Family Traveling Tips to Help Make Your Next Trip More Fuss-Free!

Planning your next overseas trip! For families, these tips are a must-check before you get started on your festive plans

Image credit: Kate Trysh on Pexels

Traveling with your whole family doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right resources, you can make it an enjoyable adventure for everyone. Let us share our tried-and-true tips to help you plan your trips effortlessly – and before you know it, you’ll be a pro at organizing family getaways!

Decide Whether You’re Going DIY, Using a Travel Agency, or a Combination of Both

Image credit: Torsten Dettlaff on Pexels 

We probably have that friend who’s a research and planning fanatic who enjoys putting together an entire itinerary from scratch – not forgetting searching for the best deals. One obvious benefit of this approach is the flexibility to customise the vacation just the way you want it, to suit your preferred dates, activities, accommodation, budget and at a pace comfortable for the whole troop.

With increasingly more DIY travel apps and platforms, this may actually get easier for the planning fanatic. From Googling for tips to scouring TripAdvisor, here are some tools and website that might help make planning easier! 

• Google Sheets - Excel used to be our go-to for creating our itinerary but with Google sheets, multiple people can be involved in the planning at the same time.
• TripIt - a great vacation builder that helps organise important information, making it accessible to others and having it all organised in one App. 
• TripAdvisor - one of the best resource online for getting travel information. We use this for searching up reviews of places. For reviews, our tip is to rank by lowest to highest, and to see if you can accept the bad reviews. 

If you don’t have the time to sieve through all the research and construct your own itinerary, travel agents are still your trusted go-to resource. We personally find such services getting more sophisticated, to better cater to savvy and well-travelled individuals. Choose from all-inclusive packages with flights, lodging, meals and activities all in – the only thing you have to put up with is probably the fixed timings.

If neither appeals to you, how about a combination of both approaches? Formulate a basic structure of what suits your needs and preferences, and let websites do their thing finding you your best accommodation or activity. Find out if your travel agent offers bespoke travel itineraries – with your wants as a guideline. Or book local day tours in your destination. 

List of Travel Agencies to Choose From

If you’re considering a travel agency, here are the top family-friendly picks and possibly among the most established in Singapore!

• ASA Holidays: Their competitive prices for quality airlines and accommodation options are a huge draw. If cruises are your thing and you can spare a little more budget, check out their exclusive tours.

• Chan Brothers: We can’t exclude this established agency from our top faves, as quality is their expertise. If you are open to celebrity-hosted tours, or eyeing their customisable itineraries, check them out.
  
  
• Dynasty Travel: Having been around for decades, they have stayed atop the industry, with their website and even a mobile app offering ease of enquiry and booking. While their prices may be on the higher side, this is for families who prefer not to take chances and want everything to be well taken care of.
  
  
• EU Holidays: They are not called EU Holidays for no reason, Europe (and US) tours are their forte. Don’t worry if you are into Asian destinations as they have a EU Asia wing to cater for these markets.
  
  
• SA Tours: Known for their very reasonable prices and frequent promotions, we love their selection of destinations and packages, especially if you are heading to Europe.
  
  
• WTS Travel: If you are more inclined towards Southeast/Asian destinations, not only do they have a good offering, their tiered pricing offers something for various budgets. They have many branches island-wide which makes it easier for you to pop by one to make enquiries or reservations. 

For Those Who Love to Plan Their Own Adventures

If you prefer to book your own lodging and activities, here are some travel booking platforms to explore, like Airbnb, Klook, and more:

• Airbnb – What we love about this site is the sheer variety and volume of accommodation all over the world. Certainly help to read up reviews and chat with the hosts before confirming any booking or payment. Use their filters to narrow down your best options, such as specific amenities you need, or aim for the Superhosts who have earned their stars. They’ve also added experiences and activities to their suite of offerings.
  
  
• Club Med – With over 60 locations worldwide, this long-established chain will fulfil your desired vacation be it in the sun or snow. We love their kids’ club which has grown to become such an extensive programme for different age ranges, offering us parents irresistible discounts, and as they say – they make the “first unforgettable holiday” for the little ones! The adults get our fair share of fun and joy so no one gets left out.
  
  
• Klook - If your idea of piecing together an itinerary is to experience different activities and services, or you want to beat the queue and book admission tickets online, this must be one of the most used platforms. They even offer local SIM cards and transportation vouchers. 
  
  
• Pelago – A product by Singapore Airlines, no surprise that there are actually perks for Krisflyer members and SQ passengers. While the site looks like it’s pushing many things Singaporean, we love their AI-powered travel planner, all you have to do is to type your description – such as “5-day free & easy to Hokkaido with 2 kids under ten years old” - and let the site do its magic! 
  
  
• Trip.com – This is definitely a one-stop travel services provider that has pulled its own weight against similar platforms, making it a go-to resource for many travellers. We like how their offerings have expanded, beyond flights and hotels, to now include tours and attractions.
  
  
• Vrbo (formerly HomeAway) – Perhaps a lesser known site than other familiar ones, Vrbo is actually part of the Expedia Group and was launched in 1995 to now become a global holiday home community of travellers and homeowners. For research fanatics, guess more options is better than less.
  
  
• Villa Finder – Talking about options, here is another site that has an office right here in Singapore (and also in Bali), with a good selection of villas in 28 destinations around the world, including family favourites like Phuket, Bali, Japan, New Zealand and more. If you are looking for a nice space to house your family, their featured villas go through stringent selection and are child-friendly.

Optimise Resources on Hand

Take into consideration these other resources and aids which can help you make better informed decisions!

• Check Your Airline Miles and Credit Card Rewards and Points

We know airlines operate loyalty programmes and are part of bigger frequent flyer alliances, rewarding frequent travel with mileage that may shave costs off your next batch of air tickets. Check if your child’s mileage gets transferred to your account. And don’t forget if you are using a travel-friendly credit card that earns you mileage. Friendly reminder: make sure to use all your rewards and points before they expire! 

• Follow Family-Focused Travel or Social Groups

We assume you are already following us on BYKidO – did you know we have lists of exciting events to do that you can check out here. We are just starting out, but here's a list of itineraries available on BYKidO. 

• 6-Days Family Itinerary in Perth, Australia
• Family-friendly Guide to Visiting Hong Kong

Beyond BYKidO, do your research online. From travel sites to blogs and personal sharing, we have found many excellent tips online – firsthand from families with kiddos, who likely went through some trial and error, and learnt from mistakes. You can take full advantage of the advice and use the recommendations as a guide. 

Don't forget to also try search on social media platforms like Tiktok or Xiaohongshu too. 

• Don’t Stinge on Travel Insurance

This is really one service we can’t emphasise enough on. While it may work out to be hundreds of bucks for the whole family, you will know it’s money well spent when you need emergency assistance or encounter disruptions and inconveniences during your trip. If you travel frequently enough through the year as a family, consider if annual plans are more economical for you. 

Consider Age-Appropriate and Situational Measures

Here’s a checklist of other tips we find useful – some apply to more than one age group. 

•  Check In With Your Kid’s Pediatrician

We will be well prepared if our kids have known ailments such as allergies, but don’t forget to check at least two weeks before travel if any extra vaccinations may be recommended, in consideration of destinations and native requirements. We find disease control centres, official immigration websites and even airlines’ websites good sources of info and advisories. 

• Ask For a Bassinet

Check in advance if the airline you are flying with offers a bassinet on board, and the seats you need to reserve to utilise these spaces. Usually complimentary on full carriers and international flights, they are still subject to availability. Note that bassinets may not be used during taxi, takeoff or landing, or when the seatbelt sign is switched on. 

•  Pre-empt Changes in Air Pressure on Flights

While the impact of air pressure varies from individual to individual (even adults), this may cause more discomfort in babies who may not be able to “swallow or yawn” at whim for some relief. Sucking on a bottle or a pacifier for younger ones or sweets for older ones, may be ways that help! 

• Use the Right Travel Stroller

If you have babies or toddlers in tow, bringing along a stroller that is lightweight, easily foldable but sturdy enough for different terrains could be a huge relief. 

• Get Comfortable with Babywearing

Couple the use of a stroller with babywearing – which is wearing or carrying a baby in a sling or wrap – as there may be places or moments you need to keep your hands free yet your baby close to you. This would be a good alternative – and another view – for your kiddos when they make a fuss over being in the stroller or demands physical proximity to you.

•  Try Asking for Baby or Child Amenities

No guarantee that every hotel offers this but no harm asking right? Many child-friendly lodgings come equipped with small shower tubs, baby chairs, play pens and even milk bottle sanitizers. We saw and like this tip from an online forum – if viable, consider ordering your supplies online and deliver to your destination – so you don’t have to lug the whole load with you through air travel. 

• Keep Your Kid Entertained

Perhaps one of the biggest challenges for us parents? Prepare a “goodie bag” of sorts before a flight, for a long drive, or just play time in the hotel. Throw in stuff like mini snack packs, colouring books, puzzles, stickers – items that are not bulky (and aligned with flight requirements).

• Consider Dining Ware

There are options aplenty nowadays with silicone plates and bowls that have a good grip on surfaces and even collapsible, and accompanying utensils that are easy to clean and BPA-free. In a variety of colours and patterns, these tools could come in handy when your little ones are eating out. 

Download Your Final Prep  

Before you scoot off, consider securing your mobile data, a local SIM or eSIM. Be it to check the weather to plan your travel wardrobe or have a translation tool to facilitate ordering food or simply to keep your social media updated, check if you need some of these other apps on your smartphone for the locations you are heading to! 

Airalo, launched in 2019, is the world’s first eSIM store that gives you access to more than 200 countries and regions. Additionally, if you don’t already know, popular social media apps like Facebook, Instagram and Gmail are not accessible via Chinese networks - you will need to purchase a SIM card or eSIM that allows you to do so. You can check with your service provider, Airalo or check out the options available on Shopee (this is the card we used in China ourselves on our trip to Shanghai in 2024. Note that while it worked for us, you may still want to do your research around this option)

Also in consideration of cybersecurity concerns, there is an increasing interest in virtual private networks (VPN), which works as a secure channel for keeping your web traffic private, by modifying your IP address and concealing which location you are surfing the internet from. Some popular service providers that have emerged include SurfShark, NordVPN and ExpressVPN. 

Check out the list of tools you can use to make your travels easier!

Messaging 

Be it to stay connected with your spouse or liaise with onsite service providers, check what works in your destination. While we are used to Whatsapp in Singapore and it works in many other countries, it could be slightly different elsewhere. Below are the main messaging platforms in popular travel destinations for your reference. 

• Australia: Whatsapp
• China: WeChat
• Japan: LINE, Whatsapp
• Korea: Kakao Talk
• Malaysia: Whatsapp
• Taiwan: LINE, Whatsapp
• Thailand: LINE

Local Transport 

Image credit: Kenneth Paul on dreamstime.com 

If you are getting around on your own or just keen to experience the local transportation system, look for Uber- and Grab-equivalent, such as Didi Chuxing (滴滴出行) in China, Find Taxi (呼叫小黃) in Taiwan, GO Taxi in Japan, or get around on a bicycle, like YouBike in Taiwan. Here is the local transport you can consider using to wander around

• Australia: Uber
• China: Didi Chuxing (滴滴出行)
• Japan: GO Taxi
• Korea: Kakao Taxi
• Malaysia: Grab
• Taiwan: Uber, Find Taxi (呼叫小黃)
• Thailand: Grab

Payment 

Image credit: live.worldbank.org

Digital or cashless payment is the way to go in this age, just look at the variety of payment apps that work across regions, such as WeChat Pay (微信支付), LINE Pay, Apple Pay, etc. - find out if the apps in your smartphone already work in your destination. 

• Australia: Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay
• China: Alipay, Wechat Pay
• Japan: Paypay, LINE Pay
• Korea: Kakao Pay, Naver Pay
• Malaysia: Touch ‘n Go, Grab Pay
• Taiwan: Apple Pay, LINE Pay
• Thailand: True Money Wallet, Rabbit Line Pay

Remember to pre-install these and update them with your credit card details beforehand! Also, this list is not exhaustive, so remember to do your own research too! 

Navigation

If your plan includes some self-navigation and walking, you can’t leave Singapore without these guides. While Google Maps is the most used, Naver Map is the preferred in South Korea and in China, Baidu Map (百度地图).

• Australia: Google Maps, Waze
• China: Baidu Maps
• Japan: Google Maps
• Korea: Naver Maps, Kakao Maps
• Malaysia: Google Maps, Waze
• Taiwa: Google Maps
• Thailand: Google Maps

There you go – ready for the long-awaited family trip! And don’t forget to share your tried and tested tools and tips with our community when you are back.