Flying with Kids from Aeropark: Our Top Tips

A family departure takes a bit more planning

Traveling with children changes the way you prepare for a flight. Between the extra luggage, the stroller, sometimes a car seat, and keeping an eye on the little ones, every step takes longer. From Aeropark, in Gosselies, you can plan ahead for all of this so the trip to the airport goes smoothly, for you and for your kids.

Book your spot in advance

With children in tow, it's best to avoid last-minute surprises. Booking online lets you secure a spot before you even hit the road. You'll get a confirmation by email, so you won't be scrambling to find parking on the day of departure, with tired or restless kids in tow.

Booking ahead is especially useful during school holidays, when many families travel at the same time. The earlier you book, the more peace of mind you'll have about the trip.

Allow extra time for the journey

With kids, stops tend to be more frequent: a break to change a baby, a stop because a child needs to stretch their legs, something forgotten in the boot. It's wise to build in more buffer time than you would for a trip alone or as a couple. Leaving home a bit earlier means you can reach the car park without rushing, and calmly get the kids and luggage sorted before boarding the shuttle.

Arriving at the car park

A parking spot shown to you right away

As soon as you arrive on site, you'll be directed to a spot. No need to drive around looking for a free space, which is a real relief when a child is getting restless in the back seat. The team is on site during opening hours, every day of the week, and can help guide you if needed.

Sort out the stroller and luggage before the shuttle

Before boarding the shuttle, take a moment to calmly get out everything you'll need: stroller, changing bag, favorite toy, hand luggage. It's better to double-check at this point than to realize something's missing once you're in the airport terminal. If you're traveling with a foldable stroller, keep it folded and easy to carry, since you'll need to handle it getting on and off the shuttle.

The shuttle with children

A free ride, both ways

The shuttle connecting the car park to the terminal is free, both for departure and return. That's reassuring when traveling as a family: no ticket to buy, no change to dig for, just hop on with the kids and the bags when it's time.

A few simple habits for a smoother ride

With young children, a few simple habits can make the shuttle ride easier:

• Keep children seated and buckled in if seat belts are available, for the duration of the ride.
• Keep a quiet activity close at hand: a book, a favorite toy, a silent game.
• Bring a water bottle or a small snack if the ride falls around snack time.
• Count the number of children and bags before getting off, so nothing gets left behind.

These are small details, but they help avoid frustration right when you need to stay focused on boarding.

Documents not to forget for the children

Every child, even a baby, must travel with their own valid identification documents. Check the expiry dates before you leave, ideally several days ahead, not just the night before departure. If you're traveling with a child who doesn't share your last name, or if only one parent is accompanying the child, check with the airline or relevant authorities about any additional documents that might be required. These are checks to make well before departure day, not in the car on the way to Gosselies.

Plan ahead for busy periods

School holidays and festive periods bring a surge in family departures. Car parks near the airport fill up faster during these times, and road traffic can be heavier. If your departure falls during one of these periods, book your spot as early as possible and leave home with a bigger safety margin than usual. This helps you avoid arriving stressed, which tends to rub off on the kids too.

On the way back, stay just as attentive

After a flight, children are often more tired than on the way out. Take the time to recount the luggage carefully after leaving the plane, before boarding the shuttle back to the car park. Once back in your vehicle, calmly settle the children in before hitting the road again, especially if the flight landed late or after a time difference. This transition deserves just as much attention as the departure.

To check booking conditions and rates, head to the dedicated page on the Aeropark website before planning your next family trip.