Touring the world with children can be extremely rewarding, but it can also bring its own challenges. There are some aspects of travel that you should also consider.

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Entry requirements and parental consent

The US does not have exit controls or require two-parent consent for a minor to leave the country.  However you should be aware that while the US does not have exit controls, many other countries do have specific entry requirements regarding children. There are often additional requirements if the child is with only one parent or neither parent. You should check the Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements section of the US State Department country information for your country of choice. Do this well in advance of travel because in some cases it may be necessary to travel with documents such as the child’s full birth certificate and evidence of parental and legal consent to take the child outside of his/her home country.

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Hotel safety

Health and safety standards and building regulations vary widely overseas. In many countries there may be no regulations around the height and design of balcony balustrades, swimming pools and public areas. So please don’t assume everything is child-friendly. You should supervise your children at all times while moving around a hotel, as walkways, staircases and railings may have large gaps, be very low, or simply have features that make them attractive to toddlers and children.  Balcony doors should be kept locked when not in use, and please ensure that furniture isn’t pushed up against the railings which would encourage children to climb them.

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Car seats

If you’re hiring a car overseas through one of the major rental companies, it’s usually possible to book a car seat in advance (often to be paid for on arrival).

Where we’re providing chauffeur transport, suitable car seats and booster seats may not be available. You may prefer to travel with your child’s own car seat. Most international airlines allow a car seat and a pushchair to be taken as checked-in luggage for no additional charge.

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Air travel

A number of airlines now offer a ‘child’s meal’ option, which you can request in advance. These meals tend to be simpler and smaller than adult meals, but can be more appealing to some children. If you’d like to know whether this is an option on your flights, please ask your specialist.