Everyone has heard the same terrible travel scenarios
about babies that cry for an entire flight while small
children run up and down the aisle repeatedly screaming,
"are we there yet?" at the top of their lungs. The
only thing worse than being subjected to this ruckus
is when it happens to be your little angel that's sending everyone scrambling for headphones and earplugs. Traveling with toddlers is no easy task, but with a bit of planning, forethought and creativity, you can ensure that getting
to your vacation destination will be as relaxing as the vacation itself.
For starters, it is important to consider all forms of transportation and decide which one best suites your
family, keeping both cost and comfort in mind. Airplanes
offer the fastest and most convenient form of travel.
The faster you get to your vacation spot the less
time there will be for your toddler to become bored
and restless. Some airlines offer a discounted fare for children under 2 and many airlines will allow your child
to sit on your lap for free. Although the latter option
may save you some money, you many end up sacrificing your sanity in the process. Toddlers are known to be
rambunctious and most do not tolerate being held for
any length of time. In their own seat they will have more space to move, play, color or be read to. Also, for takeoff, landing and in case of an emergency, your toddler will have their own seatbelt instead of being strapped with you into yours. Unfortunately very few airlines still offer parents with small children the option to pre-board their flight.
Trains have the most room for toddlers to move around in because the aisles are fairly wide and they can walk from car to car. On the other hand, tickets are often as, or more expensive than, plane fare and it usually takes days to reach a destination as opposed to hours. Trains do have another nice feature, at the front of each Amtrak car there is an area that can seat four people on two bench-like seats that face each other. There is quite a bit of area in between the benches where a toddler could actually stretch out and play.
Traveling by bus is generally not a good idea with a toddler, or any small children for that matter. The seats are often very cramped and offer limited leg and arm room and the aisles are narrow leaving no room for an antsy toddler to pace Buses stop at every station along the way to pick up more travelers and, like a train, it often takes days to get where you are going. Bus stations are often dirty and offer few options for food besides the vending machines after normal business hours. Bus fares are often cheaper than planes and trains, especially during Greyhound's "companion fare" season.
