Air Travel with Toddlers, When you Live Full-time in your RV
Living full-time in an RV means we rarely need to fly—our home goes wherever we do! But sometimes, flying is the best option, like if you're wintering in Florida but want to visit family up north for the holidays. 😝 Preparing for air travel takes some extra thought, especially since we don't have the same conveniences we had in our home!
For example, we don’t carry much luggage in our RV—just one hard-sided suitcase stored in the back of our "garage" (aka the storage under the kids' bunks in the back of the fifth wheel). This suitcase holds our winter gear, extra bedding for guests, and hand-me-down clothes for our kids. Now, we're tackling our first flight with just that suitcase for the four of us! Here’s how we’re preparing and what we’re learning along the way.
The Perfect Car Seat Setup
We love our Maxi Cosi car seats, but they are big and heavy so it’s impractical to fly with them without our bulky travel carrying bags. Unfortunately though, we didn’t have space to bring along these travel bags in the RV. We’ve also learned from experience that rental car seats are often uncomfortable and not a great fit for our kids. So since we couldn’t bring ours and the rental car seats were out of the question, we found a better solution: the RideSafer portable car seat and a Hiccapop Uberboost inflatable booster seat.
These lightweight, compact options are certified for motor vehicle use in all U.S. states and territories and are perfect for air travel. Our 4-year-old and 2-year-old love wearing their “climbing harnesses,” and the inflatable booster makes them feel like big kids. Plus, these items fit into a small backpack we can carry on the plane. Even if our luggage gets delayed, we know our kids will have safe, reliable seating when we arrive.
I can’t tell you how relieved I am not to be lugging massive car seat backpacks from the truck to baggage claim and check-in areas! Traveling with these compact alternatives makes the process so much easier while still ensuring our kids are safe and comfortable when we land.
Prepare Kids for Single Stroller
We’ve always used a compact double stroller for air travel, but for this trip, we’re sticking with a airport-friendly single stroller for convenience. Our current double stroller is fantastic, but it is too large and unwieldy to manage at the airport, so the single stroller will have to do.
This change requires some prep since our 4-year-old prefers riding in the stroller, but our 2-year-old still needs it more. We’re bracing for lots of "taking turns" and carrying kids, but that’s life with toddlers!
Pack Light
With only one suitcase for our family of four, packing light is essential—especially when it needs to hold winter gear! We’re prepping by packing just 2–3 outfits each, plus essentials, and relying on carry-on backpacks for overflow (this hiking fam does have it’s fair share of those). We've prepped our family to keep holiday gifts small—not only is our luggage space limited, but so is our RV's storage!
To save space, we also pre-purchased some items, like diapers and wipes, to be shipped directly to family. This not only lightens our load but ensures we have everything we need when we arrive.
Fortunately, because we’ve flown home before, our family has helped us out by keeping key items on hand—like pack 'n plays, sleeping mats, and everything needed to make the kids’ stay comfortable. Having these items ready saves us from having to pack or buy bulky baby gear, making travel much more manageable!
Keep Toddlers Contained & Comfortable
If your toddler has started climbing out of their pack 'n play but you haven’t transitioned them out of a crib yet, a SlumberPod can be a lifesaver during travel. This portable privacy pod fits over a pack 'n play, creating a dark, cozy environment that feels like walls around them. It not only deters climbing but also helps toddlers settle in for naps and bedtime by blocking out distractions.
For families who aren’t quite ready to make the leap to a toddler bed, the SlumberPod is an excellent way to maintain the status quo while traveling. It gives you the flexibility to get through your trip before making big changes to your sleep setup. Plus, it’s lightweight, easy to pack, and quick to set up—perfect for life on the go!
Securing the RV
Before leaving, we’re taking a few extra precautions to ensure our RV stays safe and sound:
Weather Prep: If cold weather is expected, keep the heat on to avoid frozen pipes.
Water Supply: Turn off and secure water connections to prevent leaks while we're gone. A neighbor of ours once had a slow shower drip that became a major leak while they were away—don’t let that happen to you!
Bug/Critter Control: Vacuum the RV and place Irish Spring soap in the underbelly to deter pests.
Notify the Camp Host: Letting them know we’re gone adds an extra layer of security.
Travel Smarter: Consider an Uber/Lyft
Instead of navigating an unfamiliar airport and its parking situation, we’re opting for an Uber. While it’s an added expense, it saves time and reduces stress. Being dropped off at the airport entrance—especially with toddlers and our single stroller—feels like a worthwhile luxury.
This is our first time flying since moving into the RV full-time, and it’s a learning process. I’ll be back with updates and lessons learned once we complete our trip. For now, these tips have helped us prepare for a smoother journey. Have you flown with toddlers while RV living? I'd love to hear your tips!
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