Tips for Traveling Internationally with Kids
Raleigh, NC to Paris, France
“Oh, the places you’ll go!”
Our total luggage for 3 months in France. Each person has a backpack and carry-on.
France was our first international trip as a family. It was also our first significant trip after Covid lock-down. To say that we were excited to travel again would be an understatement. We planned and prepared for this trip for months, beginning by building a Trello board listing all of our tasks. We then systematically started completing and checking off those tasks as we got closer to our travel date. This entire process was a metamorphosis for us; the beginning of a whole new lifestyle. This was the trip that allowed us to stop taking vacations and start traveling as a way of experiencing everyday life more fully.
Getting Moving
Traveling internationally was new territory for us, so planning and organization were key! The morning of our departure, we had our bags packed and waiting by the front door and we had our travel papers laid out so that we knew we had all of the necessary items to make the journey. Before we could leave, we had several last minute items to check off of our Trello board that would help us prepare and secure our rental for our nearly three month absence.
Our travel wallet with passport, IDs, cash and other important documents.
Kevin had reserved our Uber the night before to make sure there was no delay in getting to the airport (something we highly suggest). We were delighted to learn that our driver was from a West African country and that French was his native language. We had fun trying out some of our newly learned French and listening to him tell us about the French influence in Africa. He also talked about the differences between the French language spoken in Africa, France, and Canada. We were already learning and hadn’t even arrived at the airport!
Ellie and Sophie in an Uber traveling to the airport.
We had no issues with check-in and security at RDU, despite all of the extra documentation due to Covid. Since we wanted to visit many parts of France, we decided that each of us would only pack a rolling carry-on suitcase and a backpack for this 3 month adventure. This took a great deal of coordination and teamwork going through security, especially when having to remove electronics and liquids from our bags. (Having TSA Precheck, or Global Entry which includes it, would have helped to greatly reduce this hassle, and is something that we’re looking into for the future.)
We all had our own role to help ease the security process. Kevin went first, followed by the Littles and me, and then Ellie came through last to make sure that nothing had been left behind. This ensured that our youngest family members never found themselves separated from the adults. In the long run, the lighter load made things much easier for our lengthy travel and allowed everyone to take responsibility for their own items.
Our travel family selfie at the gates in RDU.
The Flights
On our first flight, Rachel experienced a bit of airsickness. While she has never gotten queasy on a flight before, she does have a history of getting a little carsick, so we planned ahead and were able to quickly remedy the situation with some Dramamine.
Our second flight was a 9 hour transatlantic flight from Atlanta to Paris on Air France. Being on this flight finally made our long-awaited trip seem real. We were able to sit back, relax, and enjoy some movies and a delicious meal. It was the first time many of us had ever eaten something other than just snacks on a plane, and the adults were treated to a small bottle of wine with dinner. (Yay!) Afterward, we all tried to get some rest since we would be landing in the early morning and have a full day ahead of us.
Sophie sleeping during our overnight flight to Paris on Air France.
The flight attendants brought the lights up slowly before our final descent and gently woke us for a light breakfast and some coffee before landing. We were tired but well fed and excited. We definitely recommend Air France!
When we arrived at our gate, we collected our belongings, exited the plane, and got in line for border patrol. We presented our passports and CDC cards and were quickly through the line and navigating the CDG airport. It was truly one of the easiest and most well-managed processes we’ve experienced.
Ground Transportation
Once in the airport, we were in for some much-anticipated culture shock. All around us everyone spoke French and all of the signs were foreign to our American eyes. We were thankful for Ellie’s three semesters of French in college and the time we’d taken each day to learn some French on the Duolingo app. This allowed us to say hello, ask some basic questions, and mind our manners with “please” and “thank you.”
We found the train station and Ellie and Kevin managed to purchase TGV tickets at the kiosk to take us to the Marne-la-Vallée Chessy train station. The high-speed train was a new experience for all of us and, though tired, we enjoyed it. The train was comfortable, and we were all able to sit together.
Click on photo to enlarge.
B&B Hotel in Magny le Hongre
Now at the MLV train station, we took some time to go to the entrance of Disneyland Paris to give the girls a preview for a later visit. This is something that Kevin carefully planned ahead of time, knowing exactly where we would leave the train station and how to surprise them with a quick sneak peak. We found the shuttle bus for our hotel and arrived at the B&B Hotel before 9:30am just expecting to check our luggage until an afternoon check in. We were pleasantly surprised to learn that our room was ready, and we could check in early and have breakfast. So, we dropped off our luggage and had a look around our room.
Kevin chose the B&B Hotel because it was one of very few hotels in France that could accommodate all 5 of us together at a reasonable price. The room included a full-sized bed for Kevin and I, a twin size for Ellie, and twin bunk beds for Rachel and Sophie. There was plenty of storage space to stow our suitcases and backpacks and a modestly sized bathroom that met our needs.
Once acquainted with our room, we made our way downstairs to experience our first meal in France. It was not the typical complimentary breakfast we’re used to in the US. Deli ham and turkey, baguettes, croissants, and yogurt (which is a completely different product in France than we were used to). We had our choice of beverages, including a fancy coffee machine with multiple options. Afterwards, we returned to our room, opened our window wide to the beautiful country view, and settled down for a rejuvenating nap.
Disney Village
After some rest, some school lessons, and texts to let friends and family know we had arrived safely, we decided to go to Disney Village for some dinner. We took the shuttle bus from the hotel back to MLV station and then had dinner at Annette’s Diner.
We settled in for a comfortable American style meal of hamburgers and French fries but quickly realized, while watching the diners around us, that we would need to learn to eat our burgers with a knife and fork if we were to fit in here in France. So much to learn and all of us were so eager to absorb it. It was a long day (really two) of travel and we were looking forward to the weeks (and months) ahead!
Sophie getting excited about her Disneyland Paris upcoming visit!
Our Tips for Traveling Internationally with Kids
Include them in the planning process – Have them research the area where you’re traveling and decide what sights they want to see and activities they want to do. Rachel was very into Greek and Roman mythology so a visit to the Louvre was high on her list. Sophie wanted to see the Eiffel Tower so we made sure to give her a good view. We also included them in the preparation by having them pack their own bags (with supervision).
Don’t forget your medications – I always travel with a small first aid kit (band-aids, sterile wipes, neosporin, and hand sanitizer). Rachel sometimes gets carsick, so I also carry Dramamine. Sophie has always struggled with leg cramps when she walks or runs a lot so we pack an essential oil blend that helps with that. We also make sure that Tylenol or Ibuprofen and any prescription medications are in our backpacks and easily accessible.
Let your child bring ONE favorite toy – I’m not a fan of packing lots of toys for trips. The more you pack, the more likely you are to forget or lose a favorite item along the way. Our youngest always travels with Cinnamon, her most cherished stuffed friend. This tiny dog has been everywhere with Sophie since she was 2 years old. Having her treasured companion means Sophie feels at home and can sleep better no matter where we are.
Help them learn basic words & phrases for the country you’re visiting – All of us spent several weeks using the Duolingo app to learn (or, in Ellie’s case, refresh) basic French before our trip. Sophie got great satisfaction from being able to communicate with people we met along the way. Locals were so impressed with our efforts that they went out of their way to communicate with us.
Give them responsibilities – Each of us had a rolling carry-on suitcase and a backpack for our 3 month trip and we were each responsible for our own bags. (We, of course, helped the girls during stressful times like getting onto trains and buses quickly.) Rachel was in charge of checking each of our accommodations before we left. She went room by room checking cabinets, closets, drawers, and underneath beds to make sure we’d packed everything. Kevin spot-checked her work but she was a pro within just a couple of check-outs and found, on more than one occasion, items that would have been forgotten. Kids are often more capable than we give them credit for, and taking responsibility builds their confidence.
Don’t overschedule – All 3 of our girls were doing school during our 3 months in France, so we had to make sure they had time to do their studies in addition to seeing all the sights. There were so many days that were left completely without an agenda that allowed us to decompress and just enjoy where we were at the time. It also gave us time to plan and make adjustments to our itinerary.
Is international or full-time travel a dream of yours? What steps could you take now to start making those dreams a reality? Do you have any helpful tips about traveling internationally (or just in general) with kids? We’d love to hear from you about how you’re having your own Uncommon Family Adventures!
