When you travel with kids watch your baggage allowances which apply only to those who have bought a seat. Infants under two will not have a baggage allowance unless you are paying for a seat for them and this can be one of the most difficult things to negotiate as infants and toddlers tend to have the most equipment.
Charter airlines generally allow you 15kgs - 20kgs. Aer Lingus allows you 20kgs per person. Ryanair allow only 15kg per person. Charges do rack up once you go overweight so do pack carefully and always check with the airline before you fly. Ryanair charge €15 per kg, Aer Lingus charge €9 per kg and Aer Arann charge €7 per kg. Watch this both ways and do not get too caught up with souvenirs.
While it might seem like a good idea for a family of four to travel with two big suitcases if either of those cases goes over the baggage allowances in a flash you could be facing a large bill. Most carriers will not allow you to combine a baggage allowance.
Carry on limits vary from airline to airline with charter airlines sometimes as low as 4kgs. Aer Lingus allow 6kgs and Ryanair allows 10kgs. Always check the airline's websites before you go.
Checked in luggage is still free on most charter flights including Budget Travel who also do not charge for check in. Aer Arann have no check in baggage charges but Aer Lingus charge €24 to check in one bag and Ryanair €20. Ryanair will also charge you to use a check in desk of €10 return so that makes €30 per bag which adds up if you have four bags to check in.
The cost goes up again if you forget to prebook it online to a whopping €18 for each bag per flight for Ryanair and €18 for Aer Lingus. So always prebook your bags for check in but also only book as many as you need and not two each. All in you could end up paying between €136 and €200 for just four checked in bags before you even think about any excess weight charges-no so low cost then!.
We will now have to deal with the new Airport Travel Tax on top of all of the additional charges all of which have been increased significantly this year by airlines and tour operators. These charges seem endless and include taxes of up to €75 per person, fuel surcharges of between €150 and €220 per person on long haul, seat reservation charges of between €3 and €15 per person , baggage charges of between € 24-€36 per person (more if you forget to reserve them online), a handling fee of €10.00 per person and the sneaky “we will include our own travel insurance unless you forget to exclude it” cost of up to €21.00 per person. Now a family of four could now end up paying up to €40.00 extra in this new airport travel tax. This is on top of up to €121 per person or €484 for the family and a massive €271 per person or €1084 for the family on a long haul flight.
We have separately provided you with a checklist for your hand luggage and also with suggestions for things to bring to keep your children entertained when travelling.
Generally it is better for children to have their own suitcases particularly as they get older as they would then not be messing up anything in your case when they are rooting for things. Sports gear and swimming gear are best packed into their own bags and drawstring cloth bags, cases, plastic bags and laundry bags are a great for secreting small items. Smaller kids will love the Trunki which children can pack with toys and spare clothes, sit on and ride while parents tow them along.
Depending on where you are going. You will have different requirements. In some cases you will be looking to keep cool and in others keep warm. We have also provided you with packing lists for a first aid checklist, a camping checklist, car checklist, a hand luggage checklist and lots more here on this site.
You will find lots of family friendly travel tips and advice in our research and advice section to help you book the right family holiday. Check out also the experiences of other parents and travellers in our parents forum and add your own experiences as we are a great believer in real parent's experiences as the best measure of whether somewhere will suit you for your family holiday.
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