Turkey with an Infant – A Practical Guide for a Smooth Flight and a Great Holiday

Travelling to Turkey with a Baby – A Practical Guide for Parents Flying from Warsaw Chopin Airport

Your first flight with a baby can be both exciting and stressful. Can you bring water for formula through security? What should you do with the stroller? How much baggage is allowed for an infant? Will it be easy to buy diapers and baby food in Turkey?

Before our first trip to Turkey with our child, we had exactly the same questions. Based on our own experience, we have prepared this guide to help you plan your journey with confidence and enjoy a smoother travel experience.

It is worth mentioning that all the information in this article is based on our experience with regular scheduled flights, not package holiday charter flights. We travelled on the Warsaw - Antalya route using airlines operating regular services on specific days of the week. Some rules may differ from those applied on charter flights, so always check the latest baggage and travel policies directly with your airline before departure.

Preparing for Your Flight at Warsaw Chopin Airport

When travelling with a baby, we recommend arriving at the airport approximately 2,5 - 3 hours before departure. This gives you plenty of time to check in your luggage, pass through security, and prepare for the flight without rushing.

One of the things we really appreciated at Warsaw Chopin Airport was the family room located in the non-Schengen area, near gates 9N–10N. After passing through security, parents can use this comfortable space to change diapers, feed their baby, prepare formula, or simply relax before boarding. When travelling with an infant, small conveniences like this can make a huge difference.

Can You Bring Water and Baby Food Through Security?

Yes – and this is one of the most important things parents should know.

You can take a diaper bag or stroller bag through security containing:

•  bottled water for preparing formula,

• a thermos with warm water,

• infant formula,

• breast milk,

• baby cereals,

• fruit pouches,

• baby food jars.

Products intended for infants are generally exempt from standard liquid restrictions. However, it is a good idea to keep them easily accessible, as airport security staff may ask to inspect them. On board, cabin crew are usually happy to help warm water or assist with preparing your baby's milk.

Babies Have Their Own Baggage Allowance Too

Many parents are surprised to learn that infants often have their own baggage allowance. In our experience flying with Corendon Airlines, our baby was entitled to:

• 10 kg of checked baggage,

• a separate baby bag carried on board,

• free transportation of a stroller.

This is a significant advantage when travelling as a family. It is worth noting that although infants receive a baggage allowance, airlines still charge an infant fee when purchasing adult tickets.

We recommend using the infant baggage allowance for bulky but lightweight items such as:

• diapers,

• baby wipes,

• changing mats,

• baby clothes,

• baby toiletries,

• baby cereals and snacks.

 Always check your airline's current baggage policy before travelling, as allowances may change over time!

How We Used Our Baby's 10 kg Checked Baggage Allowance

Before our first flight, we spent quite a bit of time thinking about how to make the best use of our daughter's checked baggage allowance. In the end, we decided to check in her infant car seat (bucket seat).

Inside the car seat we packed:

• diapers,

• baby clothes,

• changing mats,

• lightweight baby accessories.

We then wrapped the entire seat in a soft blanket for additional protection and placed everything inside a large transparent IKEA DIMPA storage bag. This solution worked perfectly for us. The dimensions of the DIMPA bag are very close to the size limits of the infant checked baggage allowance offered by Corendon, and it allowed us to make use of every bit of available space. We especially recommend this option for longer stays in Turkey when you want to bring both a stroller and a car seat, as well as a supply of diapers from home instead of paying higher local prices.

After arriving at Antalya Airport, both our stroller and the bag containing the car seat were waiting for us at the Oversized Baggage collection area. In Terminal 2, this area is located at the very end of the arrivals hall, on the left-hand side of the escalators used after passport control.

It's worth remembering that oversized items such as strollers and car seats usually do not appear on the standard baggage carousel.

Using Your Stroller Until Boarding

One of the biggest advantages of travelling with a baby is that most airlines allow you to keep your stroller with you almost until boarding. In most cases, the stroller is handed over at the aircraft stairs or directly at the boarding gate. This means you don't need to carry your baby through the airport. After landing, the stroller is usually returned either at the aircraft door or in the oversized baggage area.

Our Favourite Stroller Protection Tip

Before handing over our stroller, we always placed it inside a transparent IKEA DIMPA bag. Compared to dedicated stroller travel bags, it is very inexpensive while still providing effective protection against dirt and minor damage during transport. It is also a convenient place to store a few extra diapers or spare baby clothes.

Before checking in your stroller, we recommend:

• removing all loose items,

• taking off cup holders and organisers,

• securing moving parts,

• attaching a luggage tag with your phone number. In our case, we simply wrote our surname and phone number directly on the DIMPA bag with a permanent marker, which worked perfectly.

What about the “shell-type” infant car seat (baby carrier seat)?

This is one of the most frequently asked questions by parents.

On most airlines operating flights between Poland and Turkey, a “shell-type” infant car seat cannot be used on board for a child sitting on a parent’s lap. In most cases, it can only be checked in as baggage.

The exception is SunExpress Airlines, which allows the use of an approved car seat on board, provided that:

• a separate seat has been purchased for the child,

• the car seat has the appropriate aviation certifications and meets the airline’s requirements.

Before purchasing tickets, it is always worth checking the current rules of the specific airline!

How to help your child during take-off and landing?

The simplest way is to offer:

 • breastfeeding,

• a bottle,

• a pacifier.

Sucking helps equalize ear pressure and reduces discomfort caused by changes in altitude. Also, don’t worry if your child falls asleep during take-off or landing. Many infants sleep through a large part of the journey.

Diaper changing on board

Most aircraft operating flights to Turkey are equipped with changing tables located in the lavatories. However, we recommend changing your child at the airport before boarding — it is simply more comfortable and calmer.

What to pack in your carry-on bag

 Our proven checklist includes:

• diapers for the flight plus extra запас,

• wet wipes,

• changing mat,

• spare outfit for the child,

• spare T-shirt for the parent,

• formula milk,

• thermos with warm water,

• fruit purées or age-appropriate snacks,

• a favorite toy/new toys to keep the child interested during the flight,

✔ pacifier and a spare one,

✔ a light blanket.

The rule is simple — take a bit more than you think you will need.

Should you bring diapers and baby food from Poland?

 From our experience — definitely yes, at least for the beginning of your stay.

Diapers in Turkey

Diapers are of course widely available, but prices of well-known brands can be surprising. Pampers in Turkey is sold under the name Prima, and without promotions it can often cost nearly twice as much as in Poland. If you are not attached to a specific brand, Turkish diapers such as Sleepy are highly recommended. They are widely available and much more affordable.

Baby cereals, jars, and snacks

This was one of the most surprising things for us. In Poland we are used to a huge variety of baby cereals, pouches, desserts, and meals. In Turkey, the selection is much more limited. Well-known brands are available, but often more expensive than in Poland. If your child has favorite cereals or specific jars, it is worth bringing at least part of your supply from home. Sometimes, hotels with All Inclusive options have special kids’ corners where jarred baby food is available.

What water to use for preparing formula in Turkey?

In Poland, we can easily buy water dedicated to infants (such as Mama i Ja, Polaris, etc.). In Turkey, this is not as common. You can find baby water such as Ceysu Bebek Suyu, but it is not always widely available.

We prepared formula using commonly available low-mineral bottled waters, such as:

• Ceysu,

• Carrefour,

• Abant.

 We did not experience any issues. As always, it is important to check sodium content and choose low-mineral water.

Do you need to give probiotics before traveling to Turkey?

This is another common question among parents traveling with infants. From our experience, there is no need to routinely give probiotics to a healthy child just because of travel to Turkey. Turkey does not differ in this respect from many other European countries, and water used in hotels and restaurants comes from controlled sources.

The most important thing is basic hygiene:

• frequent handwashing,

• thorough washing of fruits and vegetables,

• preparing formula with appropriate bottled water,

• storing food according to manufacturer instructions.

Some parents choose to use probiotics before and during travel, especially if the child has a sensitive digestive system or a history of gastrointestinal issues. In such cases, it is best to consult the child’s pediatrician. In our case, we did not use probiotics preventively and did not notice any issues related to travel or climate change. It is also worth remembering that for babies expanding their diet, the biggest challenge is often not travel itself, but trying new foods. Therefore, during the first days of the stay, it is good to maintain a similar diet to the one at home and gradually introduce new flavors.

Corendon, Pegasus or SunExpress?

All three airlines are well prepared for family travel.

• Corendon Airlines — appreciated for its favorable baggage rules for infants and easy stroller transport.

• Pegasus Airlines — very convenient for domestic flights within Turkey and regularly serves families with children.

• SunExpress Airlines — stands out for allowing certified aircraft car seats when a separate seat is purchased for the child.

The most important advice

Don’t stress in advance. Before the first flight, most parents imagine the worst-case scenarios, but it often turns out that the child sleeps through half the journey or curiously watches everything outside the window. If the baby is fed, has a dry diaper, and feels close to their parents, the journey is usually calm.

And once you land, you will quickly realize that Turkey is one of the most child-friendly holiday destinations. Turkish people love children, hotels and restaurants treat little guests with exceptional warmth, and family holidays become a real pleasure.

We wish you a peaceful flight, a wonderful holiday, and beautiful family memories from Turkey!

Do you have questions about traveling to Turkey with a child? Contact TurPolia — we will be happy to share our experience and help you prepare your family trip.