Travelling with a baby can feel daunting. Between the nappies, the feeds, the sleep schedules, and the sheer amount of stuff babies seem to need, it's easy to wonder if it's worth the hassle.

Good news: with a bit of planning, travelling with your baby can be genuinely enjoyable. Here's everything we've learned about making it work.

The Golden Rule: Travel Light

The single biggest mistake parents make is bringing too much. Yes, babies need things. But they don't need everything, and hauling a mountain of gear through stations and airports will exhaust you before your trip even starts.

Our top tip? Rent the bulky items at your destination. Travel cots, high chairs, and even prams can be picked up when you arrive, leaving you free to travel with just the essentials.

Travelling by Train

Trains are often the easiest way to travel with a baby in the UK. Here's why:

• You can walk around if baby gets restless
• No security queues or luggage limits
• Many trains have baby changing facilities
• You can feed easily without turbulence

Pro tip: Book seats near the vestibule area for easy access to baby changing and space for a pram. Travel outside peak hours if possible—quieter carriages mean a calmer baby (and calmer you).

Flying with a Baby

Flying requires more planning, but it's absolutely doable. Key things to know:

• Babies under 2 can sit on your lap (you'll pay a small fee)
• You can usually take a pram to the gate
• Baby food and milk are exempt from liquid restrictions
• Feed during takeoff and landing to help with ear pressure

The biggest challenge with flying is the gear. Airlines charge for checked baggage, prams get damaged in holds, and wrestling a travel cot through the airport is nobody's idea of fun.

Consider renting baby equipment at your destination instead. Arrive with just a carry-on, pick up a travel cot and high chair locally, and return them before you leave.

Road Trips

Driving gives you the most flexibility and lets you bring more gear. Tips for success:

• Plan around nap times—many babies sleep brilliantly in cars
• Stop every 2 hours to let everyone stretch
• Pack a small bag of essentials within easy reach
• Bring snacks and entertainment for older babies

Visiting Grandparents

One of the most common trips with a baby is visiting family. The challenge? Grandparents' houses aren't usually set up for little ones.

Rather than asking grandparents to buy equipment they'll rarely use (or hauling everything yourself), rent locally. A travel cot and high chair for a weekend visit costs a fraction of buying, and you don't need to transport a thing.

What to Pack (The Essentials)

For most trips, you really only need:

• Nappies and wipes (though you can buy these anywhere)
• A few changes of clothes
• Feeding supplies
• Comfort items (favourite toy, blanket)
• Basic first aid (Calpol, teething gel)
• A carrier or lightweight sling

Everything else—the travel cot, high chair, pram, bouncer—can be rented at your destination.

The Rental Option

More families are discovering that renting baby equipment at their destination is the secret to stress-free travel. Instead of:

• Paying excess baggage fees
• Wrestling bulky items through airports and stations
• Worrying about damage to expensive gear
• Arriving exhausted before your trip begins

You simply browse what's available near where you're staying, arrange collection, and return it when you leave. Travel with just a nappy bag and arrive refreshed.

Final Thoughts

Travelling with a baby gets easier every time you do it. Start with shorter trips to build confidence, pack less than you think you need, and don't be afraid to ask for help—from airline staff, from fellow passengers, from family.

And if you're dreading the thought of hauling all that gear? Don't. Rent it instead and enjoy the journey.