Travel Resources

Here’s a list of our go-to travel resources and essentials for families.  It includes tips for finding accommodations and transportation.  We are also sharing some products that have been a real game-changer for us, both in and out of the airport.  We’ve tested these out and believe they’ll help on your next great adventure!

Travel strollers

Here’s a quick rundown of strollers and carriers for all kinds of travel situations:

  • Uppababy Minu V2 – Our everyday AND travel stroller.  We love its lightweight design (16.9 lbs), quick fold feature and decent carry capacity for theme parks.  It also fits with easily in the trunk and pairs with the Uppababy Mesa car seat. 
    Bonus: they offer a carry bag for airport check-ins!- they have that too!
  • GB Pocket Air All Terrain – Super compact and fits in the overhead bin.  This stroller is perfect for when you want something lightweight and portable.  It’s pretty handy especially on long layovers or trips with several stops.  This one saved us when we traveled across countries!
  • Miamily Carry On Suitcase – This suitcase is one of my favorite finds and is a real life-saver at the airport.  It doubles as a carry-on and as a seat for your child – so no stroller needed.  Our kids loved rolling around the airport on top of these!  It comes with a seatbelt and bonus: a person up to 220 lbs can sit on top.  You can definitely take a load off too!

If I were to invest in another travel stroller, I’d try the Bugaboo Butterfly Stroller. It promises to be great for all terrains, folds small for overhead bins, and can even roll down the aisle (if allowed). Plus, it has accessories to customize!

Baby Carriers


Need to keep baby close or want to skip the stroller? A baby carrier is perfect for situations like exploring a night market in Thailand or soothing baby to sleep in the plane aisles.

  • Baby Björn Carrier Mini – This is the easiest and most lightweight carrier I’ve ever used! The fabric is incredibly soft, and it’s suitable for babies from 0 to 12 months.  Baby has 3 carry positions and an adjustable head support for snooze time.
  • Baby Björn One Air Carrier – This carrier supports a child up to 3 yrs old and gives you 4 carrying positions.  The back carry option is amazing for travel.  I also loved that this comes in a breathable 3D mesh when traveling somewhere hot.
  • Gooseket Sling – An awesome sling option that is lightweight and fits in your diaper bag or backpack.  It’s great for situations when you are waiting in line and need extra support or an extra hand to carry your baby.  This came in handy for us when waiting in customs lines at the airport as well as at theme parks.

Flights and Accommodation 

  • Airbnb – Do you have loud, playful toddlers? I find it easier to look for entire homes, villas, or apartments for this situation.  We also love the option to have our own kitchen area and refrigeration for baby needs.  Its hard to fit a gallon of milk into a hotel refrigerator.

*Airbnb could also be great for other reasons! You get to connect with locals. They can share great tips for restaurants, grocery shopping, baby supplies, tours, and more.*

  • Resorts with Kids Clubs – Vacationing with older kids? Kids comfortable solo? I would definitely look into this. Many resorts offer fun activities and excursions for young adventurers. This way, you can relax too.
  • Booking.com – We loved this site to browse for lodging while traveling in Southeast Asia. You can also book flights, airport taxis, and even whole vacation packages!
  • Agoda.com – This site offers great choices for hotels, flights, and vacation packages, especially in Asia.

Travel Perks 

Lounge Access

Traveling can be hectic, so it’s nice to have a quiet place to relax with your family. Airports offer lounges where you can recharge and enjoy complimentary food and drinks. A great way to access lounges is with a credit card that offers free Priority Pass membership. This membership gives you entry to more than 1,600 lounges (each lounge has separate rules so check before showing up!).  Some lounges even have special areas for nursing moms!

Global Entry & TSA PreCheck

Curious about Global Entry? This program lets U.S. travelers skip long lines when they come back from international travel. You also get complimentary TSA PreCheck, which makes the airport security process much faster.
Bonus: If you’re enrolled, kids (under 18) can join for free!

Many credit cards offer a reimbursement for Global Entry enrollment fees ($120 savings back in your pocket).  If you want to get your family through customs without delay, this is definitely for you!

Here are a few credit cards that offer some of these travel perks:t:

  • Chase Sapphire Reserve Card
  • American Express Platinum Card
  • Capital One Venture X Rewards Card
  • Marriot Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card

Baby Care

Airports are becoming more family-friendly, with new amenities for parents and little ones. Many now offer lactation pods, stroller rentals, and even playgrounds! For example, Jewel Changi Airport has a beautiful canopy park on the top level for kids to play.

Cash 

Credit cards are very convenient, but it’s a good idea to have some cash on hand, especially when traveling to secluded destinations. On some islands, you may find that card machines are unreliable and Wi-Fi is spotty. Having cash ensures you can buy snacks or water when you need them, and it’s also a way to avoid dealing with hungry, cranky kids.

Plane Essentials

  • Water Bottles – We love Aquaflask bottles for travel. There are tons of refill stations in the airport. No more overspending on pricey airport water! These bottles keep things cold or hot and come in awesome colors. Aquaflask also sells great accessories to attach your bottles to strollers and bags.
  • Kid-Friendly Water Bottles – Our kids love their Thermos Funtainer Bottles.  They are insulated and come with an array of licensed character designs.
  • Neck Pillows – Getting some semi-proper sleep on the plane is essential.
  • Wander+ Travel Neck Pillow – This pillow stays in place as you sleep and offers 360° support for your head and neck.  I have tested this out on a few 16-hour flights, and it has been a game changer for me on the plane
  • Trtl Travel Pillow – Save some space with this light and easy-to-pack option. It also comes in kids sizes.  My husband swears by it!
  • Inflatable Foot Rests – For long-haul flights, we like to use an inflatable footrest for the kids.  It doubles as a buffer for dropped toys and adds extra legroom for the kids to sprawl out. It also flattens nicely after for storage.  Bonus – if they don’t use it, you can!
  • Travel Card Portable Charger – Always have extra battery life for your devices. We love the travel card! It’s lightweight and slim. Plus, it has a built-in USB-C port and a lightning charging cord.
  • Plastic Bags//Reusable Bags – Explosive diaper situation? Surprise vomit? We like to carry around these dog waste bags for these situations. They can attach right to your diaper bag. One roll has at least 150 bags for all your surprises.

Baby Feeding – Milk, Formula, & More

  • Breast Milk – Yes! You can bring it with you stored in a cooler bag (or however you do it) with ice packs or gel packs to keep it fresh.  Notify the TSA agents in case they need to do extra screening.
  • Dairy or Non-Dairy Milk – Yes, you can also bring these items!  We traveled a lot during this phase with our kids. We either prefilled our bottles/cups with milk or used small milk tetra paks.  We usually stored these items in a small cooler bag with an ice pack if anything was perishable. Let the TSA agents know if you have food or drinks for your kids. They will likely do extra screening. Here is what worked for us:
  • Horizon Organic Milk on the Go – These milk tetra paks are perfect for short flights with toddlers. You won’t have to worry about refrigeration.
  • Voyager Milk – This organic powdered milk is one of our favorite travel products. It is convenient, lightweight, and comes in individual travel sachets. No prior refrigeration is needed, and it has a rich, creamy taste. Yes, I usually taste everything I give my kids! So no more lugging around huge thermoses of milk for us.
  • Formula – Yes, you can bring it on the plane! Also, definitely check if your destination sells your brand.  If you are going abroad, the version may be different even if it’s the same brand. They may not sell it at all.  So do the research and bring some if needed because traveling is not the best time to switch up formulas.
  • Water – If you have water pre-filled in sippy cups or bottles for kids, then it should also pass through security. Some countries may have different regulations.
  • Fruit pouches/Baby food – You can bring baby food along. Use ice packs or gel packs to keep it fresh if needed.  Notify the TSA agents in case they need to do extra screening.

Transportation 

  • Turo – It’s like the Airbnb of car rentals.  You are renting someone’s personal or owned vehicle.  We have used this for several long roadtrips. You can contact the owner of the vehicle with any questions or concerns.
  • Taxis – Uber, Lyft, and Grab via their apps are great options at the airport and for navigating big cities.  Klook.com – this site worked great for our large group traveling in Asia.  We were able to book large private vans with A/C and a driver to go on many tours.
  • Contact your Hotel or Airbnb – See if they offer drop-offs and pick-ups for your family.  This can also be a great way to hire local trusted drivers for the duration of your trip.

Car Seats

Check if the car services at your destination have taxis with child seats. You may be able to leave yours at home if your children don’t need them on the plane. 

For instance, in Singapore you can order a GrabFamily ride. These vehicles come equipped with car seats and booster seats.  In NYC, LA, and Orlando, you can order an Uber Car Seat ride.  Also, many car rental companies offer car seats for rent, like Hertz and Avis.

Check out Babyquip.com to rent baby supplies, such as car seats and strollers, at your destination.  You can even opt to get delivery at the airport!

Booking Tours

  • Klook.com – This was definitely my go-to booking service while traveling in Asia. I could see tour prices in my currency. There were great options for tour packages, transportation, and other travel experiences. I could check if tours were kid-friendly, allowing for strollers, diaper bags, and more.
    Bonus: you can accumulate points for discounts on future bookings!
  • Get Your Guide – The guides and tours aim to provide you with an insider experience alongside locals. I also love that there is a section dedicated to activities for families.
  • Tripadvisor – This site offers tours, restaurant recommendations, travel experiences, and reviews. You can book directly on their website.
  • Viator – This is a great choice, similar to TripAdvisor. It offers travel experiences, tours, and many reviews.
  • Hosts/Hotels AND other Travelers as a Resource – Your accommodation has seen many types of guests. They can share helpful family-friendly tips and tours. Also, if you come across other traveling families, don’t be afraid to ask what they have done so far. It could give you some great tips and activities/strategies for your own trip.

Everyday Favorites

These are some of our go-to items either for everyday use, and they also come in handy for travel. These items are constantly in our rotation and we don’t leave home without them!

  • Potette Plus Potty  – We love this potty for long road trips, day trips, and playground playdates. It’s perfect for places without a bathroom!  This potty has a compact, foldable design and comes with a silicone insert.  You can get liners for your portable potty for super easy cleanup.
  • Gimars Non-Slip Travel Potty Seat – Adult potties are sometimes too much for tiny tushies. You can place this animal-themed cover on any adult-sized toilet. Use it at home or on the go for easier potty learning.
  • Dog Waste Bags – These bags are small and portable for your diaper bag.  Its an easy and convenient place to put soiled diapers and clothing when you are out with your littles.  Even 1 roll will last you quite a few trips!
  • Ruvalino Diaper Bag Backpack – We’ve tested both expensive and budget diaper bags, but we always return to the Ruvalino Diaper Bag Backpack.  It is very spacious with tons of pockets and storage to separate your baby items.  I have been able to fit everything I need for two young kids in this bag.  The fabric is durable with comfy padded straps. I know other people love it too because on every outing, I see another family with the same exact bag!
  • Skiphop Diaper Bag Tote – We love this for when we are not carrying as much stuff.  This is more like a tote bag style with tons of pockets.  It is slim but has several compartments for organization. We love how easy it is to attach to the back of your stroller.
  • Packit Freezable Snack Box – This freezable bag is amazing for when you need to keep something cold in your diaper bag or in the car.  The ice pack is built into the lining of the bag!  It keeps your snacks cold for hours without having to lug around heavy ice packs and huge coolers.
  • Amazon Fire Tablets – These tablets are an all-in-one entertainment solution. You can even set parental controls on content. Your kids can play games, watch content suitable for children, and explore digital books.  Get the kid-friendly case for extra protection on your investment!