Travelling with kids can be an overwhelming experience for many families, especially during the summer. There is a lot that can go wrong when heading to the airport, and this can begin to affect the positivity that a vacation requires – and deserves. However, family vacations do not have to feel this way.
Thankfully, proper planning can help alleviate the stress you might experience. Many aspects will be booked months ahead of your departure date, but other factors need to be sorted closer to the time. As long as they are completed before you leave for the airport, you can avoid unnecessary anxiety and strain.
In this post, I have listed the 5 key aspects that you need to plan before heading to the airport for a safe and enjoyable travel experience.
Pre-Flight Family Vacation Checklist
1. Confirm Your Travel Documents
If you want to avoid potential travel disruptions, you’d better double-check your travel documents ahead of time. Travelers can be denied boarding or entry to their destination country upon arrival if their papers, such as passports, are invalid. This is why it is vital to ensure these documents are valid for the intended destination and the duration of your travels.
There can be numerous travel documents to check before heading to the airport for your vacation, and you must do this for the entire family. Passports must be valid for a set period beyond your trip’s end date, and this can vary from country to country, with some requiring at least six months. Similarly, some countries, including Algeria, China, and Cuba, require you to obtain a tourist visa.
It is also worth checking that the details on your travel documents match your booking exactly, including middle names and initials.
2. Pack Efficiently
Unluckily, luggage may be broken or even misplaced while traveling, but packing appropriately will reduce the risks of an occurrence. Not just that, but it can also save you much time and reduce any stress you may be going through, especially as you may be carrying baggage that needs to be checked in. Who would want to contend with the extra fee that an overweight suitcase can incur after all?
You do need to do some planning where packing is concerned, and you will find it helpful to make a packing list so you do pack all the essentials. The things you carry on the vacation need to be considered by keeping your destination in mind, but clothes that are versatile should be given priority to enable you to pack lightly. It is also recommended to roll up your clothes, block them with cubes or fill up a shoe with socks, underwear and even other small items to ensure maximum utilization of space.
3. Prepare for Airport Procedures
As traveling through an airport can be stressful, understanding what you will face and preparing correctly can simplify the process. Many people know that they should arrive at the airport two hours before departure for domestic flights and three hours before for international flights. This will allow for check-in, if you haven’t checked in online, security, and possible delays.
To arrive at the airport with plenty of time to spare, you might consider booking a car service, like Executive Car Service LAX, that knows your area can enable you to avoid traffic and other delays. This is particularly important if you are traveling during peak times, which will see busy roads and crowded airports. Plus, you can avoid dealing with airport parking if you have already booked transport to the airport.
With an early arrival, you can ensure you are suitably prepared for security checks. You might need to remove items like belts and jackets to be placed in a tray with your carry-on luggage. Your carry-on must be packed strategically to allow for the quick removal of liquids, which should be in a clear plastic bag, for screening.
4. Keep the Family Engaged
No matter how much one plans, getting around with kids is never easy. Children may easily have meltdowns or get anxious when it is time to go on vacation, and this may spoil their experience at the airport. As much as possible, you ought to strive to entertain your family during the trip.
Some activities are age-based, but it would be better to research and pack several items that the family members may share. Books, games, and other activities can be fit into carry-on bags, but you can also search the airport to find things such as play areas or lounges. This will excite the adventurous nature of a child and also wear them out, thereby facilitating sleep on a plane.
5. Final Checks Before You Leave Home
Having packed and done all the sound preparations before the day of your departure, it helps to make your life a little bit easier by taking some precautions as you are leaving home. Begin by securing the windows and doors so that when you leave, your house will be locked and no one will be able to get in.
Use timers on lights so that it will appear that residents are always available; this could be used to scare trespassers away. Check that you have plans in place to take care of the pets, whether by leaving them in the hands of a trusted friend or staying at a pet hotel. Unplug any appliances that are not frequently used to save power and prevent fires.
Summing Up
If you have a family vacation shortly, then it is vital to begin preparing beforehand. There is a lot to do when the trip is booked and your flights are sorted, but planning your trip to the airport ahead of time can simplify the process for you. It not only makes travel convenient, but gives a peace of mind to enjoy every single moment with your family.
