Travelling with a Family: Your Essential Checklist

Our guide to travelling with kids

Whether you are planning to travel Australia with the kids or jet off to a far-flung destination on the other side of the world, it’s incredibly freeing to know that international travel is finally back on the agenda.

The return of travel is something most of us have been looking forward to since the very first lockdown, and some young families have never had the chance to go travelling with their kids yet.

To make your life easier and ensure you enjoy all the benefits of travelling with family, it’s worth doing a bit of research in the lead-up to your trip and create an outline of what you want to do.

Embrace all the benefits of travelling with family

While some people thrive on impulsive holidays, when it comes to travelling with kids it’s usually a wiser decision to take care of all the planning beforehand. By doing the ‘boring admin’ work today you can get peace of mind that your family trip will go off without a hitch.

From collecting memorable moments together to strengthening your relationships with your children, travelling with a family comes with many benefits – even the unexpected hiccups can be something to laugh about years down the track!

Want to know the best way to travel around Australia or overseas with family? We’ve got 10 helpful items to mark off your checklist – so you can enjoy travelling with your kids and create memories that last a lifetime.

1. Prepare entertainment and snacks for transit

There’s nothing louder than a hungry child, so get those delicious and healthy snacks packed up before leaving home. Some easy ideas include:

• Fruit salad
  
• Rice crackers
• Veggie muffins
• Yoghurt pouches
• Cereal bars
• Crackers and cheese
• Mixed nuts
• Milk and juice poppers

Also pack a few things to entertain the kids while travelling. Travel-size board games and a deck of cards can easily stave off boredom, while books, music players, handheld gaming systems and portable devices are always good to keep on hand.

2. Ensure your passports are valid

While passport services have resumed in the wake of COVID, some Australians have been waiting three months for their passports to arrive¹. This backlog could put even the best-laid travel plans to rest, so if you plan on travelling with the kids overseas you’ll need to get on top of any passport renewals early.

3. Pack in advance

Some people have bad dreams about public speaking - stressed parents have nightmares about forgetting their luggage on the way to the airport. Right near the top of your travelling with kids checklist should be to get everyone’s bags packed at least the day before you leave.

If you are heading some place where the temperature will also be considerably different from normal, such as going on a family ski trip, make sure everyone is dressed for the occasion. You’ll be able to hire all your ski gear on the mountain, but in the meantime, you’ll want to have everyone rugged up for when you arrive.

4. Look up travel alerts for your destination

The internet has made travelling with a family so much easier, and that includes giving you peace of mind that you are heading somewhere safe.

Especially if you are going overseas or visiting somewhere off the beaten track, it’s worth jumping online to see if there are any travel alerts for your holiday destination. That way you can plan for all eventualities and you’ll know exactly where to find the latest news and updates.

5. Get familiar with public transport options

Even the most meticulous itinerary isn’t complete without an up-to-date public transport guide. You might think that just because you’re travelling Australia with kids that you’ll always have your car handy, but you can get so much more done by using public transport – especially in a busy city.

For example, on a family holiday to Melbourne you can access the Free Tram Zone all day² – saving you money and stress behind the wheel!

6. Ask your kids for activity ideas

One of the best ways to travel around Australia with the family – or anywhere in the world, really – is to have them share ideas for what to do. It doesn’t have to be something exhilarating like go-karting or climbing the highest building in the city. As long as you’re together you’ll be sure to make special memories when travelling with kids.

Who knows? You might be surprised by just how much fun you end up having when you throw caution to the wind and dive into a few unexpected activities!

7. Include plenty of breaks in your itinerary

Travelling with a family isn’t the same as going solo or adventuring with your partner. Depending on how old your kids are, they will likely need regular breaks – for your sanity as much as for their recovery!

Sometimes you may even need to take a whole day off to rest in the middle of your holiday. So, block out plenty of breaks in your itinerary, and check in with your family to ensure everyone is on the same page with your upcoming plans.

8. Book family-friendly activities in advance

It’s easy to get caught up in the busyness of holiday planning. But forgetting to book those special activities in advance can make even the most excitable child exceptionally grumpy.

Particularly if you are travelling with kids during the peak season, book your family-friendly activities with plenty of time to spare. This will guarantee your place and keep your holiday travels uncomplicated.

9. Don't forget sun safety!

Whether you are travelling Australia with the kids or exploring exciting new countries together, you’re likely to be spending lots of time outside.

The same sun-safety rules apply no matter where you are in the world, so bring along enough SPF50 and kid-friendly sunscreen to last you the whole trip, and don’t forget to reapply!

10. Plan for the unexpected

No one likes thinking about what could go wrong on their holiday. But one thing’s for certain when travelling with a family: the unexpected is always lurking around the corner. Doing your due diligence and planning for all eventualities can minimise any potential disruptions, so give yourself plenty of time to prep. Lastly, the most important thing to remember - have fun and make some family memories!

Whether you are travelling Australia with the kids or heading overseas, remember to get the right level of cover before leaving – find out more about Medibank’s travel insurance which includes free cover for accompanying children or grandchildren under 21 years old.*

Find out more about Medibank Travel Insurance.