Imagine this scenario: It has been a lifelong dream of yours to set foot in Istanbul and marvel at its majestic architecture and sceneries. And at long last, you were able to book a trip to Istanbul in 2023! But there is just one problem: you have to take your kids with you.
As a mom, traveling with your kids is often considered an ordeal because of how finicky they can be. You have to constantly watch them because they can get hurt, lost, or throw a tantrum and disturb the peace of the other vacationers. Carrying your child along with your luggage is also a nightmare, as you only have one free hand that you can use to do everything.
When you have kids to care for during your trip, the anxiety and stress can be crippling, and this ultimately takes away the joy of traveling. It is also not an option to leave them at home or in the care of others because then, you’d be worried 24/7 and wonder whether they have already eaten, what they’re doing, or how they are faring without you by their side. Worrying nonstop will take your mind off the fun of the trip, and you’ll wish you didn’t even go anywhere in the first place.
Long story short, traveling as a mom is certainly challenging, but it is not impossible. With adequate planning and preparation, it is surely doable. We have compiled the best tips for traveling moms to make the trip hitch-free, so be sure to take notes!
The great thing about Istanbul is that it is a wonderful city with diverse attractions and sceneries that tourists of all age groups can enjoy. When planning your itinerary, it should be a mix and match of attractions that the whole family will enjoy. For instance, kids will surely be entertained if you take them to local theme parks such as the LEGO Land Discovery Centre, Miniatürk, Eyüp, and Vialand. But remember that you have to take your interests into consideration too. Just make sure that if you want to visit popular tourist spots like Hagia Sofia, or history museums, you should limit the time spent there because kids easily get bored.
After planning your itinerary, secure an e-Visa for you and your children because most foreign tourists, including citizens of the US, are required to have a visa to enter Turkey.
US citizens can choose from two e-Visa types: single-entry or multiple-entry. A single-entry e-Visa holder can stay in Turkey for up to 30 days, while multiple-entry e-Visa holders are allowed a 90-day stay each time.
Take note that kids still need to have their own e-Visas.
To ensure your convenience and comfort throughout the trip, make a list of all the things you and your child could possibly need throughout the journey. Nothing is more frustrating than finding out that you left behind essential items like feeding bottles or medications that may be hard to come by in the area where you are staying at.
Never forget to pack first aid kits containing different items and medicines that your kid might need, such as:
We’ve all heard the horror stories of kids having tantrums while aboard an airplane. Sometimes, they can’t help it because the ear pain due to the sharp drop in air pressure is uncomfortable, but sometimes, toddlers throw tantrums due to boredom. To pacify them, don’t forget to bring their favorite toy or an iPad with their favorite games and TV shows to keep them entertained throughout the flight.
Give your child gum to chew on to remedy ear pain due to the cabin’s pressure. You can also opt for baby earplugs or headphones.
Make your kid wear an ID containing your contact details so that other people will know how to contact you if, for some reason, your kid loses their way and gets separated from you during the trip. Write their passport number, your country of origin, and your phone number. Then, tell your kid to show this information to any adult they see so they can help your kid find you.
Travelling with kids can be costly. To offset the costs, make sure you avail of the discounts for kids offered at airlines, buses, and subways. Oftentimes, entry tickets for historical destinations and theme parks offer a discount for kids of a certain age. Turkey is known for their kid-friendly discounts.
Although traveling with a child in tow can be tiring, nothing beats the feeling of seeing a bright smile on your kid’s face when you know they are enjoying the trip. With adequate planning and lots of contingency plans for unforeseen circumstances, traveling with your kid could actually be quite fun. We hope the tips we provided will help you have a hitch-free, fun-filled family trip!
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