First time Europe Traveller Itinerary Help (w/ toddler!!)

Well I think that with a tot a rental car is not a bad idea, they can sleep in the carseat etc , and you can haul all the extra stuff around easily. If you could stay three weeks leasing an auto is usually the way to go , cheaper, my dad uses AutoEurope, but I am sure there are many other companies. The other issue is ,, staying put more, moving less. The moving is the stress part. If you could restrict your visit to perhaps two max three stops would be better,, some kids find moving and sleeping in different places a bit unsettling,, so staying 4-5 days in one spot is a good idea. Also, for somewhere like Paris, renting an apartment is preferable to a hotel in most cases with a child. you can stock the fridge with juices and snacks, eat breakfast in, pack picnic lunches that you can eat in many of the lovely parks while tot plays etc.

My husband and I took a one-and-a-half year old and a four year old to London and Paris last year. I agree that an apartment is the best idea, but if you need to stay in hotels, be aware that many European rooms are singles or doubles - that means 1 or 2 people per room. The toddler may, or may not, count as an occupant. So in some hotels you, your wife, and son will not be allowed to have a double room. Triples exist, but not in all hotels. I can't speak to where, specifically, to go, but think about what kind of travel your son tends to do well with. Contrary to popular wisdom, my kids like cities (many people seem to say to stick to countryside with kids, but we do better with lots of structured activities). One concern is car seats - if you rent a car, you'll need one, but lugging it on and off trains and busses is really, really annoying. Sometimes impossible. So I'd suggest either renting a car OR doing the trip via train/bus. Combos, like a car from point A to B, but train from B to C doesn't work all that well. By all means, leave the carseat in the hotel room or the car and take trains for day trips, though.

Thanks for the replies :) So this might be a stupid question but train doesn't require a car seat, right? Also do airlines loan car seats? It'd be really tough for me to take my son, carriages for him and myself, AND the carseat. Any insights on this? Also for the cities, I was thinking Lausanne (since my wife will be already there), Munich, Paris and Rome. Rough sketch would be, Lausanne - 1 night 2 days Munich - 1 night 2 days Paris - 2 nights 3 days Rome - 2 nights 3 days
Does that sound about right? Or is there anything/anywhere else I should consider? Thanks !!!!

You are spending at most 2 nights in each location - including the hugely interesting cities of Paris and Rome. To me this is too much traveling between cities and not enough time on the ground in each of them. I suggest you also research the travel times between each of your planned cities, by train, car, plane -- some of them may eat up most of a day.
I personally would eliminate Rome on this trip.

No airlines do not rent carseats. But why would you not bring your own,, I can handle a kid and a carseat, plus push a stroller( i had three kids under 6 so don't expect much sympathy from me,, toughen up buttercup!) . You simply have the carry-on /diaper bag) over your shoulder or in the under carry part of stroller if it has it) , and balance the carseat on top of the "hood" of the stroller. Child sits in stroller. ta da. Done it . its actually great to have the carseat on the plane anyways, children usually sleep better in it, plus at meal time they can be seating at a good level to eat. Trains do not require carseats( nor buses or taxis)
Most rental car places will rent you a carseat.

Also, I would not even consider spending 2 nights in either Paris or Rome, thats only one full day,, you need to eliminate somewhere.

Andy, To begin with, it would be possible to visit the locations you mentioned, but not in two weeks. Is there any way you could add more time? I'd suggest a slightly different order, but will comment later on that point. If this is your first trip to Europe, I'd highly recommend reading Europe Through The Back Door prior to your trip. Regarding travelling with a toddler, my preference would be to use trains rather than a rental car, especially given the places you want to visit. Trains will be a MUCH faster and more efficient travel method (and you won't need a car seat). How old is your toddler? While touring around cities, you may be able to use something like a "Snugli" or backpack carry rather than packing a Stroller? When you're traversing airports with toddler and luggage, you may be able to qualify for the electric carts operated by the airlines for transportation to gates, etc. Have you booked your return flights yet, or is there a possibility you could return from Rome? I'd suggest having a look at the country-specific Guidebooks to plan sightseeing in each location. This will allow you to plan a realistic schedule to balance what you want to see vs. the attention level of your toddler. Happy travels!

Thanks all for the great suggestions!! After I looked at your posts, i decided to take Munich out of equation and purchased europe thru the backdoor, rome, and paris guide. So should I take the carseat then?? It will be a backpack, suitcase, carseat, stroller, and the boy. I dont know if i can take'em all since this is my first time air travel with my son.
Thanks!!!

When we've flown with our toddler (not to Europe...) we took a rolling suitcase and used bungee cords to strap the carseat upside down on top of the suitcase. Make sense? Then you can throw a backpack or messenger bag on your body and push the kid in a stroller (one-handed). It's doable if you use the right gear.

I think you will want/need the carseat on the plane. You might actually be able to sleep if you know the kid is safely strapped in next to you. If you've got extra money (or plan more children and more traveling) you could buy the carseat that converts to a stroller. You could also buy a carrying bag that allows you to wear the carseat as a backpack. I did the latter when I traveled alone with kids ages 1, 3 & 5 across the US with connecting flights. For two weeks with a toddler - I would say that after your stay in Switzerland, you can pick at MAX two other cities to visit. The others will just have to be on your list of places to visit the next time...and the time after that.. With naptimes, early bedtimes, etc. you won't be able to see that much each day. Really, the slow pace doesn't have to be a negative. But your sightseeing will be greatly spread out, and you need to stay longer in each place. You're also going to find that a lot of places aren't stroller-friendly and your arms might be getting tired and need a break. For two weeks, I think you could be quite happy with a week in Rome and a week in Paris. Given that you'll have extra gear for the baby, the less changing of location you do, the easier.

I'm a little confused, as you said you had two weeks, but the itinerary you gave included only 6 nights. But aside from that, I agree with the prior poster - one week in each of two wonderful cities, with a toddler, could be delightful. Or two cities plus some time in Lausanne, where your wife already is. I also agree about taking a carseat on the plane. While we didn't take our kids to Europe, we always took their carseats when traveling in the U.S., and they were used to their carseats and sleeping in them. Caveat to that comment being, I believe that some (or maybe all) European airlines do not allow carseats on the planes. If you think you might be taking a European carrier (Lufthansa, for example), call and ask.

Andy The logistics of taking a toddler to Europe can be nervewracking but you are thinking through what you need to do. And that is the important part! We took my 2 1/2 year old to Japan. His sleep times were all out of whack. It turns out, he slept when he needed to in the stroller. So we ended up not worrying about the nap or sometimes even bedtimes. We went out to dinner with him, too. I think you will drive yourself and him crazy if you try to enforce a naptime/bedtime routine on him for just 2 weeks. I am not sure how you will get through the airport on the way there, but we bought a stroller on the first day we arrived. Had emailed the hotel in advance to find where we could buy one. I Obviously, you need to make sure the hotel has a crib. Sure you have thought about bringing a favorite blanket/toy. If you can buy 2 so if one gets lost, he won't be distraught. So look forward for some fun times with your toddler. Here are a few we had. He yelled at the top of his lungs in a formal restaurant, "I went pee pee in the potty!". We just hoped those words were not translatable! Waitresses would carry him around to show their customers my strawberry blond son and give us some time to eat. Many countries have toilet training customs that have children trained by age 1 or 1 1/2. So their large size Pampers type diapers barely fit. Have fun! It is definitely worth it to take your toddler! Bobbie

A car seat for the plane ride over is very beneficial. It is much more comfortable for you and your son to have him strapped in safely next to you. Look like you guys really want to go to Paris and Rome after Switzerland. If you have not purchased tickets already, buy "open jaw" or "multi-city" tickets and fly into Lusanne and out of Rome. It will save on backtracking. Consider taking an inexpensive inter-Europe flight from Paris to Rome. It may be a little easier than a train ride, in my opinion. Definitely try and rent an apartment. In Paris, try and stay close to Luxembourg Gardens. Looks like you have already gotten the guidebooks suggested. They will be of great help to you in planning.
Have fun!

Thanks again for all the great suggestions !! My itinerary was not meant to be final and I had left some days out intentionally. (transportation time, adding days to paris or rome, etc) In your experience, what were some of your "MUST TAKE" items?

When my kids were little I always packed a bit of the medicines they are used to from home.Every country as the same or similar stuff, but the names are often different, reading the dosages is often hard unless you are multi lingual. Plus we all know kids get sick in the middle of night,, when you have no idea where to go to get fever reducer or an anti nausea drug. So, I also packed child tylenol, child decongestant, and usually a tube of antiseptic cream for boo boos, plus some pepto bismal. Most normal illnesses that do not require a doctors visit( at least at first,, if child stays sick for more then a few days etc,,go to a clinic) These drugs are just for emergency treatments,, the good news is,, little kids get sick really quickly , but normall recover quickly also, if not go to doctor. A good stroller,, big wheels that can handle bumps,, and preferably has a recline seat so child can nap.

Check with the airline on paperwork you may need before leaving the country with your son. My brother had to have an affadavit from his wife before he separately took their daughter to Australia for vacation (his wife was one week ahead of them for work). Unfortunately because of the history of parents taking children to foreign countries to avoid custody orders, there may be extra steps you have to take.