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How long for toddler to get over jet lag?

Posted by (Seattle, WA) on

For anyone who has personal experience traveling with a toddler/kids, how many days did it take them to somewhat acclimate to European time? My mom and I are planning a trip to Scotland for September 2017 and we want to take my son with us. He'll be almost 2 at the time. I am just curious how many down days we should plan at the beginning of the trip and trying to prepare for how tired I'm going to be getting up in the night with him! Thank you!

We will fly into Edinburgh and then after a few days head up to the Highlands where we are going to rent an Airbnb in Nairn or outside of Inverness. I have traveled a lot with him in the US already and know enough to not overbook us. We've been from California to Hawaii but never as far as Europe.

Posted by
5524 posts

Rule of thumb is one day adjustment for every hour difference.

I have traveled the world with my kids. I find that coming to Europe is harder for kids than going back to the US. Just personal experience.

Posted by
2768 posts

It varies. When mine were that young they took about 3 days coming from the US east coast. That's not to say that they were miserably tired for 3 days, just that things were affected. Going to Europe the first day is the hardest. Don't plan anything big for arrival day and the first full day. The first full day they may surprise you in sleeping late. My normally up-at-6AM kids sleep until 10 on the first day. NOT the day to schedule a sunrise hike ;)

Posted by
10712 posts

My children and granddaughter, about a week. You don't have to have down days, but you do need to start later and have a nice dark room for naps.

edit: The most difficult part is getting through the night without waking others in the hotel, harder than daytime melt downs.

Posted by
1008 posts

Mine were 8 and 10 the first time we went to Europe, and twice since. A little older but... the are really late to wake up on the first two days, after that it gets a little better. So I would not schedule things early..... They are a little rough for about 4 days or so - usually the second day is the worst (not the day after arrival, but the next one).

Mainly I would not plan anything too early the first few days. :)

Kim

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