What travel insurance do I need for trips with a baby?
Key takeaways
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Travel insurance can provide cover for medical emergencies, trip cancellation, and more when travelling with a baby
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You can add your baby to your existing insurance or take out family travel insurance
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Check your insurance policy cover limits for damaged or lost baby equipment
What travel insurance do I need for trips with a baby?
You’ll need to take out f amily travel insurance for trips with a baby or you can add your baby to your individual travel insurance so you have cover should something unexpected happen such as needing emergency medical care. You can choose between:
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A single trip policy
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An annual multi-trip policy
Some insurers will add your baby free of charge or offer a discount so it’s worth spending the time contacting your insurer or shopping around for a new family travel policy.
💡Top tip: Make sure you declare any pre-existing medical conditions your baby has.
How does family travel insurance work?
Family travel insurance often provides protection for one or two adults and up to eight children under 18. This makes it easier to manage and often works out cheaper than buying separate policies for each family member.
As with any insurance policy, it's important to check over the wording and terms and conditions to look for any exclusions.
Once you're happy with this, you should purchase your chosen travel insurance immediately after booking a trip to ensure you are covered for any cancellations.
What does travel insurance cover my baby for?
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Lost baggage and belongings : If your baby’s baggage or personal belongings are lost, damaged, or stolen
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Loss or damage to baby equipment: Cover for items such as pushchairs, car seats or travel cots (within item limits)
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Cancellation cover : If you need to cancel your trip for reasons specified in your policy, such as illness or bereavement
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Emergency medical expenses: Protection for medical bills or emergency medical treatments.
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Travel disruption : You can claim for delays if bad weather, strikes, or something breaking down affects your flight, ferry or other mode of transportation
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Repatriation : Emergency repatriation can cover the costs to bring your baby home after an accident or illness
Do I need travel insurance for my baby for a UK holiday?
There is no legal requirement to have travel insurance for your baby if you’re travelling in the UK and the NHS will cover any medical emergencies but travel insurance can still be useful. For example, if you need to cancel your holiday because your baby is ill or if some of your baby equipment is damaged or stolen while you’re travelling.
What else do I need to consider when travelling with a baby?
Choosing a destination
The main thing to take into account when choosing a destination is the weather. If you go somewhere too hot, your baby won't be used to the warmer climate and could be irritable in the heat. There are also risks of sunburn and dehydration, and they may find it difficult to sleep.
To make your trip more enjoyable, it might be wise to choose travelling to a cooler destination, or opting to travel to a hot country outside peak summer months, where the temperature is lower but still warm enough to have a good time on the beach and by the pool.
Mode of transport
Each form of transport comes with pros and cons when travelling with a baby. A plane is probably the most popular choice for many families, as it gives you more options in terms of destinations.
But if your baby doesn't enjoy the flight, you are then stuck in the air in a very compact space trying to tend to their needs and calm them down. The same can be said for travelling long distances in a car. You may not always be able to stop when you need to.
If this is your first trip away as a family, a train or cruise might be a more flexible option, as you have more space to manoeuvre with your baby while you help soothe them.
Length of your trip
It's a good idea to look at how long it will take you to get to each destination. If you have a longer flight, you might want to consider travelling overnight and try to keep your baby's schedule as close to normal as possible.
If you're driving, make sure you stop at regular intervals for nappy changes, feeds, and to stretch your legs.
It also helps to factor in the time it takes for transitions from the airport to the hotel or to park at the airport and get through security to reduce stress and keep to a schedule.
Can I take my baby on a cruise?
Yes, you can take your baby on a cruise but they usually need to be at least six months old. Some cruise liners with specific routes and ocean crossings require children to be at least 12 months old, so check with each one before booking.
You will need to add on cruise cover when you purchase travel insurance, as this isn't usually included with standard travel insurance.
📣 Did you know? A fifth (200%) of families with children under five took a cruise holiday in 2025, according to ABTA’s Holiday Habits 2025-26 report .
What do I need to organise for my baby before we travel?
Apply for a passport for your baby
If your little one doesn't have a passport, make sure you allow plenty of time to apply for their passport on the GOV.UK website before you travel. It usually takes three weeks for a standard baby passport but this can vary.
Check if you need a visa
Some countries have specific visa requirements so check whether you need to apply for these on the government’s foreign travel advice website . Once you know the entry requirements, get your documentation together and apply as soon as possible.
Get your baby a GHIC card if you’re travelling to Europe
Each person in your family needs their own UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC ) including your children, which you can apply for on the NHS website and check which countries it covers.
A GHIC card is free to obtain, so only ever use the official website to apply for one and look out for scams that try and make you pay for this.
Arrange vaccinations for you and your baby if required
Some countries carry diseases and illnesses that you can avoid by getting a vaccine before you travel.
Book an appointment with your doctor or midwife at least eight weeks before your trip and listen to their advice about precautions and vaccinations you and your baby need to stay safe while abroad.
The Travel Health Pro website provides lots of handy advice if you are unsure if you need any vaccinations before you travel.
Check airline policies for infant passengers
If you're flying abroad, it's important to check the airline is happy for you to bring your baby on the plane. Many require children to be at least two weeks old, but each airline will have its own policy.
Book your seats and other baby essentials in advance
Babies aged under two can travel in your lap on a plane but this isn’t ideal so if you can afford to (and the airline allows it), you might want to book an extra seat for your baby and bring a carrycot or child seat for them.
If you're flying long-haul, it might be possible to reserve a free bassinet for your baby, which can be set up on particular seats on the plane. There is a weight and age limit on these, so again, you will need to check with your airline before flying.
Also, if your baby is travelling on your lap, they might not have a luggage allowance, so bear this in mind when considering what you'll need for the flight.
If you're hiring a car, make sure you inform them you will require a baby car seat. Also check with your hotel or accommodation to see if they provide essentials like travel cots and high chairs.
What should I pack when travelling with a baby?
What you need to pack for your baby will depend on where you're travelling to and how long you're going away for. Whether your baby is of weaning age will also affect what you need to pack.
Here is a basic essentials checklist on what to pack in your hand luggage when travelling with your baby:
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Food and drink for your baby - milk, bottles, water, and snacks, depending on your baby’s age
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Any medication or vitamins they need
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Favourite toys, books, and a comforter
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A foldaway travel changing mat
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Blanket or sleeping bag, or both
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2-3 spare sets of clothes for the journey
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Wipes, nappies and nappy sacks
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A baby carrier or travel buggy
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For longer flights you might need a travel steriliser to keep bottles and teats clean if your baby is formula fed
A good tip is to split baby supplies across any checked luggage, just to mitigate the risk of lost luggage.
How much you need to pack will also depend on how much access you have to local shops and if you have on-site laundry facilities.
Why should I compare travel insurance with MoneySuperMarket?
With MoneySuperMarket, you can compare quotes in minutes to get the best travel insurance policy for your family, with flexible options to suit your travel plans.
Simply pop in a few details about your trip, and choose your policy from a range of the UK's leading travel insurance providers.
Author
Collette Shackleton
Content Writer
Collette is an experienced Content Writer at MoneySuperMarket, helping people make sense of money and insurance topics without the jargon. She shares her experience as a first-time Mum and top...
Reviewer
Alicia Hempsted
Insurance Expert
Alicia is MoneySuperMarket's editorial content manager and deputy spokesperson. She specialises in insurance and personal finance, with a background in copywriting, digital marketing, and insurance...
