Single Parent Travel Tips and Advice

Whether you're a single parent on vacation with your kids or just taking your kids on a trip without your spouse, parents traveling alone with their kids face special problems.

We hope you enjoy watching this video about How to Travel as a Simple Parent

Source: The Single Dad Nomad

Here are some tips to help you manage your young children on your own!

Flying with children

Flying with children in tow is a challenge, even with both parents. But a single parent who juggles kids, luggage, and documents is sure to have his hands full.

He will do what he can to eliminate the need for long lines. Make sure to check in for your flight online 24 hours before departure.

Print your boarding passes or download your airline's mobile app for easy access to your phone.

Know the rules about the type of identification that you and your child may need to fly.

When going through airport security, be sure to choose familiar lanes, which are usually shorter.

Did you figure out how to get from the airport to your hotel after the plane landed? Before leaving home, take the time to research whether your hotel offers transportation and other options.

Choosing kid-friendly hotels

Most hotels claim to be kid-friendly, but the proof is in the pudding. Do your research ahead of time and find hotels that offer the following:

• Mini refrigerator in the guest room, allowing you to have milk, juice, or snacks ready.
• Free travel cot or cot that can be placed in your room.
• Children's program at a destination resort (generally these kids' clubs start at 3 or 4 years old)
• A separate paddling pool or splash area where little ones can cool off safely.
• Free breakfast and wi-fi.
  When traveling alone with children, look for hotels that price based on "per room, per night" rather than "per person, per night."

Most hotels set prices "per room per night" and allow up to two adults and two children in a standard room.

Most Disney World Resort hotels, for example, charge the same room rate for up to four people.

Some Disney hotels offer rooms for larger families, up to six people.

But many resorts (especially all-inclusive resorts) set their rates based on the occupancy of two adults.

The nightmare of single-parent travel is the "single supplement rate," which is a way for the hotel to get essentially the same room rate, even if only one adult occupies the room.

Single parents are charged the "per person" rate and a 50-100 percent supplement is also charged.

How does this common industry practice work when a parent travels with one, two, or three children?

It would be great if the adult-only paid the normal price "per person per night" and the child only paid the normal child price.

Some all-inclusive resorts offer this type of price reduction during special offers at low-volume times of the year.

However, the adult is more likely to pay a single supplement and the first child will receive a discounted child rate.

Additional children must get the discounted child rate.

If, for example, a mother was traveling with a 5-year-old child and a 3-year-old child, she would probably pay two adult prices and the 3-year-old child would pay the child rate.

Useful functions

Some resorts offer regular promotions for single parents traveling with children.

Also check out these companies, who have gone above and beyond to serve this group.

• Travel for Single Parents keeps track of offers for travelers with single parents and organizes trips several times a year.
• Beaches Resorts, the popular Caribbean all-inclusive chain, offers "single parent" months each year.

Feeling comfortable as a single parent

Besides the price, some single parents are uncomfortable with other families on vacation. Some advice:

• Request single-parent travel or visit beaches or another resort during a single-parent promotion.
• Smaller resorts sometimes offer a friendlier environment and more opportunities to chat and meet other guests in the company.

Travel documents when crossing borders

Parents traveling alone with their children should be aware that they may need additional documentation when crossing into other countries.

Be sure to read about the documents required for international travel with children.

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