Mom’s Frequently Asked Travel & Flying Questions Answered

With spring break on the horizon, many of us, myself included, have traveled on the brain. Whether it’s a car trip to Grandma’s, a cross-state road trip, or you’re flying off with your crew. There’s a lot to consider for mom when it’s time to travel. What will the itinerary look like? What should you pack? What’s the best way to pack for this trip? What will we do and eat when we arrive?

The last thing you want to be stressed about on vacation. So, I am sharing some of your most frequently asked questions regarding air travel. I have covered road trip travel in this podcast and blog post, so check that out!

3 Phases of Vacation Joy

Now, before we get into the nitty-gritty of all your questions and my best tips, it’s a good idea to start with a bit of encouragement when it comes to family travel because it can be a lot of work, no doubt about that, but the fun thing about travel is you get to enjoy it in 3 ways –

First, the anticipation, there’s excitement and joy when you decide to take any trip. You get to dream, make travel plans as a family, and anticipate all the fun you will have.

Then, you get to experience the trip. One of my favorite vacation days is the first day because it’s just so exciting to be experiencing what you’ve planned and anticipated.

Then, as sad as it is to come home, joy can be found in the memories. I still recall with a smile our trip to Australia when Solon was two and Vera was five months old. We laugh about the crazy things that went sideways, like a too-bulky double stroller we should have left at home.

So, whatever trip you take, I hope you relish each phase of joy and excitement vacation brings you.

While I will be covering many frequently asked travel questions, we are launching our first digital course TODAY to simplify this in 20-ish minutes, and it’s all about simplifying the packing and traveling department. It comes with an audio guide that, you guessed it, is 20ish minutes long, plus a full PDF e-book that will walk you through all the necessities. We aim to help you simplify the prep so you can enjoy your vacation. 

Mom’s Frequently Asked Travel & Flying Questions Answered

Do you have trusted websites you trust for information?

When it comes to planning a trip, my go-to is Trip Advisor. Not only does it share professional information, but there is also a comment section with great crowd-sourced information. You can find ideas for hotels, attractions, and restaurants. When I student taught in Rome, we spent much time traveling around, and Rick Steves’s books were our companions. We stayed in a Nunnery (yes, where nuns live) in a small Italian town. What a fun experience, safe and cost-effective. 

Don’t underestimate the power of asking friends and family who’ve been, even people you follow online. People love to share their experiences, good and bad. I have a couple of itineraries on my website for this purpose. You can check them out here.

When in doubt, if you are overwhelmed by the process, seek professional help from a travel agent. We used one for our European and Australian trips and highly recommend it. Traveling with a large family overseas has challenges; they found our accommodations and prepared inner-country transportation.

How do you overcome the unknowns of traveling to new places/other countries?

Do your research and have an itinerary you feel comfortable with. Don’t go big at first. Dipping your toes into travel is a great way to get comfortable with it. The best thing for you might be to consider booking guided tours, a cruise, or guided excursions for added comfort and safety. My inlaws love Viking River Cruises because they show up, and the cruise line takes care of the rest of the process.

We loved our Caribbean cruises for the same reason. our accommodations and transportation were taken care of, and we could pick between a list of possible excursions.  We could enjoy ourselves and have the best time exploring the following destinations. 

Best passport organization for families traveling internationally? 

The most important thing is finding a solution that’s simple and easy to utilize. I use a pouch and keep all six passports, boarding passes, luggage tag receipts, etc., in that pouch. I also have a file folder with all our documents and itinerary info in my carry-on. One person can hand all passports to border control. As an FYI, as a U.S. Citizen, you cannot use the electronic border control booths in Europe when traveling with kids.

How far in advance do you start planning a trip?

Plan your trip several months in advance, especially for international travel or high travel times like winter or spring break. This allows time for researching, booking accommodations, securing necessary visas, and finding the best deals. When planning for international flights, the earlier, the better. Try to plan a year out and then make plane and hotel reservations first.

How do you pack efficiently for international and domestic travel?

I usually pack a capsule wardrobe, just clothing items that can be mixed and matched to create various outfits for your trip. The idea is to select versatile pieces that coordinate well with each other, allowing you to pack fewer items while still having a range of outfit options.

By choosing easily interchangeable clothing items, you can pack lighter and more efficiently without sacrificing style or comfort. A travel capsule wardrobe typically includes basics like neutral-colored tops, bottoms, outerwear, and a few statement pieces or accessories to add variety. 

I suggest a packing list. It’s easy to overpack if you don’t have a list of essentials. Grab our free packing checklist here.

How do you get the best price for flights, etc?

• Be flexible with your travel dates. We were going to fly out to Europe on Friday this summer but saved $500 per ticket by flying out on Monday! We use Kayak to start our search, and they have a feature where you can check dates + or – 3 days to see how prices compare.  
• You will also save money by flying in non-peak times. Holidays, summer, and spring break will always be more expensive. For example, consider flying home on a Monday after Thanksgiving, and you might save hundreds of dollars.
• Consider alternative airports or driving to a hub to save money. Minneapolis is a hub for Delta Airlines, so we can often get better prices if we fly out of Minneapolis. We live in Des Moines and will check larger metropolitan cities nearby to see if we can get a better deal. You need to consider the additional costs you might incur, like hotel stay and parking costs, if you go to another city to fly. Plus, the weather if you live in a place that could have inclement weather (like snow).
• I have found Tuesdays tend to be less expensive. Book flights in advance. Sometimes, this can’t be avoided, but I paid double for my winter trip to Luxembourg to see my sister because I waited.
• For websites like Kayak, you can sign up for fare alerts to see the trends in flight prices sent to your email. It will show you trends in flight prices so you can make an educated decision on when to purchase.

Access my top Amazon travel finds here.

How do you deal with jet lag on long haul flights? Any tips? For kids?

Gradually adjust your sleep schedule before departure. If time is ahead, get up earlier. Time Shifter is an app that will help you formalize a plan, and the first trip is free. Stay hydrated during your flight; it’s tempting to enjoy a free alcoholic drink on a long flight, but be sure to stay hydrated. Minimize coffee in the afternoon and maximize caffeine in the morning.

Expose yourself to natural light upon arrival (no sunglasses), and avoid napping too long (20-minute naps are king). I like to pack magnesium lotion and apply a dime-sized amount on the feet to help with sleep. We did use melatonin, too, on our trip to China. I recommend trying any new supplement or medicine before traveling to ensure you don’t have any adverse reactions before you fly.  

What are some things you don’t want to forget to do when you travel internationally?

• Be sure to alert your credit card company you are traveling. Some credit card companies don’t charge additional fees (Capitol One card), while others do. 
• Alert the phone company of your travels. Many phone companies now have different international plans that are easy to set up. We have Verizon and used the travel pass plan that costs $10 per 24 hours and is automatically tacked on to your bill when the phone is turned on in an international location. Be sure you are enrolled before leaving the country to avoid additional fees. 
• If you are a u.s. citizen, check your passport when planning your trip. There’s an odd rule that you cannot travel with it six months before expiration, and it does take several weeks to renew your passport, so plan accordingly.
• Make copies of your passport, visa, travel insurance, and itinerary before you leave. Store these separately from the originals, ideally in a digital format, and leave with a trusted family member or friend.
• Different countries use cash more frequently (like China), and other countries (like many in Europe) use credit cards. Get cash at your bank before leaving,, many banks will waive fees if you are a member, but it takes a few days for them to order and receive the money, so plan accordingly. Money is good for tips and smaller purchases, so ask for smaller bills.
• Countries have different electricity, so you may need an adapter (you can get them on Amazon, etc). I keep ours in my travel toiletries for easy access. Access my top Amazon travel finds here.

What are tips and tricks for airport travel?

• Check-in online: A major airline, like American Airlines, has apps now, and you can check in up to 24 hours in advance and get a digital boarding pass on your phone. Checking in online in the app will also alert you if you have any flight delays. If you have carry-on bags, you can skip the check-in desk at the airport and head right to security.
• Bring an empty water bottle to fill up after the security checkpoint.
• Pack in layers. It can be cold or hot on the plane.
• Bring your snacks and food, but do not bring liquid foods (unless it’s baby food, but know a TSA officer may check it)
• You can check your car seat and stroller to your final destination for free. You can also gate-check these items, meaning you will get a tag to affix to the time and leave it on the jet bridge when you board the plane. You will pick it up when you get off the plane on the jet bridge. We often check our car seats to the final destination and gate-check our stroller. If you travel a lot, you may consider getting a more compact travel stroller. 
• Please take a picture of your luggage in case it gets lost to show the attendant what the bag looks like. Be sure to include luggage tags on all bags, including your items. You might consider adding a ribbon to each bag as a unique identifier so it’s easy to spot at baggage claim.
• Certain airlines require a baby’s birth certificate to prove they are an infant in arms (also called lap infants). Allegiant Airlines is one I can think of; otherwise, unless a child has a state-issued ID or you are traveling out of the country, a child does not need a form of identification. We usually send a notarized note if a child travels alone with a grandparent just to be safe. This also proves if they need medical attention, it’s just good to have.

Access my top Amazon travel finds here.

What tips do you have for traveling with kids?

• When traveling with small children, many airports now have nursing rooms, family restrooms, and kid zones for kids to run around and get their wiggles out. Check the airport map to see where they are located. 
• Walk and get those wiggles out in the airport. 
• Your attitude will bleed into your kid’s attitude. 
• Plan your itinerary accordingly. We try to find a direct flight when possible or plan time to have enough time between flights. Consider traveling during nap time so they sleep on the plane.
• Get all the wiggles out in the airport so they sleep on the plane.
• Lots of fun snacks 
• Consider packing gum, lollipops, or a bottle to soothe to avoid ear pain on takeoff and landing.
• Bring some fun, tiny “new” things for them. We like those one-color books, activity books, wiki sticks, play-doh, Melissa and Doug sticker cards, and fidgets—dole one out at a time. Access my top Amazon travel finds here.
• Bring headphones to plug into the airplane system. Download favorite shows (our tech rules are LAXED on the plane)
• Bring a change of clothes in the case and extra diapers, wipes, and food in case of a delay or cancellation. Any lovies or pacifiers, carry on.
• Regarding security, young children and pregnant women will be directed to go through alternative metal detectors to avoid additional radiation exposure. Kids under ten also do not need to remove their shoes. Adults who do not have TSA pre-check will need to remove their shoes and additional layers of clothing, especially bulky sweaters and coats. 
• Remember to pack formula and supplies for 24 hours in case of delays or cancellations. Changing clothes is also a good idea in case of spills or accidents.

What can you do to simplify your vacation after arrival?

• Simplify grabbing groceries and consider using Insta-cart or Walmart pick-up orders for groceries.
• Utilize the concierge and front desk for insider tips and ideas for restaurants, attractions, etc. They often have insider tips, including their favorite local places to hit up, like less well-known beaches, favorite ski hills, and restaurants. It never hurts to ask them!
• Unpack and use the suitcase for the hamper to keep your hotel room space clear.

Remember, when traveling for the first time, the flight attendants and gate agents are happy to assist you and answer questions. When you board your flight, place your items below your seat and buckle up for a fun vacation. Have a great trip!

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