How to Travel with a Toddler: The Ultimate Guide for (Almost) Stress-Free Trips
- Lucie Duffy
- Jun 1
- 8 min read
Updated: Aug 8
Traveling with a toddler for the first time? Buckle up (literally and emotionally). Toddlers are adorable, unpredictable, and have the energy of a small tornado—so yes, traveling with them is an adventure. The internet is full of advice (some helpful, some… unhinged), but we’ve cut through the noise. We tested the products, survived the meltdowns, bribed with snacks, and gathered the best tips from real moms in this community. Whether you’re flying, driving, or just trying to keep your toddler from unpacking the suitcase for the fifth time, this guide is here to help you feel prepped, calm(ish), and maybe even excited. You’ve got this—wiggles, snacks, and all. Erin & Lucie 💕
First Time Traveling with Your Toddler? Start Here.
If this is your first time traveling with your little one, a lot of the same prep applies from when they were a baby. Revisit our baby travel guide for some foundational tips and keep reading.
What’s different now? Toddlers are mobile, opinionated, and snack-driven. Let’s get into it.
Plan Ahead: Essential Documentation
Make sure you have all necessary documents to avoid travel delays and ensure a smooth journey with your child.
Starting May 7th, 2025 you’ll need a REAL ID or passport to travel by air within Illinois and the U.S.
Prep documents if you’re flying: Ensure your toddler has a valid passport for domestic/international travel. Processing times vary, so apply well in advance at your local post office. If you’re applying for an infant, their passport remains valid for five years. Having a passport eliminates the need to travel with a birth certificate.
Global Entry and TSA PreCheck: Enrolling your child in Global Entry speeds up customs processing when re-entering the U.S. It also includes TSA PreCheck, allowing for quicker security screening, which is a significant advantage when traveling with children both domestically and internationally.
Important Note for Domestic Travel: Airlines may require you to bring your child’s birth certificate, especially for children under two years old.
Traveling Solo with Your Child: If you’re traveling with your child but without the other parent, you may need a signed letter from the other parent granting permission for you to leave the state or country with your child. This letter must also be notarized. Be sure to check the specific requirements for your airline and destination.
What to Pack for Traveling with a Toddler
Essentials You Shouldn’t Forget
Make a master packing list (and check it twice): Clothing: Pack a change of clothes for both your toddler and yourself in case of spills or accidents. Keep diapers easily accessible.
Sippy cups: Make sure to unscrew or open the lid during takeoff and landing to avoid spills due to pressurization.
Snacks, snacks, and more snacks: If you think you have enough, you don’t. A snack box with compartments adds fun and variety (and buys you time). Highly recommend a snack box filled to the brim with all the options.
Toddler earplugs: Great for managing pressurization on flights and can help reduce overstimulation.
Favorite toys or small surprises: A mix of familiar and new toys keeps toddlers engaged. (We’ll link our favorite travel toys here!)
Tablet or downloaded shows: Don’t be afraid to use screen time strategically. Load it up beforehand, have the appropriate chargers within reach, and also have toddler headphones for easy listening in their seat.
💡 Pro tip: Download a few low-stimulation shows like Puffin Rock, Bluey, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Franklin and Friends, Trash Truck, Sarah & Duck, or Little Bear—they’re gentle, calming, and perfect for helping your toddler settle during travel.
Mini first-aid kit: You never know when you’ll need a bandaid or pain reliever. We like to keep this in our diaper bag for all those bumps along the way.
Cleaning kit: Cups become gross and dropped throughout the day—you’ll want to make sure you can easily clean cups, pacifiers, and anything your kid might put in their mouth. This is great to throw in a diaper bag while traveling and it has a built-in drying rack.
Potty trained toddler: Don't forget the portable travel seat. We really like this one!
Navigating the Airport with a Toddler
Let Them Wiggle, Not Whine
If your toddler is walking (or running), expect them to want out of the stroller. Instead of fighting it, let them walk through the terminal when possible. Airports are full of exciting things to see, and walking helps get their wiggles out before being confined to a seat.
💡 Pro tip: Use your stroller to carry bags or gear instead. It becomes your cart, not your toddler’s transport. You can also attach your car seat to your stroller, if you have a travel car seat that's lightweight like this one we recommend. These clips are great to use.
Car Seat Considerations
Deciding how to handle your toddler’s car seat is crucial and often the most stressful part of travel.
Check-in: You can check the car seat with your luggage, but this increases the risk of damage. Use a protective car seat bag to minimize potential damage.
Gate Check: This option allows you to use the car seat up to the gate, reducing anxiety as it’s handled directly by airline staff.
On the Plane: If there’s an available seat next to you, you can use your car seat on the plane. Ensure it’s FAA-approved for air travel. You can also ask at the gate about open seats and possibly move into an empty row, even if you didn’t book a seat for your under-two-year-old.
💡 Pro Tip: Invest in a lightweight travel car seat that can attach to your stroller.
Car Seat Installation in Vehicles
Before your trip, decide how you will get to the airport. Are you taking a car service, Uber, or another ride-share, or are you driving and parking at the airport? If you’re driving, will you be uninstalling your car seat and using it on your flight?
Stress-Free Airport Drop-Off
Getting to the airport with a toddler can feel like a full-blown operation—especially for early morning flights. I personally used Terra Limousine when traveling solo with my toddler for a 6:30am flight, and it made all the difference. Booking was seamless through their website, our driver arrived early, and the car seat was not only spotless but perfectly installed. They even had snacks ready for my little one, and the driver was incredibly kind. It took all the stress out of our morning and helped us start the trip on the right foot.
Regardless of your choice, practice installing the car seat in different vehicles to build confidence. Use both the latch clips and seat belt path methods.
🚨 Safety Tip: Always have one parent stay with the child in the car while the other loads or unloads luggage. Never leave your baby unattended.
🚨 Note: It’s highly recommended to avoid renting a car seat from a rental car company (think big brand rental companies). You don’t know if that seat has been in an accident, and they typically won’t install it for you or provide the necessary manuals. The cleanliness and safety of the seat may be compromised. It’s truly best to bring your own car seat or invest in a travel-friendly model.
Possible Challenges When Traveling Internationally
🚨 Non-Locking Seat BeltsHeading outside the U.S. and Canada? Most rental cars and taxis won’t have locking seat belts, which isn’t an issue for booster seats—but if your baby is in a harnessed car seat, you’ll need a solid plan to keep them safe.
If the car has lower anchors and your child + car seat is under the weight limit for them, use that method to install the seat.
If that’s not an option, you’ll need a locking clip to secure the seatbelt properly.
💡 Locking Clip for Seat Belt: Car seat manufacturers will usually send you one for free if you don’t already have it. Not sure how to use a locking clip? Check your car seat manual or look up a quick tutorial before your trip. A little prep goes a long way!
Flight Tips for Traveling with a Toddler
Seating Arrangements on the Plane
Bulkhead Seats: These offer extra space. On long-haul flights, check with the gate agent if there are any fully open rows. Ask to be reassigned if you need the extra space.
Window Seats: Ideal if you’re installing a car seat to prevent blocking the aisle.
Frequent Flyer Programs: If purchasing a seat for your child, enroll them in the airline’s rewards program to earn miles.
On the Plane: Movement, Distraction & Comfort
You probably already know from your baby travel days that flights are all about survival. Now that your toddler is more active, here’s what changes:
Takeoff/Landing Tricks: Just like with babies, swallowing helps with ear pressure. Offer water in a sippy cup (loosen the lid first!) or use toddler earplugs to ease discomfort. Pouches are also great—and yes, you can take liquids through TSA.
📌 Screenshot the TSA guidelines and save them on your phone in case questions arise with TSA agents.
Walk the Aisle: When it’s safe, take little walks with your toddler to stretch and explore. Use the car seat rule: if the flight is over 2 hours, let them stretch. If it’s under 2 hours, keep them strapped into their car seat. Once kids are over 2 years old, they need their own seat on the plane. We always recommend having them strapped into a car seat.
Toys + Snacks Rotation: Have a small backpack with 3–5 “activity stations.” Rotate between snacks, toys, coloring books, and screens.
💡International Travel Tip: If you're not in first class, you’ll want to make the flight as tolerable as possible. We highly recommend using a flyaway bed—this gives your toddler room to stretch, play, and they can stay seat-belted into their seat. You’re basically turning your economy seat into a lay-flat seat for your kiddo. Make sure to only use this at window seats and not block a walkway.
Road Trips with Toddlers: What to Know
Car travel with toddlers can be easier in some ways, but it comes with its own set of tips:
Pack familiar music or audiobooks: Short stories are great!
Stop frequently: Plan pit stops every 2–3 hours max to stretch legs, run around, and not go stir crazy.
Keep a bag of toys/snacks accessible: Don’t bury the good stuff in the trunk. If you’re allowing your child to eat in their car seat while driving, make sure a parent is in the back with the child. Remember, choking is silent, and we highly recommend traveling with a LifeVac device.
Maintaining Routines While Traveling
Toddlers thrive on predictability. While travel throws routines off, try to keep things consistent:
Stick to nap and bedtime windows, even if exact timing shifts
Offer comfort items at sleep times: favorite stuffed animals, blankets, sleep sacks
Keep snacks and meals regular to avoid meltdowns
Even if everything goes out the window (as it sometimes does), your toddler will feel more secure with small familiar anchors throughout the day.
Final Thoughts: Lower Your Expectations, Raise the Adventure
Traveling with a toddler is rarely smooth, but it’s always memorable. The more prepared you are, the easier it gets. And remember—you’re not alone. Thousands of moms have done it, and you’re doing great.
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For more travel tips, community support, and honest mom advice, stick with us at Friend of a Mom. ✈️💖
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