Travelling with your child as a single parent

As both a travelling psychologist and a single parent to my nine-year-old daughter, I understand the unique blend of excitement and anxiety that comes with planning your first solo trip with your child. The questions that kept me awake before our first adventure together a few years back are likely the same ones you’re grappling with now: Is it safe? Can you afford it? What if something goes wrong? What if my child gets bored, or I’m unable to manage everything alone?

Let me share what I’ve learned through both my professional lens and lived experience, because solo parent travel isn’t just possible—it can be transformative for both you and your child.

Before we dive into practical solutions, let’s acknowledge the elephant in the room: your fears are valid. As a psychologist, I know that anxiety around solo parenting in unfamiliar environments stems from a legitimate place—you’re solely responsible for another human being’s safety, happiness, and well-being in an unpredictable setting.

The most common anxieties I hear from single parents, and certainly felt myself, include fear of medical emergencies with no backup, not speaking the language of the country you are in, concerns about managing logistics alone, worry about appearing as an “incomplete” family unit, financial stress, the overwhelming responsibility of being the only adult decision-maker. The list goes on. Perhaps most painfully, the fear that your child won’t enjoy the destination and the entire trip will be a waste of money and effort. When you’re funding travel on a single income, the stakes feel impossibly high. What if you’ve saved for months only to have your child complain they’re bored or miss home? These fears don’t make you a bad parent; they make you a thoughtful one.

When selecting a destination to travel to, I apply what I call the “triple S” framework: Safety, Suitability, and Support systems.

For safety, research destinations with low crime rates, good healthcare infrastructure, and established tourism frameworks. Countries like Portugal, Turkey, Costa Rica, and certain Caribbean islands have proven to be excellent options for single parents. I always check government travel advisories and join online single-parent travel groups, where parents share their recent experiences.

Suitability means considering your child’s age and interests. At nine, my daughter needed more than just a beach—she needed engagement, which brings me to the most valuable discovery I’ve made: all-inclusive resorts with quality kids clubs that we could fly from a nearby airport.

Here’s where I address that gnawing fear about wasting money on a destination your child hates. Please ensure that your child is included in the planning process from the outset. I showed my daughter photos of potential destinations and asked what excited her. Did she want animals? Water activities? Adventure? When children have input, they develop investment in the experience. However, be realistic—no destination will thrill them every moment, and that’s okay. What all-inclusive resorts with kids’ clubs offer is built-in variety. If the beach doesn’t captivate them that day, there’s the pool. If swimming loses its appeal, there are crafts, games, or other forms of entertainment. Some of the hotels we’ve been to even had a mini zoo in their sight. This diversity creates a safety net against the “I’m bored” disaster scenario that haunts single parents’ budgets.

This changed everything for us. During our trips to Turkey and Spain, I discovered the transformative power of well-chosen all-inclusive resorts. In Turkey specifically, we stayed at two exceptional properties that I can wholeheartedly recommend: the Barut Lara Hotel in Antalya and the Rixos Sungate Antalya. My daughter absolutely loved both—the kids’ clubs were engaging, the facilities were safe and well-maintained, and the staff genuinely cared about the children’s experiences.

What made these resorts particularly valuable for me as a single parent was how they allowed both of us to have our needs met simultaneously. While my daughter spent mornings engaged in age-appropriate activities—everything from arts and crafts to pool games with trained staff—I could actually breathe. I took advantage of the spa facilities for much-needed relaxation, maintained my routine with daily gym workouts, and felt like a complete person rather than just “mummy.” The guilt I’d anticipated never materialised because I could see she was thriving, making friends, and having adventures I couldn’t provide alone. Even on days when certain activities didn’t appeal to her, there were always alternatives, which meant no day felt wasted.

But the most precious moments came in the evenings. We’d meet after our respective activities, and I’d enjoy a cocktail of my choice while my daughter sipped her strawberry milkshake—her favourite ritual that she still talks about. These weren’t just drinks; they were our bonding time, our shared joyful moments where we’d debrief about our days, laugh about her new friends and crash, and be together without the distractions of home life. I’ve now done solo trips several times with my daughter, and each time we’ve thoroughly enjoyed the experience together. These journeys have become a special tradition of ours, creating a treasure trove of memories that belong only to us.

What I hadn’t anticipated was the community aspect. All-inclusive resorts become temporary villages where families naturally congregate. During meals and evening activities, I connected with other parents—some coupled, some solo like me. These friendships evolved organically as our children played together. I found myself swapping stories with a divorced father from Ireland and sharing meals with a lovely couple from the UK, while our children laughed over the art they had created during the day at the kids’ club.

This spontaneous community provided something invaluable: adult conversation, shared childcare moments (watching each other’s kids during quick trips to the buffet), and the normalising realisation that many families don’t fit the traditional mould. My daughter also benefited, developing confidence and social skills as she navigated friendships without my constant hovering.

Financial anxiety is perhaps the most significant barrier for single parents considering travel. You’re funding two people on one income, without the cost-sharing benefit of couples.

Here’s what works: Start by setting up a dedicated travel fund, even if you’re only contributing small amounts monthly. I automatically transfer money the day after payday—what I don’t see, I don’t miss. Look for all-inclusive deals during shoulder seasons (just after school holidays end). These packages, while seeming expensive upfront, include meals, activities, and childcare, eliminating daily budget stress and often costing less overall than independent travel.

Credit card rewards became my secret weapon. Using a travel rewards card for regular expenses, such as groceries and bills, allowed us to offset significant costs. Please ensure that you pay it off monthly to avoid interest charges.

Consider destinations where your currency stretches further. Southeast Asia, parts of Eastern Europe, and Central America offer incredible value while maintaining good safety standards. Finally, be flexible with dates—travelling mid-week rather than weekends can save hundreds.

This is where my psychology background and parent anxiety intersect. You cannot prevent every possible problem, but you can create systems that minimise risk and maximise your ability to respond effectively.

Before travelling, I create a comprehensive emergency folder (both physical and digital) containing copies of passports, insurance documents, medical records, including vaccination history, emergency contacts, and details of our accommodation. I photograph essential papers and email them to myself for cloud access.

Travel insurance is non-negotiable. Please make sure it covers both you and your child for medical emergencies, evacuation if necessary, and trip cancellation. I also registered our trip with my country’s embassy system, so the authorities know we’re there in case of a significant incident.

Pack a first-aid kit with familiar medications. Include your child’s comfort items—for my daughter, it’s her Uno card game. These provide psychological security in strange environments.

You can set up a safety plan with your child. We practice scenarios: what if we get separated in a crowded place? My daughter knows our meeting spot strategy and has memorised my phone number. She carries a card with our hotel name and my contact information. Having said all this, in all-inclusive resorts, there is enough to keep you entertained, and you might not even consider leaving the resort.

From a legal standpoint, if there is another parent who has parental responsibility for your child, you will need to get their permission to leave the country. You’ll find more details on the UK government website.

From a professional standpoint, I’ve observed remarkable growth in both my daughter and myself through our travels. She’s developed independence, adaptability, and cultural awareness. She’s learned that she can handle new situations and that our little family unit is complete as it is.

For me, successfully navigating travel solo helped rebuild the confidence that single parenthood sometimes erodes. Each trip proves I’m capable, resourceful, and enough. Each trip demonstrates to her that we don’t have to miss out on anything just because her mum is a single parent.

Solo travel with your child isn’t the easier path—coupled parents do have logistical advantages. But it offers something precious: undivided time with your child, the opportunity to create your own family traditions, and proof that you can handle more than you think.

You can start small if you’re nervous. A weekend domestic trip can help build confidence before embarking on international adventures. Trust your parenting instincts—they don’t disappear at the border. And remember, the memories you’re creating matter far more than perfect execution.

Your child won’t remember if you took a wrong turn or forgot to pack their favourite snack. They’ll remember the adventure you gave them and the message you sent: that your family, however it’s configured, is worthy of exploration and joy.

For more tips see our Family travel section.