Top Tips For School Holiday Travel: 11 Ways To Make Family Trips Easier

11 School Holiday Travel Tips for Stress-Free Family Trips

School holidays are one of the most exciting times of the year to travel as a family. Whether you are heading abroad for a summer holiday, planning a short city break or enjoying a UK staycation, travelling together creates those important and lasting memories.

However, busy travel periods can also bring challenges. Airports can be crowded, trains fill quickly and packing for multiple people can feel overwhelming. The good news is that a little preparation can make a big difference. From choosing the right suitcase sizes to packing more efficiently, we are here to share our top tips on how to make travel in the school holidays feel like a breeze.

1. Plan Your Travel Early

School holidays are one of the busiest times of the year for travel, so flights, trains and accommodation often book up quickly.

Planning early gives you more choice when it comes to travel times and places to stay. It also helps avoid unnecessary stress closer to departure. By booking in advance, it gives you more time to focus on packing and preparing for the trip.

2. Choose The Right Suitcase Sizes

Packing becomes far easier when the luggage suits the length and purpose of your trip. For family holidays, it often works best to combine different suitcase sizes rather than relying on a single large case. 

Tripp Tips:

3. Start Packing Earlier Than You Think

Packing the night before travelling can easily lead to forgotten items and unnecessary stress. Starting a few days before your trip allows you to pack gradually and check that everything fits comfortably in your luggage. It also gives you time to add smaller items that are often forgotten, such as travel adapters, chargers or entertainment for children during the journey.

4. Roll Clothes Instead of Folding

Rolling clothes rather than folding them is one of the easiest ways to save space when packing. Rolling helps maximise suitcase capacity while also reducing creasing. It also allows you to see everything inside the case more clearly. This approach works particularly well when packing for several people or occasions in the same suitcase.

5. Use Packing Cubes To Stay Organised

Packing cubes are a simple way to keep luggage organised, especially when travelling as a family. They allow clothing to be grouped together, which makes finding items much easier during your trip.

For example:

  • One for children's clothes
  • One for swimwear
  • One for sleepwear or nightwear

Packing cubes also make unpacking and repacking quicker when moving between hotels or accommodation.

6. Keep Travel Essentials In Your Hand Luggage

Cabin luggage or travel bags are ideal for those essential items you may need during your journey.

These often include:

  • Passports and travel documents
  • Chargers and electronics
  • Snacks and refillable water bottles
  • Children's books or toys
  • A spare change of clothes

By keeping these essentials close at hand means you will not need to open your larger suitcase during the actual journey

A Reliable Cabin & Vanity Case:

The Holiday 8 cabin case is a popular choice for family travel thanks to its lightweight design and smooth spinner wheels. It’s also compact enough for cabin use while still offering plenty of room for the items you may need during the journey. And the matching vanity case is perfect for grabbing your essentials quickly. Plus, it's a bold choice of different colours, which means everyone can choose their favourite, whilst still matching.

7. Label Your Suitcases Clearly

During busy travel periods, many suitcases can look very similar. Adding clear luggage tags makes it easier to identify your bags and reduces the risk of confusion at baggage reclaim. Plus, choosing a bright luggage tag, strap, or distinctive suitcase colours can also make bags easier to spot on the carousel.

8. Leave Some Space In Your Suitcase

It is tempting to pack a suitcase completely full before leaving home, but leaving a little extra space can be helpful. So when you find the perfect souvenir or gift, you don't have to worry about getting it home (without the extra luggage charges). An expandable suitcase can provide that added flexibility when you need a little more space.

A Practical Family Suitcase:

The Escape medium suitcase offers a good balance between size and portability. Its structured shell helps protect items while still providing plenty of packing space for family trips.

9. Keep Children Entertained During Travel

Long journeys can feel even longer for younger travellers. Packing a few entertainment options in cabin luggage can help to keep children (and adults!) occupied throughout the journey.

Tripp Tips:

  • Tablets or portable games
  • Colouring books
  • Audiobooks or music
  • Small travel games

Having these ready can make flights, train journeys and airport waiting times much more manageable.

10. Check Your Luggage Weight Before Leaving Home

Many airlines have strict baggage allowances. Checking your suitcase weight before leaving home can help avoid unexpected fees at the airport. A small luggage scale can help ensure bags stay within limits and prevent the need to repack luggage at busy check-in desks.

11. Choose Durable Luggage For Regular Travel

Families often travel several times throughout the year, from summer holidays to half-term breaks. Choosing durable luggage designed for regular travel can make journeys easier and more comfortable.

Lightweight & Flexible:
The Superlite suitcase collection offers a lightweight soft shell luggage option. The expandable large and medium sizes are perfect for giving you that extra flexible packing space, making it a great option for family travel.

A Quick Family Holiday Packing Checklist

Before leaving home, it can help to run through a simple checklist to make sure nothing important has been missed.

Common essentials include:

  • Passports and travel documents 
  • Travel insurance details
  • Chargers and travel adapters
  • Comfortable clothing for the journey
  • Children's entertainment
  • Snacks and refillable water bottles

Preparing these items ahead of time can help reduce that last-minute stress on the day.

Making School Holiday Travel Easier

Travelling during school holidays may be busier than usual, but it can also be one of the most enjoyable times to explore somewhere new together. With the right preparation and well-organised luggage, packing becomes easier, and the journey itself becomes far more relaxed.

Choosing practical suitcase sizes, packing efficiently and keeping essentials within easy reach can all help make travelling smoother from the moment you leave home. Once everything is packed and ready, you can focus on what really matters: enjoying the trip together!

Frequently Asked Questions About School Holiday Travel

What size suitcase is best for a family holiday?

A combination of suitcase sizes often works best for family travel. Large suitcases are useful for longer holidays, while medium suitcases are ideal for week-long trips. Cabin suitcases can hold travel documents, electronics and items you may need during the journey.

How early should you start packing for a family holiday?

Starting a few days before departure usually makes packing much easier. Packing gradually allows you to check the weather forecast, plan outfits and avoid forgetting important items. It also gives you time to organise luggage properly rather than rushing the night before travel.

What should you pack in cabin luggage when travelling with children?

Cabin luggage should include the items you may need during the journey. This includes passports, travel documents, snacks, chargers, children's entertainment and a spare outfit for younger children. Keeping these essentials close at hand can make travelling much more comfortable.

How can you pack a suitcase more efficiently?

Rolling clothes instead of folding them can help maximise suitcase space and reduce creasing. Packing cubes can also help keep clothing organised and make it easier to find items during your trip. Planning outfits in advance can also help avoid overpacking.

Is hard shell or soft luggage better for family travel?

Both hard shell and soft luggage can work well for family travel. Hard shell suitcases offer strong protection for packed items and are often ideal for flights. Soft luggage can provide more flexibility and may include external pockets for easy access to smaller items.

How many suitcases do you need for a family holiday?

The number of suitcases will depend on the length of your trip and how many people are travelling. Many families use one large suitcase for shared items, alongside additional medium or cabin suitcases for clothing and travel essentials.

What is the best way to organise family luggage?

Packing cubes are one of the easiest ways to organise family luggage. They allow clothing to be separated by person or item type, making it easier to find things quickly. Rolling clothes can also help maximise suitcase space and keep luggage tidy throughout the trip.

30th March 2026

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