Traveling with kids is always a balancing act of patience, planning, and resourcefulness. But traveling with kids on your own can be even more challenging.
Many years ago, I traveled with my son as a single mom and digital nomad for over a year. Since then, we’ve continued our travels to over 30 states and ten countries. While our trips are always a memorable and enjoyable bonding experience, they haven’t been without challenges. I’ve learned many things the hard way.
Fortunately, my experience (and my background in psychology) has taught me a thing or two about staying grounded, managing stress, and setting routines, which have made our travels much smoother over the years.
Consider these ten hacks to make traveling solo with your kids easier than ever.
Center Yourself Before Solo Trips With Your Child
Before any journey, especially a solo trip with kids, it’s crucial to get yourself into a grounded, calm headspace. According to research, kids are incredibly sensitive to our emotions, and when we’re anxious, they can sense it. In return, they may begin to act anxious or stressed themselves.
In my experience, when I start off a trip feeling frazzled, the day quickly becomes stressful for everyone. So before you head out, take a few minutes for yourself. A quick grounding exercise, a guided meditation, or a couple of deep breaths can help clear your mind and set a calm tone. You may even want to visualize how you want the trip to unfold.
It’s not just for you—it benefits your kids as well. Your emotions set the tone for the trip, and I’ve found that if I approach a journey with a calm mindset, I’m better equipped to handle any unexpected issues that arise. Even a short mindfulness practice can make all the difference.
Pack Smart, But Pack Light
One of my biggest lessons from traveling solo with my son is to keep luggage minimal. I’ll never forget one particular trip where I attempted to haul three suitcases, a stroller, and a car seat by myself—it was a nightmare. I only made it through the airport thanks to the help of random strangers. By the time we reached our destination, I was exhausted, and my son was over it.
Since then, I’ve learned to streamline my packing. When traveling solo with a child, focus primarily on essentials. This includes basics like a few outfits, travel-sized toiletries, snacks, toys, and some comfort items for your child, if they’re young. If you’re traveling with older children or teens, suggest that they pack a book, or headphones to keep them occupied.
I make a packing list and edit it multiple times before I pack to ensure I’m not overpacking. Think about how many outfits you’ll realistically need, and stick to the list. Less luggage makes it easier to manage everything, and you won’t be juggling bags while trying to keep an eye on your child. When it comes to packing, less is almost always more.
Consider Accommodations with Laundry
One of my favorite travel hacks is to book accommodations with laundry access, especially for longer trips. Having access to laundry facilities can significantly reduce the amount you need to pack.
When my son was younger, he had his fair share of spills and messes, so having a quick way to wash clothes saved us many times. Whether it’s an Airbnb or a hotel with laundry service, being able to wash clothes on the go allows you to pack lightly, bringing only the essentials.
If you’re unable to find an Airbnb with laundry, you can also clean your clothes on vacation by washing them in the sink, finding a local laundromat, or calling a local laundry service.
Travel expert, Rick Steves, told Business Insider, “I use the shampoo that comes in the hotel room. My philosophy about washing clothes on the road is you don’t need to have the high standards that you have at home. If you get to 65% clean, that’s dang good when you’re on the road.”
Choose Kid-Friendly Hotels
I can’t stress enough the value of staying at a hotel or accommodation that caters to families. Not all hotels are created equal; some go above and beyond to make kids feel welcome. I’ll never forget the experience we had at the Warwick Allerton in Chicago and the Kimpton in Miami—both hotels greeted my son with small toys and had family-friendly amenities that made our stay so much easier.
When choosing a hotel, read reviews to see if they’re known for family-friendly services and check if they offer amenities like play areas, pools, kids clubs, or even simple things like cribs or high chairs. Little touches like this can make your stay so much more comfortable and enjoyable for both you and your child.
Travel experts also suggest researching things like hotel room size, dining options, and room service availability. Seemingly minor differences like a kid-friendly menu can make a world of difference when traveling with children and teens.
Make a Plan, But Stay Flexible
When traveling with kids, it’s helpful to balance the need for planning with the need for flexibility. I usually have a general outline of what we’ll do each day, but I stay open to changing it as needed. I also try to plan intentional rest days during every trip, so everyone gets enough rest and no one gets burnt out.
Kids have their own rhythms, and sometimes, they may become fascinated with something unexpected. By leaving room for flexibility, you leave room for adventure. For example, when my family and I went to Cuba, we booked a show for the evening we arrived, but we kept the rest of the day open for exploring. By keeping our day open, we were able to tour some museums, try local restaurants, and immerse ourselves in the local culture without feeling rushed. We would have missed many of these experiences if we had over-planned.
Planning allows you to avoid major stresses, but flexibility ensures you can adapt to whatever the day brings.
Set Aside Time for Self-Care
It may feel impossible while traveling with children, but carving out small moments for self-care can truly make a difference in the quality of your trip. Find pockets of time, even if it’s just five minutes, to recharge. These small moments of self-care add up and help you stay centered and present during your trip. When you’re centered and present in the moment, you can reduce conflict, stress, and exhaustion.
When my son was younger, I would use his naptime as a mini self-care break. Now that he’s a teenager, when he’s taking a break to talk to his friends or listen to music, I use the opportunity to take a break as well. I’ll usually sit quietly, check in with myself to see how I’m doing, or spend time journaling.
As a former therapist, I believe that self-care is more than a luxury; it’s essential for staying grounded and in the best state of mind possible. This is especially important while traveling away from home.
Consider Cruises or All-Inclusive Resorts
If traveling for a fun family vacation with your kids is what you’re after, cruises and all-inclusive resorts can be a fantastic choice. These places are often affordable and, as the name implies, all-inclusive. They typically offer more entertainment and dining options than standard hotels, often at a very reasonable rate. Most cruises and many all-inclusive resorts also come with kids clubs, which allows you the opportunity to get a much-needed break while your kids have fun in a safe environment.
I’ve taken my son on multiple cruises, both as a toddler and as a tween, and he absolutely loved the kids’ activities. While he was enjoying the kids club, I had the opportunity to relax, unwind, and do some sightseeing. Afterward, we were able to reconnect in a more relaxed and refreshed state of mind.
Not only are all-inclusive cruises and hotels often budget-friendly, but they also take a lot of the guesswork out of traveling solo with a child. With everything in one place, you can relax and enjoy your trip without the stress of constantly planning meals and activities.
Arrange Airport Transportation in Advance
Arranging airport transportation ahead of time is one of those small steps that can have a huge impact on your stress level. When you’re managing multiple pieces of luggage, a stroller, possibly a car seat, and, of course, a curious child, the last thing you need is the added stress of figuring out transportation upon arrival.
On one particularly memorable flight from New York to Las Vegas when my son was 9 months old, I didn’t pre-book transportation, and it was a nightmare. After a long flight, I found myself juggling everything while trying to flag down a ride at nearly midnight. Since then, I’ve made it a habit to arrange airport transfers before we even leave home. Knowing a safe, comfortable ride is ready to pick us up has consistently made arrivals and departures so much smoother.
Many car services will also provide child car seats upon request, which can be a game-changer. Not having to haul a bulky car seat means you may be able to travel lighter and more comfortably. Plus, with a pre-booked ride, you’re more likely to get a larger vehicle that can accommodate both your luggage and your child’s gear.
Planning in advance helps mitigate the wait time that often comes with public transit or last-minute rideshares. It can also reduce the physical and emotional toll that airport chaos can bring, especially with little ones in tow.
Be Strategic with Flight Choices
When it comes to flying solo with kids, choosing the right flight is about more than just getting from point A to point B – it’s about setting yourself up for a smoother travel experience. Every parent has their own style, and some find that scheduling layovers is a great way to break up the trip and give kids time to move around and release pent-up energy.
For me, though, flights with fewer stops are key. I usually opt for the flight with the fewest layovers, even if it means spending a bit more. Fewer transitions mean fewer opportunities for something to go wrong, and it shortens the travel day considerably, which can be a lifesaver.
Avid traveler and blogger, Ashley Onadele, offers this suggestion for booking flights with kids, “If you can’t choose a flight that works best with nap times and you want to avoid a red-eye, your best bet will be the first flight out in the morning. The first flight on the schedule is the least likely to be canceled or delayed due to weather or equipment issues.”
Ultimately, there’s no “right” way to fly with kids, but the best flight choice is always the one that aligns with your child’s needs and your sanity. Investing extra time in researching options before booking can set a more relaxed, manageable tone for the journey, giving you and your child a better chance of arriving at your destination calm and ready for adventure.
Embrace the Unexpected
One of the most valuable travel tips I can share is to embrace the unexpected. Kids have a way of bringing surprises, and travel amplifies that unpredictability. Flights may be delayed, bags might get misplaced, or your child might suddenly decide they dislike all the snacks you packed. The best approach is to stay flexible, keep a sense of humor, and roll with the changes.
I’ve found that the unplanned moments often lead to some of the best memories. Like the time my son and I ended up taking the train from Belgium into France because our excursion was canceled—it was impromptu, but it turned into one of the highlights of our trip! We were able to connect on the scenic train ride, tour some amazing art museums, and bond over Croque Madame in a French cafe. None of this would have happened if we weren’t able to keep an open mind.
Embracing the unexpected gives you the freedom to enjoy travel as an adventure rather than a chore.