I’ve traveled to more than 20 cities with my son. But whenever I tell other parents, “I’m going on a trip with just my kid,” the reactions are almost always the same:
- “Isn’t it too much to handle on your own?”
- “Won’t it be exhausting with just the two of you?”
- “What if your child suddenly gets sick?”
- “Wouldn’t a domestic trip be easier?”
I always smile and answer, “It’s easier than you think!” Honestly, it’s even freer and more fun.
I didn’t always think this way, though. At first I had plenty of worries too. So here are the most common reasons parents hesitate about traveling solo with a child, and how each worry can actually be solved.
1. “I’ll Have to Handle Everything Myself”
With two parents, one can watch the child while the other handles the bags or takes a break. Traveling solo with a child means doing it all yourself.
Carrying the bags, feeding your child and keeping an eye on them on the move all fall on you. Naturally, it looks hard.
But once you actually go, it’s more manageable than you think.
Pack light.
- My rule is to pack as little as possible for my child.
- Bring only the essentials and leave out anything you can get locally.
- I pack just one or two outfits for myself and do laundry on the road. Two outfits are enough for a child on a three-day trip, and if clothes get dirty, you can buy more locally.
Don’t plan the perfect itinerary.
- When one parent handles everything, a relaxed schedule matters more than a perfect one.
- Plan just three or four stops a day and stay flexible.
There are hard moments, but many more precious ones.
- Traveling one-on-one deepens your time together.
- It’s not just parenting: you become travel companions.
- I worried at first too, but afterward I was so glad I didn’t miss those moments.
2. “Won’t It Be Exhausting With Just the Two of Us?”
It’s true. Traveling solo with a child definitely has tiring moments compared with traveling alone. But for every tiring moment, you build up twice as many precious memories.
The key is knowing how to keep yourself from burning out.
Mix in things parents enjoy, not just kid-focused plans.
- If you spent all day at Universal Studios with your child, take time the next day to relax at a cafe you love.
- Don’t just visit theme parks your child likes; add a traditional teahouse or a pretty street you’d enjoy.
Pace yourself.
- Instead of rushing around, take one- or two-hour breaks. Scheduling pretty cafes or rest stops helps.
- Choose accommodation that keeps travel time down to save energy.
- Don’t insist on public transport just to save money; take a taxi when you’re tired. Taxis in Japan aren’t as expensive as you might think.
This time with your child won’t come again.
- The years when your child happily travels alone with you are short.
- By the upper grades of elementary school they’d rather hang out with friends, and by middle school they may not want to travel with you at all.
- So I decided to make the most of these years with no regrets.
3. “What If My Child Gets Sick on the Trip?”
This is probably the biggest worry for most parents. Abroad, it can feel overwhelming to figure out what to do when your child falls ill somewhere unfamiliar. But with some preparation, you can handle it.
Pack basic medicine before you leave.
- Fever reducer, cold medicine and stomach medicine are musts
- A small thermometer and bandages are handy too
Look up local hospitals and pharmacies in advance.
- Before each trip, I check hospitals and pharmacies near our hotel.
- In Japan, common cold and digestive medicines are easy to find at pharmacies.
Know how overseas hospital visits and insurance claims work.
- Keep your receipts after any hospital visit abroad, since you may be reimbursed depending on your insurance. Get travel insurance before you go.
- It’s also worth learning a few basic Japanese phrases for the hospital in case of emergency.
Worry too much and you’ll never go. There are plenty of reasons to hesitate about traveling solo with a child, but one thing is certain: once you go, you’ll wonder why you didn’t do it sooner.
On my first solo trip with my son, I carried plenty of worries, but every one of them was covered over by happy moments on the road.
Traveling solo with a child is easier than you think, and far more special than you’d imagine.
Prices, hours and details in this post are from our visit in February 2025 and may have changed, so check the latest information before you go.