Travelling abroad with children

Passports and consent letters

The first rule of family travel is that every child needs their own passport — they can no longer be added to a parent's document. Apply well ahead, because children's applications can take time and often require both parents' consent and specific photos.

When a child travels with only one parent, a guardian, or a group, many border authorities ask for a signed consent (or authorisation) letter from the absent parent, sometimes notarised. For the application itself, see our guide to children's passports, the wider passport application guide, and the photo and document requirements so nothing is rejected on a technicality.

Visas for children

Children are not exempt from visa rules. In most cases each child needs their own visa, and applications often require extra paperwork — a birth certificate, both parents' passports or IDs, proof of the relationship, and consent letters.

Requirements and fees differ by country and by the child's age, and they change, so always confirm on the official embassy or visa-centre site rather than assuming a child's application mirrors an adult's. Building the family's supporting documents carefully now avoids a refusal later — and a refused application can complicate future travel.

Start early, because gathering birth certificates, up-to-date photos and signed letters for several people takes longer than most families expect. If parents have different surnames from the child, or one parent is travelling alone, be ready to prove the relationship and show consent, as these are the details border officers most often query.

Surviving the flight with kids

A long flight with children is manageable with a little forethought. Book seats together early, and if you have a baby, ask the airline about bassinet positions and child meals when you book, not at check-in.

Pack a carry-on that earns its place: snacks, a refillable water bottle, a change of clothes, wipes, and a comfort item or two. Downloaded shows and small quiet activities are worth their weight in gold. For more on the journey itself, see our first-time flying tips and baggage allowance tips, and the flights to Accra guide if you are timing a return.

Packing and health for the family

Children need a few extras that adults do not, so build your packing around them. Bring any regular medicines in their original packaging, a small first-aid kit, sun protection, and enough spare clothes for the inevitable spills.

• Carry copies of passports, visas and consent letters, kept separately.
• Pack familiar snacks for fussy eaters and long waits.
• Check each child's required vaccinations and any entry health rules.
• Keep a written list of allergies and emergency contacts.

Our Ghana packing list is a useful starting point you can adapt for little travellers. Confirm children's health requirements early, as some are age-specific. Vaccination and entry rules vary by country and change, so check the official guidance for your destination in good time rather than at the airport, and keep any certificates with your travel documents.

Staying safe and calm on the ground

Once you arrive, a few simple habits keep everyone safe and happy. Agree a meeting point in case anyone gets separated, keep young children within sight in crowds, and write your phone number somewhere on a small child in case they wander.

Choose accommodation that suits families — space to spread out and a safe area to play makes an enormous difference to the mood of a trip. A reliable airport pickup means no stressful negotiation with a tired toddler in tow, and a pre-arranged car with a driver takes the strain out of sightseeing.

Build in more time than you think you need at every stage — security, boarding, connections and transfers all take longer with children. A relaxed pace, regular breaks and realistic expectations do more for a family trip than any gadget, and they turn what could be a stressful day of travel into part of the adventure.

Plan a smooth family trip with us

Travelling with children rewards a bit of planning many times over. Get the passports, consent letters and visas right, pack thoughtfully, and choose family-friendly flights and stays, and the trip becomes the happy memory it should be.

Ghana Travel & Tour can organise the whole family's journey — documents, flights, accommodation and transfers — so you can concentrate on your children, not the logistics.

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