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Long-haul travel with children: from what age is it worth it
From what age a long-haul trip with children is worthwhile depends on flight time, jet lag and interests, not on a fixed age. Airlines have different rules for small children, so check beforehand. Swiss Vibes is a Swiss travel agency with video consultations and plans long-haul trips for families.
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Schritt für Schritt
- Weigh flight time and time difference against the children's ages
- Clarify health questions with your paediatrician
- Check the airline's conditions for children
- Choose a destination with a suitable climate and programme
- Set the travel period according to heat and school holidays
- Allow time for jet lag and rest days
- Discuss destination and schedule with your adviser
Checkliste
- Flight time weighed up for the children
- Health and vaccinations discussed with the paediatrician
- Entry status checked at the FDFA (EDA) and the FOPH (BAG)
- Own ID for each child
- Flight times chosen to suit sleep rhythm
- Programme for rest days and jet lag planned
- Sun protection and travel first-aid kit packed
- Travel insurance including children checked
There is no fixed age for long-haul travel. What matters is whether your children cope well with the flight time, the time difference and the climate, and whether they get something out of the destination. As a rule of thumb, the trip becomes more rewarding the more the children experience and remember themselves.
Is there a minimum age for long-haul travel?
We do not name an age limit here. Whether your child is ready for a long-haul trip depends on health, character and experience of travelling. Discuss this with your paediatrician. The family's own experience counts too, because those who have already made flights with children can better judge what is feasible.
Airlines have different rules for carrying small children. Before booking, check seat, luggage and cot on the plane.
If you have small children and still want to go far, you can start with a medium-haul trip. These are experiences that pave the way to long-haul travel.
What does flight time mean for children?
A long-haul trip is tiring for children. Around six hours to Dubai is still manageable with games and a film, while a trip to Orlando at around nine to thirteen hours demands more planning. The longer the flight, the more important snacks, entertainment and rest periods are. Also expect waiting times at the airport, which are longer on long-haul trips, especially at entry.
Prefer direct flights if possible. A change with tired children is an additional strain. Choose flight times that suit the sleep rhythm.
Allow a buffer on the travel day. With children, check-in, security and toilet breaks take longer.
Jet lag and climate as sticking points
The time difference often hits children harder than adults, especially on trips heading west. Expect a few days on which the children wake early or are tired at midday. Plan calm programmes and fixed bedtimes.
Climate counts too. Dubai is very hot in summer and pleasant in winter, while Orlando is humid and hot in high summer. Choose the travel period according to the weather, not only according to the school holidays. You will find details in our article on jet lag in children.
Also leave room for deviations. If a child falls ill or the jet lag is stronger, the plan needs some slack.
Which destinations suit a first trip?
For a first long-haul trip, destinations with a good offer for children and a moderate time difference are a good fit. As a guide, Dubai is reachable from Zurich in around six hours and offers water parks, beach and family resorts. Tenerife is closer and a good introductory trip as a medium-haul destination, with a flight that takes somewhat longer than to the Mediterranean destinations.
Orlando is worthwhile above all for children who like theme parks and can last through long days. The older the children, the more they get out of it.
How much programme makes sense?
At the holiday destination too, less is more. After arrival, plan two days without major programme points and stick to a fixed daily rhythm. That way the body settles in faster. Use the consultation to match schedule, flight times and length of stay before you book anything.
Check health and entry requirements early, current status at the FDFA and FOPH. Discuss vaccinations and medication with your paediatrician or a travel medicine service.
We advise you by video call and put together a schedule with you that suits your family.
When is a destination too exhausting?
A destination is too exhausting when the journey, the heat and the programme shape the whole stay. Parents often notice this already during planning: if you feel you have to achieve something every day, the trip is too tightly scheduled. Then it helps to choose a destination that leaves room for breaks.
Ask yourself honestly what your children get out of the trip. Younger children benefit from beach, pool and familiar routines, older ones from experiences they remember. Both are legitimate, but the choice of destination should suit the child who is travelling today.
Finally, a simple calculation is worthwhile. How many days does the family need to arrive, and how many days are left after that? One week on site is tight with a large time difference, while ten to fourteen days give more room. This is not a fixed rule, but a guideline.
