Travelling with twins: how we embraced the chaos

When I got over the initial shock of finding out I was pregnant with twins, my mind went straight to logistics. One worry kept circling: how would we ever travel again? I had visions of packing lists longer than my supermarket receipts, hotel rooms with mysterious electrical sockets perfect for little fingers, and googling “is the water safe to drink” at 2am. Honestly, I wondered if we’d ever sit on a beach again without needing a military grade strategy.

For many families, travelling with twins can feel like a whole new job on top of parenting, especially when there are other children in the mix. There are practical questions, safety worries and that nagging fear of being “that family” on a flight. Twins Trust has information and reassurance for parents who want to get out and about with their multiples, with tips on planning, travelling safely and feeling more confident along the way.

I realised the only way to find out was to just have a go. And somehow, between the chaos and the comedy, our first holiday was an actual success. Since then, our boys have become seasoned travellers. We’ve attempted all sorts from city breaks to road trips but we’re still searching for the mythical ‘perfect retreat’, but one thing’s true every time. We come home with a story.

Letting go of the perfect holiday

With a big family, I’ve learned you have to let go of the idea that everyone will be blissfully happy at the same time. Someone will always be too hot, too cold, too tired or too hungry.

Now I remind myself of something important: it’s my holiday too. I’m allowed to enjoy it, even if ‘relaxation’ comes in tiny, stolen moments.

If you’ve got twins in the UK, you’ll know the comments: ‘Double trouble!’, ‘You’ve got your hands full!’, and the classic: ‘Rather you than me!’

On one of our first holidays to Europe, complete strangers reacted with pure joy. People stopped us just to say how lovely it was to see twins. People congratulated us and told us we were doing well. It was unexpectedly lovely, and it stayed with me.

Finding the right age to travel

Looking back, the easiest holiday was when the boys were six months old. They were like adorable little travel companions who could sit up, sleep on schedule and, crucially, couldn’t crawl anywhere. We lounged by the pool while they napped in the shade and for a brief moment I thought, “We’ve cracked this.”

Then came toddlerhood. Suddenly, flights became… sporty. Nothing makes you sweat like keeping a two-year-old (or two) in a seat while they attempt to throw themselves under the row in front.

But then came the surprise discovery for us: long-haul flights are actually easier. Bigger planes, more space, more tolerant staff, endless food and kids hypnotised by headrest TVs. Honestly, I’ve had more rest on a 14-hour flight than on some school mornings.

Airports are always an adventure

Airports with twins feel like entering a live Big Brother show. People stare, smile and nudge each other as we walk by.

Modern face recognition adds to the commotion. One twin scans through security perfectly, and the second gets stopped because “they’ve already checked in.” Cue staff comparing faces and us explaining, “Yes, they do look the same. Yes, there are two of them.” Every. Single. Time.

Packing lessons learned the hard way

Over time, I’ve learned that packing isn’t about having everything. It’s about having the right things, in the right place, when you need them.

I try to take less hand luggage now, because every extra bag is another thing you’ll leave in a taxi, lose at security, or discover full of half-eaten snacks. Refillable water bottles are non-negotiable. We also take our own car seats where we can.

Packing cubes have been a genuine game changer for staying organised. And a favourite toy or comfort item can be the difference between peace and a full holiday meltdown, even if it’s small and looks a bit scruffy by day three.

If there’s a washing machine, I do washing. For some reason, washing clothes on holiday feels oddly manageable, but coming home to a mountain of washing absolutely does not.

Coming home with stories

Travelling with twins isn’t always glamorous, and Instagram has a lot to answer for. Yet for every chaotic moment, there are memories that make it all worthwhile. You learn to laugh at the mishaps, improvise when plans go sideways and celebrate the tiny victories. Over time, you realise these imperfect moments are the ones you remember most vividly.

Holidays are messy, unpredictable and often exhausting. But they’re also filled with joy, wonder and little stories you’ll tell for years. We always come home thinking, where shall we go to next?