A Solo Parent International Travel With Kids Guide in 2026

Travel is always an adventure, especially with kids. But solo parent international travel with a baby or young child can get even more challenging. Whether you’re taking a weekend road trip or flying cross-country alone with your little ones, there are a few simple things you can do to make your travels easier for everyone. See more in a solo parent’s guide to international travel with kids below.

My husband and I regularly travel with our son and our nieces and nephews, and sometimes I travel with the kids on my own. My first flight alone with my son was easy peasy. However, traveling alone with two, three, or even four kids was daunting for me the very first time. Following the solo parent trips below helped me tremendously and made our trip very smooth. I recently traveled with all four kids to Puerto Vallarta, and we all had such an amazing time there!

For the full overview of flying internationally with kids, read my Ultimate Guide to Traveling Internationally with Kids.

Pro Tip: Looking for affordable flight tickets? Make sure to download the Skyscanner App. It is the best website for finding flights. It will show you the cheapest time to travel to any country in the world. If you prefer to use the Skyscanner Website, you always can; however, I prefer the Skyscanner app because you can track flight prices and much more.

What are the best tips for solo parent international travel?

1. Plan your itinerary carefully before leaving home
2. Arrive early, since TSA with kids takes longer
3. Check in online 24 hours before departure
4. Select seats at booking so kids sit with you
5. Pack snacks, activities, and spare clothes in a carry-on

A Solo Parent’s Guide To International Travel With Kids

Plan Carefully

Planning is the name of the game when it comes to solo parent international travel. Though spontaneity on vacation can be fun, when you’re on your own with the kids, it’s better to have a handle on your itinerary and travel plans before you head out. Be a little more detailed ahead of time, so that you can relax a bit and enjoy the ride once your trip begins. When in a new country or place, planning will save you lots of time. If you forget to plan and find yourself in a place with no internet, then you can rely on “Best Travel Apps You Can Use Without The Internet” to help you. Can you imagine waiting till the last minute to find a restaurant to take the kids to eat when they are really hungry?

What should you pack in a carry-on for kids?

1. Snacks and an empty water bottle for after security
2. Tablet with downloaded shows for offline viewing
3. Change of clothes per child for accidents
4. Small new toys or activities to hold attention
5. Wipes and basic medicine for fever or motion sickness

Don’t Over Pack

It can be tempting to overpack to make sure you have everything you could need when you’re traveling alone with kids. However, when you’re juggling little ones and multiple bags while trying to check in for your flight and get through security, you might start to regret it. Certainly, pack the must-haves, but make sure everything is manageable for one adult as you move from destination to destination. Also, make sure that your carry-ons are well stocked with snacks, activities, and a change of clothes in case of accidents or lost luggage. Packing has been a challenge for me, but I have definitely gotten much better at making sure we only pack the necessary items. This is one of the simplest things you can do to make solo parent international travel less stressful.

[ Kids Osprey Jet Backpack | Kids Osprey Pogo Backpack ]

Set the Ground Rules

When traveling solo with older kids, be sure to set the ground rules of your trip before ever leaving home. If you’ll need help from older children with carrying luggage or managing younger siblings, make sure they understand their expected contributions. As with any trip, remind kids of the rules about bickering, manners, souvenir purchases, and anything else that might cause conflict on the road. I make sure to explain to the kids what I expect of them, and it keeps everything running smoothly. I tell them they have a special job to do for me,e and they get excited about it, just like pulling this Jet Kids Bed Box below.

Take A Carrier Or Stroller

Car seats and strollers don’t count as baggage when traveling, so they can be checked at the ticket counter or at the gate. If you have a long layover or a long walk between terminals, a stroller is great because you can push your child around the airport without worrying about them getting tired. If you are traveling alone with 2 kids, having a carrier will keep one hand free so you can push your other child in a stroller, making your life much easier when navigating the airport and boarding the plane.

 

This is how you solo travel with two 4 year olds. When we got to the airport, I asked myself – “Karen, what were you thinking?” But Oops, it was too late now lol ? You know what though, I was able to get through TSA (even with the exrtra pat down ?) and the kids slept most of the flight. ? Special thanks to @GBGlobalOfficial, @ospreypacks and to @BecoBaby for making that possible. Sounds like a WIN to me ?? However, I did spent all night unpacking from 4 trips ago & packing for this trip so I’m in desperate need of a nap ??? #GBPockit #BecoCarrier #SoloMomTravel #TravelWithTwins ——————– . . . . . . . . . My must haves: [aff] 1. A good ergonomic carrier —> http://amzn.to/2xdRjqK 2. A super lightweight stroller –> http://amzn.to/2vS3VV1 3. Passport covers for the kids (make sure you forget to get yours also, #momlife lol) –> http://amzn.to/2fTP3Sa 4. Kids Backpacks –> http://amzn.to/2xe2NLc 5. Your backpack –> http://amzn.to/2fUoIna And the most important ? 6. Money for some liquor on the plane ? #TravelWithKids #ShowThemTheWorld

A post shared by TheMOMTrotter| Family Travel (@themomtrotter) on Aug 19, 2017 at 1:19pm PDT

Get To The Airport Early

Getting to the gate early is one habit that makes solo parent international travel significantly smoother. If you plan to pack food and snacks for kids, such as formula, breast milk, yogurt, water,  or juice, expect extra security screening for these items. Getting to the airport early is important so that you don’t miss your flight. This will also help you get to the boarding gate on time, which is great because some airlines allow families with young children to board early. Boarding early is a great perk because you have time to settle in and put your luggage away before everyone else boards the plane.

Ask A Flight Attendant For Help

Flight attendants love children and are willing to lend a helping hand as needed. If you need to get up and take a stretch, or even take a restroom break, you can always ring the call button. As long as the flight attendants aren’t busy, they won’t mind stopping by your seat to give you a break. Remember, it doesn’t hurt to ask for help when you need it.

[Aiden’s Pilot Hat | Ethan’s Pilot Hat ]

Stay Flexible

Be as flexible as you can with your daily itinerary. When traveling solo with kids, it can sometimes be tough to keep everyone moving fast enough to stick to a rigid schedule. If a morning meltdown makes it impossible to start the day’s activities on time, stay calm and readjust the plans. Though pre-planning is important for you, avoid giving the kids too much detail about activities on the trip to maintain flexibility and avoid disappointment. It’s okay if your day doesn’t go as planned; I consider that a reminder to slow down and enjoy the little things.

Check-In For Your Flight 24 Hours In Advance

Checking in for your flight online will save you a lot of hassle at the airport. Checking in online allows you to enter all necessary information, including passport details, for international flights. This will save you time when you get to the airport. It will especially help you avoid the port check-in lines, which are difficult to navigate when traveling alone with kids.

[ Kids Osprey Jet Backpack | Kids Osprey Pogo Backpack | Pilot Costume | Scooters | Camo Pants | Shoes ]

Have a Backup Plan

Expecting the best but preparing for the worst is always important. Flights get delayed, vehicles break down, and weather can change on a dime. If any of these things could affect your travel, think ahead and have a backup plan on hand so you aren’t scrambling should a worst-case scenario occur. I always have Plans A, B, and C, especially when traveling with the kids by myself.

Consider a Red-Eye

Traveling overnight with little ones can be a huge help when they are younger and have a hard time sitting still for longer periods. Put them in their jammies, bring along their favorite stuffed animal or blanket, and let them sleep through the drive or the flight. Just make sure to plan a solid naptime into the next day so that you can catch up on any missed sleep. A red-eye flight is the way to go for me; the kids sleep all night and then wake up refreshed to explore the day.

[ Airplane Tray Cover | Kids Travel Pillow ]

Arrange For Transportation

As soon as you arrive at your destination, make sure that you have someone ready to pick you up. It is better to have this scheduled in advance so that when you get there, you don’t waste time figuring out how to take a taxi or where to go. You can get off the plane, grab your luggage, and head straight to your pickup. If you have a late flight, it’ll help you avoid standing outside the airport late at night, especially in a foreign country.

Minor International Travel Consent Letter

When traveling internationally with kids as a solo parent, whether you are the parent or legal guardian, or even if your children have a different last name than yours, it is important to note the documents required by immigration in the country you are traveling to. According to the US Customs and Border Protection (BBP), children under 18 years old traveling internationally with only one parent are not required to have written permission from the other parent; however, every country is different,t and requirements will vary, so it is better to be prepared with a notarized parental child travel consent form. Click here for the Minor International Travel Consent Letter that I use when I travel with my nieces and nephews.

My husband was stopped by immigration officers in Canada when he traveled with our 2-year-old and no parental authorization from me in hand. Luckily, I was on another flight and landed shortly, which took care of the issue. If you plan to travel with a child, a family member, or a friend, written and notarized parental consent for travel is also required.

[ Girls Coat | Girls Boots | Boys Boots ]

Other items needed in addition to a notarized parental authorization are copies of each child’s birth certificate and proof of medical insurance. If you have full custody of your child, then a parental consent for travel isn’t required, so make sure to take a copy of any such paperwork with you as well. Make sure to have emergency contacts handy as well. It is a good idea to have all these documents in digital form on your phone as well.

Take Time To Research Hotels / Accommodation

The accommodation you choose can make or break your vacation when doing solo parent international travel. Using TripAdvisor to search for hotels and read reviews of kid-friendly hotels. You’d want to check if they have a kids’ club, a complimentary crib or cot, a children’s menu or free breakfast for kids, a kids’ pool, a kids’ program, and more. This will give you a much-needed break so that you don’t feel burned out. Make sure to ask other parents for kid-friendly hotel recommendations as well. HomeAway, VRBO, and Airbnb are also great options because you can rent an entire home, giving your kids plenty of space to play and burn off their energy while you relax elsewhere in the home. When I took all 4 kids by myself to Mexico, I made sure to find a hotel with an on-site restaurant, a beachside location, and a kids’ club, so everything I needed to keep the kids entertained was within arm’s reach.

[ Boy Sandals | Boys Swim Trunks | Boys Fedora — Girls Sandals | Girls Swim Suit | Girls Straw Hat ]

Manage Your Own Expectations

Finally, and probably most importantly, be sure to manage your own expectations about traveling solo with kids. You might envision this whirlwind trip filled with happy memories and grateful children, but in reality, you end up with overwhelmed, exhausted children who have a few meltdowns along the way. Celebrate the fun moments and successes of the trip and let any problems or drama roll off your back! Don’t beat yourself up over a crazy day; it is bound to happen.

Traveling with kids alone can be challenging but also very rewarding. Following these tips for traveling as a solo parent with kids should make your trip, whether local or international, more enjoyable. I have had the pleasure of traveling alone with 1, 2, 3, and even 4 kids, and even though it was exhausting, we always had such a great time when we got to our destination.

Frequently Asked Questions About Solo Parent International Travel