Travelling with three kids

[shewhocan]

We are going on a 3 week longhaul holiday with three kids (10 months, 5 and 3). I appreciate that this isn't everyone else's idea of fun, but we've been to the destination before, have family there and have travelled with a baby and with kids when we only had two. Originally GPs we're coming with us but they can't anymore as FIL is waiting for an Op.

What's really stressing me out is getting all our luggage to and from check in/ baggage carousel to car. We intend to pack minimally and in outfits and to hire baby stuff (cotetc) when we're out there, but we want to take our car seats. So this is what I think we'll end up with:

2 eldest DCs in double buggies, with two carry on bags
Me with one car seat in special bag on back and baby in a sling, pushing buggy with roll on
DH with a cart with three suitcases and car seats on his front and back

We know we won't get the buggy back until the baggage carousel on our destination, which should be fine.

Any thoughts ? Any easier way of doing this ? I'm quite fixated on taking car seats as we've shelled out for the next generation ones and I hear some nightmares about car hire ones.

I think the car seats is the layer of complication here you don’t need

Are you going somewhere you can buy inexpensive car seats when you get there? In the US/Canada you can pick up car seats in places like Walmart very cheaply and save carrying them. Also worth considering getting them delivered to your accommodation by Amazon. We did this in Canada: arranged a transfer from the airport with seats and had two cheap (but with valid safety certificates) seats waiting at our hotel when we arrived.

Also I highly recommend the holy grail: colour coded packing cubes so you can grab what you need for each family member without having to completely repack.

Hi op,
I've travelled long haul quite a bit with up to and including 4 children, all under 8 (ie oldest is now 7 and we've travelled throughout the 7 years) and always taken our car seats. It is a faff and a stress but if well planned should be OK.

Tbh if it's 3 hold cases you're suggesting, I think that's quite a lot. Last year we travelled long haul for similar time with 2 cases and that included a lot of gifts etc.
I've taken baby car seat and hooked it onto bulldog book on buggy handle. Like wise hands luggage case.
Could 5 year old not push buggy and a case etc sit in his /her spot?
Back pack instead of hand luggage case?
The secret, in my mind, is taking it slowly. We have been known to push 2 trollies pulled high with car seats and cars plus a buggy between 2 adults. It's OK if you do it slowly you will be fine. Plus lots of treats and rewards for kids! Also, ensure at least one change of clothes for each is in your hand luggage, plus tooth paste /toothbrush
And yes to outfit organised packing, makes such a difference to amount of clothes taken and times taken to dress kids in the morning!

Wow thanks so much for the quick responses.

I agree totally that it's the car seats that mess things up, but, I think I'd probably rather compromise on something else than give these up - we just feel safer with ones we know (and know how to fit). We also have a bit of a drive as soon as we get there.

Good point re taking it slow - we need to be so organised !

5 year old pushing is a possibility though she's only just be and it's a chunky double buggy - but she could walk and I could borrow the other seat.

What are the coloured packing cubes ? Never heard of these ? I was thinking ( for the kids anyway) if one outfit in a ziplock.

Hoping to get down to 2 suitcases but there are a couple of chunky baby items (milk and sleepyhead) that will eat up room.

Has anyone ever used vacuum packing ? How do you pack like that on the way home ?

Do you need to take milk? Can’t you just get that there?

Would powdered milk not be an option?
Risks with vacuum packing are,
A) you can't be sure you can do it for return journey
B) you can't be sure Airport security won't find a reason to make you unpack it

You can do better than 3 large suitcases! I challenge you to our one 65 litre rucksack for same size/age family!

What climate/part of the world are you heading to?

We were away for 9 weeks with family-stays mixed in. Washed clothes whenever staying with people and rewore clothes lots.
Do you mean a Ziplock bag for each outfit? That's a lot of bags! Id take enough for 4 days, plus a couple of spare tops/undies for older 2 (assuming still at food-spilling stage) and spare all in ones for baby.
Double buggy and sling combo was a godsend - 5 yr old could have a nap on long days.

Cut that bulk down and car seats will be less of a nightmare.

Packing cubes: www.amazon.co.uk/slp/travel-cubes/4etfrsptn6yt4hd

Vaccuum packing without a vaccuum

If you've got top of the range, expensive seats, I'd be reluctant to put them in the hold. You say you have family at the destination. Any chance of them buying a set of seats locally for you?

Most airports are sky porters, in the us it was $25 but it's so helpful. Baby carrier for little one, 3&5 year old walk, buggy on the trolley with other baggage to check in.