Traveling with a toddler can be costly and complicated. My husband and I took a trip to Tampa Florida this month with our 14-month-old. Before and during this visit I started to think of all the ways we used to save money.

We knew that what we learned on our trip could benefit others preparing to travel with their own child. We found many ways to save from our flights, hotel, and even expenses when we arrived that we feel can help maximize your budget.

Airline travel tips for toddlers

Does my toddler fly free?

Usually, children from ages 7 days to 2 years do fly free. For example, Delta allows an infant-in-arms to fly on your lap at no cost. They do get their own ticket, and are listed as a passenger but do not require identification. Check with your airline to verify their policy.

Can I take a car seat on a plane?

Yes. Here is a link to the details on the TSA website sharing more info on traveling with a car seat. We flew Delta and brought along our child’s car seat and checked it at the gate as a carry on just before boarding the plane.

Does it cost to bring a car seat on an airplane?

When flying Delta and bringing our car seat along we were able to bring it as a carry on for no additional cost. We left the car seat as we boarded the plane to be handled by the flight crew and picked it up as we exited the plane on arrival. This saved us at least $13 a day on the cost of our rental car and assured that our daughter could travel safely by car on arrival. Many car rental companies cannot promise that a car seat will even be available so this also saved our sanity knowing we would have a car seat when we arrived.

Can I bring formula, food, and beverages for my child on a plane?

Yes. Food and beverages are allowed for babies and children aboard flights in reasonable amounts. We had no problem with Gerber baby food and beverage pouches. We did, however, have to discard the boxed juice we brought for our daughter before flying. Read these details carefully and bring along what you feel is necessary and is allowed per TSA regulations. Keep in mind the final decision is that of the TSA officer checking your items upon entry. Be patient and kind with them and whatever items you bring along to realize that it is possible, that some items may still not be allowed. Sometimes during the flights, you can ask for milk or juice. As expensive as it can be, you can always buy juice or milk in most airports for your child if these are discarded. If you time it right, you can just pick up cheaper juice at a grocery store near the airport without your child getting too cranky.

Can I bring a nebulizer on a plane?

Can you fly with a nebulizer in a carry-on? My daughter has a medical condition requiring daily breathing treatments and we were able to bring these along on the flight in our carry on bags. TSA provides more specifics here on traveling with a nebulizer and other medical equipment or medications.

Here is a link that talks more about traveling with a nebulizer and additional info we might need to know when flying with one.

Simple ways to save money traveling with a toddler

Carry on your infant car seat and or stroller (If you want to wait until arriving at your destination Walmart actually sells a great small stroller for approximately $15. We chose not to bring ours and purchase a small stroller on arrival because we did not own one like this already. This saved us the hassle of bringing it on the trip and we loved the small stroller enough to bring it home with us.

Pack lighter to save money on checked bags

Buy what you can for cheap once you arrive at your destination such as diapers, wipes, cheap beach towels, trial size items, baby food, beverages, etc. Don’t pack a lot of diapers and wipes if flying. Research in advance a store close by where you can purchase items cheaper. Bring just enough to get you through till you can go buy them on arrival. We found an Aldi within a few miles of our hotel where we bought our normal diapers and wipes and saved a lot of space in our luggage.

Limit checked baggage whenever possible

By doing this we were able to save on checking any baggage which saved us $30 per bag on Delta. We took our carry on bags and personal items and were able to fit everything in those bags. We were able to pack fewer items due to buying certain items at our destination and wash laundry for far cheaper. Interested in what Aldi has to offer for your baby? You can check out my article below on what we purchase for our daughter at Aldi’s.

Pack TSA approved food and beverage items for your baby

I recommend checking with your specific airline on what free baggage allowances are included and maximize the space you have. We also found that we were able to bring along her car seat which saved us per day on our vehicle rental price. We did choose not to bring her stroller and purchased a nice small stroller for $15 at Walmart which we used all week. This is small enough to bring home upon our return and to take with us on future trips easily.

What hotels offer that can save you money when traveling?

Free breakfast at your hotel

Free breakfast can stretch your family's budget in general and provide a daily breakfast option that will not cost extra.

Free toiletries and other items

Toiletries you forgot or do not want to bring along. Many hotels free toiletries such as shampoo, soap, lotion, toothbrush, a razor for free at the front desk. The Residence Inn that we stayed in also offered free detergent for laundry, free trash bags, clean towels daily, and free dishwasher soap so we could wash and sterilize our toddler's cups and bottles with ease.

Make the most of all of the accommodations at the hotel you chose to stay in and be sure to call ahead with any questions before your stay.

To maximize savings with a baby or toddler we recommend a hotel with a kitchenette such as a Residence Inn.

Choose the right hotel to fit your needs

Why did we choose the Residence Inn? They have a lot of the amenities we needed when traveling such as a baby play yard or crib, dishwasher to sterilize bottles, a full kitchen with everything to prepare meals, and even a laundry room to help us pack less. I suggest that you call in advance to verify that a crib or play yard will be available for your room since they typically have only a few available.

Make a plan in advance

The best ways to save money with a toddler require a lot of careful preparation. To travel with a toddler and not pack massive amounts I highly suggest selecting a hotel with a laundry area and a kitchenette complete with dishwasher if possible. This will save you from bringing lots of extra clothes, cups, and bottles for your child. The fridge will also help you store full-size milk jug. This can help to prevent overspending on extra convenience purchases of milk for the baby.

Look up locations of grocery stores and even a restaurant you know your child will eat at. It can be very stressful trying to find a place nearby that is not a bar or inconvenient, especially if you don’t know the area and you don’t have internet access.

Tips to save in general while traveling with a toddler

Pack drinks for the whole family when going out and about for the day. Aldi’s offered many great options that helped us with this. They sell 8 count 100% juice boxes that were perfect for our daughter.
Bring along baby wipes for easy and fast clean-ups of any messes on the go.
If you only pack one sunscreen pack a baby-friendly sunscreen the whole family can use it safely and it is usually a higher SPF for baby skin which is very important.
Bring along your extra change in case you have metered parking. This can save you from having to swipe a card and can be a great way to use up loose change.
Pack snacks for babies and toddlers for quick and cheap options available no matter where you are at.
Share meals whenever possible. Babies and toddlers often waste a lot so why not alter your own meal to include baby-friendly options. This can also help you save some calories and cut down on waste. When you do have leftovers be sure to bring them back to your hotel when possible. This can make another quick snack or meal in the future which can help cut costs also.
Babies and toddlers are often free when going to certain museums, amusement parks, etc so keep this in mind when planning for your trip. We took a scenic walk out onto the pier while in Clearwater Beach and only paid for my husband and I. Our daughter really enjoyed seeing the ocean and the birds while on the pier yet we did not have to pay for her to join us. Don’t let bringing a child along with you hold you back from doing things. Just plan ahead and include your child in the fun and new experiences.

Don’t waste time and energy on packing a bunch of toys. Most of the time toddlers lose interest after 20 minutes or so. Pick 1 or 2 favorites and maybe 3rd new toy or book.
Give yourself extra time to do everything. Traveling to a new place can be confusing. Add a baby to the mix and your relaxing could be replaced with rushing around.
Let your child enjoy themselves. Watching our daughter try to run at the beach and smiling is a memory that will bring us lots of joy. Also, it wore her out, making nap time easier.

Don’t forget to seek Joy

As always stick to your budget, keep it simple, and enjoy the time you have with your little ones. Time is really the only thing you can’t earn more of. Making good memories doesn’t have to cost a lot and they are worth more you realize. Spending money on a vacation (even an inexpensive one) can be a waste if you are not enjoying time away with your loved ones.

SIMPLE SAVINGS ON TODDLER TRAVEL