International Flight with Two under Three Toddlers

Recently, I traveled solo from Texas, USA  to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (22+ hours flight) with two under three toddlers. I know I know  … it sounds very hard. Yes, it is an experience to tell, but it was possible. 

I have got many kinds of comments for doing international flight with toddlers; like “it must be so hard!” “you’re so brave doing it.” and “you’re nuts traveling with two toddlers.” 

I got it. It might be overwhelming to think about international flights with toddlers. However, when life situations push you to do something, I like to think of ways I can make things possible.

So I am here to tell you everything about our travels. In this post, I will share my experience, the lessons I learned, and give you all the tips. 

Anything can be challenging with kids, but having a plan and clear expectations help immensely. So first things first, I plan and prepare for every detail as much as possible. 

However, as much as I recommend you to plan, I also say keep your expectations low and be ready to be flexible. Because, most probably, there would be unforeseen things. Then you’re good to go. 

Now let’s get into practical tips. Here are ten things you need to know about an international flight with toddlers.  

1. Avoid Connection Flights or Have Connection Flights with Reasonable Layover Time

If possible, avoid connecting flights and get to your destination in one shot. Because getting on and off planes multiple times can be challenging by itself. 

Plus, most connecting flights require walking long distances within the airport or going by train/bus from one terminal to the other. Which may also result in going through multiple airport security checks. 

As you know, airport security checks require you to take off your shoes and your little ones, get checked all your items of luggage on hand, including your stroller (if you have one, I recommend having one anyway when you travel with toddlers) 

If you can’t avoid connection flights, ensure reasonable layover time. This is why I am saying this; as I mentioned above, when you have a connecting flight, you have to hop off the plane and go to your next flight gate, which may involve passing through an airport security check, and boarding a flight again. Which you can tell is time-consuming; therefore, having 4-5 hours of layover time is reasonable, in my opinion. 

Another important reason for recommending 4-5 hours of layover time is that you probably won’t miss your next flight if your first flight has been delayed (which happens often). 

For our flight to Ethiopia, connecting flights were unavoidable. We used Ethiopian Airlines, and they don’t have direct flights from Dallas, where we live. So I must fly with United Airlines from Dallas to New Jersey and get a direct flight to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. 

If we hadn’t had a 5-hour layover, we wouldn’t have made it cause the flight from Dallas to New Jersey had more than an hour delay. Plus, once we arrived at Newark, New Jersey airport, we had to walk a long distance and use a train in the airport to go from the local flight terminal to the international flight terminal. As you may already guess, it was a must to go through airport security checks.

2. Have a Stroller

A stroller is a must for flights with toddlers unless you want to carry them around. Assuming toddlers can walk alone is not a good idea when traveling. Yes, toddlers can walk, but they’re the most curious human beings, so they will stop in the middle, touch & explore around, and they might completely refuse to walk and ask to be carried. Just have a stroller! 

I traveled with a baby without a stroller but a carrier when our oldest was only 10 months. At the time, my husband was traveling with me and was a help for everything; we didn’t see the need for a stroller. 

I recommend lightweight, collapsible strollers with 5-point harnesses that your toddler can sleep on when they need to nap. I like this single travel stroller 

For my solo trip to Ethiopia; I used this tandem stackable stroller that can be used for two children. It has wide storage at the bottom. I used it to store back bags instead of carrying them. 

3. Pack Healthy Snacks and Drinks 

A hungry or thirsty toddler is a grumpy toddler.

Many airports and airlines allow you to pack your own food, snacks, and drinks. Therefore travel with your kids’ favorite, healthy foods to keep them happy. 

In most cases, there are not many restrictions for solid food, but there are some exceptions for liquid items. I suggest calling or checking the airports or airlines’ websites and getting information about their specific rules. 

I love traveling with breastfeeding babies because there is almost nothing extra to pack and food is always available for them!

If your toddlers drink milk, this small pack of milk that comes with its own straw is perfect for their little hands. It is a shelf-stable UHT package that doesn’t need to be refrigerated. 

I like this spill-proof water bottle with a straw for water and drinks. 

4. Prepare All the Necessary Documents and Have Them in One Place. 

Get information about what is required to enter your destination country, such as visas, COVID-19 requirements, etc. Get an e-visa if the service is available. I got my kid’s e-visa for Ethiopia travel ahead of time, and it minimized the immigration process time significantly once we arrived there. 

Also, prepare all the documents that are required for your inbound flight. I am telling you this from my mistake. I forgot to have my permanent residence ID, and green card (which is not required to go out of the USA, but it is to enter), and I had to cancel our flight and wait for a few days until my husband sent the green card for me. 

It was unfortunate and very unlike of me that I forgot to have my green card in my wallet. More than a couple of times, I traveled in and out of the USA with visas on my passport. During this time, I got a new passport book (cause it expired) which didn’t have a visa on it, and I was required to show I was a legal resident of the USA to pass the immigration checks. 

Also, a green card ID is not something you need to have in your wallet all the time because your driving license is enough for most cases. Anyways, learn from my mistake, think of all scenarios, get information about what is required from you, and pack all the necessary documents. 

Speaking of passports, it is recommended, and most countries require you to travel with a passport that has at least 6 months remaining until the expiration date.  

5. Pack Extra Clothes 

With toddlers and babies, messes and poop happen. Have a simple outfit change on hand (back bag or carry-on) for your baby and yourself. 

A diaper blowout happened to me while we were on a plane, and if I hadn’t had extra clothes in my pack bag, it would have been a disaster. 

6. Pack Extra Diapers and Wipes 

Have double the diapers and wipes you think you’ll need. 

In my carry-on baggage, I like to pack everything important for the kids, including diapers and wipes. Even after you arrive at your destination without using the extras you pack, you might use it for a few days in case your checked-in bags are delayed for whatever reason.  As you may already know or have experienced, check-in baggage can be lost or delayed. It has happened to me several times. 

7. Choose Seats on Board. 

When you buy a flight ticket, make sure you choose seats. There are complimentary seat options and extra fares, depending on your choice. 

I have noticed that toddlers like window seats. They like to look outside when the plane takes off & lands. (which is a crucial time your toddler needs to sit and buckle for safety purposes) 

Also, toddlers may play with the shutter if the window has one. Or you can utilize the window seats by using these window toys and keep your toddler occupied. 

Aisle seats are convenient for easy access to the restroom, the possibility of a little extra legroom, and for first to exit the aircraft. But it can be tempting for toddlers wanting to stand and walk at any time. 

If you request an infant crib, you have to call and ask for it as soon as you make the reservation because there is a limited number of bassinets available for any given flight. The bassinets are typically mounted on bulkhead seats (are seats located against a bulkhead — a wall dividing either crew areas, galleys, or sections of service on the plane). Therefore your seat will be bulkhead accordingly. The policy might differ from one airline to another, but bassinets are usually for infants 6 months and younger. It doesn’t work or recommend to use for a year or older children. 

Therefore, weigh the pros and cons of the seats, consider your toddlers’ ages and interests, and choose seats as soon as you make reservations. 

Personally, I don’t like bulkhead seats. It allows my active toddler to stand and walk from his seat. Both of my toddlers love to look outside. So, we always choose a window seat. 

On most airlines, children under 24 months fly for free or for a small service fee if they fly as a lap infant. You can if you still want to pay and have a seat for your child. Or if your child is above 24 months, you have to pay for the ticket and get a seat.  

8. Bring Engaging Pre-made Activities 

Most toddlers will sleep if all their needs are met during a flight or car ride. They must be well-fed, and their diapers should be fresh and dry. Also, comfy and warm clothes are important. As you know, it is a bit cold inside the airplane. But when they wake up, they want some activities 

Play is a work for toddlers. They love engaging in activities. They are curious. So having some pre-made activities can engage and entertain them for some time. Here are some of the activities I brought, and they enjoyed them. 

• No mess, water reveal pad (coloring book); coloring is fun for most toddlers. But crayons & paper are not ideal to use during flight. Because it increases the chance of creating a mess and makes it easy to lose crayons under seats. These No-mess paintings are just perfect. Color with water, let it dry to erase, and fill it in again!

Still, I tie the water pen with a rob and scotch tape, so the pen doesn’t fall from their little hands and get me into trouble. 

• Montessori busy board this soft fabric busy board is a Montessori-inspired busy board that is handy for travel (by car/plane). It is lightweight (unlike typical wooden busy board toys), and you won’t have concerns for safety (no sharp corners). It has many fun activities, challenging enough to keep toddlers’ attention and interest. 

9. Get Comfortable Headphones for Little Ones

If your kids watch screens, or your toddlers like to listen to nursery rhymes or white noises to fall asleep, have comfortable headphones. 

The headphones available in airplane are not comfortable for adults, let alone for little kids.  They probably won’t keep the airplane earbuds sticking in their ears for long. 

Therefore, get these kinds of headphones made from soft materials. This particular headphone is a headband made from fleece material. Perfect for kids. It also blocks noise when they sleep. 

The plug is compatible with most devices, so kids can use it with a phone or iPad and aircraft entertainment devices. 

I recommend you download their favorite shows, nursery rhymes or white noises before boarding. 

10. BREATH, BREATH, and BREATH !

Last but not least, you got this! Take a few of second even minutes, and BREATH often. Stressful moments will surely come, and you need to calm down to solve all the issues. 

Have question or comments about international flight with toddlers? Let me know in the comment box.