TRAVELLING WITH CHILDREN

Here are some tips to help you plan your family’s trip and assist in making your journey more comfortable.  Remember, planning carefully for your trip is likely to enhance the experience for the whole family.

BEFORE DEPARTURE

Passports and Visas for International Travel:

All family members, including infants, will require a passport when travelling internationally. Make sure passports and any necessary visas are valid for everyone travelling, both for the countries you will be visiting and for transit stops. Your airline, travel agent or the internet will be able to provide you with the relevant information.

Health Requirements:

Arrange to have all necessary inoculations well in advance of your departure date. Your local doctor is the best person to advise you in this area.

Medication:

If you or your children take any medication make sure you speak with your local doctor for advice. You may find individual airports and countries have their own special requirements which you must abide by, for example:

  • You may be permitted to carry medication for your child provided it has been prescribed by a doctor; however the medicine must display the pharmacist’s label and the name on the label must be identical to that on your child’s passport; or
  • You may also find that if you are carrying medications which contain sharps (i.e. for injections) or require refrigeration (i.e. ice bricks) you will need to have an accompanying letter from your child’s doctor.

You can also obtain information from the Australian Government’s Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government’s website. http://travelsecure.infrastructure.gov.au/international/lags/exemptions.aspx

Insurance:

It is highly recommended that you take out travel insurance for yourself and your family prior to travel. Travel insurance is designed to cover against personal, baggage and some cancellation risks. It will also protect against the high cost of emergency medical and hospital care overseas. Speak with your insurer for advice on your family’s needs.

Meals:

Some airlines have special child, toddler and baby meals available which can be requested at the time of reservation. When travelling with an infant or small child, you are permitted to carry sufficient food or liquid (milk or baby formula or boiled water for preparation) for your journey. Please note that government mandated restrictions are in place around the carriage of liquids, aerosols and gels. You are permitted to carry milk, formula and baby food that your child / children will need to consume for the duration of the flight.  When carrying baby formula or milk for infants, you are permitted to carry a small ice brick to keep the items cool. For details refer to the Australian Government’s Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government’s website. http://travelsecure.infrastructure.gov.au/international/lags/exemptions.aspx

Special Requirements:

Some airlines are able to offer assistance to the aircraft or offer strollers for use at the airport. You should contact your airline well in advance and check what assistance they are able to offer.

Packing:

It’s important to ensure you don’t over pack as you need to be mindful that you will be travelling with these bags throughout your trip.

  • Check with your airline to make sure you do not exceed their baggage restrictions. You should also make sure what your allowance is for each flight sector in your itinerary as baggage allowances may vary from flight to flight.
  • Prams/Strollers: Passengers should liaise with their airline regarding the carriage of prams or strollers on board the aircraft.
  • For families travelling overseas it is important to be aware of restrictions surrounding the transport of Liquids Aerosols and Gels (LAG’s) and prohibited items on board your carry on luggage. It is important to note there are some special exemptions for families.
  • When considering entertainment for small children, it is also important to remember that there are government mandated restrictions in place around weapons and dangerous goods which applies to toys and replicas.  For example, you should not pack any toy guns, swords or hammers as you will be asked to surrender these prior to passing through security. Click here for more details of prohibited items.
  • Take enough nappies to cover your time at the airport and the flight.

Getting there:
 
Get to the airport in good time. Airlines are best able to advise what is the recommended time for check-in. Remember to allow extra time for such things as car parking, traffic delays, road- works and be mindful of public holidays when the airport is likely to be particularly busy. Get a route plan before you leave so you are fully prepared and don't run the risk of getting lost. Following is information on getting to Sydney Airport and our terminal maps.

AT THE AIRPORT

  •  Trolleys are available on both the Departures and Arrivals area of all the terminals at Sydney Airport. Click here for information on locations at T1 and T2. Our trolley bays accept credit cards or gold coins. Please prepare if you are choosing to use gold coins as our facilities do not take notes. Never place your children on or encourage them to play with the trolleys as they are not designed for this purpose.
  • Assistance from the kerbside to check-in counters is not available unless agreed with your airline.
  • Flight Information Screens are available throughout our terminals advising important information on your flight such as locations of check-in counters, aircraft departure gate numbers and boarding times.
  • Gold Ambassador Volunteers are easily recognisable by their bright gold yellow jackets and are available to answer any question you may have. The Gold Ambassadors can be located throughout our terminals and at the following locations at T1 and T2.
  • Baby change rooms and parent facilities are located throughout our Terminals both before and after you pass the bag security screening points. Our facilities provide change tables, nursing areas, and each change room is fitted with a microwave oven for the convenient heating of food and formula.
  • Children’s play areas are available at our International Terminal before and after the bag security screening points.
  • Sydney Airport has a dedicated queue for families at all our bag security screening points. Make yourself known to security screening staff so they are able to assist with your bag screening. See more notes about security screening at Sydney Airport below.
  • If travelling with infants and young children, some airlines may invite you to board the aircraft before other passengers. Speak with your airlines’ staff at the departure gate to confirm if this is possible.
  • Make sure you allow plenty of time to arrive at the boarding gate. Your airline will advise your departure time and gate details.

Security Screening:

It is a requirement that our staff screen everyone, regardless of age including infants, at the security checkpoint. You should take your infants and children out of baby carriers and strollers and take them through the metal detector with you. The strollers and baby carriers are placed through the X-ray machine with your bags. To assist our staff, collapse your stroller in preparation for the x-ray machine and metal detectors. You will never be asked to be separated from your child or children.

If your child can walk without your assistance, we recommend that you and your child walk through the metal detector separately. If you are carrying your child through the metal detector and the alarm sounds, our Security Officer will have to screen both you and your child. You may not pass the child to another person behind you or in front of you during this process.

Our Security Officer may ask for your help screening your child.

Your easy to follow Airport Check list:

  1. Check Flight Information Screen for check-in counter details and proceed to check in
  2. Obtain your boarding pass and check in your luggage. If travelling overseas ensure you meet the LAG’s requirements.
  3. Go through airport security screening. Make yourself known to our bag security screening staff if you are having difficulties or need special assistance.
  4. Locate your gate. Make sure you keep checking our information screens just in case the gate details change.
  5. Enquire with staff at the Boarding gate about the possibility of pre-boarding
  6. Use Restrooms near your gate. Baby change rooms and parent’s rooms are provided throughout the terminals at Sydney Airport.
  7. Show children the plane and explain where they are going.
  8. Use our play areas if you have time to spare. Don’t forget to keep an eye on boarding times and gate lounge information. We have clocks in all our gate lounges and on all Flight Information Screens.

IN THE AIR 

This is general advice has been collated from various airlines. We recommend you contact your airline directly to confirm what they are able to offer.

  • During takeoff and landing you must nurse your baby. Your baby or young child may cry on take off and landing due to the brief 'popping' in their ears as cabin pressure adjusts to altitude. This is perfectly normal. By giving your baby a bottle or breastfeeding at this time, you will help to relieve the 'popping' sensation. For older children and for yourself, the 'popping' can be simply alleviated by chewing on a toffee or sweet. Inhalers may also help.
  • Bring your own supplies. You can find baby changing tables in selected washrooms on the aircraft. Use these facilities rather than change your baby at your seat. This is for your own comfort and that of fellow passengers. Washrooms are equipped with special disposal chutes for nappies. Nappies must not be disposed of in the aircraft toilets.
  • On long flights when there is time to sleep, change your small children into their pyjamas and settle them in their seat or on your lap. The more normal their routine, the more likely they are to sleep. It is often helpful to bring along a favourite bedtime toy for them to cuddle.
  • For safety reasons, children are not permitted to sleep on the floor of the aircraft. Ensure your child is safely in the seat without limbs or toys protruding into the aisle which is a busy thoroughfare and can be hazardous for children and unwary passengers.
  • Keeping a child entertained is a huge part of air travel, especially on long-haul trips. Pack a couple of your child's favourite games from home. Some airlines also offer children’s packs on board their flights. You may wish to ask the airline staff on board if these are available to you.

ON ARRIVAL 

Bathrooms, parent’s rooms and nursing facilities are located near baggage collection areas for your convenience.

Know how you are going to get to your final destination. Have a car booked, bus tickets pre-purchased, know exactly where you are going for the bus and taxi pickups. Useful transport information from Sydney Airport is available on our website.

MORE INFORMATION TO HELP YOU PLAN A FAMILY FRIENDLY FLIGHT