5 Feb 2026

Travelling to Phuket as a Single Parent: What I Learned on a Long-Haul Journey with a Toddler & Teen

 


How I Actually Got to Heathrow: Travelling From Norwood → Farringdon → Heathrow

Before even leaving the UK, the journey to Heathrow as a single parent required planning. I travelled from Norwood to Farringdon because Farringdon Station has full step-free access with lifts, which is essential when you’re travelling with:

  • a toddler
  • a teen
  • a buggy (especially a Doona)
  • multiple bags and carry-ons

Not all London stations have lifts or step-free access, so choosing Farringdon made my journey smoother and safer. From there, I took the direct Elizabeth Line train straight to Heathrow Airport, which meant:

  • No changing trains
  • No stairs or platforms to struggle with
  • A calmer, more manageable route with children
  • A faster journey with space for luggage

For any parent travelling with young children, prams, or lots of bags — this route is highly recommended.

Official Links for Journey Planning

Here are the exact links I used to plan my route:

Using stations with lifts makes a huge difference when travelling alone with children. Avoiding stairs, busy interchanges, and unnecessary changes saved me so much energy before even reaching the airport.


✨ 

My Route to Heathrow: Norwood → Farringdon → Heathrow (Cost & Why This Route Matters)



To get to Heathrow, I travelled from Norwood to Farringdon, then took the Elizabeth Line straight to Heathrow Airport. I chose this route for one main reason: Farringdon Station has lifts and full step-free access, which is essential when you’re travelling alone with a toddler, a teen, luggage, and a buggy.


Not every London station is accessible, and the last thing you want is to drag bags and a buggy up multiple flights of stairs. Farringdon was the safest, smoothest option.

Cost of the Journey


The full journey from Norwood → Farringdon → Heathrow cost around:


  • £2.80 – £3.60 from Norwood to Farringdon (off-peak on contactless/Oyster)
  • £12.80 – £13.30 from Farringdon to Heathrow on the Elizabeth Line (with contactless/Oyster)

So in total, I spent around £16–£17 one way.


This is a huge saving compared to taxis or Uber, which can cost £60–£100+ from South London to Heathrow, depending on the time of day and traffic.


Why This Route Was the Best Option

  • Step-free access meant I didn’t struggle with bags or the buggy
  • The Elizabeth Line goes directly to Heathrow with no changes
  • Carriages have more space for luggage
  • Trains are air-conditioned, cleaner and calmer for children
  • It was much cheaper than a taxi
  • The journey felt safer and more manageable because I wasn’t rushing between platforms or juggling stairs


For single parents, this route is honestly one of the easiest ways to get to the airport without stress.


Travelling to Phuket as a single parent wasn’t just a holiday — it was a reset I truly needed. I wanted warmth in winter, a break from routine, and a deeper connection with my children. But what I didn’t expect was how layered, emotional, and eye-opening the experience would be while travelling alone with both a baby and a teenager.

This trip wasn’t perfect — but it was honest, grounding, and full of important lessons that will help any parent planning something similar. Here’s what I learned from navigating long-haul travel completely on my own.

Helpful Travel Links (The Exact Sites I Used)


Woman walking with suitcase pushing doona buggy


You Won’t Rest in the Way You Imagine

When you’re the only adult travelling with children, rest looks very different. You are the person responsible for routines, decisions, emotions, safety, and everything in-between. Even in a beautiful destination, your mind doesn’t switch off.

This doesn’t mean the trip isn’t worth it — it just means expectations need to be gentle and realistic.

Teens Travel Differently — And That’s Okay

Teens have their own moods, interests, and energy levels. Some activities I planned didn’t land the way I thought they would. Instead of forcing an itinerary, I learned to:

  • Follow my teen’s energy
  • Allow flexibility
  • Let go of rigid expectations

This made our days smoother and our connection stronger.

Packing for a Baby Is ALWAYS More Than You Think

Even with careful planning, something will always get forgotten. The key isn’t packing more — it’s packing intentionally. Especially when you’re far from home.

Food, Allergies & Medication Need Triple Checking

This was one of the biggest lessons of the entire trip. Airline food options were extremely limited, and staff couldn’t confirm ingredients — which is dangerous for allergy families.

My daughter experienced an eczema flare-up, discomfort, and barely ate during both flights. If your child has allergies or sensitive skin, make sure to:

  • Pack more food than you need
  • Avoid new or “experimental” foods
  • Carry medication in hand luggage
  • Research pharmacies in your destination

Buggy Rules, Airline Policies & What I Learned About Doona vs. YOYO

Choosing the right buggy makes a massive difference when travelling long-haul with a toddler. Not all airlines treat buggies the same, and this can completely impact your journey — especially during layovers.

The Doona: Perfect for Taxis, Complicated for Flights

The Doona is amazing on the ground because it doubles as a car seat — which was essential in Phuket. However, airline rules make it difficult during flights:

  • You can ONLY take the Doona in the cabin if your child has a paid seat.
  • If your baby is flying as an infant, the Doona must be checked in.
  • This means you won’t have your buggy during layovers.

During my journey, my Doona was taken at the first airport and sent directly to the final destination. This left me carrying my daughter during a long layover — extremely tiring and inconvenient.

Why YOYO-Style Buggies Are Better for Flying

I saw lots of parents travelling with the BABYZEN YOYO or similar compact buggies — and now I understand why:

  • They fold small enough to go in the overhead locker.
  • You can take them all the way to the gate.
  • You get them back as soon as you land.
  • They are lightweight and easy to carry.

Official YOYO Website: https://www.stokke.com/

Understanding Airline Weight Allowances When Travelling With a Baby

Most airlines allow:

  • 1 cabin bag + 1 personal item for adults
  • 1 additional baby bag (5–7kg)
  • 1 buggy or car seat free of charge

Always check allowances before flying — overweight fees can be very high.

My Honest Review of Flying With Saudia Airlines

I flew with Saudia Airlines (Saudi Arabian Airlines), and for transparency — I personally would not fly with them again.

Limited Food Options & Allergy Concerns

There were almost no child-friendly or allergy-safe options. Staff could not confirm ingredients, which is a major issue for parents of children with allergies or eczema.

My daughter barely ate on both flights. I didn’t feel comfortable with the lack of clear allergy guidance.

Overall Experience

I didn’t enjoy the flight and didn’t feel fully supported as a parent travelling with young children. For these reasons, I personally wouldn’t choose Saudia again.

If you do fly with them:

  • Bring your own snacks
  • Pack all medication in carry-on
  • Prepare for limited food options

Pack for Comfort, Not Just Convenience

The items that helped the most were:

  • Flannels for hands and faces
  • Gentle baby powder and skincare
  • Extra nappies
  • Comfort items for soothing

Airports rarely sell essentials, so bring them yourself.

What I Wouldn’t Change

Despite the challenges — the long walks, limited food, buggy struggles — the memories we made were priceless. Watching my children explore a new culture, enjoy tropical warmth, and create new experiences made every difficulty worth it.

Travel isn’t always restful, but it is always meaningful.

Travel Essentials Referenced in This Guide


Travelling alone with a baby and a teenager requires practical preparation. Below are the exact travel essentials I referenced throughout this post — shared for transparency for parents planning similar trips.

Baby & Feeding Essentials (Travel)

Travel feeding essentials for babies

Carry-On & Travel Must-Haves

Travel must-haves for flying with children

Nappies & On-the-Go Baby Care

Pampers & baby care essentials

Philips Baby Essentials

Philips baby travel essentials

Travel Buggies & Baby Gear

Graco baby travel kits & buggies

Travel systems and buggies 


Beach & Pool Essentials for Mums

Beach cover-ups & practical mum essentials

Teen Holiday Outfits

Y2K outfit ideas for teen boys

Teen holiday outfit essentials

Carry-On Organisation

Carry-on essentials for long-haul flights

Beach Day Essentials

Beach essentials for family holidays

Eczema & Sensitive Skin Essentials

Eczema-safe travel essentials

This content is shared for educational and practical purposes. These links may contain affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.


Final Thoughts

Travelling to Phuket as a single parent wasn’t easy — but it was powerful. I learned patience, flexibility, deep planning, and how capable I truly am.

If you're thinking about travelling as a single parent, my advice is simple:

  • Plan deeply
  • Lower expectations gently
  • Trust yourself fully

Your children won’t remember the stress — they’ll remember the adventure.

Connect with me 

🌐 Blog: ClaudiaLifestyleBlog.com

💼 LinkedIn – Claudia Dimes

📸 TikTok | Instagram | Pinterest

Facebook community Women Who Move

📩 1:1 Coaching Email:

claudiadimes2020@gmail.com

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