By Sushmita Dekhne
Here are Urban Family's top tips for getting organised for traveling;
1. Back it all up: It’s a good idea to have scanned copies of all your important documents – passport, visas, itineraries, insurance card, hotel confirmations, etc. kept safely with you in case of emergency. You can also take photos of them on your phone to have them handy. Pro-tip: Send a copy to a trusted friend or family member just to be safe. If you’re carrying a laptop, don’t forget to back it up in case you misplace it.
2. Be gadget-savvy: Make the most of your gadgets by downloading helpful travel apps to make your trip less stressful. Do some research and download any apps that you might need during your trip. Apps for currency exchange (xe.com), translation, city guides, weather and flight/airport details (Flight+) are just a handful of the options out there. Pro-tip: If there is no in-flight entertainment, don’t forget to download games, movies or e-books to keep the kids(and yourself) occupied during the flight.
3. Health is wealth: Make sure to check that you and your family have all the vaccinations required for your travel destination. Consult with your family doctor for all the various vaccinations according to destination and age. Pro-tip: Don’t skimp on travel insurance! You never know all the expenses that you may have to deal with if anything goes wrong. Check that your policy covers travel and medical expenses for the activities you plan to do.
4. Pack smart: Pack at least one complete outfit for each family member in your carry-on in case any luggage gets lost. Traveling, especially with children, can get messy so baby wipes are essential. Bring a travel detergent if you (or your children) are prone to getting dirty. Ziplock bags are a godsend – they come in so many sizes and have thousands of uses. You can use them to separate toiletries and avoid spills and leaks during travel. Don’t forget your prescribed medication, contact lens solution or any other emergency drugs you may require. Pro-tip: Carry some children’s Tylenol to avoid trips to the drugstore in a strange neighborhood.
5. Only a call away: Add all of your important contacts (travel agent, hotel, guides, travel insurance company etc.) into your phone before getting on that flight. Pro-tip: Save time by adding the correct country code so you can make a call ASAP.
6. Be on time: Keep the travel time to the airport in mind when traveling with family. It’s always best to get to the airport early so you have enough time to deal with traffic, baggage check-in, toilet stops and any other unexpected problems.
7. Breeze through security check: Skip the hassle - stash away all your metallic jewelry and watches in your bag before going through the detector. Keep your zip-locked liquids (See Tip#4) ready for removal in an outer pocket of your bag. Teach your children to do the same, so you save time. Pro-tip: When traveling in countries that require you to take your shoes off, wear easy slip-on shoes. The last thing you want to do is struggle to tie your shoelaces while carrying your toddler!
8. Families with children first: Some airlines still have special boarding privileges for families with small children. Skip the long queues and take the opportunity to board first, so you can set up and relax in your seats with no rush.
9. Fly wisely: Planning your flights well in advance will be sure to save you a lot of money and stress. The time of your flight can make a huge difference too. Some parents prefer night flights so the children can sleep, while others like to travel in the day because they have trouble sleeping aboard planes. Be sure to order kid-friendly meal options (if they have any) and keep food allergies in mind. Pro-tip: Check out seatguru.com ahead of time to look at the layout of the plane and pick the best seats possible. You can decide where you want to place your family – window, aisles or wherever works best!
10. Ear-popping woes: Bring candies or chewing gum for your children (and yourself!) to suck on to relieve ear pressure. Breast-feeding babies during takeoff and landing or using pacifiers can make travel for babies a little more comfortable as well.
