Holidays and travelling as a family are such special times to cherish whether you're heading abroad, visiting grandparents and family, or planning a countryside getaway. But when you’re potty training, travelling can suddenly feel overwhelming and add another level of stress on top of an already sensitive time.
However, the good news is, it doesn’t have to! It is possible to travel with confidence with your potty training child. With a little preparation (and the right backup plan), you can reduce accidents and actually enjoy the journey.
Here are some of our top tips on how to make travelling with a potty training toddler easier.
1. Adjust Your Expectations
Travel disrupts routines and potty training thrives on routine and consistency. New places, long car journeys, new sleep patterns, memories, excitement, new foods, and busy schedules can all lead to more accidents. That doesn’t mean you’ve failed or undone any progress.
When travelling especially:
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Expect a few accidents
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Stick to gentle reminders
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Celebrate small wins and effort
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Avoid pressure or shame
Confidence grows when children feel safe, not rushed so try and embrace and understand rather than strive for perfection.
2. Plan Your Journey Around Potty Breaks
If you're driving:
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Encourage your child to go to the potty right before leaving
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Plan stops every 60–90 minutes
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Take every “I need a wee” seriously
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Keep a travel potty in the boot for emergencies
For airport travel or long sightseeing days:
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Identify toilets when you arrive
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Encourage regular check-ins
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Avoid waiting until it’s urgent
For pushchair-heavy days (markets, zoos, parks, city breaks), know where toilets are in advance. A quick Google search before you arrive can save a meltdown later. Being proactive often feels calmer than being reactive.
3. Pack a Potty Training Travel Kit
A well-packed bag can turn chaos into a minor inconvenience with your sanity-saving essentials:
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3–4 spare outfits
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Extra underwear
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Plastic bag/zip lock for wet clothes
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Wipes
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Hand sanitiser
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Travel potty
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Snacks (because hungry toddlers = chaos)
4. Try To Keep Routines
While travel naturally changes your usual rhythm, keeping a few key toilet routines in place can make a big difference. Try to maintain your child’s morning toilet visit, encourage a trip before meals, and keep their usual before-bed toilet time. Even when you’re away from home, these small, familiar anchors help your child feel secure and supported. If you’re staying somewhere new overnight, show them where the bathroom is as soon as you arrive. As well as keeping their potty visible and easy to access, and continue using the same phrases you use at home. That sense of familiarity builds confidence even in unfamiliar surroundings.
5. Dress for Easy Changes
Holiday outfits are always adorable with coordinated sets, little dungarees, tiny belts and all the extras. But when you’re in the middle of potty training, complicated layers can quickly turn into unnecessary stress. When nature calls, you need speed, not fiddly fastenings.
Choose:
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Elastic waistbands
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Easy-off trousers or leggings rather than tights
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Simple, comfortable underwear
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Minimal buttons and buckles
The quicker they can get their clothes down, the more likely they are to make it in time. Simple clothing doesn’t just prevent accidents it can also promote independence. When children can manage their own clothes, they feel capable and confident, which is a huge part of successful potty training. And when they feel in control, everything tends to run a little more smoothly for everyone.
6. Have a “No Big Deal” Policy
The calmer you are, the faster they bounce back. Toddlers take their emotional cues from you, so if you respond with frustration or panic, they’re far more likely to feel embarrassed or upset. But if you treat accidents as a normal part of learning even on holiday they’ll usually recover just as quickly.
If an accident happens, try to stay neutral and matter-of-fact. Avoid making it a big discussion, simply get them changed quickly, offer reassurance, and move on with your day making memories. A simple “That’s okay, next time we’ll try to get to the potty a bit sooner” is more than enough. No shame, no drama.
You’ve Got This!
Potty training doesn’t have to pause for holidays and holidays don’t have to be ruined by potty training. With preparation, protection, and realistic expectations, you can enjoy adventures without constant worry.
