If you are travelling abroad on your own, as a couple or even with a group of friends, you’ll probably have no issues with simply jumping on the next bus, train or tram to get to where you want to be once you’ve arrived at your destination. Whilst public transport can be great for travellers, it’s often a nightmare for those who are travelling with young children. Rush hour crowds, no pushchair space, bored kids and a foreign language can all add up to making your trip a lot more stressful than it should be. So, we’ve put together a list to help you make sure that you have an enjoyable, stress-free family trip abroad.
Why Hiring a Car is a Must If You’re Travelling with Kids Photo Gallery
Car Hire Requirements
Car hire may be more expensive than taking the bus, but you’ll definitely be glad that you spent the extra pounds when you’re sat in your own air-conditioned car with GPS rather than squashed into seats at the front of a bus that you have no idea whether it’s getting close to your destination or not. You can hire a car abroad providing that you have a full UK driving license and are over the age of 25. If you don’t yet have a driving license, you can find some great resources online to get started before you travel, such as this free driving theory practice test.
More Space for Activities
Even if you plan to hire a car for your family trip abroad, going on long road trips can often mean bored kids. So, to make sure that all of your excursions during your holiday are as pleasant and as stress-free as possible, it’s a good idea to take along a range of activities and items to keep your little ones entertained, such as toys or even an iPad that they can use to play games or watch movies. Don’t forget to take an in-car phone charger, too!
Sat-Nav and GPS
There is probably nothing worse than getting lost abroad – except perhaps, getting lost abroad when you have kids with you. Although you’ll probably be able to find your way back to your hotel if you can manage to get directions from a friendly local, it’s important to be careful as the last thing that you need is to end up with no idea where you are and unable to find anybody who speaks English. If your phone network allows, you may be able to use GPS on your smartphone abroad at no extra cost. Many car hire companies will also offer a Sat-Nav as standard with all of their cars, whilst others will hire them at an extra cost. Even if you do end up paying extra for a Sat-Nav system, it’s definitely worth the investment simply for your own peace of mind.
If you’re planning to travel with kids abroad, it’s a good idea not to skimp on transportation when it comes to getting around. Investing in a hire car with a Sat-Nav system will make sure that all your family excursions are stress-free and comfortable.