Travel with Children - HK-LHR-DUB with 2 small kids on my own

Hello all.

I've been looking at this website recently and there is some great advice and useful tips.

In a few weeks time, I will be travelling with my two young kids (5 & 2.5) on my own from HK-LHR-Dub. Its a night flight departing at 23:15 so the kids will sleep. They are well travelled kids and have done numerous long hauls so I'm not too worried about the flights themselves. ( although on the Dub leg sometimes one or both have thrown up from pure exhaustion) I haven't flown on my own with both kids before. On the plus side, we are travelling BA in business class so that will make life a lot easier.

Its been years since I've flown through Heathrow and pre kids I was never particularly fond of it so the thought of the transit with kids(T5-T1) is beginning to stress me out.

Both my kids are decent walkers (you need to be in HK with all the steps/escalators) but the I know its too far for my 2 yr old and my 5 yr old will no doubt walk slowly! I'm planning on buying the cheapest, smallest and lightest umbrella stroller in the hope I can bring it on board. Also hoping not to have much carry on. The connection time is tight : 1hr 35 mins. Will this be enough time?? I believe the next flight to DUB is at 07:30am but I cant change my ticket now. At that time of the morning is it easy to be put on the next flight if I miss the original one>

Has anyone any advice/tips regarding the transfer from T5-T1 / immigration/ security etc..I'm so tempted to book the concierge service to help me but this costs way too much.. just wishful thinking!!

Appreciate any responses. :)

I used to work at LHR but they've added T5 since I left. You don't really have enough time but you'll be there in the morning with plenty of flights all day to Dublin. You have to get through immigration but this is easier if you're an EU citizen. Just stay zen (easier said than done when flying alone with small children!)

When you check in, take the gate-check tag. Don't argue or discuss it with the agents at all. When you get to the door of the aircraft, as the F/A's if you can bring it on board and stow it in a business class closet. Explain about the tight connection. If your stroller is small, and since it's summertime, the closets should have more room (fewer coats). Taking the gate-check tag at the counter wont obligate you to gate-check the stroller.

I had to laugh at your comment about walking in HK. Scampering up and down all those stairs, especially if you live in the mid-Levels or Peak areas. But getting tired little ones through airports isn't quite the same thing.

Be sure to bring a good quality baby carrier for the younger one. You can alternate having the younger one in the stroller while the older one walks and putting the 2 year old on your back while you push the older one in the stroller. This would be much easier on your back and arms. I always feel sorry for those parents clutching toddlers in airports while trying to steer the stroller, deal with other children, etc. Don't be one of those and make sure to have the carrier handy!

Thanks for the great advice Eclipsepearl. I have an Ergo carrier that I can use to carry my youngest on my back so I will give that a go. As for staying zen..I'll try my best!!

Thanks for replying!

HKG is super children friendly. I visit there once a year with 3 small kids. Everytime our stroller (chicco ct 0.5) can be gate checked at HKG, and quite a lot of time if we had short connection we ask the GAs to ask the purser and we could really get it at the walkway after we got off the plane.

If you fly C you should have a better chance. We always on discounted Y.