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Original poster

To Trunki or not to Trunki and other questions

45 replies

Shellybelly12 · 30/05/2025 22:11

Hi - I am going to Australia in August with my two boys (6&7) and DH. We are flying from London to Sydney with a refuel stop in Singapore.
both my kids are ND, and I’m looking for some advice on travel!
my youngest son gets super tired walking; should I invest in a Trunki for him for airports? Has anyone used these, do they hold enough stuff, are they worth it? He is 21kg so is he small enough for it?
second question is - any tips on managing them on the flight, youngest is sensory seeking by his feet and I’m dreading him potentially kicking the seat in front of him- I’m hoping he won’t but he will move around a lot so he might jostle it a bit - I can’t book seats until 40 days before the trip ( 20 days to go)
so I have no idea what seats I’ll even get! I will contact the airline and ask for the front row but I know they give that for baby’s so not sure…
so any tips/ tricks / ideas please share!

lastly has anyone done this trip in August, any advice on what to pack would be appreciated
thanks in advance! We will be travelling for 24 days in total

OP posts:
TeamGeriatric · 31/05/2025 07:51

When you say what should you pack, are you asking about the weather? We are going in August as the paternal grandparents live there, they are Sydney based, we always go August time as none of the other school holidays are long enough to make the journey worth doing. We also lived there for 8 years. It's usually jeans and a jumper weather, some parts of the day, if you are in the sun, it may be warm enough for just a t-shirt. Coat needed at night. Same for all the major cities at that kind of latitude. Brisbane is warmer, but locals will still be in jumpers. Cairns/Darwin/Broome are shorts and t-shirt territory. Singapore is obviously very hot. Last time we did the trip we did Singapore, Australia, Maldives, packing for such differing weather not ideal.

Original poster
Shellybelly12 · 31/05/2025 08:49

TeamGeriatric · 31/05/2025 07:51

When you say what should you pack, are you asking about the weather? We are going in August as the paternal grandparents live there, they are Sydney based, we always go August time as none of the other school holidays are long enough to make the journey worth doing. We also lived there for 8 years. It's usually jeans and a jumper weather, some parts of the day, if you are in the sun, it may be warm enough for just a t-shirt. Coat needed at night. Same for all the major cities at that kind of latitude. Brisbane is warmer, but locals will still be in jumpers. Cairns/Darwin/Broome are shorts and t-shirt territory. Singapore is obviously very hot. Last time we did the trip we did Singapore, Australia, Maldives, packing for such differing weather not ideal.

Thank you super useful. We are doing Sydney, Melbourne, and 3 days in Singapore on the way back. I’m planning on bringing lots of layers for us, and will invest in some roll up rain jackets for us all.
I wish I’d thought of the Maldives on the way back - that sounds amazing

OP posts:
Original poster
Shellybelly12 · 31/05/2025 08:51

Also good to know re Singapore- didn’t realise it would be very hot, I’ll pack some shorts! 🙏

OP posts:
SnowdaySewday · 31/05/2025 10:52

Instead of sitting in one row, sit one adult and a child in front of the other pair. That way, if anyone will get kicked, it is a parent, not a stranger. Does DS use something like a move n sit cushion in school to help with sitting? Could you try one beforehand to see if it helps him, although you’d have to check with the airline (unless other posters know) if you can use it when seatbelts are on?

Pack an activity bag for each child with new things to do in individual bags with a time to open them, so there is something new to look forward to, rather than everything being looked at and discarded in the first hour.

DrJump · 31/05/2025 11:16

Shellybelly12 · 31/05/2025 06:49

That’s a great idea re the inflatable cushion, will look into it. That game sounds fun too!!
We are flying to Sydney and then to Melbourne so planning layers and raincoats?
Not boarding early is genius- the less time on the plane the better. My youngest will have a nappy for the flight as he still wets the bed, but good shout for my older boy 🙏
We are flying all night flights so hoping they sleep from beginning, but will be good to have pj’s and just change to freshen up.
as it’s only 2 hour stop in Singapore I’m not sure we will have time to shower but will definitely look into it.
Do you know if Sydney airport has showers ( I will google it) that would be ideal as we land at 5am Aus time, and my cousin is adamant she is collecting us but check in for our hotel and I’d prefer to be showered before I see her 😂😂
I agree re screen time, my oldest would be so awful after too many hours on screen time-
my youngest tends to say I’m tired and turn it off. My oldest will read books so he will have that to switch it up, and we will have drawing/ Pokémon cards/ small toys too.
All and any advice is welcome thanks for your reply!

Show quote history

Not sure about Sydney airport as I tend to have another internal flight to catch. I think I have seen some but not sure how nice they are.

DJSteves · 31/05/2025 11:40

I’ve done Oz in August. Daytime should be pleasant but it will get chilly late night and early morning. Bring some sweatshirts to layer up. Be prepared to write off the first day as you will be tired. Finally book those legroom seats as that will be the only way you get them.

Original poster
Shellybelly12 · 31/05/2025 14:21

DJSteves · 31/05/2025 11:40

I’ve done Oz in August. Daytime should be pleasant but it will get chilly late night and early morning. Bring some sweatshirts to layer up. Be prepared to write off the first day as you will be tired. Finally book those legroom seats as that will be the only way you get them.

Thank you, hoping I can get seats booked asap!

OP posts:
Original poster
Shellybelly12 · 31/05/2025 14:23

SnowdaySewday · 31/05/2025 10:52

Instead of sitting in one row, sit one adult and a child in front of the other pair. That way, if anyone will get kicked, it is a parent, not a stranger. Does DS use something like a move n sit cushion in school to help with sitting? Could you try one beforehand to see if it helps him, although you’d have to check with the airline (unless other posters know) if you can use it when seatbelts are on?

Pack an activity bag for each child with new things to do in individual bags with a time to open them, so there is something new to look forward to, rather than everything being looked at and discarded in the first hour.

Will do thanks; we don’t have anything so far for sitting in school but will look into this.
He has been on 3 hour flights with no issue, I’m just nervous about the 23 hour one over!

OP posts:
Original poster
Shellybelly12 · 31/05/2025 17:08

thanks everyone for the advice. I was able to pay for seats today so we have the twin two seats the back of the plane and two ( of 3) in front of us- hopefully no one gets allocated in the seat beside us but if they are then DH will just be in the middle seat, which will be grand. Will take the advice of the backpacks and new treats for the kids! The travel agency seems to think we don’t have to take all our stuff off plane and it’s not a full walk back to security- so we might manage a shower 🙏
Will pack layers, and hope for the best with the weather! Thanks a million

OP posts:
Bobbyelvis4ever · 01/06/2025 10:04

My kids have back packs that also have pull out handles so they can pull them along. They’re really light, but fit a lot - worth getting if you haven’t sorted them a bag yet

Original poster
Shellybelly12 · 01/06/2025 13:08

Bobbyelvis4ever · 01/06/2025 10:04

My kids have back packs that also have pull out handles so they can pull them along. They’re really light, but fit a lot - worth getting if you haven’t sorted them a bag yet

Thank you, I’ll have a look 🙏

OP posts:
QueenKong101 · 01/06/2025 13:15

I'd second the suggestion for Heelys, or else would something like this scooter bag work?

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/5819313

We had a Trunki - they're bloody awful 😂. Child will ditch them after 5 mins, leaving you to lug the damn thing around the airport.

Original poster
Shellybelly12 · 01/06/2025 19:19

QueenKong101 · 01/06/2025 13:15

I'd second the suggestion for Heelys, or else would something like this scooter bag work?

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/5819313

We had a Trunki - they're bloody awful 😂. Child will ditch them after 5 mins, leaving you to lug the damn thing around the airport.

That looks amazing, thanK you!

OP posts:
TheSandgroper · 04/06/2025 14:16

You will want your warm coats in Melbourne in August. It gets very cold with a strong windchill.

Original poster
Shellybelly12 · 04/06/2025 17:28

TheSandgroper · 04/06/2025 14:16

You will want your warm coats in Melbourne in August. It gets very cold with a strong windchill.

Thank you, good to know!
I was reading it will be a heatwave in the Uk 😂! I won’t be jealous at all

OP posts:
Original poster
Shellybelly12 · 04/06/2025 20:44

wigglycactus · 04/06/2025 17:41

Thanks that’s awesome - might get it for me!
I’ve booked our seats so Dad and big bro are sitting in front of us so I’m less bothered by them being jostled 😂

OP posts:
nicolagrayphotography · 04/06/2025 21:14

We’ve been using this since our little boy was 3, he’s a very large 7 year old now and it’s still fantastic.
very easy to use and pull. We always get comments asking where we got while in airports.
https://www.johnlewis.com/micro-scooters-eazy-luggage-trike-suitcase/green/p112713910?s_ppc=2dx_mixed_fashion_BAU&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20151162654&gbraid=0AAAAAD2el1zxy3-ZNaU7kAYGKqQ6jdfc5&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI7NPLosnYjQMViZhQBh3MfAIiEAQYASABEgKiZvD_BwE

Original poster
Shellybelly12 · 05/06/2025 06:30

nicolagrayphotography · 04/06/2025 21:14

We’ve been using this since our little boy was 3, he’s a very large 7 year old now and it’s still fantastic.
very easy to use and pull. We always get comments asking where we got while in airports.
https://www.johnlewis.com/micro-scooters-eazy-luggage-trike-suitcase/green/p112713910?s_ppc=2dx_mixed_fashion_BAU&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20151162654&gbraid=0AAAAAD2el1zxy3-ZNaU7kAYGKqQ6jdfc5&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI7NPLosnYjQMViZhQBh3MfAIiEAQYASABEgKiZvD_BwE

Wow I’ve not seen that before thanks so much! This might be a winner!

OP posts:
KnickerlessFlannel · 05/06/2025 06:48

I would really recommend against Heeley or the scooter suitcases. We were at the airport this week and these were an absolute menace and caused some very unsafe situations

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