Travel with Rachael

If you’ve read my previous post about preparing for a family holiday, you’ll know I’m a big fan of anything that makes travelling with children just that little bit easier.

One of my favourite little tricks is booking an airport hotel the night before we fly. It breaks up the journey, means we’re not rushing around early in the morning, and, most importantly, means we can start the holiday feeling a little more relaxed.

But there’s one thing I’ve learnt over the years…
You absolutely do not need to take all your suitcases into the hotel room!

Instead, I pack a small overnight bag with everything we need for that one night.

So, what goes in it?

1. Night clothes for everyone.

Just one set of pyjamas each. No need to unpack the whole suitcase!
And actually, the children’s pyjamas can be useful for another reason too. If we’re landing late on the way home, I know there’s a good chance they’ll fall asleep in the car. Having their pyjamas ready means I can get them changed before we leave the airport, and hopefully transfer them straight into bed when we get home. One less job to do when we arrive!

2. The clothes we’re wearing on the plane.

I put these together in the overnight bag so they’re ready to go in the morning. It also means I know exactly what everyone is wearing without having to rummage through the suitcases.

The suitcases and nicely packed and everything secure and packed in. If your anything like us, as soon as that suitcase is open, it somehow won’t close again.

3. Clean underwear for the next day.

Because nobody wants to be hunting through a suitcase first thing in the morning!

4. Toiletries.

I use little travel bottles for the toiletries. As a space saver. This can also be used for the night and morning at the airport hotel. These are always under 100ml and, as they need to go through airport security anyway, I keep them in my hand luggage, in a ziplock bag.

5. Daily medication.

Anything we need regularly stays in my hand luggage rather than being packed away in the main cases.

6. Toothpaste.

Again, under 100ml and kept in my hand luggage.

7. Toothbrushes.

One for everyone, and again, these stay in my hand luggage.

8. The children’s devices.

Because let’s be honest… after travelling to the airport, getting checked in and getting settled into the hotel, the kids are going to want something to keep them entertained!

9. Flannels.

I also pack a flannel for everyone.
Now, this might sound like a slightly random addition, but there is a very good reason!

I take a 3-litre zip-lock bag with me too. Once we’ve used the flannels, they go straight into the bag.
Why?

Because the overnight bag will be staying in the car while we’re away, and nobody wants damp, used flannels sitting in a closed bag or car for a week. Trust me — they can make the car smell!

The zip-lock bag keeps everything contained until we get home.
And that’s it!

When we arrive at the airport hotel, I can simply grab the overnight bag and my hand luggage from the car and take those up to the room.

All of the big suitcases can stay safely locked in the car.

It makes such a difference not having to drag multiple suitcases, bags and children into the hotel for one night.

Then in the morning, everything is already organised and ready to go. We simply get dressed, grab our bags and head to the airport.
✈️ Rachael’s Top Tip.

I always keep some travel Calpol in a zip-lock bag in my hand luggage.
A few times, the excitement of going on holiday, combined with a late night, has got the better of my children. A headache or sore throat at the airport hotel is the last thing you want to be dealing with when you’re trying to get everyone ready to fly.
Having it easily accessible means I’m not trecking down to the car at 10pm, or having to open a suitcase.

Obviously, always check the current airport rules for carrying medication and liquids before you travel, but I find having our essentials together in my hand luggage gives me one less thing to worry about.

And that, for me, is what family travel is all about — finding little ways to make the whole experience easier and less stressful. ❤️

If you’re planning a family holiday and don’t know where to start, I’d love to help. From finding the right holiday to those little things you might not think about until you’re there, I can help you plan your trip from start to finish.
Ready to start planning your next family adventure? Get in touch with me and let’s make it happen.

“Helping families spend less time worrying and more time making memories”

Happy packing, and happy travels

Rachael