Why Travelling with a Baby is Easier (and Greener) Than You Think

Don’t we all love to travel? Travelling with the little ones is a special kind of adventure. There’s something magical about seeing new places through their curious eyes. However for many parents it’s a challenging and tricky topic.There are so many organisational questions and doubts about the environmental and ethical impact of travelling. As parents, we often wonder how we can explore new destinations while still taking care of our beautiful planet.

Travel in general might seem challenging with young kids, but it’s absolutely possible and can be very rewarding. And making the experience sustainable - it’s not just about reducing our carbon footprint—it’s about creating meaningful experiences for our children and showing them how to care for the world around them. This article is here to help you find ways to travel that are gentle on the environment and also on you, a parent, doing an amazing job by showing your offsprings the world.

We’ll explore the best ages for travelling with kids (spoiler alert: every age has its advantages and also its own challenges), the most sustainable travel methods, and tips on preparing for your trips in an eco-friendly way. Our goal is to make your family adventures both enjoyable and responsible, so you can focus on making memories while keeping our planet in mind. So, let’s dive in and discover how you can travel sustainably with your little ones!

What Age is Best for Travelling with Children?

Very often, the first question that comes to mind is: when is the right time to start travelling with your child? Should you wait until they’re 3 months old? Is it better to wait until they can sit up on their own? Or should they be walking first? The truth is, it all depends on how you feel and what you want to do. If you love travelling, you can bring your child along from the very beginning of their life.

However, we suggest giving yourself about 4 weeks after childbirth to rest and recover before embarking on a trip. Each stage in your child’s life offers its own travel perks, but it also comes with unique challenges. Let’s break it down!

Infants (1-12 months)

Advantages:

Lightweight: Babies weigh less, so they are easier to carry around either in a sling or a stroller. And they usually don’t need a lot of extra gear, especially if you’re breastfeeding
Easy to Entertain: Infants are more content with simple activities, so it’s easier to entertain them also during a long journey.
Flexibility: Babies need your warmth and closeness. As long as they have this, the rest you can adapt. Thanks to that you can actually do more, while travelling.

Challenges:

Frequent Needs: Infants do require regular feeding, diaper changes, and naps, which can mean more stops and extra planning.
Limited Communication: It can be harder to understand and address an infant’s needs when they can’t tell you what’s wrong.
Cultural Differences: you need to be mindful that not every country has an open culture towards babies and breastfeeding in public places might be frown upon.

Toddlers (1-3 years)

Advantages:

Increased Interaction: Toddlers are more aware of their surroundings and can enjoy and engage with new experiences.
Learning Opportunities: They’re at an age where they’re curious and can learn about new cultures and places in simple, enjoyable ways.

Challenges:

High Energy: Toddlers are very active and might need more frequent breaks and activities to keep them entertained. And they enjoy different activities that you would like to do.
Separation Anxiety: They might experience anxiety in new environments, which can make transitions and adjustments more challenging.
Heavyweight: Toddlers are heavier and still need to be carried or in a pushchair. Also they still very much need you physically and they are more used to their routines like naps and feeding times, so you need to make sure they get it.

Preschoolers (4-5 years)

Advantages:

Better Understanding: Preschoolers have a better grasp of what’s happening and can follow simple instructions and routines.
More Independence: They can help with small tasks, carry their own bag, and even assist in planning the trip, making their own choices.
More Stamina: They can walk for longer distances and are a bit more flexible with naps (if they need a nap) or snacks

Challenges:

More Demands: At this age, children often have specific interests and needs, which can require more planning and flexibility in your travel plans.
Higher Expectations: They might have a clearer idea of what they want to do and may express their desires more strongly. If they like dinosaurs, there better be some dinosaurs wherever you go!

Sustainable Modes of Travel

Once we’ve covered the basics of leaving home with a child, let's dive deeper into different modes of transport, where we will discuss your convenience as well as the environment. Sustainable travel doesn’t mean sacrificing comfort or safety; it’s about making mindful choices that reduce your carbon footprint while still ensuring a smooth journey for your family. We will discuss flying in the next paragraph, but first let’s have a look at some eco-friendly travel options and how to do them with a baby:

Train Travel

Benefits: Trains are one of the most sustainable ways to travel, with a low carbon footprint compared to cars and planes. They offer spacious seating, beautiful scenic views and a room to move around that can keep kids entertained.
Tips: Although this way of transportation is usually the most expensive, you can buy Eurorail or Interrail tickets, which is a great way to discover Europe. Also booking ahead is a good strategy to lower the costs. Choose direct routes whenever possible to cut down on travel time and reduce stress. Bringing along snacks and activities will help keep your little one content during the journey.

Bus Travel

Benefits: Buses produce fewer emissions than cars and planes, making them another eco-friendly option. They are also cost-effective and can reach destinations that trains may not.
Tips: Prepare for longer travel times by packing plenty of snacks, drinks, and entertainment. If your child is prone to motion sickness, choose seats near the front or ask the driver about the smoothest part of the ride. Taking overnight buses can also help if your child can sleep through the trip.

Car/Van Travel

Benefits: Travelling by car gives you the flexibility to stop when needed and control your own schedule. You can choose routes that minimise your environmental impact and explore less-travelled areas.
Tips: Unless you own a car, consider using a hybrid or electric vehicle to reduce emissions. Carpooling with friends or family can also be a more sustainable option.Campervan is also a great option for family travel and while you produce more carbon footprint on the road, you save with accommodation.

Cycling and Walking

Benefits: For shorter distances, cycling and walking are the most eco-friendly options, producing zero emissions. They’re also a great way to enjoy the outdoors and get some exercise.
Tips: Invest in (or rent!) child-friendly carriers, bike trailers or a cargobike to keep your little one safe and comfortable. Plan your route to include parks or rest stops where your child can take breaks. During ride time, there is little entertainment for your child, so consider this when planning your journey.

Flying with the plane and Sustainable Travels

This topic is very controversial, as flying is extremely frown upon in the sustainable community and is one of the most used argument in whataboutism - you know, when you are open about being more sustainable and eco-friendly and someone says “if you’re so sustainable, what about…” and here come many things, but very often flights. And you should never feel guilty about it.

Flying is often a necessary part of travel, especially when you’re going long distances or have limited time, no matter if it’s to see your family or to show the world to your child. Also in many cases the cost difference between flying and taking a more sustainable way of transportation, like train, is simply insane. Due to tax favours and government subsidies, airlines can significantly lower their own and therefore also yours costs. But this is a topic for a separate blog post. Let's focus now on how to minimise the higher environmental impact of taking a flight.

Here are some ways to make flying more sustainable:

Offset Carbon Emissions: There are companies and sometimes also airlines offer the option to offset your carbon footprint when booking flights. These programs invest in projects like reforestation or renewable energy, helping to balance out the emissions from your flight. It’s a simple way to make a positive difference.
Pack Light: The heavier the plane, the more fuel it consumes. By packing light, you’re not only making your journey easier but also contributing to reduced fuel usage. Opt for essentials and try to avoid overpacking. This also makes navigating airports with kids a lot smoother.
Choose Direct Flights: Whenever possible, choose non-stop flights. Takeoffs and landings are the most fuel-intensive parts of a flight, so direct routes are more efficient. Plus, fewer layovers mean less stress and fewer chances of delays, which is always a win when travelling with kids.
Travel During Off-Peak Times: Flying during less busy times can mean less crowded airports and sometimes even less fuel consumption, as planes might need to do less circling before landing. Also no matter if the plane is full or empty - it will fly anyway.
Bring Reusable Items: Bring your own reusable water bottles, utensils, and snack containers. This helps reduce the single-use plastic waste often generated during flights. Many airports have water stations where you can fill up your bottle before boarding.

Flying isn’t perfect, but also your goal isn’t to be perfect. It’s to do what you can within your circumstances, and every little bit helps.

Preparing for Travel with a Child

A bit of planning goes a long way in making all your future journeys smoother and more enjoyable. Travelling with a baby or toddler is a great and rewarding experience, however there are few things that are worth keeping in mind. Here’s how you can get ready while keeping sustainability and ethics in mind:

Pre-Trip Preparation

Test Runs: Before embarking on a longer trip, try taking a shorter, local trip to get a feel for travelling with your baby or toddler. Maybe for a one night out, not very far from your home. This helps you understand what works best for your family, from packing essentials to managing nap times on the go.
Research Your Destination: Look into your destination’s climate, local customs, and facilities for children. This will help you pack appropriately and prepare for any cultural differences you might encounter. Knowing what to expect can make your trip more enjoyable and less stressful.

Packing Essentials

Eco-Friendly Diapers and Wipes: If your baby is still in diapers, consider bringing cloth diapers or eco-friendly disposable ones that are biodegradable. Reusable cloth wipes are useful, when you have a possibility to do laundry at your destination.
Reusable Feeding Bottles and Utensils: Bring along reusable bottles, sippy cups, and utensils. These reduce waste and are easy to clean during your travels. Durable options like silicone or stainless steel are ideal for on-the-go families.
Sustainable Travel Gear: Invest in lightweight, eco-conscious travel gear. Look for strollers made from sustainable materials or carriers that are easy to pack and comfortable for both you and your child.
Pack According to Age: What you need to pack depends largely on your child’s age and stage of development. As mentioned before, infants don’t require toys and entertainment as older children do.
Handy Trash Bag: to take trash that you might make or anything you can find on your way it’s a useful item to have everywhere with you. We can recommend dog poop bags, as they are pretty small and there are plenty of biodegradable options.

Health and Safety

First Aid Kit: Especially travelling with older and more active children, it’s useful to have something to disinfect cuts or ease the bruises.
Check Local Customs: Before you go, research cultural norms regarding children and parenting. For example, in some places, there may be restrictions on breastfeeding in public or certain facilities like restaurants may have rules about bringing in young children. Knowing these ahead of time will help you navigate the local environment respectfully.
Drink Water and Stay Safe: While in Europe generally it’s safe to drink tap water, you should always check before filling up your water bottle. You can also invest in a water bottle with a filter to make sure that you and your family won’t get sick.
Know Healthcare Options: Research local healthcare facilities and emergency services at your destination. It’s important to know where the nearest clinic or hospital is, just in case. Make sure your travel insurance covers your child and includes medical needs that could arise during the trip.

Ethical Travel

Respect Local Cultures: When travelling to new places, it’s important to be mindful of the local customs and traditions. Teach your child to respect different ways of life, from food and dress to religious practices. This not only enriches your travel experience but also fosters a sense of global respect and understanding in your child.
Support Local Communities: Choose to support local businesses by eating at locally-owned restaurants, shopping at markets, and staying in accommodations run by locals. This helps sustain the local economy and ensures that your travel has a positive impact on the community.
Be a Conscious Tourist: Always remember to leave places as you found them—or better. Avoid littering, be mindful of wildlife, and minimise your use of resources like water and electricity. This teaches your child the importance of preserving the beauty and integrity of the places you visit.

Taking it to the next level

Here are our tips on how to make sure that any journey you embark on, no matter if it’s to visit family and friends in the next city or to go across the world, for a day, a week, a month or even longer, has a low impact on the environment. Travelling is a beautiful way to discover the world around, especially with the child, however we need to make sure to do it in a right way and teach our children on how to travel sustainably. Some of this was already mentioned before, but let us sum it up:

1. Minimise Waste

Pack Reusable Items: Bring your own reusable water bottles, snack containers, and shopping bags. This reduces the need for single-use plastics, which are a major source of pollution. Collapsible silicone containers are great for saving space in your luggage.
Avoid Over-Packaging: When buying snacks or meals, choose options with minimal or no packaging. You can also pack snacks in reusable bags before leaving home. This way, you can avoid unnecessary waste and still have healthy options on hand for your child.
Have a Trash Bag with you: Leave any place you visit better and cleaner, than you found it. You see trash - just pick it up, even if you didn’t leave it there. Set an example for your kids and other travellers.

2. Conserve Energy

Unplug Before You Leave: Before you head out, unplug appliances at home to reduce energy consumption while you’re away. It’s a small step that can make a big difference.
Choose Green Accommodations: When booking places to stay, look for accommodations that participate in sustainable tourism programs, use renewable energy, offer recycling programs, or have energy-saving practices in place. Simple actions like turning off lights and air conditioning when you leave the room also help conserve energy.

3. Travel Light

Pack Smart: The lighter you pack, the less fuel your mode of transport will use. Stick to the essentials and choose versatile clothing items that can be mixed and matched. This also makes your travel experience easier, especially when you’re navigating airports or public transport with kids.
Use Multi-Use Products: Bring items that can serve multiple purposes, like a sarong that can be used as a blanket, a sunshade, or even a towel. This reduces the need to pack extra things and saves space.

4. Support Local Economies

Shop Locally: When you buy souvenirs, choose real locally-made products rather than mass-produced items. This supports artisans and small businesses in the area. Plus, locally-made goods often have a unique charm that mass-produced items lack.
Eat at Local Restaurants: Opt for meals at locally-owned restaurants or markets. Not only does this reduce your food’s carbon footprint by cutting down on transportation, but it also gives you and your family a more authentic taste of the local culture.

5. Educate and Involve Your Kids

Teach Sustainable Practices: Involve your child in eco-friendly practices, like sorting recyclables, collecting trash or turning off lights. Explain why these actions are important in a simple, age-appropriate way. This helps them understand the value of caring for the environment from a young age.
Make it Fun: Turn eco-friendly practices into a game. For example, challenge your child to find certain plants or trees during a nature walk or see who can collect the most trash during a beach cleanup. Making sustainability fun encourages your child to engage with it more.

6. Travel Off-Peak

Avoid Crowds: As long as you’re not limited with school holidays, travelling during off-peak times reduces your environmental impact by lowering the strain on resources at popular destinations. It also means you can enjoy a more relaxed experience with fewer crowds, which is often easier with young children.
Stay Longer in One Place: Instead of hopping from one location to another, consider staying longer in one place. This reduces the carbon footprint associated with frequent travel and gives your family time to fully explore and appreciate your destination.

7. Choose Green Activities

Opt for Nature-Based Activities: Spend time in natural surroundings, like parks, nature reserves, or beaches. These activities are often low-impact and provide a great way for your child to connect with the environment. Simple pleasures like hiking, bird-watching, or picnicking are not only eco-friendly but also offer great family bonding time.
Say No to Wildlife Exploitation: Avoid attractions that exploit animals, such as elephant rides or dolphin shows. Instead, visit ethical wildlife sanctuaries or observe animals in their natural habitats from a respectful distance.

It’s always a bit heartbreaking to see parents who feel they have to give up traveling because they have a baby. We won’t sugarcoat it—traveling with a little one is different. It can be especially challenging with a toddler or preschooler who has their own needs and expectations. But it’s also a beautiful opportunity to embrace slow travel.

Being in a foreign place with your child opens doors to deeper connections with the local community. When you travel with a baby, people are often more open and eager to connect, breaking down barriers that might otherwise exist. You’ll find that staying longer allows you to immerse yourself in the culture and forge meaningful relationships with those around you.

And it’s not just about connecting with people. It’s about forming a deeper bond with nature in all its different shapes, sizes, and shades of green. Every time you step out of your home—whether it’s your hometown or your home country—you’re giving yourself and your child the chance to grow and see the world from a new perspective.

So, pack your bags, take a deep breath, and set out on your next adventure with confidence and a commitment to sustainable travel. Wherever your journey takes you, know that you’re making a positive impact and inspiring the next generation of thoughtful travellers. Safe travels!

Why Travelling with a Baby is Easier (and Greener) Than You Think