Family vacations are perfect for making memories you and your children will never forget. These experiences could even be some of the happiest in your child’s young life, which does put the pressure on the parent’s shoulders to ensure everything goes smoothly. One area that might make your trip a bit of a hassle, however, is the airport.
Getting to the airport and going through it to the departure lounge can be tough. Singles, couples, and families alike might struggle simplifying this process, but it is possible if you work at it. This post will outline three of the best tips to do just that, and this information could help you get your family vacation off to a good start.
Have Your Bags Ready
Packing your bags can be one of the most time-consuming tasks when getting ready for a vacation. This can be even more of a struggle if you, as the parent, are also in charge of packing your children’s bags. Although older children might manage to sort their own clothes, younger kids are less likely to understand what they should and should not bring with them on vacation.
If you are responsible for packing your family’s suitcases, then it is best to begin early. Having enough time to pack, double-check that all toiletries and essentials are included, and weighing each bag is imperative. Not only will this ensure you have everything you and your family will need, but it can also help you avoid additional baggage fees because of overweight luggage. It is also important to check the items you pack in carry-on bags as well as the size and weight of these bags.
Of course, children can be involved in this process if you would like to give them some responsibility. You could provide them with a list of items to add to bags or allow them to decorate identification tags that will make it easier to spot your bags once you arrive at your destination. This could help increase the excitement of going on vacation, too.
Once your bags are ready, you can sit them in the one room and move them downstairs the night before you leave.
Book a Car Service
While some families prefer to drive to the airport, this can be a stressful experience that could ruin the beginning of your vacation. There’s a lot that can go wrong when driving to the airport; you might end up in a traffic jam, take a wrong turn, or even end up on the side of the road with a flat tire. Upon arrival at the airport, you might even find there are no empty parking spaces. These situations can quickly raise tension levels, especially if you have restless children in the backseat.
Instead, you could consider booking a car service. This service will pick your family up from your home at an agreed-upon time and drive you straight to your airport terminal. Many chauffeur services, like Executive Car Service LAX, even have the facilities to cater to families with young children. They can offer you larger vehicles with more room and seats as well as child seats to ensure kids are safe during the journey.
Booking a car service will ensure you arrive at the airport with plenty of time to spare. The drivers hired by these services have knowledge of the best routes to take and drive with comfort and safety in mind, which is a much better beginning to your vacation than stress.
Complete Check-Ins Online
Finally, to avoid wrangling your kids into overly long queues, you could do virtual check-ins. Checking in online can usually be completed 24 hours before your flight’s departure time, although some airlines do offer this feature early. This is often for flights with seat selection or upgrades.
Online check-in can be a lifesaver for families as it is incredibly convenient. You can do this the night before you head to the airport from your cellphone or laptop, ensuring your family’s spaces on the flight are reserved. Not only that, but this will allow you to head straight to security after dropping off checked luggage, which means your children are closer to having fun in the departure lounge.
Making Travel Memories Without the Meltdown
Family vacations are supposed to be joyful—not stress-inducing before you’ve even made it to the gate. By getting a head start on packing, skipping the parking lot chaos with a car service, and checking in online from the comfort of your couch, you’ll make the airport part of your trip feel like a breeze instead of a battleground. With a little prep, heading off on vacation can be smooth, calm, and full of excitement—just the way every great family adventure should begin.