This article is a travel topic.

If you are travelling as a family, you may need to make special arrangements for your travel and accommodation.

Understand

Travelling as a family can be a great adventure. Young ones can get to see things, meet people and do stuff that they just don't get a chance to do any other time. Adults often find they gain a very different perspective on a place when visiting with children, and in many parts of the world travelling with children opens up many opportunities to be welcomed by and get to know locals. For the whole family, travelling together can be a time to get to know each other again, away from the pressures of work and/or education.

However, the travel industry often does not cope well when a family group, and especially young children, arrives without warning. Travelling as a family may need the forward planning of a military operation, with all contingencies allowed for.

The definition of a child varies, but normally it is based on age. There may also be minimum weight and height restriction on some attractions for safety purposes.

• Infants and toddlers - under 3 or even under 5 years. - often no charge.
• Children - under about 12 or sometimes 14 years - child rates normally apply.
• Young People/Teenagers - over about 10 and under 18 years - child rates may apply in some cases.
• Young Adults - between 18 and 21 - may be able to obtain child rates in special circumstances, such as school organised tours.

Get in

Many transport operators will carry children under certain conditions. Although they may offer a child fare, this may require an accompanying adult. Accompanying adults will usually be expected to make sure that their children do not annoy or place at risk themselves or other passengers.

Most countries do not permit children to be unsupervised when travelling long distances. While the age of responsibility varies, generally children under 16 years will not be able to travel by themselves any great distance. However some operators do accept unaccompanied children. An unaccompanied child may be required to travel on a full adult fare, or even a return fare, as the operator is effectively supervising the child. Unaccompanied children will normally need to be collected at their destination by a named caregiver and may be returned to their point of departure if not collected. They may not even be permitted to travel without special arrangements and correct documentation. Check with the operator for the specific requirements.

By plane

Many airlines do not charge for very young children, however on a full aircraft they will require the child to travel in the parent's lap. (Young children are often known as "laps" for this reason.) If you wish to travel in more comfort you may wish to book a dedicated seat for your child. Young children will be safer in the airplane if you use a carseat instead of holding them on your lap, though you will usually need a separate ticket to reserve a seat for your child in this case. The airline may require proof that the carseat may be used in an airplane, which is usually indicated on a certification sticker on the carseat.

On a Boeing 747, you will want to reserve the four seats in the middle. The armrests move up allowing for children to sleep. Failing this, you will want as many seats in a row as possible. If you are traveling with infants, you will want the four seats in front of the bulkhead, as the airline can attach a crib to the bulkhead.

If trans-continental flights seem too long for children, try planning a stopover or two in between. For example, Air Canada has a five-hour flight from St. John's, Newfoundland to London Heathrow for a trans-Atlantic trip. Trans-Pacific flights are a bit more challenging, but Hawaii and Guam stopovers are possibilities.

By car

Be aware that some countries require children to travel in appropriate child car seats when travelling by car. You should check before you commence your travel what the requirements are for children. If you are renting a car, your rental company may be able to loan or rent you a child seat.

Children's passports

Increasingly, any child, including a newborn baby, needs their own passport, rather than being able to travel on their mother's passport. Check with your local authorities in plenty of time to get a separate passport for each of your children. You may also want to allow time to check into requirements for children's passport photographs as some countries apply the same restrictions to photos of babies as they do to photos of adults. (For example, the United Kingdom used to require that the baby had a neutral expression on its face and was looking at the camera with the colour of its eyes visible—a difficult feat for newborns!)

Many countries will require that all adults who have a legal parental relationship with a child agree to a passport being issued to the child. Allow extra time for the application if you think you will have any difficulty demonstrating this.

Permission to travel with children

Many countries require that visiting children who aren't accompanied by both their mother and father carry documentation to the effect that all legal guardians agree to the child's travel plans. This may apply even when the accompanying adult and the child themself are citizens of the country they are travelling to. Be sure to check with an embassy of the country you intend to visit if you are taking any children on an international holiday without both their parents. Legal guardians who are not the parents of the child may need documentation demonstrating their relationship to, and responsibility for, the child, and a parent travelling alone may need either proof of custody or written authorization from the other parent.

Other countries typically do not recognise child custody as determined outside their own courts. This is sometimes used as a way for non-custodial parents to gain custody: they take their child to a second country where they are a citizen and assume custody there. If this is a concern for you, seek legal advice before travel and before allowing your child to travel.

Do

Some activities are not suitable or appropriate for children. Check conditions before booking or buying tickets. Some strenuous or adventure activities may not be available for people who do not meet certain levels of fitness or body size.

Attractions such as swimming pools and amusement parks generally require younger children to be supervised by an adult caregiver or responsible older child. Age limits vary but if the child is getting in at the child rate, expert supervision is also required. If in doubt, ask.

Eat

Many restaurants can accommodate young children and serve children sized meals. However, checking before booking a table is always wise. Some restaurants cater especially for families and offer permanent special deals.

Preparing milk for babies can be difficult while travelling. Breastfeeding mothers will need to make sure that they are eating enough to keep up with demand, which can be tough while travelling. Otherwise, you will need to carry your formula supplies or buy them at your destination. If travelling overseas check for the availability of suitable formulas.

Drink

Places that serve alcoholic drinks may prohibit children. Check the local bylaws before entering bars and restaurants. There may be a special family entertaining area that can be used.

Sleep

Many accommodation places are set up for adult singles and couples. Travelling as a group of 3 or more may require you to reserve an extra room or a special family suite. You should alway reserve such accommodation well in advance so that the proprietor can make appropriate arrangements, such as installing an extra bed. There may be additional charges for extra people as well.

Children are not normally accepted at accommodation places without a supervising caregiver.

Stay safe

At least consider the issue of children getting lost. Your children should have age appropriate knowledge of what to do when lost: generally stay where they are, and wait for you to find them. If speaking, they should be taught their name, and ideally where they are staying.

Consider carefully what to teach your children about strangers: some strangers pose a threat to them, it's true, but many more will be able to help them if lost. Children who are taught to "avoid talking to any stranger" have been known to hide from rescuers when lost in the wilderness.

Stay healthy

Children may have special health needs while travelling:

• Children get cold faster than adults. If in a cold climate or participating in winter sports, your children may need warmer clothes than you do, and it's likely that by the time you feel the cold your children are already on the way to hypothermia.
• Children suffer motion sickness more easily than adults, particularly since they are usually relegated to smaller seats with less visibility. You might need to give them travel sickness medication and prepare to clean up if they are sick. Regular pit stops on car trips to let them get out and walk around helps.
• Children and especially babies have trouble equalising their ears on aeroplanes. Teach children to yawn and wiggle their jaw around. Babies won't be able to tell you their ears hurt, but if they scream in pain on ascent or descent, getting them to suckle on something can help.

Cope

• Young children drive parents mad with their constant need to go to the toilet. Plan regular toilet stops with their bladders in mind, not yours!