Are you planning a vacation—just you and your child? And would you like to collect beautiful memories while teaching and exemplifying sustainability? If so, you’re not alone. Experts agree: traveling alone with your child not only possible, but also incredibly enriching for both of you. Here, you can learn how to travel stress-free, what to pay attention to, and which sustainable accommodations are best suited for this type of travel.

Single holidays with children – even as far as Cambodia, for children aged 6 and above

Cathy from MOMMYTRAVELS in London has traveled to over 50 countries with her now 14-year-old daughter. After initial trips within the UK, they traveled together to Oman and Cambodia when her daughter was just five.
(Note: Cathy is not necessarily a role model for sustainable travel, but her experiences traveling alone with a child are valuable nonetheless.)

Cathy writes:

„While some people travel with their baby almost from day one, most of us prefer to take it slow—starting with local day trips before embarking on long-haul flights and full itineraries. That’s exactly what I did.“

An important point: Increase both travel distance and program intensity slowly.

Cambodia is an example of a country where long-distance travel works well. Valentin from Canvas & Orchids Retreat explains:

„We are the ideal choice for parents traveling alone with children aged six and older. Guided excursions, such as boat trips and village walks, provide opportunities for shared adventures while our floating tents offer safety and comfort. The peaceful surroundings make it easy for parents and children to bond over new experiences.“

Do you need to hire a special tour operator for singles and children?

Some parents say: Yes, it can help, especially because of the group or chat exchanges beforehand. However, many consciously choose not to do so. Cathy writes that it’s also possible to plan the trip individually.

„You don’t have to limit yourself to solo parent-friendly travel. Depending on your children’s ages, a twin room or a room with a sofa bed could work wonderfully. Self-catering accommodations often offer more space and flexibility.“

One particularly attractive self-catering option is the OLM Nature Escape in the Ahrntal Valley in South Tyrol. The circular aparthotel offers apartment suites of various sizes — each with its own kitchen. If desired, the °PRENN restaurant can still be used for breakfast and gourmet dinners. Cleaning, meals, and service can be booked as extras—a flexible system that adapts to your needs.

Travel tip: A more sustainable vacation with children in Switzerland

At the Hotel Bella Vista Zermatt, children under the age of nine stay for free in their parents’ room. Hostess Fabienne Anthamatten explains:

„In addition to plenty of outdoor activities, we have a play area with a library where children and their parents can spend time together.“

Another plus: Zermatt is car-free, and nature begins right on your doorstep. Children will particularly enjoy the glacier trip to the Gorner Glacier, followed by a visit to the ice sculptures in the Glacier Palace—even in summer!

Making sustainability tangible for children

A vacation at the foot of the Matterhorn is an impressive and educational experience. Fabienne Anthamatten witnesses the retreat of the glacier firsthand every year. She regularly visits the glacier with her family and sees how it is shrinking. Read our article, “Glacier-friendly travel“, to learn more.

Children understand topics such as waste prevention, environmental protection, and animal welfare. Abstract concepts, such as flight emissions, are more difficult to grasp, and many adults struggle with them as well. However, even young children can easily understand that traveling by train is more environmentally friendly than flying or driving.

Packing and eco friendly travel tips for single parents traveling with children

Anyone who has traveled with a child or children will tell you the same thing: pack light.
Of course, you can’t do without extra luggage entirely; a change of clothes is essential. Nevertheless, you should plan accordingly so that you can carry your luggage on your own and not have to rely on help. Deutsche Bahn offers assistance upon request, but you can’t rely on it to work reliably..

Should children travel with their own suitcase?

My answer is clear: No.
One backpack is enough – and yes, the stuffed animal has to fit in it, too. While having their own trolley is exciting for children, you’ll end up pulling two suitcases and carrying the stuffed animal and neck pillow.

The golden rule for solo vacations with children is: Make it as easy as possible for yourself!

Reserve seats on the train in advance (ideally at a table or in the family compartment), send your luggage ahead, or use hotel transfers. At the Ritten, the ADLER Lodge RITTEN and the Hotel Weihrerhof cover the cost of transporting your luggage—which is particularly convenient since you must first take the cable car up to the high plateau. Another point to consider: After long days of travel, don’t wait for the bus or walk long distances. Especially when everyone is already irritable due to fatigue and overstimulation, it won’t do you any favors. Instead, order a shuttle in advance to take you from the train station to the hotel for less stress.

The all-inclusive ADLER Lodge RITTEN offers space for rest and relaxation. It is particularly recommended for families with babies or older children. For energetic little ones, we recommend the family-run Hotel Weihrerhof, which offers a warm welcome to children. The lake is right outside and the playground is next to the terrace, so you can relax with a cup of coffee while keeping an eye on your child.

Also located on the Ritten is the Apipura hotel rinner, featuring its own apiary. Here, you can learn all about bees, explore a bee nature trail, sample various honeys at the breakfast buffet, and enjoy apitherapy. In addition to the garden playground, there is a playroom for rainy days. Additionally, the historic Renon railway stops right in front of the hotel, making it easy and convenient to get around.

Involve your child in the planning

Cathy sums it up well:

„Involve your children. Babies don’t plan itineraries, but with older children, it’s worth discussing the trip in advance. Making decisions together—or compromises—is simply more fun.“

Here’s an extra tip from Green Pearls®: Don’t just talk before the trip; talk while you’re on the road, too. Ask, “What do we want to do today and tomorrow?” This question promotes independence and anticipation. In the evening, reflect together: “What was fun? What was particularly great? What was stupid?” It also makes your trip much more relaxed if you explain the daily routine. For example, you could say, “We’re going down to dinner now. Then, we’ll rest in our room for half an hour. After that, we’ll go to the beach and eat ice cream.”

Schedule breaks—yes, really!

All solo travelers with children agree: Plan generous breaks. A packed daily schedule may work for adults, but not for children. It’s better to plan in stages: breakfast, break, outing, break, pool, break. And don’t forget to take breaks yourself. If your child is ready and open to it, don’t feel guilty about using the hotel’s childcare services. Your child will have adventures with other children their age, and you’ll have a few hours to yourself.

Hotels with kids’ clubs and babysitting services

At the AKI Kids Club at the ADLER Spa Resort SICILIA, children can make crafts with natural materials collected from the beach or go on discovery tours of the Sicilian countryside. Meanwhile, parents can relax in the thalasso pool with a view of the sea or enjoy a solitary walk on the beach.

In addition to a Kids’ Club, the Hotel Klosterbräu in Tyrol offers babysitting services and activities for teenagers, including a youth room with a pool table and video game consoles. The Kids’ Club provides pizza-baking activities, visits to the hotel’s petting zoo, and insights into the hotel’s farm.

The linked article provides more information about sustainable accommodations that offer childcare and babysitting services.

Digital consumption while traveling

Cell phones and tablets have become an everyday part of life for many families, so it’s unrealistic to leave them at home when going on vacation. In my opinion, clear agreements are helpful: lots of screen time during the journey and fixed time slots once you arrive. The important thing is to establish a vacation routine that works for everyone and is clear: different rules apply on vacation than at home. Explain this in advance, and especially with older children, find a mutual solution instead of just dictating rules. Also important: stick to it yourself!

Can single fathers also travel with their children?

Of course! However, many fathers report experiencing prejudice. Author D.W. Gibson humorously describes this phenomenon in his article, “The Bizarre Case of a Dad Traveling Alone with a Baby.” While traveling alone with his one-year-old daughter and 32 diapers, Gibson found that the most difficult thing was enduring the looks and reactions of others. In the end, he simply concludes: “We managed.”

“Kids won’t remember anyway.” —Really?

Finally, here is a thought from World Adventurist, a mother who has traveled to over 30 countries alone with her four children:

„The idea that children don’t remember traveling is a misconception. They may not remember every detail, but they do remember feelings, experiences, and formative moments. Travel teaches them adaptability, empathy, and openness. And even if they don’t consciously remember everything, the value of the experience in the moment remains.“

Now it’s time to take the plunge! It’s not just about creating memories for the future; it’s also about spending time together in the present. And it’s about guiding children on their journey to becoming open-minded and empathetic individuals.

By the way, there are organizations such as Global Family that help single parents in difficult circumstances who cannot afford a vacation with their child. The aforementioned Hotel Klosterbräu in Tyrol and the sustainable SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA in Bad Herrenalb, Germany, are among its partners and offer families free stays.

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