Travel Gear

Essential Baby and Toddler Travel Gear for a Trip to Greece

by Lindsay
Yoyo Babyzen Travel Stroller
Packing two into our Yoyo Babyzen stroller.

Greece is exceptionally child-friendly. Yet, it still surprises with its idiosyncratic ways. While many Airbnbs are run professionally and provide pristine travel cots complete with bedding (never in the packing list now), don’t expect a high chair at every tavern you visit.

So what do you need to plan for as you ready your travel arsenal? Teetering between too little and too much (less, is generally best. Yet keeping in mind that you want to relax, not rough it out), we list the gear and other baby bits that will save you from many a headache on a holiday in Greece. We’ve also included Greek brands we love for diapers, toiletries, and other daily essentials so you can pack light, support local, and travel confidently.

Travel Stroller - Babyzen Yoyo
The YOYO Babyzen is design genius. The original travel stroller that’s still one of the best-in-class (the all new Bugaboo Butterfly is probably its closest rival, but has no newborn insert), it’s ultra-compact and steers remarkably well. What we use even two kids later when we’re not meandering through bumpy cobblestone streets of Greek villages (switch to a carrier), or the rickety pavements of downtown Athens, it’s a staple that leaves lots of room for luggage in the car boot.
Child Carrier
A must-have where broken sidewalks and staircase-crossed alleyways will frustrate many a stroller, the Ergobaby 360 is a dream to use, and functions as a back carrier for toddlers up to 20 kg.
Portable Feeding Chair
In Greece, a surprising number of Airbnbs will provide high chairs. And while eateries are getting more family-friendly, high chairs in taverns are not ubiquitous. While feeding chairs are not on the top of our packing list, they’re useful in child weaning months if you have luggage space to spare. Polar Gear’s Go Anywhere dictionary-sized booster is lightweight and has a five-point harness for wiggly babies. Otherwise, if your child doesn’t object, a safety harness slips easily into your diaper bag.
Feeding Equipment
This list will look different for infants. Otherwise, beyond year one (or so), we have: 1. Easy-to-wash silicone bibs with a large catchment pocket. / 2. Fork and spoon set / 3. Whiskware stackable snack boxes (filled with snacks) for better snack organisation on long flights and road trips. / 4. Food jar – the stainless steel Thermos Foogo has a wide neck, insulates well, is leak proof, and has a grippy base and lid that weathers bumps and is easy to hold. / 5. It’s funny, a good stainless steel kids’ water bottle is actually really hard to find. They either leak, have exposed spouts (not beach friendly), are hard to clean, or have some other nagging feature. So far, the Thermos Funtainer checks most of our tick boxes.
Changing Gear
1. Always have a change of clothes in hand. For yourself, included, if a long flight is upcoming. Don’t forget a cardigan when it gets cold on planes and ferries, and even on windy summer evenings. / 2. We’ve seen lots of fancy travel change pads, but a simple waterproof sheet we can insert into our wet and dry bag after it has touched icky places works best for us. / 3. & 6. We usually bring enough diapers and wipes for three to four days. You can get the rest from mini and supermarkets in Greece. Agnotis is a high quality local brand with a strong, absorbent and bleach-free core. Otherwise Pampers’ Pure line is usually readily available. / 4. Planet Wises’ clutch style wet and dry bags are the perfect size for keeping clothes and a few diapers. / 5. Avene mini spring water spray – handy as a baby bum spray on an extra dirty change, or to refresh yourself on super hot summer afternoons.
1. Apivita is an excellent Greek brand for face and body care, and they have an extensive range for every family member. Their 2-in-1 Kid’s wash for hair and body smells great and saves space. / 2. Sunscreen is essential in sun-drenched Greece. Vivaiodays SPF 30 and Thinkbaby’s SPF 50 are our favourite Zinc Oxide based formulations adults can use as well. / 3. Mosquitos come out to play as well on Greek summer days. Mosi-guard is the only DEET-free lemon eucalyptus based repellent that has worked for us so far. / 4. Elgydium kids toothpaste come in 7ml tubes which last surprisingly long for us. / 5. The Jordan toothbrush has a nice, fat bottom in case they like to run with things in hand. / 6. A care kit of items you need from time to time: nail clipper, plasters, antiseptic spray…
Inflatable Tub
Inflatable tubs are hardly essential, but I find them useful for relaxed bathing cum water play times. Phalate-free Mommy’s Helper has a relatively light footprint and weighs in at under 500g. Otherwise, pick up a plastic wash basin from a local supermarket (or ask your Airbnb for one) for a few Euros if your sojourn is a long one. It will also be useful for quick hand wash jobs (e.g. swimsuits and more).
Car rental companies are usually able to provide car seats, but if you want something of a quality you are assured of, bring your own. The Evenflo Tribute LX and Cosco Scenera are well-rated lightweight and budget-conscious choices. While the Pico WayB (pictured here) is like the Herman Miller of portable car seats, suitable for children from 2+ years.
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