The Family traveller, a guide to travelling with kids

Travelling through the airport with young children can be stressful. Instead of being excited for your holiday, you find yourself focused on keeping the kids in check. To make sure your journey through the airport as a family is as seamless as can be, we’ve put together all the information you need!

Whether you want to know what facilities are available in the terminal or where to park, this brief guide will help you get your holiday off to a great start…

When do I need to be at the airport?

Arrive in line with your airlines check in times

When you’re travelling with young children, we advise you to arrive to the airport when your check in opens, this can be found on your booking information from your airline - so it's important to check with the airline you're flying with.

Generally, check-in for long haul flights (between 6-12 hours) will open approximately 4 hours before departure. For short haul services (between 2-6 hours), desks will normally open 2 to 3 hours before departure. Your airline can confirm precise check-in opening times.

If you're travelling with Jet2.com or TUI before noon, did you know you can drop your bags off the day before? On the day you travel make your way to join the security queue on the ground floor. More information about this service can be found here. If you're using this service customers can benefit from a reduced tariff when parking in our Premium Set Down car park - find out more about Twilight/ Day Before Bag Drop parking here.

Where should I park?

Travelling with children can be stressful enough, so why not make life a little easier and drive your family to the airport? Pre-book a parking space before you go, keep the kids entertained by supplying them with a book or iPad in the back of the car, and have a seamless start to your holiday.

Car Parks 1-3 are only a short two-minute walk from the terminal building. Car Parks 4 and 5 are a little further afield but still walkable, or you can catch a free courtesy shuttle bus to the terminal.

Valet parking is a great option if you also have a lot of luggage. Simply park in the Valet car park next to the terminal building and report to the Valet Parking reception cabin.

Pre-book your car parking space for the best prices and guaranteed spaces, visit our parking page for more options.

What should I eat?

Our restaurants are delighted to welcome children and most have special menus and colouring packs for entertainment.

• Giraffe’s kid’s menu offers food from all around the world, while Factory Bar and Kitchen offers and extensive food and drinks menu which include kids, breakfast, sharers and a range of quality mains.

• The family friendly pub - Wetherspoon offers small plates, which has a variety of tasty and affordable options suitable for kids.

• If you don’t have enough time for a sit-down meal, grab a tasty sandwich from one of the many cafés, like Pret, Starbucks and Costa.

Don’t forget to stock up on plane sweets and snacks at Boots or WHSmith.

Helpful Tips

• Check in online - If you check in online before you arrive at the airport and have your boarding pass ready, all you’ll need to do is drop off any checked bags at the relevant airline ‘bag-drop’ area. Then you’re ready to go through to the departure lounge!

• Visit the aircraft viewing area - If you park in Car Park 5 and have plenty of time before your flight, head to the free viewing area to do some plane spotting with the kids. Signposts will direct you to the airfield perimeter fence and you can watch the planes take off and land right in front of you…that’s one way to get the kids excited for their holiday!

• Use FlightSmart - Get real time flight updates to your Twitter account with our

  FlightSmart service. Simply tweet your flight number to @flyBHX on the day of travel to see gate numbers, check-in opening times and live updates about any cancellations or delays.

• Prepare for security - Everyone needs to be scanned going through Security, so walking children need to go through the Archway Metal Detector (AMD) individually. Pushchairs must be pushed though the AMD. Bags must be removed from the buggy and put through the scanner separately, and the baby must be carried through. Medicines or special diet foods (over 100ml) in hand luggage should be carried with a Doctor's letter or prescription explaining their necessity.

• Use our Express Lane - To make life a little easier for you and the kids, why not buy Express Lane, which is a separate lane to reach the security process. Not only will it mean less waiting around, it will also give you more time to enjoy the great selection of shops, bars and restaurants in our Departure Lounge! You can pre-book online or pay at the entrance... under 5s go for free!

• Pre-order World Duty Free - If you want to enjoy the offers at duty free, you can shop online before you travel and reserve duty free items to collect in store before departure.

• Use our pushchairs - When you land back in Birmingham, you’ll want to get your tired tots home as quickly as possible. With a refundable £1 deposit, you can use our pushchairs to help with your journey to the baggage hall.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take baby milk through Security?

Yes - baby milk and baby food can be taken in hand luggage through Security, but do make the security officer aware you are carrying this.

Handy tip! Baby milk and other essentials can be pre-ordered online at Boots for collection in our Departure Lounge shop, so there is no need for you to have to carry this through security. For more information about when you should pre-order, please visit the Boots Airport Click and Collect FAQs.

Are there baby changing facilities at the airport?

Yes - for families travelling with little ones, there are baby changing rooms conveniently located throughout the terminal for you to change nappies or feed your baby.

Can I take food such as sandwiches, crisps, chocolates and biscuits through security in my hand baggage?

Foods or powders should be packed into hold baggage where possible. Although these items are permitted in hand luggage, they can obstruct images on the x-ray machine, or may be mistaken for suspicious items, so putting them in the hold will help reduce the need for additional checks.

Do you have baby changing facilities?

There are baby changing rooms located throughout the terminal for you to change nappies or feed your baby. Most of these are located near to the toilets.

Can I keep my pushchair after check-in?

After check-in tags your pushchair for travel, you may keep it until your departure gate, where the handling agent will take it from you for loading.

Do you have any activities for older children?

Visit Sky Zone online, our digital platform designed for older children, providing interactive fun before you get to the Airport or during your visit.

Is there free WiFi at the Airport?

Wherever you are within the terminal, you can connect to free WiFi for half hour slots. Just login and your details will be saved for future visits.