Most summers we plan a trip to Europe to visit family and friends, where we typically spend about three weeks, usually moving from one place to another. Because we’re city-hopping, I try to prioritize packing light (which is difficult when you have a kid!). Here are our essentials when traveling to Europe with our four-year-old.
Ride Safer Travel Vest (Portable Car Seat)
Instead of transporting our carseat or renting one, we used the Ride Safer Travel Vest which serves as a portable car seat. It takes little space (we packed it in our carryon suitcase) and is easy to use. We used the travel vest for the Uber ride to the airport and on cab/Uber rides within Paris and in Amsterdam. I would definitely recommend it for short rides only as Bébé Soufflet started to get uncomfortable in it for rides longer than 45 minutes.
Tablet and Headphones
The tablet and headphones is such a lifesaver on the airplane and the train. Since wi-fi access could be limited, I downloaded some of Bébé Soufflet’s favorite movies and shows before our trip. She had a blast being able to watch a full movie.
Inflatable Bed and Travel Pillow
We used the inflatable bed and travel pillow wherever we traveled so that Bébé Soufflet had her own mattress to sleep in. While it did take quite a bit of space, we had peace of mind knowing Bébé Soufflet would have her own place to sleep (she’s gotten too big to share our bed while traveling). She loved having her own pillow and sheets from home. The inflatable bed is slightly bigger than a crib mattress and smaller than a twin mattress. I ended up packing a crib sheet which worked since the inflatable mattress had some flexibility.
Water Bottle
Most of the tap water in Europe is safe to drink and I’m a camel when it comes to water, so it was great to have a water bottle on hand to fill up and keep with us at all times. I also prefer cold water so when I could get ice (definitely hard to come by in Europe), I’d put it in my insulated water bottle. My current favorite water bottle is the Owala FreeSip 24oz.
Portable Fan
A rechargeable portable fan is a lifesaver in Europe in the summer. Most places in Europe don’t have air-conditioning and Bébé Soufflet definitely runs hot (like her father). Having this portable fan is such a relief when she’s in her stroller or in the bedroom to get air circulating.
Hatch Sound Machine and Night Light
When traveling, I never know how the ambient noise where we sleep – whether it’s a hotel room, Airbnb, or if we’re staying with family or friends. When we’re in Paris, there is a lot of street noise and we have to leave the windows open to allow for the cool night air to circulate in the room. Since Bébé Soufflet was born, I’ve been bringing her Hatch Sound Machine and Night Light. I love that I can control the volume and brightness from my phone.
Other Travel Tips
Laundry – In order to pack as light as possible, we pack enough clothes to last us 1-2 weeks and make plans to do laundry at least every 7-10 days.
Train Travel – Traveling by train can be so convenient. It’s affordable, typically located in the city (rather than an airport which may require additional transportation to get into the city). Based on personal experience, train travel requires you to pack as light as possible. Luggage racks and check-in sized suitcase storage is very limited. Also, if you’re on a route with multiple stops, this could mean the train will only stop for a few minutes so you’ll have to get on/off that train quickly — the less stuff you have and the lighter it is will allow you to get on and off the trains much quicker.
Longer stays – When the Frenchman and I travelled pre-baby, we would typically stay in one location for one or two nights. Now we make sure we stay a minimum of two nights (if not more) in each location to acclimate Bébé Soufflet to our new surroundings and allow the time to be more flexible with our travel itinerary.
It can be intimidating traveling with a preschool-aged kid, but this is such a fun age to get exposed to new cities and cultures. Happy travels!
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