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Hi everybody.

I'm happy to share my experience in travelling with kids.

I come from France. I have been living in Birmingham for 5 years. I'm dad of two daughters. Generally we travel to France twice a year. My children enjoy travelling to France due to climate and different amusement parks.

To realise our plans we face three

challenges. The first challenge is visa application. Their mum isn't European and needs Schengen visa even being European spouse. Many evidence documents are required and there is a stressful appointment system.

The second challenge is to choose how to move. Plane, train, Eurostar or boat/car. Due to bags limitations we've eliminated the plane.

Once we tried trains. An expensive and very challenging mode including interruptions.

Finally we've opted for car-boat-car model.  We can rest in the boat. Children enjoy playing areas. Travelling by car make us free to organise our time with stops in motorway rest areas or break in a Hotel. Despite theses benefits travelling by car with kids could be challenging.

The third challenge is to manage the children during the travel to avoid the burden of fatigue and long trip.

Generally we choose to travel in the day.

Before leaving we make sure the vehicle is ok. Kids are asked to do their little needs ( wiwi ). We make sure all the documents are with us. Passports, birth certificates, family books, red book for the kids. We provide head restraints. Water and food must be within reach.

Best regards.

Hi everybody.
I'm happy to share my experience in travelling with kids.
I come from France. I have been living in Birmingham for 5 years. I'm dad of two daughters. Generally we travel to France twice a year. My children enjoy travelling to France due to climate and different amusement parks.
To realise our plans we face three
challenges. The first challenge is visa application. Their mum isn't European and needs Schengen visa even being European spouse. Many evidence documents are required and there is a stressful appointment system.
The second challenge is to choose how to move. Plane, train, Eurostar or boat/car. Due to bags limitations we've eliminated the plane.
Once we tried trains. An expensive and very challenging mode including interruptions.
Finally we've opted for car-boat-car model. We can rest in the boat. Children enjoy playing areas. Travelling by car make us free to organise our time with stops in motorway rest areas or break in a Hotel. Despite theses benefits travelling by car with kids could be challenging.
The third challenge is to manage the children during the travel to avoid the burden of fatigue and long trip.
Generally we choose to travel in the day.
Before leaving we make sure the vehicle is ok. Kids are asked to do their little needs ( wiwi ). We make sure all the documents are with us. Passports, birth certificates, family books, red book for the kids. We provide head restraints. Water and food must be within reach.
Best regards. - @amu2021

Hi and thank you for your contribution.

Your post had somehow been posted twice, so I removed the duplication.

On a technical point, you mentioned a Schengen visa being required.  The UK is not a signatory to the Schengen agreement, so a Schengen visa is not required to enter the UK.  The actual visa requirements to enter the UK are described on the UK Government website, this will take you straight to it.

I hope this helps.

Cynic

Expat Team

@Cynic

Thanks for your message.

I mentioned the Schengen visa because my spouse is neither British nor European. So she needs a Shegen visa to travel to France.

Best regards.