With the family and luggage to Hannover Airport: a relaxed start

A family holiday begins with a logistical task: children, suitcases, buggy and child seats have to arrive at the right desk on time and in a good mood. At Hannover Airport, the short distances between the forecourt and check-in help – provided you head straight for the right terminal, because A, B and C have separate security areas. This guide shows families from Hannover, Braunschweig, Celle, Hildesheim and the surrounding area how to choose the parking option, schedule and division of tasks so that the holiday starts relaxed right at the front door.

Which parking option for families?

With toddlers, every move counts. With valet you get out in front of the terminal, load a luggage trolley and go in – the car stays with the parking service, child seats and all. With the shuttle you reload into the bus at the site and unload again at the terminal. For three weeks of summer holiday, the cheaper bus may be worthwhile if the schedule has some slack. For an early flight with a baby, the extra cost of valet is often well invested. Comparison: Valet or shuttle at Hannover Airport.

The first day of the holidays

On the first day of the Lower Saxony summer holidays, Langenhagen is particularly busy. The Easter and autumn holidays also bring full terminals. Book your parking space right after the flight, allow a little more time at the airport, and consider whether departing on the second or third day of the holidays is possible. The holiday dates are published by the Ministry of Education.

The right terminal with children

Because each terminal has its own security check, a mistake costs unnecessary energy with children and luggage. Check your booking or your airline's app beforehand to see whether you check in at A, B or C. State the terminal in your parking booking so that the valet meeting point or bus stop fits. More: Terminals at Hannover Airport.

Reducing luggage

Not everything has to come along. Some things can be borrowed or bought cheaply at your destination – beach toys, nappies, sun cream. You only need child seats if you hire a car at your destination; otherwise they stay in the car while it is parked. Many airlines let you take the buggy right up to the aircraft. Ask about your airline's rules beforehand. Each child gets their own small backpack with a favourite toy and a water bottle.

Sharing roles

The decisive moment is at the meeting point or car park. Agree at home who does what: one person stays with the children in a safe place, the other takes care of the handover, photos and suitcases. In parking areas, cars and buses manoeuvre – keep children by the hand. In the dark, light-coloured jackets or reflectors help.

Security with children

The buggy usually has to be folded and X-rayed; baby food is allowed in reasonable quantities but may be checked separately. Pack these items within easy reach. Explain to the children beforehand what happens at security – then it is less exciting.

Grandparents, groups, pets

If three generations are travelling together, you often need two cars or one person who drops everyone off in front of the terminal and then parks. With a shuttle, check the rules on passengers: frequently asked questions about the number of passengers in the shuttle. For grandparents with reduced mobility, assistance can be arranged through the airline. If a dog is coming along, the airline's rules apply; ask the shuttle provider whether animals in a carrier may ride along.

Waiting with children

Books, colouring books, small games or a tablet with downloaded episodes help pass waiting times. Watching planes take off and land fascinates many children. Every child should know the family's meeting point and carry a note with the parents' mobile number.

Back from the holiday

After landing, everyone is tired. One person collects the suitcases, the other stays with the children; only once the luggage is complete do you contact the parking service. At the car, buckle the children in first, then load up. For the drive to the Weser Uplands, the Harz or the Heath, plan a break. More: Returning: collecting your car at Hannover Airport.

If a suitcase is missing

If luggage is missing, report it at the desk in the arrivals area and inform the parking service that it will take longer. A change of clothes for the children in your hand luggage saves the first evening at home.

With a baby

Nappies, wet wipes, a change of clothes, food and a spare dummy belong in your hand luggage. There are baby-changing rooms in the terminal. Plan breastfeeding and changing breaks during the journey. Every minute saved counts – an argument for valet.

An example from Garbsen

A family with two children aged four and seven is flying to Crete at the start of the summer holidays, departure 07:20 from Terminal B. They allow two hours' lead time, 15 minutes for the valet handover and 20 minutes' drive via the motorway, plus a 20-minute buffer for holiday traffic: departure at 04:45. The suitcases have been in the boot since the evening before, and the children sleep in comfortable clothes and are carried straight to the car. At the meeting point, the father stays on the pavement with the children while the mother takes care of the photos and key handover. At 05:30 the family is at check-in. The times are an example.

Seats and buggy on the plane

With small children, reserving seats is worthwhile so that the family sits together. Ask your airline whether the buggy can go as far as the aircraft door and where you get it back after landing – sometimes right at the aircraft, sometimes at the bulky baggage reclaim. This determines how much time you need after landing before you contact the parking service.

Outings after landing?

Some families round off their return with a little treat – an ice cream in town, a walk by the Maschsee lake. That's nice but extends the parking time. Plan such stops after collecting the car, not before, so that the parking service doesn't wait in vain.

Getting through security calmly

Children often find security exciting, sometimes also frightening. Explain to them beforehand that jackets and backpacks go through a machine and they themselves walk through a frame. Pack baby food, water bottles and medicines so that they can be taken out quickly. With a buggy, allow a little more time because it is usually folded and checked. If you prepare this, you will get through quickly even with toddlers.

In brief

Book early, know the right terminal, reduce luggage and share roles – with these four points, the family start in Langenhagen will be relaxed.

Baggage belt and bulky baggage

After landing, pushchairs, child seats or large sports bags often don't arrive on the normal belt but at the bulky baggage reclaim. Look out for the signs in your terminal or ask the staff. Allow a few extra minutes before you contact the parking service so that nobody waits in vain.

Snacks and drinks

Children are constantly hungry and thirsty on the way. Pack fruit, pretzels and water bottles in your hand luggage. Empty bottles can be refilled after security. A well-provided-for child also copes more calmly with a delay at the gate.

If a child falls ill

If a child falls ill shortly before the holiday, the question arises of the trip – and of the parking booking. With Friend-Park you can cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before the start of parking. With an early departure, this deadline already ends in the night before the day before departure. Keep an eye on it and decide in good time. More: Cancelling or rebooking a car park at Hannover Airport.

That way, the family holiday doesn't begin with stress but with anticipation – already on the way to Langenhagen.

Have a good trip and lovely holidays!

Conclusion

Going to Hannover Airport with children is very manageable: book early, know the right terminal, reduce luggage, share tasks. Whether offers can be booked via Friend-Park is shown on Parking at Hannover Airport.