Traveling overseas with a baby

9 Tips For International Travel with an Infant

Thinking about going on a vacation overseas with a young baby? Your friends and family will say, “You’re crazy.” We say, “Go for it!” International travel with an infant isn’t easy, but it’s simpler than you think. Although your little one won’t remember the experience, you’ll always treasure your memories of baby’s first trip.

Get a quote for the OneTrip Prime travel insurance plan, which can cover children 17 and under for free when traveling with a parent or grandparent.

1. Travel before your baby becomes mobile.

Many new parents think they should wait nine or even 12 months before going on a big trip. But traveling with a squirming, crawling baby, or a toddler, is much more challenging than with a babe in arms. At three to six months, your baby is less fragile than a newborn, but is still easy to wrangle and sleeps a lot. Plus, airline seats are free for infants in laps.

2. Consult your pediatrician before planning a big trip with your baby.

Your doctor can advise you if your baby’s old enough and well enough to travel, and if any extra vaccinations are suggested. Your doctor can also offer suggestions for keeping your baby healthy on the trip, including medications to pack. Don’t listen to well-meaning friends who advise dosing your baby with Benadryl or similar medicines to get them to sleep on the plane. In many cases, these medications make babies restless, instead of drowsy.

3. Get a travel insurance plan that covers children for free.

Chances are you’ve experienced that nightmare moment when your baby wakes up screaming at 2 a.m. with a 103-degree fever. Now imagine you’re in a hotel overseas when that happens. What should you do? Who do you call?

If you have travel insurance, you don’t have to panic. Call the Emergency Assistance hotline from anywhere in the world, and our multilingual experts will help you obtain emergency care, medication or whatever else you need. Emergency medical benefits and emergency transportation benefits can cover the cost of a medical evacuation or medical care if your little one experiences a covered medical emergency while you’re overseas. And last but not least, trip cancellation and trip interruption benefits can reimburse you for your non-refundable, pre-paid trip payments if you have to cancel or interrupt the trip for a covered reason.

Best of all, you don’t have to pay any extra to protect your little one. Both the OneTrip Prime Plan and the OneTrip Premier Plan cover children aged 17 and under for free when they're traveling with a parent or grandparent.

4. Choose a baby-friendly destination.

One of the hardest parts of traveling with an infant (or young children) is that insidious feeling that people are judging you. Are plane passengers annoyed by your baby’s babbles? Is his crying going to wake up the people in the hotel room next to yours? Avoid the stress by picking a destination where you know you’ll be welcomed.

Possibilities include resorts that advertise family-friendly amenities, like Club Med’s Baby Club Med with activities geared for infants. Key things to look for: vacation nannies, rooms with kitchenettes, baby pools, baby- and toddler-friendly food, and baby gear (like bathtubs and bottle warmers) provided on-site.

5. Don’t forget your baby’s passport and paperwork.

If you’re traveling internationally with your baby, she needs a passport. Make an appointment at your nearest passport acceptance center for a time when your baby will be calm and alert, because for the passport photo she must be looking at the camera with eyes open – and not screaming. Read the passport requirements for minors first.

Also, if you are traveling as a single parent, or with a grandchild, niece or nephew, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) strongly recommends carrying a notarized letter from the child's other parent(s) that gives permission to travel overseas with the child.¹ Other countries may require that you carry this letter, a birth certificate and/or proof of guardianship in order to gain entry.²

6. Pack more than you need.

When it comes to international travel with an infant, there’s no such thing as over-packing. If you think you’ll need 10 outfits, pack 15. Remember that basic baby items such as formula or diapers may not be available where you’re staying, or may be prohibitively expensive. The Transportation Security Administration will let you bring bottles on board, but read the guidelines for traveling with children first.

Now, you do have to set realistic expectations for the amount of gear you can carry — especially if you’re traveling solo. A simple baby wrap might be better than a bulky backpack carrier. And if you just can’t schlep the stroller, car seat and luggage, look into renting baby gear at your destination.

Read more: Packing Checklist for Flying With an Infant

7. Pack clothes and toiletries for

yourself in your carry-on.

True story: My husband and I took our 4-month-old on a short vacation to Rio Bueno, Jamaica. We made it through two flights, a long customs line and a bumpy bus ride, no problem. Then we arrived at the resort and made a beeline for the pool bar. Traveling with an infant’s not so hard! we thought, clinking our Red Stripes. Then, I looked down and saw a big, damp stain on my navy dress. Yep — I was the victim of an unnoticed diaper blowout.

Fortunately, I was able to dash to our hotel room for a quick change of clothes (me) and diaper (her). But what if I’d been on the plane, or otherwise in transit? Try to anticipate your possible needs as a parent, so you can avoid baby-caused disasters.

8. Defend your baby from germs — but don’t freak out.

The thought of your baby crawling around on an airport floor or touching a plane tray table probably makes you squirm. But that’s just what babies do — you can’t stop them! What you can do is carry appropriate defenses. Pack a blanket for floor playtime, wipe down hard surfaces on the plane, and wash baby’s hands as often as you can. In fact, one parent found hand-washing to be the magic distraction for an 11-hour international flight with a toddler: “He pumped the foamy soap, squealed with delight as he lathered up, rinsed and walked back. Walk, lather, rinse, walk back, repeat. ”

9. Ask for help.

A friend was traveling solo to England with her infant son when he got violently airsick on the plane. She felt awful, but the Virgin Atlantic flight attendants were as kind as could be. They helped her clean up her baby, get him the fluids he needed, and even arranged for assistance with her luggage when she landed.

Now, you can’t expect flight attendants to solve all your problems when you’re taking a long international flight with baby. “We do not have diapers, wipes or extra clothes on the plane,” writes flight attendant Leisha Poage. “The best we can do as flight attendants is to provide you with trash bags for the dirty clothes.”³ Nor can you expect them to hold your baby, serve baby food or have special snacks. But flight attendants, gate agents and hotel staff will do their best to help in a pinch — you just have to ask. You’ll be surprised by how gracious most people are when they see you’re traveling with a baby.

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12 tips on how to travel internationally with a baby

Traveling with an infant is already an adventure -- and traveling abroad with one is an even bigger feat to tackle.

Knowing the rules, researching and prepping ahead of time and packing the right things can make (or break) your first international trip with a baby. If you're in the know, you can take advantage of all the options afforded to traveling families, from bassinets on the plane and security shortcuts to special infant fares and other perks.

Covering everything from booking and documents to travel insurance and even jet lag, this guide provides everything you need to prepare for an international trip with your baby.

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Get your baby's passport

Before you get too far into planning a trip abroad, you'll need to get your baby's first passport.

While you're at it, make sure everyone else in the family has a valid passport, too. Remember, U.S. passports for children under 16 expire after five years, not 10 years like adult passports. Also, make sure everyone's passport isn't nearing expiration. Many countries require three or six months of validity to enter, which effectively means that child passports are really only valid for 4 1/2 years, which go quickly.

Once your baby gets their passport, it's valid for five years. (Photo by goodmoments/Getty Images)

When getting a passport for your baby, here are the main steps to follow:

Get their birth certificate.
Find out where to apply.
Make an appointment. You'll need to go in person and bring your baby with you.
Take their passport photo. It can be difficult to get a photo of your baby. Rules for photos state that the child/baby should be looking directly at the camera with a natural smile or neutral look. If you can manage to get the baby's eyes to stay open, that's typically enough for their first passport photo. The background should be white and the size 2 by 2 inches with no filters. Within that size, your baby/child's head needs to be 1 to 1 3/8 inches (25 to 35 mm) from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head. If you're struggling to get everything just right, the ItsEasy App can help you crop and size your photo to the correct dimensions.
Gather the paperwork. Fill out Form DS-11 and take your baby's birth certificate plus photocopies of each document. Bring a couple of photos, a valid ID for each parent, a photocopy of parental IDs and the fee (you can pay by check). Fees are currently $100 for the passport and $35 for processing.
Attend the appointment in person with both parents present. If only one parent can go, fill out and bring parental consent form DS-3053 plus a copy.

Get your baby Global Entry

If you already have Global Entry, you won't be able to use the service as a family if your little ones don't have it. So, get a start on your baby's application. Or, if this is something your whole family wants to do, apply simultaneously, making expiration dates and renewals easier to complete for everyone at the same time.

Do note that with TSA PreCheck, kids 12 and under won't need to have their own number to accompany parents through these special security lanes -- but that's not true for Global Entry, which you use to return to the U.S.

Check with your doctor

Check with your pediatrician to see when your baby can start flying.

To give you an idea, TPG talked to Dr. Jenny Yu, medical director at Healthline, to find out when it's typically safe for babies to travel. “While babies typically develop their immune system around 1 month, most pediatricians would recommend waiting until 3 to 6 months for travel,” she said. For premature babies, it might be a little longer.

Also, with international travel, it's important to factor in any additional vaccines they might need, especially if you're traveling to emerging countries. Start by checking with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for recommendations on which vaccines both adults and babies should get, then talk with your pediatrician to see what is best for your family, baby and travel situation.

Other important questions to ask your doctor should be if your baby can wear sunblock or mosquito repellent and how to keep your baby and your whole family safe from tropical or waterborne diseases, COVID-19 and any other possible infections, which can depend highly on your destination.

Pick the right destination

(Photo by Mayte Torres/Getty Images)

Whether it's a far-flung visit to Asia, a trip to visit family in Europe, a Caribbean escape or an African safari, you can travel anywhere with a baby as long as you and your family feel comfortable doing so. Choose a destination that makes you feel joy, not anxiety or stress at the thought of getting there and enjoying it with your baby.

Consider things like the activities you want to do, and if the destination is a place that feels welcoming for families. Also think about logistics, like the language barrier, climate and local transportation, when deciding if that particular destination is right for your family.

Book tickets

Depending on how old your baby is, you have some options when flying abroad with them. Here are a few to consider:

Lap infant: If your baby is under 2 years old, they don't need their own seat. They can instead sit on the lap of a ticketed adult. For international travel, some airlines charge 10% to 30% of the adult ticket price or just the taxes and fees for a lap infant, and some airlines don't charge anything at all. This table shows the costs by airline to buy your baby a lap ticket. Make sure to check on luggage policies when traveling with a lap infant. Most airlines allow for a stroller and car seat checked free of charge. You may also be able to check or carry on additional baggage, too, but more on that later.
Bassinet for lap infant: Many airlines have bassinet options, especially aboard larger aircraft that fly internationally. See if you can select this option while booking or call the airline for more information on securing a bassinet. Bassinets are usually free, but given to those who request them first. Ask for one right after booking to ensure you'll be assigned a seat with one when available. In most cases, bassinet weight limits max out at 20 to 24 pounds, so they're best for smaller babies and newborns.
Extra seat with car seat or restraint for babies 2 years and up: If your baby is older than 2 years, you must pay for their seat. Many airlines have discounted tickets for children. If the child weighs more than 44 pounds, they won't need any additional restraint system within their own seat. If they weigh less than 44 pounds, see the information on a certified child restraint or car seat below.
Additional seat with car seat or restraint for babies under 2: If your baby is less than 2 years old, you can still book them their own seat. In fact, the Federal Aviation Administration suggests that children under 44 pounds wear an FAA-approved harness (such as the CARES harness) or certified child restraint to help keep them safe during turbulence, takeoff and landing. Make sure to check your car seat to see if there is an FAA-approved sticker on it.

It's worth noting that car seat, bassinet and harness options and policies vary wildly by airline and class of service. For more information on these policies by airline, read this article on 23 airline car seat and bassinet policies around the world.

Note that when booking seats for your family on an international flight, there are areas where kids and babies are not allowed to sit, like exit rows. Malaysia Airlines doesn't allow babies in its first-class cabins on A380 and 747 aircraft. Some international airlines such as AirAsia, Scoot and IndiGo also have kid-free and quiet zones where families with babies and children under a certain age (usually 10 or 12) aren't allowed to sit.

Additionally, if your baby is closer to 2 years old, you might want to compare the price of a lap ticket to the price of getting them their own seat. Sometimes, the price difference may not be that much, and it could make the flight more comfortable for the entire family.

Organize documents, including visas and COVID-19 forms

Passports aren't the only documents you'll need for international travel these days. Check to see if you and your baby need a visa to enter whatever country you're visiting. If you're traveling without your partner, look into completing a Child Consent Form.

Have proof of vaccines, complete any health forms and entry forms and take those COVID-19 tests if required to enter the country. Be clear on if your baby or children need to wear masks during the flight and plan accordingly. While babies 2 and up need to wear masks on board U.S. airlines, international airlines have different rules. For example, Iberia only requires children 6 and up to wear masks. Presently, British Airways has made masking up for all passengers a "personal choice" when not required by international law. We expect these rules to continue to rapidly evolve.

It's worth checking what documents you need for the trip when booking and again before traveling to ensure that you have everything you need as rules and regulations frequently change, especially in this era of pandemic travel.

Understand luggage rules

Check luggage requirements before packing and flying. (Photo by freemixer/Getty Images)

Different airlines have varying rules for how much luggage you can take when traveling abroad, especially when traveling with lap infants or children/babies occupying their own seats. Most airlines allow you to check a stroller and/or car seat. Many also offer additional checked luggage, as well as a carry-on bag or item for the baby.

For example, British Airways allows both lap infants and children ages 2 and up to have a carry-on item and a checked bag in most cases, giving parents a little flexibility when bringing along all those key items babies need. Cathay Pacific allows lap infants two additional bags at 10 kilograms each when flying between most destinations.

If you aren't clear on the luggage rules, call the airline before traveling to confirm so you won't get stuck with any surprises or have to pay additional fees.

Know the rules for breast milk and formula

Thanks to the Friendly Airports for Mothers Improvement Act, all large- and medium-size airports in the U.S. now provide lockable, non-bathroom places to pump or nurse babies in every terminal and at least one men's and one women's restroom with changing tables in each terminal. This may not be the case abroad, so if you're concerned, research your destination airport to see what options are provided when it comes to these services.

You shouldn't have any issues flying with breast milk or formula on your outbound trip from the U.S., as regular Transportation Security Administration liquid regulations don't apply to these special liquids. According to the TSA, "reasonable quantities" of these liquids are allowed, but you must take them out during screening for the security officer to test.

You can look up rules to see what's allowed when returning from your destination. For example, the United Kingdom allows breast milk past security in containers up to 2,000 milliliters. You can also take formula, milk and bottled water for the baby, but the baby must be present. In the European Union, you can take breast milk and formula through security and when flying as long as your baby is traveling with you.

Your airline may also provide clarity on these types of rules. Cathay Pacific, for example, states that breastfeeding is allowed during all phases of the flight, using an electric pump is allowed once electric devices can be switched on and travelers can even bring along suitably packed dry ice to refrigerate expressed milk, assuming it's declared during check-in.

According to some airlines, if you're taking a large breast pump along, this may count as a medical device and not be part of your carry-on allowance, but these regulations often aren't very clear. Contact your airline for more information and print out the rules in case you have any issues during security screening or boarding.

If you're traveling from a very obscure destination within an emerging country and you can't find answers about bringing breast milk, it may be best to have a Plan B in place, such as bringing along enough formula in powder form to last you for the flight or planning to pump or breastfeed in flight.

Should you want to ship your breast milk abroad, options are available for you depending on your destination, such as Maven Milk and Milk Stork.

Book accommodations

When booking accommodations in your destination abroad, take things into account like baby necessities, baby-friendly items, the option to do laundry and the availability to heat, cool and store milk and formula. Choosing a vacation rental instead of a hotel may be the right idea if you need more space, a kitchen and laundry facilities.

If your baby is eating solid foods, make sure there are restaurants or supermarkets nearby where you can get exactly what you need. Doing a little pre-trip research can help you feel confident and comfortable when traveling with your baby regardless of which hotel or home rental you choose to stay in.

Pack strategically

Packing with a baby can seem precarious, but it doesn't have to be. Just make sure you have enough of everything you need to get through the flight, plus a bit extra in case of delays or cancellations. For an exact list of everything you need to pack, see this article on how to pack -- and prepare -- for travel with a baby.

For extra-long flights, try to have everything to help your baby comfortably nap on hand, like a lovey, blanket, pacifier and more. Have changes of clothes on hand for the whole family in case of a messy situation, and enough layers for a plane that may be hot or chilly. A baby carrier can be key, too.

When packing for a trip abroad, the most important items to remember are everyone's passport, visa and key documents, plus anything essential that you know you can't get in another country. Babies live all over the world, so you can easily get items like diapers, wipes, formula and more anywhere. However, you may not find the exact brand you want, or if you're going somewhere rural or far-flung, like on a safari in Africa, you may want to bring enough for your entire trip.

For example, Enfamil, a popular baby formula brand, is found all over Europe and even in the Caribbean and Latin America. However, it may not be available in Africa or Asia, so do your homework.

If you're traveling with items that need to plug in to charge, like a breast pump, baby monitor or nightlight, bring converters if necessary. You can always rent baby items abroad, too, rather than lugging everything along with you. It's possible to preorder diapers and wipes in many destinations, as well.

Strongly consider travel insurance

Things happen. While getting the flu abroad may not be a big deal for an adult, a sick baby can be scary and stressful, especially if you're in a foreign country. Having travel insurance that covers accidents and emergencies -- and COVID-19, too -- can set your mind at ease and save the day if something happens.

Before travel, note where the nearest hospital or health care facilities are, as well as any international hospitals where staff may be more likely to speak English. Know exactly how to use your insurance, like what numbers to call or what to do if a situation arises. Check if any of your credit cards have travel insurance that may cover you and your family if things go awry.

Plan for jet lag

Jet lag is never fun, but there are ways to lessen its effects. (Photo by Jose Luis Pelaez Inc/Getty Images)

Jet lag stinks. Jet lag with a baby might be even worse. There are things you can do to make jet lag a little less stressful, though, especially when traveling abroad to very different time zones.

First, give yourselves a few days to adjust, planning big events later in the trip. Limit your baby's naps when possible. If your baby takes a five-hour nap, they definitely won't be sleeping through the night.

Shift mealtimes, naptimes and bedtimes to the new time zone as quickly as possible, getting daylight during the day and darkness at night, so internal clocks begin to adjust for the whole family. If the time zone difference is small, you may want to keep your baby on the original time zone to minimize disruption, especially for a shorter trip.

For more tips on combating jet lag with a baby in tow, read this guide on surviving jet lag with your baby.

Bottom line

Planning and taking an international trip with a baby can be simple and create memories for a lifetime if you prepare just right. With a little bit of extra research, you'll be armed with everything you need to know, do and bring to make your trip abroad smooth and hassle-free.

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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Learn how to find your child's whereabouts with the My Find app. This is especially important when you travel to an unfamiliar place.

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Contents

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COVID-19 requirements for travelers to and from other countries.

Let's start with this, as the coronavirus continues to affect the situation with the opening of borders. When planning a vacation, make sure that the destination country is ready to receive travelers.

Egypt, Turkey, Thailand, Maldives, Dominican Republic are among the most popular beach destinations abroad among Russians. At the end of 2022, tourists, as a rule, no longer require a certificate of vaccination against COVID-19or PCR test. Among such countries are Turkey, Egypt, Thailand.

A list of eligible countries can be found on the website of the Federal Tourism Agency. In addition, tour operators publish up-to-date information.

Please note: from October 1, 2022, unvaccinated Russian citizens who return from abroad will no longer need to take a coronavirus test.

Traveling abroad with a child with both parents

If a child goes on vacation abroad with mom and dad, only passports are needed. But at the border they may require papers confirming kinship or guardianship. Just in case, take with you a birth or guardianship certificate, a marriage certificate or a change of surname if it is different with your child. nine0003

Traveling with a child abroad with one of the parents

A notarized consent from the second parent is not required for the child to travel abroad, it does not matter if the spouses are married or divorced.

Consent may be required to apply for a visa, mainly for Schengen. You can check this point on the website of the consulate of the country of destination.

To travel with a child, the following documents are required:

the child's international passport;
proof of relationship/guardianship:
- birth certificate;
- certificate of guardianship;
if the surnames do not match - a certificate of marriage or a change of surname.

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Prohibition on traveling abroad for a child by one of the parents

Each parent has the right to issue a ban on taking a child abroad by submitting an application to the FMS. Together with the application, a passport, a birth certificate of the child and a document of his citizenship are provided. Consideration of such applications takes two business days. After that, the information is transferred to the database of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the border service. nine0003

You can set a single border crossing ban or specify specific countries. In addition, the period of validity of the ban is indicated.

Only the person who gave it can lift the travel ban, and it can only be challenged through the courts. Therefore, if you are divorced, be sure to check before the trip if there is a ban on leaving the child, otherwise they will not let him through at the border.

You can find out if your child has a valid travel ban at the department of the Federal Migration Service at the place of residence or through a written request to the department. nine0003

Traveling with a child abroad with an adult, but not with a parent (guardian)

A child can go on vacation with a grandparent, aunt or uncle, older brother or sister, coach or other accompanying person. This trip requires consent from one parent.

This document specifies with whom, where and for how long the child is traveling. They issue consent for a specific trip or a certain period and notarize it.

But even if you have all the necessary documents, the border guards may ask the child with whom and where he is going, the names of his father, mother, grandmother, etc. Warn the child about this so that he does not get confused and does not refuse to answer. nine0003

Child traveling abroad unaccompanied by adults

In such a case, the rules of the Ministry of Transport apply:

children under 2 years old, as well as disabled children under 12 years old, can travel abroad only accompanied by an adult;
from 2 to 12 years old - accompanied by an adult or under the supervision of a carrier. The observation service is provided by airlines for a fee, for example, in Aeroflot it costs 85 EUR. Issue it when buying a ticket. You need to write an application and attach scans of documents - their list is indicated on the airline's website. The conditions for the provision of the service are also spelled out there, including age restrictions: some carriers do not provide an accompanying child under 5 years old; nine0003
from the age of 12 - the child can travel independently if there is no travel ban from parents or guardians. When traveling abroad without a mother or father, the child will need a notarized permission from only one of the parents. Required documents:
- international passport of the child;
- consent from one of the parents, provided there is no prohibition from the second. The consent must be translated into the language of the country where the child is going, or into English, notarized and affixed an apostille - a stamp confirming the legal force of the document. Some countries may require consent from the other parent as well. Check with the consulate of the destination country in advance. nine0037

Summary: what you need to do to go on holiday with a child abroad

If applicable, check with the FMS if there is a ban on the child traveling abroad from the second parent.
Get a notarized consent if the child goes on vacation without parents.
Take your birth certificate with you, and if your surname has changed and does not match the child's surname, also a document confirming the change of surname.

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How to plan a trip with a small child

Don't give up traveling while on parental leave. Many mothers and fathers, going on vacation, take even three-month-old babies with them. And sometimes parents don’t know how to competently prepare for a trip with small children, so we decided to fill this gap.

Many airlines give discounts on tickets for children under 2 years of age or carry them for free without providing a separate seat. And many hotels offer a special infant rate for children under 2 years old. Hotels also offer certain benefits for small clients. nine0003

Passport

Traveling abroad requires a passport. It is a must have even for a small traveler. Children's passports are no different from those issued to adults. Parents themselves decide whether to issue an old document for their child, valid for 5 years, or a new one with a validity period of 10 years. One caveat should be taken into account: a child under one year old in the photograph is very different from its image at an older age. No one will force parents to change the document, but when crossing the border, unforeseen difficulties are quite possible. Therefore, sometimes it is better to change the document in order to get into foreign territory without problems. nine0003

Parents can enter their children in their old-style passports (this cannot be done with new biometrics) and not draw up a document for the child. But one must be prepared for a number of limitations. So, no one else will be able to accompany a child abroad - neither grandmothers, nor other relatives, nor acquaintances. There is another difficulty - a number of states will not allow a child to enter their territory if he does not have his own passport.

Documents

1. Traveling abroad with a child with both parents

2. Departure with a child abroad with one of the parents

A notarized consent from the second parent for the child to travel abroad is not required, it does not matter if the spouses are married or divorced. nine0190 Consent may be required to apply for a visa, mainly for Schengen. You can clarify this point when booking the tour.
To travel with a child, the following documents are required:

the child's international passport;
document confirming kinship/guardianship:
birth certificate;
certificate of guardianship;
if the surnames do not match - a certificate of marriage or a change of surname.

3. Prohibition to travel abroad for a child by one of the parents

Since 2019, each parent has the right to issue a ban on the export of a child abroad by submitting an application to the Federal Migration Service. Together with the application, they provide a passport, a birth certificate of the child and a document of his citizenship. The application is considered within five days, after which the information is transferred to the database of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the border service.
Only the person who gave it can lift the travel ban, and it can only be challenged through the courts. Therefore, if you are divorced, be sure to check before the trip if there is a ban on leaving the child, otherwise they will not let him through at the border. nine0190 You can find out if there is a valid travel ban for your child at the FMS department at the place of residence or through a written request to the department.

4. Traveling with a child abroad with an adult, but not with a parent (guardian)

A child can go on vacation with a grandparent, aunt or uncle, older brother or sister, coach or other accompanying person. This trip requires consent from one parent.
Such a document determines with whom, where and for how long the child is traveling. They issue consent for a specific trip or a certain period and notarize it. nine0190 But even if you have all the necessary documents, the border guards may ask the child with whom and where he is going, the names of his father, mother, grandmother, etc. Warn the child about this so that he does not get confused and does not refuse to answer.

5. Traveling a child abroad without an adult

In this case, the rules of the Ministry of Transport apply: nine0037

from 2 to 12 years old - accompanied by an adult or under the supervision of a carrier. The observation service is provided by airlines for a fee, for example, in Aeroflot it costs 60 EUR. Issue it when buying a ticket. You need to write an application and attach scans of documents - their list is indicated on the airline's website. The conditions for the provision of the service are also specified there, including age restrictions: some carriers do not provide an accompanying child under 5 years old;
international passport of the child;
consent from one of the parents, provided there is no prohibition from the second. The consent must be translated into the language of the country where the child is going, or into English, notarized and affixed an apostille - a stamp confirming the legal force of the document. Some countries may require consent from the other parent as well. Check this with the agency managers when booking. nine0037

Insurance

When purchasing a package tour for a trip abroad, a Russian must also receive insurance. A standard policy is also issued when traveling with a baby, but it is still better to issue an extended insurance policy package.

The standard package does not cover certain medical services. It must be borne in mind that the immune system of babies is not stable, so they may not tolerate climate change well. It’s better not to take risks and save money: having overpaid a little, you can purchase insurance with an extended package of services. nine0003

Many insurance companies sell more expensive policies for children under 6 years of age. Sometimes this difference reaches 30% or more. Insurers explain this by the fact that children get sick more often than adults when traveling.

Tickets

When buying tickets, you should ask what benefits a particular airline provides for babies. A number of carriers offer preferential rates - discounts on them reach up to 90%. And some companies transport small children for free, but do not provide a separate seat. nine0003

When purchasing a ticket on your own, you need to familiarize yourself with the rules of the selected airline in order to know exactly their conditions for working with passengers with babies.

It is not uncommon for a child to turn 2 years old during a trip. Some airlines will sell a reduced one-way ticket, and you already have to fly back at the full fare. Other carriers will sell discounted round trip tickets. And someone immediately forces you to pay in full.

Food and strollers

Baggage rules vary from airline to airline. This also applies to flights with children. But almost all carriers do not require payment for the carriage of a stroller-cane. It is allowed to take baby food on board, even in liquid form.

You can take the stroller on the plane and check it in as baggage right at the entrance, and get it back on the way back.