If you are thinking about travelling solo with your kids, first of all, you are amazing. It’s not always easy, but it is so much fun!. Whether you are going away for a weekend, flying abroad or even just hopping on a train, doing it alone with little ones in tow takes a bit of prep and a lot of snacks! :).
I have done it myself more than once, the solo airport dashes, the travel tantrums, the proud little moments that make it all worth it. So here’s what I’ve learned about how to make travelling alone with children feel less overwhelming and a lot more doable.
Start with a plan (but don’t expect it to go perfectly)
You don’t need a minute-by-minute itinerary, but having a loose plan for your journey will save you a lot of stress. Think about what time of day your kids are at their best, what kind of breaks you might need and how long your travel day actually feels once you factor in delays, loo stops and snack emergencies.
If you are flying, try to book flights that don’t fall at nap time or late evening – overtired kids and airports = chaos. If you are getting the train, aim for quieter times when you have a better chance of nabbing a seat and space to spread out. We try to get the four seats with a table and not move!
Give yourself more time than you think you will need. You will thank yourself later.
Pack smart (and light-ish)
I used to pack like I was preparing for an apocalypse and more, but when you are travelling solo with kids, you’ve only got so many hands. Just keep it simple, clothes that you can mix and match, a couple of toys or books, a bucket and spade and snacks. Lots of snacks.
Rucksacks are a lifesaver, one for you, one for them and maybe a small cross-body bag for all the important stuff like passports, tickets, and wipes. I have a uniqlo that I wear more than I wear underwear, dont judge me!.
If you are heading abroad, don’t forget the paperwork – passports, insurance docs, and any medical bits. Keep it all together somewhere easy to grab. You don’t want to be rummaging at border control with a whining little one hanging off your leg.
Snacks and screens are life!
I’d love to say my kids always sit quietly reading or playing happily, but let’s be real, snacks and screens have saved me SO many times.
Don’t feel guilty about screen time when you are travelling alone with your kids. Whether it’s an iPad loaded with movies or your phone playing Minecraft, if it gets you through the journey with minimal meltdowns, you’ve done a great job.
Same goes for snacks, think mess-free, filling and easy to hand out one at a time. Pack a mix of savoury and sweet and keep a few “surprise” bits for when you need a distraction mid-queue or mid-flight. These ones are like magic!.
Keep the kiddies involved
One of my favourite tricks when I’m travelling on my own with the kids is giving them little jobs. It might be holding the tickets, pulling their own suitcase or choosing what snacks we get from the station shop. It makes them feel grown-up and useful, and honestly, it helps me too. Less moaning, more teamwork.
Letting them help plan small parts of the trip also works wonders: “Shall we go to the beach or the park tomorrow?” or “Do you want to sit by the window or the aisle?” The more involved they feel, the smoother things usually go and less time to moan.
Accept the chaos
Lower your expectations. Things will go wrong. Someone will cry. You might forget something or take the wrong turn, or get caught in the rain. That’s just part of it. And honestly, it’s also where some of the best stories come from.
Solo travel with children isn’t about doing everything perfectly. It’s about making memories, surviving the tricky bits and celebrating the wins, even if the win is just getting everyone dressed and out the door.
If you are on a plane and your little one screams the entire landing? You are still doing amazing. You showed up, you did it solo, and your kiddies are going to remember the adventure, not the meltdown over dropped chocolate buttons.
I always try to book accommodation that’s child-friendly and easy, ground floor access, breakfast included and ideally near a park or something fun for the kids. Little things like that make a huge difference when it’s just you and them.
Travelling solo with kids might feel a bit daunting at first, and it was for me my first time, but it’s honestly one of the most empowering things you can do. You get to show your children the world, or even just a new bit of it and do it on your terms. It won’t always be smooth sailing, but it will be worth it.
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