Traveling as a family is an enriching experience for you, parent, and for your children. As Montaigne said: “travel forms youth”… But this requires good preparation. Whether you are traveling in France, in the European Union or internationally, whether to New York or London, there are specific formalities and tips to know so that everything goes well.
First of all, we invite you to check your travel documents twice rather than once. For travel in France and the European Union, a national identity card for each child is essential (the family record book is not valid). For international destinations, passport is non-negotiable and, depending on the country, a visa may also be required.
Practical tip: always have a digital copy of the identity documents of all family members. This radically changes the situation in the event of loss or theft.
Also, be aware that plane ticket prices can vary considerably depending on the age of your children:
- For children under 2 years old, most airlines offer free or heavily discounted fares for domestic flights. These children will not need their own seat and can travel on your lap.
- For children aged 2 to 12, a ticket in their name is required, but often at a reduced rate.
- From 12 years old, expect to pay the adult rate.
Traveling with your infant requires special attention during security checks. Officers may ask you to taste your baby's food. To make this process easier, use resealable containers and avoid small glass jars. However, once on the plane, the cabin crew will be able to provide you with bottled water to prepare baby bottles during the flight.
Carriage of baby items, such as strollers and baby carriers, is generally permitted in the cabin and hold. However, check the dimensions of these items as the airline may decide to place them in the hold.
Toiletries such as liquids, gels, aerosols and sprays are also allowed, but with specific conditions that you need to know: use bottles of less than 100 ml in a plastic bag of maximum one liter. The total quantity must not exceed 0.5 kg/l per item and 2 kg/l in total.
Our advice if your child has specific needs
Traveling with your disabled or reduced mobility child (PHMR) requires good organization from the moment you arrive at the Roissy or Paris-Orly airport car park. So do not hesitate to ask your airline about specific services in advance. Please note, however, that Paris Airports offer facilities to facilitate travel and that priority passages are available for the transport of wheelchairs.
Our advice: always report your presence to the agent at the boarding gate and place your chair next to the gate before boarding.
If your child needs medical attention during travel, be sure to notify the airline and have a doctor's prescription on hand. Paris Airports also offer specific services to facilitate the travel of people with medical needs.
Paris Airports services and facilities
To simplify and improve your experience, Aéroports de Paris has put in place many useful facilities.
First of all, they have family toilets and more than 100 nurseries equipped to change the little one's diapers, all accessible 24/7. You will also find family lounges with individual alcoves and equipment such as bottle warmers, which are very useful for your trip with baby.
Paris Airports pharmacies are strategically located and open 7 days a week, providing expert advice, travel products and specialist first aid kits. In addition, vending machines for hygiene and health products are available 24/7.
As for emergency medical centers, they are operational 24/7 and well equipped to handle various medical situations, including vaccination against certain diseases.
Culture and entertainment at Paris Airports
Finally, while waiting for your flight, you have the opportunity to have fun with your family. Paris Airports indeed offer some great surprises.
So, after security checks, you can currently visit exhibitions such as “The Colors of Fashion” which explores the evolution of fashion or “La Jeune Création Photographique Française” which highlights young talents in photography.
On the entertainment side, you will find PlayStation 5 gaming areas and Arcade Gaming areas, with popular games like Fifa 23 and classics like Pac-Man. Foosball tables are also available 24/7. These areas are free and easily accessible, making the wait before your flight more pleasant.
So, Aéroports de Paris thinks of everything to make your family trip as pleasant as possible. So focus on the essential: creating beautiful holiday memories with your children!
