Last updated: March 2026.
When we boarded our first international flight with our baby, he was just a few months old. We were equal parts excited and anxious – would he cry the whole flight? Would we actually enjoy the trip? Fast forward a few adventures later (with more in the coming weeks and months), and we’re so glad we took the leap and are now happily travelling with our baby.
This guide – updated regularly – brings together everything we’re learning travelling with baby in tow – from baby passport applications to packing hacks, flight tips, jet lag avoidance, fun itineraries (with plenty of adult enjoyment too), and the gear that actually makes a difference. Whether you’re planning your first family holiday or already have a few under your belt, we hope this gives you both confidence and practical tips.
Planning a family-friendly trip
Before R, we never thought twice about cobbled pavements or whether an Airbnb had blackout blinds or a high chair. Now it’s the first thing we check.
Tips for choosing a baby-friendly destination:
- Look for walkable locations to minimise the need to use public transport (some of my favourites include Bergen, Île de Ré, Lisbon, Seville and Copenhagen).
- Or plan an epic road trip, with short journeys creating opportunities to see places you may have ordinarily missed. We loved touring Ireland, and western France, and the US/Canada has so many options.
- For a closer-to-home fix, UK city breaks are massively underrated with a baby or toddler – we’ve rounded up 12 of the best pram-friendly cities across England, Scotland and Wales, from Bath to Edinburgh.
- Prioritise places with quality healthcare access and short travel times until you know your baby will cope ok with a long haul flight (or build up to it, like we’re doing)
- Avoid overly hot destinations (at least at first!) – you’ll thank me for it!
➡️ See how we rate the different types of trip on offer, from beach villas to city breaks to road trips in this guide.
Travel documents, passports and baby health prep
Applying for a baby passport in the UK isn’t hard but it takes a bit of admin (and a baby who will cooperate for a photo). I found it surprisingly quick for the passport to arrive but give yourself plenty of time!
If you’re travelling to Europe, make sure you’re up to speed on the new EU border changes – the EES and ETIAS systems are rolling out and will affect UK families. Read our full guide to know what to expect before you travel.
What to prep before you go:
- Baby passport – read my full guide on how to get a UK baby passport.
- Travel insurance for the whole family – don’t just assume your current policy will work, as you’ll likely need to pay an extra premium to add your baby on.
- Order your baby a GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card) – it takes a few minutes and you’d be silly not to do this, as it gives you free healthcare in many countries. If you don’t have one yourself, you need to fill in this form, but if you already have a valid card, you need to fill in this different form to get a card for your child. More info here.
- Ask your GP about travel vaccinations if heading further afield.
➡️ Read: Step-by-step instructions for securing your baby’s first passport.
Packing for baby travel: essentials that make the difference
After several trips in the UK and in Europe, we know what you really need to take and what makes the difference when you’re on a plane or out and about on holiday.
Our baby travel must-haves:
- Lightweight travel stroller – for navigating airports and fitting into rental car boots (we’ve reviewed 6 of the most popular brands in the UK).
- Baby carrier – lifesaver for getting off a plane and on-the-go naps in cooler destinations.
- White noise machine, blackout blinds/covers, and a comfy sleep space (we use a travel cot).
- Warm weather survival kit – read my must-haves for the heat.
- Plenty of snacks, nappies, and wipes (always pack more than you think!).
- Age-appropriate toys (and new ones for planes!). See the ones we love.
➡️ Explore our full baby travel packing list: what to bring.
Where to stay with a baby
Choosing the right accommodation makes a bigger difference than almost anything else when travelling with a baby. A separate sleep space, a well-equipped kitchen, and outdoor space for post-bedtime winding down can transform a trip.
- Holiday rentals vs hotels – both have their place, but we’ve done a detailed comparison of the main holiday rental platforms – including Airbnb, Sykes Cottages, Booking.com, James Villas, Luxury Cottages and InterHome – to help you figure out which suits your trip.
- Hiring baby equipment – you don’t always need to lug everything with you. Hiring a travel cot, highchair or pram abroad can be a genuine game-changer, especially for longer trips or flights. Read our guide on when it’s worth it.
➡️ Our top tip: always look for a property with a separate room or space for the baby to sleep, plus a terrace or garden so you’re not trapped inside the moment bedtime hits.
Flying with a baby: our honest tips
Let’s be clear, flying with a baby is hardly fun – it’s about minimising any upset and aiming for the nirvana state of them sleeping the flight. Our first few flights with R were fine, but featured a poonami in the check-in queue at Heathrow and a take off coinciding with a delayed nap time (aka screaming!). That aside, on all our flights so far he’s fell asleep in his car seat once the seatbelt signs have gone off and I’ve had a relatively normal flight – long may it continue!
In-flight survival tips:
- If you can afford it, my number one tip is to book your baby their own seat and take your car seat on board for them to sit in. It’s likely more comfortable for them and it’s definitely more comfortable for us – although you still hold them during takeoff and landing. And of course travelling in business is a comfier option, which we do thanks to maximising our Avios.
- Feed during takeoff and landing to help with ear pressure, and invest in a pair of Alpine ear defenders.
- Pack several changes of clothes, just in case – and don’t chance it with cheap or on-the-small-side nappies. You do not want a leakage if you can avoid it!
- Use a carrier for hands-free bouncing if you know you’ll need to comfort your little one (and it’s made a real difference to us when getting off the plane).
- Stock up on new toys specifically for the flight – novelty buys you time. Our age-by-age guide to the best baby travel toys has plenty of ideas for different stages.
- Agree responsibilities before you go – like who’s fitting the car seat or holding the baby during takeoff, or who’s sorting the bags while the other changes the nappy.
- Don’t worry about other people – most passengers are kinder than you expect and you’ll be surprised at how many babies and children there are on your flight – you notice them more when you are in the same boat!
➡️ Read: How to travel with a baby on a plane: tips from our flights.
➡️ Before you even get on the plane, it’s worth knowing which airport works best for families. See our ranking of the best UK airports for families.
Sleeping on the road
One of the most important adjustments was figuring out how to help R sleep in a new environment every few weeks.
What worked for us:
- Sticking to some version of our bedtime routine (e.g. bath, book, feed and bed).
- Booking Airbnbs with separate sleep spaces to the living area, or if a hotel is needed then booking one with a balcony or terrace to avoid being stuck inside after bedtime.
- Bringing our travel cot with us – many airlines allow you to check it for free, meaning R sleeps in the same cot and on our sheets everywhere we go. Just make sure to get a bag for it (or make one from a padded quilt cover like we did!).
- Pack all the sleeping aids – white noise, SnoozeShade, glow in the dark dummies etc. Plus I find I can relax a lot more during nap times and bedtime by taking our camera/baby monitor with us in our checked luggage.
- Follow these tips to minimise the impact of jet lag.
Being honest, we’ve still had plenty of rubbish nights while away from home thanks to early teething and a lack of blackout blinds in Norway, but we’ve enjoyed being away nonetheless.
The mental load of travelling with a baby
It’s not just about logistics, there’s a lot to think about from meal times to activities to sleep. So it’s important to recalibrate your expectations and prepare to find joy in a slower version of travel. If you expect to do the same things, it’ll probably be disappointing – and equally if avoid travelling with a baby out of fear, you’ll all miss out on so much.
What we’ve learned:
- You’ll do less, and that’s okay. You’ll still be seeing new places but you’ll either need longer there or have to prioritise your time better.
- You’ll do things you wouldn’t normally do – like go to an aquarium in Bergen as a sensory experience. I’m trying to follow my own advice and make the most of an itinerary that can be more in favour of adults before our children require even more organised entertainment.
- You’ll be amazed at how adaptable your baby is! We’ve done walking tours with our baby in the carrier and plan to take R on a food walking tour (one of our favourite things to do when abroad) on our next trip.
Where to go next
Looking for destination inspiration? Here are a few starting points depending on what kind of trip you’re after:
- UK city breaks – 12 pram-friendly UK cities worth putting on your list
- UK beaches – the best UK beach holidays with a baby, ranked
- European city breaks – Seville with kids and Jersey with a baby are two of our favourites
- Luxury resort – Ritz-Carlton Abama, Tenerife – our most-asked-about stay
- Road trips – Ireland, western France, and New England are all brilliant with a baby in tow
- Long haul – Florida Keys and Cape Cod for British families heading to the US
We’re always adding more – browse all our itineraries here.
Start your own adventure and travel with your baby
If you’re on the fence about travelling with your baby, here’s our honest advice: go for it. It won’t be perfect, but it will be memorable! There’s something magical about seeing the world through their eyes and how lucky we are to be able to give them the experience of travelling and seeing different cultures so early on in life.
Follow us on Instagram @littlebritsabroad for real-time travel updates, as we too travel with baby on board!
See you out there!
Allie, Jack and R x
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