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Holidays

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Original poster

Waking children up at 1 am to go on flight

65 replies

CookiezndCream · 21/04/2024 07:08

Hi there
Really hope you can help.
I don't do holidays .... and I'm now going abroad on Sunday night.
My partner and his mum booked the plane times - flying at 6 am. Having to get up at 1 am to drive to the airport.

I'm already incredibly out of my comfort zone but this is pushing me over the edge. I did try to say not to book middle of the night flights but unfortunately its just worked out that way with cost / where we're going.

My youngest daughter is autistic and this is what I'm really worried about
Have you got any tips for me / her please?
I'm hoping she will sleep in the car on the way there but even pmxe we're at the airport it'll only be 2.30am . So not sure what we do then?!

I'm worrying so much!!
I know it's only one night but also she's only just started sleeping through about 6 months ago so I'm hoping this won't mess her routine up.

I know I'm probably overthinking but this is such a big thing for me as I don't really get out much!

Thank you in advance.

OP posts:

HappyEater · 21/04/2024 08:01

I don't do holidays

Are there more issues beyond your DC and the time?

Agree with others, stay at a hotel the night before. Some airlines will even let you check in and get rid of your luggage the night before

Shelinaa · 21/04/2024 08:02

You won’t be able to check in at 2.30, and you might find nothing in departures is open. It’s always going to be early, but your timings are crackers.

WatchOutMissMarpleIsAbout · 21/04/2024 08:06

Have you checked the airport will be open at 2.30 am if not flying till later. Speaking from experience when we arrived 30 minutes early for a flight as had allowed for traffic.

GladysHeeler · 21/04/2024 08:09

How old are your children and what airport is it? It might make you feel better if you can get specific advice.

You sound overwhelmed at the moment and it's likely that everything will be fine and you will have a good time.

TheBirdintheCave · 21/04/2024 08:11

We're staying overnight in an airport hotel the night before and our flight isn't even that early 😅

Definitely something to consider so you're not rushing or stressed :)

KezzaMucklowe · 21/04/2024 08:14

We've done both the early get ups and the staying in a hotel the night before. It always worked out.
I agree with pp about getting to the airport later either way.

ontheflighttosingapore · 21/04/2024 08:21

If you have an hour and a half car journey for 6 am flight you don't need to leave until 4am earliest ? there will be zero traffic Why are you leaving so early

SallyWD · 21/04/2024 08:22

I agree with other that staying at an airport hotel is the best option. If that's not affordable then get there for 4.30am. 2.30am is ridiculously early.

Original poster

CookiezndCream · 21/04/2024 08:23

OK thanks everyone. I'll try book a hotel!!

OP posts:

FusionChefGeoff · 21/04/2024 08:25

Manage expectations at the other end - you'll all hit a wall at 2/3pm so maybe try for naps or a very early very low key evening and then bed.

WatchOutMissMarpleIsAbout · 21/04/2024 08:29

CookiezndCream · 21/04/2024 08:23

OK thanks everyone. I'll try book a hotel!!

Good plan. Have a lovely holiday. Mine would count down the sleeps to holidays.

Now in their 20’s they book early flights to go straight from clubbing 🤣

sleepyscientist · 21/04/2024 08:52

We've done it multiple times both staying over and driving to the airport. DS is normally asleep in the car before I get off the drive and then sleep on the flight. Me and DH survive on red bull/coffee

DappledThings · 21/04/2024 08:55

We've done 6 and 6.30 flights a few times. I don't see the point of booking a hotel. You'll still have to get up at 3.30 so still the middle of the night. Makes no odds.

Mine have gone to bed in their clothes then slept in the car. For a 6 am flight I'd want to be there by 3.30 to have time to get a good breakfast at the airport, first bit of the fun.

LittleBearPad · 21/04/2024 09:04

DappledThings · 21/04/2024 08:55

We've done 6 and 6.30 flights a few times. I don't see the point of booking a hotel. You'll still have to get up at 3.30 so still the middle of the night. Makes no odds.

Mine have gone to bed in their clothes then slept in the car. For a 6 am flight I'd want to be there by 3.30 to have time to get a good breakfast at the airport, first bit of the fun.

I doubt much of the airport will even be properly open at 3.30 and check-in definitely won’t be.

Ioverslept · 21/04/2024 09:05

Stay in airport hotel, have an early night, let your child travel in same clothes they sleep in so they just have to get out of bed and go without getting changed (maybe go to bed in comfy joggers and t-shirt instead of pjs), bring snacks and something they can use to listen to soothing music or whatever, bring a cushion and small blanket or similar have a chilled day when you arrive allowing time for nap if necessary or just an early night. Don't stress, it will be fine, I travel a lot with my children sand I don't think the time changes make such an impact when you factor in all the changes in routine that just travelling entails. Havea great time!

HcbSS · 21/04/2024 09:08

HappyEater · 21/04/2024 08:01

I don't do holidays

Are there more issues beyond your DC and the time?

Agree with others, stay at a hotel the night before. Some airlines will even let you check in and get rid of your luggage the night before

Agree with this.
this household sounds like a right barrel of laughs. I wonder how this ‘holiday’ will go…
I predict a fair amount of tension and sulking. Not my idea of a holiday.

DappledThings · 21/04/2024 09:09

LittleBearPad · 21/04/2024 09:04

I doubt much of the airport will even be properly open at 3.30 and check-in definitely won’t be.

Show quote history

Gatwick and Heathrow are. Last year we were airside and having pancakes in Garfunkels at 4. Restaurant was packed.

Year before that we met up with family at 3.45 when there were already long queues moving through security and we didn't have time to get a proper breakfast because every cafe and restaurant was packed.

AppleCrumbleTea · 21/04/2024 09:13

Hotel?

However as a child my parents did this a lot and it was great fun. I’d recommend telling them the blan beforehand but explaining it’s likely they will mostly sleep. having the car ready to go and keeping everything dark, gently scooping them up and taking them quietly to the car with a duvet or fleece throw, pillow, favourite teddy. Make them super comfortable. Audio stories and eye mask maybe if needed? No changing of clothes, same comfortable clothes all night.

Peasnbeans · 21/04/2024 09:15

Which airport?
How old child?
Most have 'accessible' spaces, they're quiet with seats. I've used them with an autistic child and elderly relatives. They're free.
Phone airport and ask.
Wear a sunflower lanyard for child - I was surprised how it worked. We were picked out of all queues for security, boarding and looked after on plane
Child was 12, high functioning asd & nervous, but silent.

Baileyqueen · 21/04/2024 09:16

I would agree you don’t need to be there for 0230am,0400am will be fine. We’ve always got up through night and drove to the airport for a 0600am flight. It was part of the excitement for the kids as well, they loved it. Try to just enjoy it, if you’re stressed it will be picked up on by kids.

Alwaystired23 · 21/04/2024 09:18

We're flying at 6 am on our upcoming holiday. We will get up at 2.30 ish. Leave at 3, to arrive at the airport by 4. I wouldn't get there before 4. Yes, it's an early start and not really the time I would have picked, but it's the only flight. On the plus side, we land about 9.30 local time.

Scarletttulips · 21/04/2024 09:19

If you are driving you find a hotel that’s cheaper than a weeks parking as a lot of them have almost free parking.

Bjorkdidit · 21/04/2024 09:30

I've just looked and the hotels that were near enough to the airport to either walk or get on the shuttle bus were quite a bit more expensive than I expected - minimum £150 and often over £200.

So quite a premium over a week's parking but obviously might be worth it to not have to do a long drive in the middle of the night.

WhatWouldYouDo33 · 21/04/2024 09:46

what are you doing there at 2:30am?? Far too early. Book a hotel, drop luggage the night before and go to security at 4.30am.

Greydogs123 · 21/04/2024 10:07

My dd is not autistic, so may not be relevant, but she is so excited for the holiday that she is keen to get up for early flights. We big up the exciting aspects - driving in the quiet, dark of very early morning, buying breakfast at the airport (I know it’s a rip-off, but we then bring our own snacks), looking at all the planes. We then just stick to roughly the same bedtime once we’ve arrived and she’s always been fine.

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