Flying solo long-haul with a toddler - tips/hacks?

[destinationzoo]

First time flying with my DD2, I'm flying solo 11 hour flight to go to a family wedding/visit relatives. One flight is an overnighter.

Toddler is fairly easy, but heavy & clingy and wants to be carried rather than walk so I think I'll buy a cheap secondhand stroller I can take as carry-on so I can have it the whole time in the airport and abroad.

We have 2 lots of 40kg checked luggage and 2 lots of carry-on luggage available.

I'll have to drive & park or get a taxi to get the airport because of all the luggage, I assume if I get a taxi there and back I can order a cab with a car-seat? (I'm not taking a car seat with me as we won't be travelling by car much while abroad).

I'm staying in a hotel, will get one with a pool and we'll be sharing a room (obviously).

I am travelling on the same flight as some other relatives & their children, but they have mental health issues & are ND and can't be relied on to help in advance (too much pressure) but in terms of getting on/off the plane with DD2 and our carry-on luggage I'll have their physical help, I'm sure, but we won't be sitting together and the expectation is that I am not counting on them helping on the plane, I would think they will at the time, eg entertaining her occasionally if she wants to walk around the plane.

Any tips/advice? I'm an experienced traveller, but I used to just chuck my clothes in a suitcase, grab my passport and go. Can't do that anymore & the level of thinking/organising is a bit overwhelming (I'm ND too) I'm not anxious about the flight itself (it will be what it is) but more remembering what to bring and managing all the stuff I'll have to carry and making sure I have everything I'll need.

Take all the snacks in the world. As much as you think she will need and at least double it. Excellent source of distraction.

Take lots of little things she's not had before, the reusable sticker books, magic drawing (the books with the water pens), a packet of post it notes is fun and easy to clean up once she's stuck then everywhere, those sensory toys that are like rubbery bundle wrap.

I'd consider hiring a toddler sling from a local sling library. That gives you more flexibility and she can always snooze in it on the plane leaving you hands free.

I’m not sure you’ll be able to book a taxi with a car seat, although I might be wrong. My understanding is that it is on patents to provide a car seat if they want their children to travel in one, so I would definitely plan for that sooner rather than later.

Calpol, just in case. I also still had a sling I used with a 2 year old when travelling - helps keep hands free.......plus comfort cuddles!

Depending on how much you think you’ll need a buggy while you’re there, you might have a look on FB marketplace etc for a Mountain Buggy Bag Rider/Sky Rider. I bought one before my first solo flight with DD and it was a huge help. It does double duty as an airport buggy AND carry on suitcase. It fits (tightly) down the plane’s aisle so rolled DD straight to our seats, and it fit in the overhead bin. Meant I had all the essentials on board for if we had a delay/if our checked bag got lost, plus a rucksack for easy access to all the in-flight clothes/nappies/toys/snacks, and still had a hand free to wheel the checked bag when we arrived. BUT this only works if you don’t need a buggy at your destination or can rent one there.