S/O family trips... minimum age for an overseas family trip?

[ourbabygirl]

I'd love to take our kids to Europe, but am worried about the jet lag on the way there and back, and just getting around with a young one.

How old was your child/ your youngest child when you went on an airplane trip that lasted 7+ hours?

Thanks for chiming in!

[DualvansMommy]

My family is overseas in Europe, so there was never any doubt of them not going just because they’re too young. Having that said, we went when my oldest was 2, and myself pregnant with DS2 for a trip in the fall.

Since DS2 was born 6 years ago, we’ve been over a total of 3 times. And may go again this summer, which I’m looking forward to the most as it’ll be the longest trip, and at summer where I prefer to go over vs Xmas (too busy and frantic) and spring break when it’s often between of cold and rainy. Also finally, since DS2 will be 6.5, no longer takes naps, past potty training (all of which were factors in our last trip) and no strollers, it’ll be by far the easiest trip to do tons of things together that I’ve previously opted out not to do. Jet lag was never an issue for us, we just hit the 1st day with a light outdoor activity to keep us going, and go to bed at their local time.

Most people prefer to go when their kids are past potty training/nap phases, but only you can judge that. All depends on what you guys want to do too. Having that said, we’re planning on hitting up London, France, Portugal in one trip. Then Italy and Morocco in another trip when youngest is 10 at least.


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[hillview]

kids have been to europe annually since birth. The youngest was 6 or 8 weeks old. Jetlag can be rough just plan on a day or 2 of not a lot when you land.

[georgiegirl]

We did Hawaii from the Midwest when my middle kid was 18 mo. That was a very hard age for travel. We went to Iceland last summer when my youngest was 5.5. He did great and adjusted immediately. Older kids (10 and 13) had a harder time with the time change, in part because it was light 24 hours a day. We are going to Scotland this summer.

[SASM]

We wanted to wait until our youngest would remember, appreciate, and keep up with us on an expensive European trip. We knew if we were going over there, it would be long and not laid back. She was 10...not only did she keep up and remember every detail of our London/Scotland/Ireland trip, she now wants to move there. The next summer we went to Norway. She is upset that we are not going abroad this coming summer. Needless to say, she handled jet lag fine.

[meggie t]

We wanted to wait until our youngest would remember, appreciate, and keep up with us on an expensive European trip.

This. We are going to Europe this summer for the first time with our children. They will be 7 and 10 years old. If I had the funds, I would go whenever! I wouldn't let ages stop me. But, alas, we don't so we decided this year was the year. We plan on doing a big trip every two years.

[bisous]

My kids are ages 6 to 16 right now and I want to go! I'm not sure we'll ever make it. I say if you can make it work, you should do it!

[Philly Mom]

My kids were babies and we have gone every year. 14 months was the hardest flight but the trips themselves were always great. Jet lag has never held us back. One good night sleep and we are good to go. We also come back and often go straight to school. The trip is worth it.


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[essnce629]

DH's brother got married in Greece when DS2 had just turned 5 so that was our first really big trip. We did Greece and Rome over 3 weeks. For all the touristy things we did, like seeing the Vatican museum which takes hours, I'm glad DS2 was 5. I feel like it would have been much harder if he was younger. At 5 he was potty trained, done napping, out of a stroller, big enough to use a booster, etc. When DS2 was 3 we went to Hawaii with no issue, but we're in CA so it's not that long of a flight (6.5 hrs).

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[basil]

We took my son when he was I think 8 months. The flight was hard but he was fine.

We haven't been back to Europe since then, but I would like to plan something in the next few years. I agree with PP who said that it's important that they can remember the trip! I first went around 14 or so, which meant my brother was about 11-12. I think my son could easily handle the trip (he's 8) but my daughter (age 5) may have a tougher time with a lot of walking and may not get as much out of the historical sites.