of public transportation, so no need for a car seat. Also, strollers can be used; however you may find it easier to travel without because of stairs and cobblestone roads. It really depends on what you plan to do.

London is a magnificent place to go with a baby. The London Transport Museum is great if your little one loves buses and trolleys or really anything that can go “vroom.”

There are plenty of things to do with babies: Watch the changing the guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace, stroll around Hyde Park, the most famous park in London, visit the Camden market, enjoy the breathtaking views from one of London Eye’s capsules, consider a Thames river cruise…

From June to September is usually the best season to go weatherwise.

Recommended accommodations with babies in London, UK

Park Plaza County Hall London

Situated in South Bank, very close to London’s Eye and St James Park, this hotel is perfect to stay in London with your little ones.

Kids get a welcome bag with vouchers for chocolates or ice cream in the hotel bar, and they also have other amenities like kids bathrobes. And there are many family activities included in the family package.

There are many types of family rooms available: Junior Suite, Studio double, Penthouse family, Executive Family Studio. And they all come with a kitchenette which is really handy for toddlers.

Mediterranean Cruise

What is so wonderful about a cruise with a baby is that cruises are often all-inclusive .

The swaying of the boat can be soothing for a baby, and there is always background sound so the baby may even sleep better.

What I like best about doing a Mediterranean Cruise is that there is so much to see between the ocean and various port cities that you’ll visit : experience la dolce vita in Italy, the ancient Greek or the French Riviera all in one trip.

The lower decks often have family-friendly pools, and there are activities and shows included on the boat.

Plus, as you travel between port cities, you will get to know the people on the cruise with you, and meeting new people is sometimes the best part of traveling.

Spring or Fall are the best times to do a Mediterranean Cruise because it’s more affordable and less crowded.

The Royal Caribbean Mediterranean Cruise is the best family-friendly cruise line in the Mediterranean. However, some lines won’t allow infants to travel who are under 6 months old.

Western Mediterranean Cruise

7 days itinerary: Barcelona (Spain), Palma de Mallorca (Spain), Provence (France), Florence/Pisa (Italy), Rome (Italy), Naples/Capri (Italy), Barcelona (Spain)

Few people realize how a place like Japan is to travel with little ones. The Japanese are very polite, welcoming, and the country is famously very, very safe.

There is also fantastic and reliable public transportation.

Strollers are widely used in Japan, so feel free to bring that as well.

Tokyo is a perfect place to visit because there are so many attractions that are toddler and kid-friendly: LEGOLand, the Tokyo Toy Museum, Sanrio Puroland (which is a Hello Kitty toddler-friendly amusement park), and of course Tokyo Disneyland.

Recommended accommodation with babies in Tokyo, Japan

Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo

Very conveniently located hotel in Shinjuku’s business district. The bus stop to the airport stops in front of the hotel, and they offer free shuttle services to Disneyland

Also plenty of huge department stores with nice food options in the area.

They provide a welcome pack to the kids with a toothbrush, toothpaste, and kids’ size slippers.

Definitely a good choice for a family stay in Tokyo.

Bali is a fantastic place to travel to for just the weather alone.

April to October is considered the ideal time to travel to Bali because it’s considered the dry season (less rain).

Car seats are not required in Bali but available in rental cars upon request (sometimes for an additional fee).

What makes Bali a great place to go with little ones is all the water, either on the beach or at various resorts in kid-friendly splash pads with kiddy pools . There are lots of opportunities for kids to splash around. The Splash Waterpark Canguu is a fantastic kid-friendly waterpark that is worth visiting.

There are also plenty of other activities like family-friendly resorts throughout Bali.

Another great thing in Bali is that they cater to their tourist population, so there are lots of affordable touristy things to do.

Recommended accommodation with babies in Bali

Holiday Inn Resort Bali Benoa

A beachfront five-star hotel in a lovely location with a beautiful garden. A great choice for families with little kids.

They have four pools, including a toddler pool with a mini slide for the little ones, water volleyball, and floaters.

The kids club is excellent, and they do a lot of activities: trampoline, ball pit, slide, and PS4, mainly orientated for kids under 8 yo.

A relaxing, clean, and family-friendly hotel.

Most people dream of going to the Maldives, it’s definitely a dream destination; So why don’t you take your little ones with you?

The Maldives is a quiet and underrated place to visit, and that’s exactly why it’s perfect for people with babies.

Pack for all the beach essentials and also consider bringing a bug repellant you’re comfortable using with your baby; depending on the season and where you are, the mosquitos can be hard for the little ones.

Everything is laid back, and the vibe is down to earth , it makes relaxing the reason for the vacation.

There are beautiful beaches that you can simply enjoy with your baby, and for some people, that’s all you would ever need.

Admittedly there isn’t a lot in the way of sightseeing, but that frees up your vacation to be simply the resort, beach, great weather, local food, and of course the baby. Sometimes not having the pressure to see everything makes the trip more enjoyable.

The Maldives is best between November and April and to avoid from May to October because that is their monsoon season.

Recommended accommodation with babies in the Maldives

Niyama Private Islands Maldives

Niyama Private Islands is a luxurious resort located 40 minutes from Male airport offering overwater villas and family beach pool villas with private pool.

The hotel is divided into two islands: “Chill” and “Play.” So one is where all the fun takes place: kids club and water sports,  and the other is where the spa and over the water villas are.

The kids club is from 12 months to 12 yo, and it is extremely well organized. They always have plenty of activities to do including baby play areas.

Thailand is a spectacular country with so many exotic foods to try and places to visit . It’s also a very family-oriented country and welcoming to travelers with babies.

When packing, know there will be a lot of walking, and the country is hot, so babywearing might get your little one more overheated because of the shared body heat. I recommend a small umbrella stroller if the baby can sit upright in one; otherwise, a baby stroller is fine as well.

The cool/dry season is between November and April, which would be the best time of year to visit.

Some things to do while in Thailand include touring the Grand Palace and the Temple of Buddha.

Other unique experiences include taking a ride on an elephant.

With a baby, you can easily hit the beach. There are so many islands with beautiful beaches in Thailand that it’s hard to only name a few, but Ko Samui, Ko Chang, Krabi or Phuket are places you want to look at when traveling with a baby. I would avoid Ko Phi Phi, which is overcrowded and overrated, according to me.

Recommended accommodation with babies in Koh Samui, Thailand

Anantara Bophut Koh Samui Resort

This wonderful 5-star hotel is very well located in a quiet beach area, a 15-minute drive from the airport, and a 10-minute drive from Chaweng.

If you are looking for a pleasant evening stroll with your baby, you can walk down the beach, and you will end up in Fishermen’s Village, where you will find restaurants, shops, and a night market.

The kid’s club offers activities for kids of 4 and over, but younger kids can use it with a private nanny.

A great resort to enjoy family time together.

Columbia is a beautiful country, and Santa Marta is especially family-friendly. Santa Marta is an island with lots of great resorts that can accommodate you and your little one.

Car seats are not really used in Colombia, so pack at your own discretion.

The climate in Colombia has little variation, so really any time of year will get you some great weather. June, July, and December are high travel seasons, though, so avoid those months if you’re looking to keep costs low.

Things to do in Santa Marta with little ones include visiting their aquarium Mundo Marino, spending a day at Crystal Beach, and eating out with the locals at Parque de Los Novios.

Recommended accommodations with babies in Santa Marta, Colombia

Zuana Beach Resort Hotel

An excellent beachfront resort with great facilities and entertainment for the kids.

There is a mini pool with a slide for toddlers, all sorts of games available, including video games and a play area for kids. And both adults and kids can enjoy the awesome bowling alley.

Rodedero and Santa Marta are very easy to reach, cheap by taxi ($3 and $6 each way).

If you ever plan to visit Colombia, you should stay here.

Traveling to Seychelles with little ones is phenomenal because they have outstanding white-sand beaches, luxury resorts, and crystal clear water .

With a baby, everything can still be enjoyed because everyone loves clean beaches.

When visiting Seychelles April and May or October and November are the best months for cooler and breezier weather, Seychelles can get really hot in the thick of the summer.

Pack for warm weather and beach gear; know that car seats are not required in Seychelles, but you may choose to bring them at your own discretion.

Some great things to do while in Seychelles include going to breathtaking beaches like Anse Forbans on Mahé Island (ideal for babies, there’s no waves here), Anse Lazio on Praslin Island and Anse Cocos on La Digue Island.

Don’t miss out on Curieuse. On this island, you’ll find giant turtles in their habitat. There are many of them and are attracted by humans (well, food that humans hand to them). Surely a highlight for you and your baby!

Recommended accommodations with babies in Seychelles

I specifically recommend staying at the Constance Lemuria on Praslin Island.

It’s an outstanding hotel and has its own private beach protected from the waves, as well as a tennis court and even golf.

There is something to do for everyone, watersports, snorkeling, kids club activities, hiking, bicycles free of use, etc. And they have everything you need for babies: Plenty of games, toys, a mini pool for babies and a playground, baby cot in the room, and high chairs, etc.

The best time to travel to Mauritius is from May to December because the weather is dry and sunny.

Beaches like Belle mare, Flic en Flac, or Morne Brabant are perfect for babies. Plus, there are no waves there because the beaches are protected by a coral barrier.

When packing also know that hiking in Mauritius is gorgeous so a baby carrier specifically geared for hiking adventures would be lots of fun for the little one.

Other fun things to do in Mauritius include boating excursions, touring plantation houses, and trips up into the mountains.

Recommended accommodations with babies in Mauritius

Sugar Beach A Sun Resort

A kids-friendly 5-star hotel located on a stunning beach.

The kids club is for kids between the ages of 2 and 12, and they will organize age-appropriate activities and groups depending on their interests: movies on the beach, arts, and crafts, golf or stand up paddleboarding classes, educational excursions… It’s open the whole day from 09.30 to 22.00

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Eurowings Review [2024]: Should you fly with this airline?

Have you heard of Eurowings, the new branch of Lufthansa Airlines? This new airline focus on cheap flights, mostly within Europe. But you know cheap flights don’t always translate into a good experience, so use this Eurowings review to make sure you're not going to waste your money!

Hearing “cheap flights” makes my heart flutter. But I’ve used enough low cost airlines to know that they are either a really good way to save money or an easy way to have a horrible travel experience!

Eurowings is a European budget airline, similar to Vueling Airlines and easyJet . Budget airlines can be a great option for avid travelers who want to get the most value for their money, but they are usually a hit or miss.

So to help you decide, I've listed the pros and cons of taking Eurowings flights. Learn more about Eurowings and figure out whether it's worth considering when you want to plan your next European adventure! 

What is Eurowings?

As mentioned above, Eurowings is a low-cost airline that is a part of the Lufthansa Group. They fly to over 100 destinations in more than 50 countries. The airline was founded in 1996 and rebranded in 2015 to focus on low-cost short and long-haul flights.

While Eurowings is a low-cost carrier, you only pay the lowest prices if you book the basic fares with no extras. Extras include the option to cancel, seats, and bags. If you want any of these, it may cost you a lot more than originally planned.

Where does Eurowings fly?

A majority of Eurowings flights are within Europe, specifically Germany. They also fly to select tourist destinations in the rest of the world like the Caribbean and Turkey.

Here’s the current list of Eurowings’ destination countries:

• Czech Republic
• Switzerland
• United Kingdom

...and many more!

Remember to confirm any changes to these destinations by checking their website closer to your travel date.

How and Where to Book a Eurowings Flight

The easiest way to book a flight with Eurowings is on their website!

Once you're on their website, you just need to input where you are flying to and from, when you want to fly, and how many tickets you need. Then, all the available flights and fares will show up and you can book your flight!

You can also search for Eurowings flights using a search engine like Google Flights or Skyscanner . These are good options if you want to compare the times and prices of Eurowings flights to other airlines.

If you choose a Eurowings flight from one of these websites, they will take you directly to the Eurowings website to complete your booking.

Eurowings Check-In Process

Checking in for a Eurowings flight is easy, and there are a few ways you can do it for free, even with the BASIC fare. You can check in from your computer on the Eurowings site and all you need is your booking number!

You can also use your phone and check in through your browser or the Eurowings app, which you can download on the App Store or Google Play. With the Eurowings app, you can easily access your boarding pass, or you can have it texted or emailed to you. Whatever you prefer!

The final option is to use a self-service check-in machine at any of the following airports:

• Cologne/Bonn
• London Heathrow

They might charge you if you try to check in at the airport at the counter. So, plan ahead and check in before you arrive. Otherwise, you have to spend your money on airport check-in instead of a yummy airport snack!

Eurowings Baggage Policy

Eurowings has three different types of bags that they allow you to bring on a flight.

• Small hand baggage: 40 x 30 x 25 cm (everyone gets one regardless of the ticket you book)
• Large hand baggage: 55 x 40 x 23 cm, max. 8 kg
• Checked bag: Up to 12 kg

Not all tickets automatically allow you to bring all types of baggage, so make sure you check what kind of ticket you booked.

Eurowings' BASIC fare allows you to bring a small cabin bag only unless you pay extra for an upgrade. You can add a small bag up to 12 kg for as little as US$14 or a larger bag up to 23 kg for as little as US$20.

SMART fares allow you to bring one of each of the three bags with the price already included in your fare. Or, you can book a BIZclass fare and bring two large cabin bags and two checked bags with you, already included in the ticket price.

So, if you overpack like me, you want to book a SMART or BIZclass fare to get more bags!

Pro tip: Always plan to purchase baggage beforehand, as it gets more expensive if you want to buy later. Needing to buy luggage at the check-in counter can really add unexpected dollars to your trip.

Picking Eurowings Seats

I’m a window seat girl, and I know you probably have a preference for where you sit on planes too. 

The SMART and BIZclass fares let you choose your seat on your Eurowings flights. If you have a long flight or want an aisle seat so you can get up as much as you want, these fare types are your best option.

You cannot choose your seat with a BASIC fare unless you are willing to pay an extra fee. The fee depends on the flight and what type of seat you want. The window, aisle, and extra legroom seats all cost the most. 

Unless you are comfortable with sitting between two people for a few hours, you will have to upgrade to a higher fare or pay for your seat. Otherwise, fingers crossed that you get lucky and don’t end up with a middle seat.

If you are assigned a bad seat at check-in, you can pay more to upgrade your seat if there are any available.

The extra fee for choosing a seat is one of the ways they get you to spend more money with them or upgrade to a higher fare. It’s annoying that Eurowings do this, but it’s how many low-cost carriers make their money.

How to Cancel a Eurowings Flight

If you cannot make your flight or decide not to fly with Eurowings for any other reason, you can cancel your flight.

The easiest way to cancel a Eurowings flight is by logging into your online account or in their mobile app. You can also call the airline directly, and they will help you cancel or change your flight.

However, the amount of money you get refunded from your cancellation depends on the flight you booked.

You can only get the airport taxes and fees refunded with BASIC flights. Or, you can change your flight and just pay the difference in fare, if there is one. With SMART and BIZClass fares, you can add the Flex Premium option. This option allows you to cancel with no fees.

While this is another thing you have to pay for, it is worth it if your plans are not set, and you might want your money back if you don’t fly.

Is Eurowings worth it?

Eurowings offers a lot of cheap flights in Europe, but the prices may not be as low as you expect. If you want to choose your seat or bring more than a small bag, you have to pay much more than the advertised low fare.

After adding in all the extra costs, you might be better off booking with a more reputable airline.

But, if you are a light traveler or just want a quick weekend getaway between two European cities, Eurowings is worth it. You can fly without all the bells and whistles for cheap with the BASIC fare, which allows you to bring a small bag. So for budget-travelers, Eurowings is a popular option.

Eurowings works if you just want to take a short trip within Europe, short enough to just need a small bag. Otherwise, you will spend more than you expect, and it will not be worth it to fly on a low-budget airline.

Our Rating: 3.0/5

• Many direct flights, especially from Germany
• Cheap fares if you travel light
• Cheapest fares only include a small bag
• Extra costs add up
• No seat selection for BASIC fares

Ready to fly with Eurowings and start planning your next trip?

Disclosure : Pilot is supported by our community. We may earn a small commission fee with affiliate links on our website. All reviews and recommendations are independent and do not reflect the official view of Pilot.

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Millennial moms-to-be are throwing ‘hatchelorette’ parties — one last fling before the baby arrives: ‘needed my girls’.

Expectant girls just wanna have fun.

From bestiemoons to bachelorette trips , it can feel like every major event in a woman’s life has now been turned into an excuse to book a getaway with friends. The latest one? Being pregnant.

And no, this isn’t a babymoon , otherwise known as a relaxing or romantic rendezvous enjoyed by expectant couples before receiving their bundle of joy.

Instead, millennial women are having hatchelorette parties — a catchy bit of branding for a celebration of their pregnancies. Not an entirely new concept , but one that appears to be picking up steam of late , here are the apparent requirements: just the girls, somewhere away from home — while travel is still an option.

Kiara Bastian , 31, of Kalamazoo, Michigan — a happy veteran of her own hatchelorette happening — is the first both in her family and her friend group to have a baby. She’d already enjoyed a bachelorette trip and a babymoon — but Bastian and her pals wanted one final girls trip before motherhood.

“[My friends] just wanted us to have a last hurrah because we love to go out and travel. So they were like, ‘Hey, let’s have a last road trip,” the new mama told The Post.

The intrepid crew enjoyed a whole weekend filled with games (think baby instead of penis-themed), a viewing of “Knocked Up”, massages, a scavenger hunt at the baby store, mocktails, matching PJs and cutesy gift bags.

The meticulously-planned moment was reminiscent of, but more relaxed than, a bachelorette event.

“I just wanted to be bonding with my girls,” Bastian said. “I was scared, you know, I don’t want to be the mom that can’t go to Jamaica next month because I have a baby now.”

But missing the next trip wasn’t her biggest concern. The beauty salon owner noted that the stress of constantly worrying about keeping mother and child healthy can be “the most anxiety-driven thing” of a woman’s life. Especially, as US maternal mortality hit its highest rates since 1965 last year, with rates among black patients being particularly alarming.

“I just needed my girls,” she admitted.

The weekend turned out to be the perfect way to spend time with her support group, celebrate her healthy pregnancy and ease any anxiety about becoming a new mom.

“I made it my last reassurance like, ‘We’re doing this. We have a village. We’re happy. This isn’t a burden. This is something that the whole group can benefit from,” Bastian said.

Since welcoming her son Kruz six weeks ago, she’s been visited by everyone who went on the trip several times, she said.

“We are obsessed with him,” Bastian said.

Bastian isn’t the only newly-minted mom to benefit from a planned time-out with friends.

Emily Belson , 32, who lives near Washington D.C., decided to throw her sister Carla Kiley , 28, a hatchelorette trip as a replacement for Kiley’s cancelled bachelorette do, scrubbed from the calendar in the spring of 2020 due to pandemic-era lockdowns.

“It seemed like a fun opportunity, to celebrate her in a similar way,” Belson told The Post.

She booked a few conjoining rooms at the Chesapeake Bay Beach Club and invited her mom and her sister’s two closest pals to stay the night after the traditional baby shower, attended by a much larger group of family and friends.

Belson decorated the rooms with balloons and goodie bags for each girl, scheduled massages and an early morning yoga class and a lovely dinner with mocktails — and a few cocktails for those who weren’t expecting.

The doting older sister admitted that the original bachelorette plan included more upbeat events, such as karaoke, and cocktails, but that the main goal with the hatchelorette was to coordinate some kind of girls get-together before Carla’s life got a bit crazier.

“It was really sweet, chill and intimate. We had a great time. And the most important thing to me was that she felt like she got a similar experience to all of her friends with their weddings, since she didn’t get to do it at that point,” she shared.

“My hope was just that she would just feel special and like her friends wanted to celebrate her,” Belson said.

Belson who is now expecting her third child hasn’t and won’t be having a hatchelorette herself. As the mother of two young boys, her main goal right now is peace and quiet — which could provide a clue as to why hatchelorette parties haven’t quite yet made it mainstream.

“A night away by myself would be great…at this point, quiet is what sounds really nice to me,” she said.

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