Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Flying or Driving With Kids
FOR A PLANE TRIP
When traveling with kids, consider packing the following in your carry-
on bag:
• The number of diapers your child wears in a day, plus an extra three
• A changing pad in case the tiny restroom in the airplane has no pull-
out changing table
• A minimal number of toys—one coloring book and a stuffed animal
will suffice
• Bottles for infants, sippy cups and snacks for toddlers
• A goodie bag with surprises, like a Discman with a CD of music or
stories, books, or small plastic toys
For more comprehensive advice on flying with children, see “Get-
ting There,” later in this chapter, and pick up a copy of
Frommer's Fly
Safe, Fly Smart
by Sascha Segan (Wiley, 2002).
FOR A CAR TRIP
If you will be renting a car in Chicago, inquire about reserving a child
safety seat; most major rental-car agencies have these available for a
small fee (Avis, for example, charges $5 per day or $25 per week).
Driving to Chicago? Long-distance car travel with kids presents a
completely different packing challenge. Pack the following to help
your car trip go more smoothly:
• A cooler with drinks, snacks, fruits, and veggies
• A flashlight to help locate items that have rolled under your seat for
the 10th time in the last 5 minutes
• Window shades for the sun
• Audiotapes of stories or children's songs. Many parents put a
TV/VCR in between the two front seats so kids can watch videos,
which can be a great help for long stretches with nothing to do.
Other items to consider bringing include a first-aid kit, a box of
wipes for clean-ups, blankets, plastic bags for motion sickness, and a
change of clothes. Always have a cellphone in case of emergencies.
have it wrong at least half of the time,
but it's better than a complete shot in
the dark.) Ask yourself what you'd
wear in your own city in this weather,
and pack it. But leave some room in
the suitcase, because you will
undoubtedly buy items while travel-
ing. In fact, one seasoned-traveler
trick is to pack an empty nylon duffel
bag in your suitcase. On the way
home, you can stuff it with souvenirs
and other Chicago loot.
Because you are apt to hit four sea-
sons in just one Chicago day, here are
some packing tips:
•
Pack a light sweater and jacket,
even for summer. The Windy City
can get quite breezy, and that lake
air has a chill at night. Theaters
and restaurants can also overdo the
air-conditioning, so a light sweater
helps you ward off arctic chill.
• You are not too stylish to bring
practical headgear
to Chicago in
