Single Parent Travel Tips for 2024
Looking for single parent travel tips?
Are you wondering how you can survive a trip alone with kids, or if you should even try?
Look no further. Travelling as a single parent is rewarding, challenging, something that may occasionally make you want to tear your hair out…. but also such a meaningful bonding experience, that makes memories that you will remember and cherish for a long time.
I was a single parent for 6 years. During that time, I went on trips with my daughter; often during the summers when I was off from my teaching job.
Many people thought I was crazy to want to take a 5 year old overseas by myself, but I felt I had no other choice.
I wanted to travel; my life was already hard enough to be honest, and I didn’t want to give up something that had brought me so much joy before becoming a parent.
Now that I have left my teaching position and have started a travel blog, I have more freedom to travel. I’m married, with a second child and we go on many family trips together. All my experience travelling alone as a single parent still comes in handy.
I want to help other single parents see that it’s possible to go on trips alone with your kids, and you don’t need to hold back from making these precious memories with them.
So, let’s dive in – single parent travel tips!
Best Places to Travel as a Single Parent
When brainstorming the best places to travel to as a single parent, look for places that are:
- family oriented – children are welcomed, and there are a variety of activities for all ages
- easy to get around – whether by foot or public transportation, it’s much easier to travel with kids when you don’t have to worry about how to get from A to B
These are very general criteria that can apply to many places. It really depends where you live, what your budget it, and how much time you want to spend away.
Italy, Ireland and Costa Rica are so far some of my favourite places for family travel. There are countless places in US and Canada that are very family-friendly too.
My Single-Parent Travelling Experience
I spent the first six years of my oldest daughter’s life as a single parent, and in that time, I saved and budgeted and went on several trips with her.
We spent two months in California when she was a baby, to visit family who lived near San Francisco. We spent a month in Italy when she was 5, using the train system to visit historical sites and ate way too much gelato and pasta. We also did a three-road trip through the rolling greens of Ireland when she was 3 years old.
We sailed on a Disney cruise, did the Beatles tour in Liverpool, England, and swam in the ocean in Cuba. I took countless flights, and stood in security lineups with her all by myself; often while she was on the verge of tantrum.
It wasn’t always easy, and it was rarely a relaxing vacation. But at this risk of sounding cheesy- those trips as a single parent with her are some of my favourite memories to look back on.
Tips for Travelling as a Single Parent
Here are some of the best tips for single travel tips I can offer after years of experience; countless flights, and different types of vacations. Following some of these tips should help you enjoy the trip as much as your kids
1. Consider tour companies that specialize in single-parent trips
You could go on any tour, but single-parent tours are designed with your needs as a single parent in mind.
- You have support
- You have the company of other adults and can connect with them
- The trips are designed to not put you in awkward situations that are difficult to manage without another parent. There is a lot of support on these trips.
Of course, these kinds of trips come at a cost, and aren’t the cheapest way to travel. When looking into them, you might find it doesn’t fit with tip # 2 on this list, budget. These trips are more of a luxury, and not exactly the cheapest way to travel.
Here are some great single-parent travel companies.
Single Parents on Holiday
Single parents on Holiday is UK-based and has been in operation since 2005. Most of their trips are in Europe.
We went on their Magredi farm trip in Northern Italy, and it was one of the most rewarding trips I’ve ever taken with kids. My 4-year-old made her own pasta dough from scratch, made her own jam, visited animals, and got to ride a tractor.
The farm, called Gelindo dei Magredi had a swimming pool, playground and a restaurant where we ate traditional Italian food – they even accommodated me as a vegetarian. The farm is also located an hour away from Venice.
While staying on the farm, we went on a day trip to Venice, and to Lake Barcis, a beautiful village in Northern Italy close to the Slovakian border. Having the company, and the other single parents for support, made our trip enjoyable, relaxing, fun and just overall an amazing memory to look back on.
It was a trip that my daughter and I still talk about to this day. I have not tried their other trips, but based on the organization, communication and quality of our Magredi trip, I would recommend this company.
Cotripper
Cotripper was founded by Krystin Hargrove, a single parent herself. It’s a smaller travel company, and focuses solely on single mothers.
When you sign up for their email list, you’ll get an email asking you about the age of your child(ren) – under 5, over 5, or both; your answer to that will be saved to your profile and customized which tours they advertise to you going forward.
Single Parents Who Travel
Single Parents Who Travel is a company that was created off of the Facebook group by the same name which started in 2013.
Today, in addition to being a virtual travel community for single parents, they also plan luxury, all-inclusive-themed trips to a different destination each year.
Other travel agencies that focus on single-parent travel
In addition to tour companies that focus solely on single parents, many travel agencies have tours you can book that are catered to single parents:
- Sunwing
- Intrepid Travel
- Transat
- Sell off Vacations
- Trafalgar
All of the above have packages created exclusively for single parents travelling with children.
2. Connect with other single parents
Travelling alone can be an isolating experience. You may not have others in your destination who you can rely on.
There are single parents in the destination you’re travelling to, and many single parents who also travel solo with their kids. Use the internet (bearing safety in mind of course) to connect with them. They may have stories, tips and inspiration.
Let’s say you want to plan a one-week trip to Nashville alone with your children – try searching for online groups devoted to the single parents of Nashville. There may be people there that would be able to provide insider advice, or maybe even meet up for playdates if everyone feels comfortable.
I’ve done this before, and having the adult company on my trips made it that much more enjoyable. Of course you want to be safe with this as well – single moms with their kids, especially can be the most vulnerable on a trip.
Another trick is to join Facebook groups dedicated to single parents who travel. I’ve seen people arrange to meet up or travel together in these groups, and provide advice to each other.
Make use of the internet and connect, connect, connect!
3. Walk yourself visually through the trip you’re planning
Unless you’re spending the entire time in an all-inclusive resort an hour away from your home, planning a trip single-handedly requires some thinking ahead, especially if there are kids involved. Without an extra set of hands, situations can be pretty tricky.
Walk yourself through all the little steps of your trip and just prepare yourself for the potential areas where you might struggle.
For example:
-how you’re going to avoid having to lug carry-on luggage and a toddler to the airport bathroom when you have to pee before check-in
– how you’re going to set up the tent by yourself while your two kids are running around
-how you will manage sitting through meals at a fancy resort with a fussy baby
-how you can use the restroom on an airplane with a baby or toddler who is sleeping
Some people, when considering these details, might sway away from the idea of doing this alone. Considering all these details isn’t meant to scare you away from the idea – you’d be doing it to prepare yourself for those little hassles, and have a solid backup plan to make life easier.
Want to go on a cruise, but want to find a way to squeeze in some adult time? Look for a cruise company that offers daycare.
Terrified of standing in long security lineups alone with a fussy toddler? Go prepared with snacks, activities and other ideas to distract them.
Concerned about being alone at the gate with a one-year-old and luggage at the gate, and then realizing that you need to do a diaper change or go to the bathroom? Back as light as possible for the carry-on, so that you can easily scoop everything up
Will those moments still be hard? Almost certainly. But you can make it much easier on yourself with the right preparation and planning. I think if everyone planned their trips as a single parent, the process of the more stressful moments would go so much smoother.
4. Don’t forget the legalities
This isn’t one of the most ‘fun’ tips, but its definitely something to keep in mind before embarking on a trip alone with your kids.
I’m not a lawyer, or able to legally advise you on what documentation you will need if travelling internationally with your children. This will depend on which country you reside in, as well as which country you’re visiting. Some aren’t strict at all, while others are very strict.
At many airports around the world, I was stopped in customs and asked for the appropriate documentations for bringing my child into that county. I was even asked when returning to my home country, Canada.
Here are some links to check out from different countries.
5. Make sure at least ONE of these boxes is checked off for you
As much as I can say that travel with kids is amazing and rewarding, and you’ll be glad you did it – the truth is that it can be very hard work, especially without someone else to rely on.
Its exhausting having to clean, cook, drive, dress the kids, and look after them all on your own – you know this, because you likely do it at home. On a trip to a new place, there’s the added stress of having to navigate the new environment, possibly a language barrier and customs you’re not used to at home.
Yes, it can all be rewarding and exciting, but it can also lead to the kind of trip where you feel like you need a ‘vacation from your vacation.’
I found I enjoyed my solo-parent trips more when at least one of these things was crossed off my plate:
- cleaning services
- meals cooked for you, or you’ll be eating out most meals
- your accommodation is conveniently located so you’re close to everything you want to do
- shuttles to activities so you don’t have to worry about car rental or driving
- some form of supervised childcare so you can get a break. Read my post on Vacations with Childcare
- engaging activities for your kids so that even if you’re watching them, they’re having fun (ie: beach and sand toys, or live entertainment)
- Prior to your trip, research the nearest hospital or clinic near where you’re staying. Hopefully, you won’t need this, but in the event that you do, knowing the process ahead of time can reduce the stress in that situation
Even if just one thing off of the list applies to your trip, then you will have an easier time looking after your littles and being present with them while you enjoy your trip with them.
Best Holiday Destination for Single Parent Families
The best holiday destinations for single parents depend on the parent; their comfort level, interests, finances and what kind of support system they have.
To find the best vacation destination for you and your kids, think about:
- your finances
- where you’re genuinely interested in going
- where you’re from, and how much time you have to travel
- the legalities – can you get the required documentation to bring your child to the country you’d like to visit?
If you’re a mom, one of my favourite places to ask for general advice about travel from like-minded moms is the MOMS (Girls Love Travel) Facebook group. Note that you need to first be a member of the original GLT (Girls Love Travel) group before you can request to join the mom one- but its worth it!
Looking for budget-friendly family travel ideas? Read my post on Family Travel on a Budget
Conclusion: Tips For Single Parent Travel
A trip alone with our kids can be very hard work, but with attention to planning, you can enjoy the trip too. From my experience, I can tell you that you won’t regret the trips, no matter how much other people say it’s not worth it if your kids don’t remember them.
Years later, my daughter and I still enjoy flipping through scrapbooks and photo books of exotic places I took her to when she was younger. She remembers dipping her feet into the ocean in Cuba, eating gelato in Italy, and the rolling greens of Ireland. Even the trips she doesn’t remember – I still remember them and in the moment, I know that they benefited her.