10 Top Tips to survive flying with Children this Half Term with Help-Me-Park Meet and Greet

Your family holiday is booked and before long, you’ll be relaxing by the pool, or skiing down the slopes with children in tow. Unfortunately though, taking families on holiday with all the organisation associated in planning and travelling, can be stressful and often feels like a military exercise rather than the beginning of a relaxing break!

So, here are a few tips from Gatwick Airport Meet and Greet parking specialists, Help-Me-Park, on how you can limit the stress.

Before you travel:

• Book your plane seats in advance – scheduled airlines will always allocate you a seat, however, some charter and low cost airlines have a general boarding policy which means you have to fight for your seats. Help-Me-Park recommend either pre-selecting your seats and paying for that privilege, or flying with scheduled airlines. Schedule airlines may seem a little more expensive on the surface, but bear in mind that most offer free drinks and snacks on board and an allocated seat – well worth the extra pennies in our opinion!

• Book an airport hotel – take the stress out of getting up at the crack of dawn for that early flight, by staying close to the airport the night before. Stay with a hotel in the local area and leave your overnight bag with the concierge whilst away. Help-Me-Park operates Meet and Greet parking at the London Gatwick Hilton Hotel and The Felbridge Hotel and Spa.

• Book Meet and Greet parking – why bother with the inconvenience of driving yourself to the long term parking and then having to wait for a bus to return you to the terminal. Book Meet and Greet parking with Help-Me-Park and have the luxury of a valet driver returning your car directly to the terminal on your return!

• Check your passports – Passports and Visas are an easy oversight. Always check your passports are valid and that you have all the relevant visas required, particularly for children. Many countries will only allow you into the country if you have at least 6 months left on your passport after you return back to the UK. Better to have a last minute dash to a passport office for the renewal of a passport, rather than miss your entire holiday.

• Medical pack – make yourself an essential medical pack to cover all possibilities. Include paracetamol, painkillers for children, sea-sickness pills, plasters, arnica cream (to help with grazes and bruises) and aloe gel to guard against insect bites, sunburn and dry skin.

Making your way to the airport:

• Check with your airline before you leave - always check with your airline before you leave home to ensure your flight hasn’t been cancelled and that there are no new check-in procedures. A few minutes on the phone can save time and frustration at the airport, especially during peak periods.

• Check in on-line – some airlines permit you to check-in online the day before you fly. Take advantage of this facility and it will limit the time you’re stuck in the queue!

• Arrive early - make sure you plan a route and allow extra time for stops if you’re travelling with children. Better to be at the airport early and have a coffee in the departure lounge rather than a frantic last minute rush!

• Give your children their own backpack - Limit toys to one per bag but include a book, notepad & crayons to cover all eventualities.

• Drinks - remember that airport restrictions do not allow you to take your own liquids through security, so have some change available to buy drinks once you are through security.

Finally, and most importantly, remember that providing you have the family’s tickets, passports and money, anything else you may have forgotten can either be purchased at the airport or at your destination.