Travel guides

Airport tips & packing lists

Free, practical, and written for real families. Rules change, so we link to the official sources.

Airport tips that make the day smoother

Check in online and add your boarding passes to your phone the day before. Screenshot them in case the app or Wi-Fi is slow.
Arrive with a buffer. Airlines publish check-in and bag-drop cutoffs. Many travelers aim for about 2 hours before domestic flights and 3 hours before international flights, and more at busy times or with little kids.
Download your airline's app and turn on notifications for gate changes and delays. It's often the fastest way to rebook.
Take a photo of your checked bag and its tag. An inexpensive tracking tag in the bag can help you find it.
Pack a change of clothes for each kid (and one shirt for you) in your carry-on.
Bring an empty water bottle through security and fill it at a fountain.
Ask about family boarding. Policies vary by airline, so check at the gate.
Gate-check strollers: many airlines let you check a stroller and car seat at the gate free of charge. Confirm your airline's policy.
Ear pressure: drinking or sucking on a bottle or pacifier during takeoff and landing can help little ones' ears; older kids can chew gum or yawn.

Liquids 3-1-1: liquids, gels, and aerosols in carry-ons must be 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less per container, all in one quart-size bag, one bag per passenger.
Baby exceptions: formula, breast milk, and juice for infants and toddlers are allowed in reasonable quantities over 3.4 oz. Take them out and tell the officer.
Shoes: children 12 and under can usually keep their shoes on during standard screening.
Strollers and car seats go through the X-ray if they fit; otherwise officers inspect them.
TSA PreCheck: kids 12 and under can go through the PreCheck lane with an enrolled parent or guardian. Teens 13–17 can join them when the PreCheck indicator is on the teen's boarding pass.

Adults (18+) on US domestic flights need a REAL ID–compliant license or another TSA-accepted ID, such as a passport.
Kids under 18 don't need ID for TSA screening on US domestic flights when traveling with an adult, but airlines may have their own rules, especially for lap infants and unaccompanied minors.
International trips: everyone, including babies, needs their own passport. US passports for kids under 16 are valid for 5 years, and both parents or guardians generally need to consent to the application.
Check entry rules early: some countries require passports valid for months beyond your trip, visas, or electronic travel authorizations.
Car seats on planes: the FAA recommends a child have their own seat with an approved car seat or the CARES harness. Look for the label saying the seat is certified for use in aircraft.

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The Family Travel Checklist & Packing Kit ($7) has per-person lists, a day-before checklist, a road-trip list, and a carry-on survival kit.