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Seeing a weather forecast of 40°C or higher can be alarming, especially if you are travelling with children. At those temperatures, it is natural to question whether it is safe to go ahead with your holiday or if you should postpone your plans.
The good news is that most people still travel safely in very hot weather, but temperatures above 40°C require much more care than a typical summer holiday. In this blog, we explain what travelling in 40°C heat is really like and how you can stay safe while still enjoying your holiday with your family.
A temperature of 40°C is considered extreme heat. At this level, being outdoors for long periods can quickly become uncomfortable and, in some cases, dangerous if proper precautions aren't taken.
Surfaces such as pavements, playground equipment, and car interiors can become much hotter than the air temperature, while walking long distances in direct sunshine can quickly lead to dehydration or heat exhaustion.
Even healthy adults usually slow down their activities in these conditions, so children need even more protection.
Not necessarily. Many destinations regularly experience temperatures above 40°C during the summer, and millions of tourists continue to visit every year. Hotels, restaurants, shopping centres, museums, and many attractions remain open, and local communities are often well prepared for hot weather.
All you might need to do is change how you spend your day rather than trying to follow the same sightseeing schedule you would in cooler weather.
When temperatures exceed 40°C, timing becomes extremely important. Many experienced travellers and local residents follow a similar routine:
This approach will allow you to enjoy your holiday while avoiding the most intense heat.
Your accommodation can have a huge impact on how comfortable your holiday feels. Before booking, check that it offers reliable air conditioning in all rooms, good guest reviews about room temperature, shaded outdoor areas, a swimming pool if possible, and comfortable indoor spaces where your family can relax.
Children require extra care during extreme heat. They are more vulnerable to heat than adults because their bodies don't regulate temperature as efficiently. While babies and toddlers are especially sensitive, older children can also become dehydrated surprisingly quickly, especially if they are running around or spending too much time in the sun.
If you are travelling with kids, try to encourage them to drink plenty of water regularly, even if they don't say they are thirsty, and take frequent breaks in cool, shaded places.
For infants, keep them out of direct sunlight, feed them regularly, and use a stroller with a sun canopy rather than carrying them for long periods.
If temperatures are expected to remain extremely high throughout your trip, you may want to reconsider busy sightseeing plans and focus on keeping your children as cool as possible.
Travelling when temperatures exceed 40°C requires extra planning, but it isn't automatically unsafe. Even with such high temperatures, you can still have a great holiday. The trick is to adapt to the weather by slowing down, planning around the hottest hours, and choosing better and more reliable accommodations.
We are a family of 4 - mother, father and two children. Our aim is to travel the world and review all travel opportunities to help other families.
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