Traveling with kids post-COVID
Getting ready for post-Covid travel
Traveling with kids has always been more demanding than solo traveling, but COVID has added additional challenges for the traveling parent to think about. The world is slowly getting back to normal so if you’re ready to get back out there, here are our suggestions for traveling with kids, in a post-pandemic world.
Planning your trip
Book the most direct flight possible
The less time you spend on an airplane or in airports, the better. It’s usually more expensive and not always possible to book direct flights, but for us the convenience of flying direct while traveling with kids in post-COVID world is worth it. By booking direct, you’re decreasing your chances of delays, missed flights, lost luggage and weather-related issues. As a bonus, you’ll get to your destination faster and with less stress.
Buy change/cancellation insurance
Traveling has changed since pre-pandemic days. We personally never used to buy any insurance and relied solely on our Mastercard cancellation insurance. This covered against unforeseen medical issues. Since COVID though, we pay the extra to upgrade to changeable or even refundable tickets. We also only book refundable accommodations, allowing us the flexibility to change our plans.
Assume your flight will be delayed and plan accordingly
By assuming that the worst will happen, you will be better prepared when it does. We always bring extra snacks, fully filled water bottles (filled at the airport), extra downloaded kid-friendly movies, a good book, and a powerbank for our devices. If we get stuck waiting on the tarmac for longer than expected we have an ace up our sleeve if we need it.
Don’t pay for seat upgrades
We don’t pay extra for assigned seating. This is mainly because many airlines are mandated by law to seat families together or at worst one child with one parent. This rule is applicable in Canada but check your own country’s laws regarding this.
Airlines may not advertise this information because they want you to upgrade your seats, but if you call customer service, they usually already have you sitting together. They typically only release seating information when you check in 24 hours prior to your flight (hoping that you will upgrade your seats due to parent worry). We’re not very picky with our seats and don’t mind sitting at the back of the plane (which is where we have often been seated and statistically is the safest part of the plane!)
Note, if you check in 24 hours before your flight you’re free to change your seats at that point if better ones are available.
Have offline access to documents on your phone
Take pictures of passports, credit cards, health cards, and vaccine certificates and save them on your phone. Ensure that they’re accessible offline (not only in the Cloud). We also save a PDF or screenshot of our first night’s booking, car rental contracts and any other documentation. Internet is never 100% guaranteed at your destination and having all these documents accessible can save you if you lose them or there is any miscommunication about dates, prices, etc. Some car rental agencies even recommend having your contract available to ensure no additional fees or insurance costs are charged by overzealous rental agencies.
Packing for your trip
Pack light – try for no checked luggage
If you can manage it, avoid having checked luggage. This can save you time and potentially the headache of dealing with lost luggage. Of course, not all families can pack lightly and this is dependent on factors like the age of your children. Keep in mind that many airlines allow strollers, car seats and other baby equipment to be brought onboard without counting them against your carry-on limits.
Pack smart
If you must have checked luggage, pack enough essentials in your carry-on for at least two days. We pack a set of clothes and a bathing suit for each family member. We also have our carry-on items organized in travel cubes by category. A small baggie holds masks, sanitizer, wipes and lollipops/candies (for when the plane is landing and little ears are popping). We also have a cable organizer with electronics, cables, headphones and devices. Staying organized means it’s quick and easy to find items when you’re in a confined space with fully stuffed bags.
Bring COVID rapid tests with you
Since the pandemic, we have started bringing a couple of rapid tests with us. If we’re in a country where rapid tests are not easily available or expensive, we don’t even need to leave our hotel room to get tested.
Pack masks
We have also started bringing masks with us when we travel. We buy a comfortable, good quality N-95 mask for all family members to wear at the airport and during the entire flight (even though it’s not required anymore). Once at your destination, the laws and enforcement may change. You may even be required to wear masks in some establishments. Being prepared with a lightweight mask which can easily be stuffed in a pocket is worth your time.
Bring snacks for the airport and plane
Pack some extra snacks. In our post-COVID world, airports are very busy and line ups are everywhere. Having a few non-crushable snacks at hand means you’re not relying on airport/airplane food.
Traveling
Prepare your kids for the trip
A day or two before your departure, talk to your kids about what will happen and what to expect. We had our kids create a list of fun activities they can do while on the plane (drawing, telling jokes, playing games, watching movies). Explain that it will be crowded and chaotic so that they can mentally prepare. Talk to your kids about “airport behaviour” – not being silly at passport control, walking through metal detectors, always staying close by as it’s really busy. Our kids are usually very excited on travel days. By giving them activities they can be excited about, they can direct their energy there, allowing us to manage everything else that’s happening.w
Set an alarm 24 hours prior to take-off
Make sure you set your alarm clock for 24 hours prior to departure to check in and get the best seats available (if you haven’t pre-purchased seats). Even if you pre-paid for your seats, ensure that you check in online before you arrive at the airport to avoid long lines.
Dress your kids in bright colors
Bright colored clothes are easier to find in a crowd and if kids somehow get a step behind or separated in the chaos of an airport line, quickly spotting them in a crowd is key.
Arrive 3 hours before your flight
Line ups are everywhere at airports these days. Arriving early reduces some of the stress. Be ready for lots of new automation that has been installed during COVID, but may not be working as promised. Printing boarding passes and baggage tags, and weighing and checking in your bag used to be handled at the check-in desk.
These days, tasks like these have become automated and are the job of the traveler. Our experience has been that lines tend to spread beyond the marked barriers or are not clearly marked. Increased automation and reduced staff combined with kiosks being out of order leads to frustration from travelers who are stressed, lost or late. Give yourself lots of time to get through this process, and pack a little extra patience.
Use family lines if available
You’re going to spend a lot of time lining up throughout the day. Customs, security, even coffee. That’s just the way it is. If you’re traveling with kids, keep an eye out for family lines and use them. These can cut down your waiting time and may get you where you’re going that little bit faster.
Have downloaded movies ready for the kids to watch
This goes without saying, but download several movies for the kids to watch on a device like a tablet. That way if the internet is not available or strong at the airport (or later aboard buses, trains or other transports) the kids can watch a movie while they wait. We also recommend that you do this a few days in advance so that you aren’t left scrambling on the way out the door. Pay attention to when the content expires. If you’re on a longer trip, the content may need to be renewed if you are hoping to watch it on the way home.
Get on the plane last
Our preference is to spend as little time as possible on the plane, given the recycled air and close proximity to the hundreds of other passengers. Therefore, we never rush to get on the plane first. We are usually the last people to get on the plane. We figure the plane can’t leave until we’re on board and when you’re traveling with kids, every half hour not stuffed into your seat is a win.
Wipe down your tray table and seat rests
Once you get on the plane and find your seat, use your wipes/sanitizer to wipe down the arm rests and tray table. Airlines in the post-COVID world are stretched to the limit and their goal is to reduce delays as much as possible. A thorough tray cleaning may have been a priority at the peak of the pandemic, but is likely overlooked now. So give yourself some peace of mind and clean that tray table before eating off of it.
Enjoy your flight
Set your kids up with a movie, an activity or a game, and until they ask for a snack, read a book, watch a movie, have a nap (bring neck pillows, ear plugs, eye patch) and relax. You’re almost at your destination. Enjoy the excitement of going on a holiday after the long pandemic travel lull.
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