Traveling with a nanny can make a family trip safer and more manageable, but it also changes the normal workday. The best arrangements define duties, pay, privacy, expenses, and time off before anyone leaves home.
A travel nanny may be a family’s regular long-term nanny or a caregiver hired for a specific trip. In either case, the nanny is working—not receiving a vacation—and should have clear, written expectations.
What a travel nanny may do
- Maintain children’s meals, naps, medication routines, and familiar boundaries.
- Pack and organize child-related items.
- Provide care during agreed travel, activity, and evening hours.
- Plan age-appropriate activities at the destination.
- Follow the family’s written medical and emergency plan.
A nanny provides care within their training. They should not be expected to “handle any health issue” independently or make medical decisions outside the authorization parents have provided.
Define the schedule and on-duty time
Write down the expected start and end times for each travel day, who is responsible during flights or drives, whether evenings or overnights are required, and how schedule changes will be approved. Being in the same hotel or rental does not automatically mean the nanny is on duty.
Travel time and on-duty waiting time may be compensable under wage-and-hour law. Overtime rules may apply when total hours exceed applicable limits. Families should use compliant payroll and obtain qualified guidance for their situation. The U.S. Department of Labor explains general hours-worked principles.
Pay expenses separately from wages
The family normally pays or reimburses reasonable work-related travel costs, including transportation, lodging, meals, required admission fees, and other agreed expenses. Reimbursements should be handled separately from wages and should not reduce compensation below legal requirements.
Agree in writing on booking procedures, per-diem or reimbursement rules, receipts, currency conversion, baggage fees, and what happens if the trip is changed or canceled.
Provide appropriate lodging and privacy
A professional travel arrangement should provide the nanny with a private, safe sleeping space and meaningful off-duty time. If a nanny must share a room with a child or remain responsible overnight, define those hours and compensation rather than treating them as personal rest.
Discuss bathroom access, meals, dress expectations, personal phone use during off-duty time, and whether the nanny may leave the property when not working.
Plan transportation and safety
Confirm passports, visas, travel authorizations, car seats, insurance, emergency contacts, medical information, and who holds essential documents. If the nanny will drive, discuss the vehicle, license requirements, coverage, local laws, and reimbursement.
Parents should identify when the nanny is authorized to seek care, how expenses will be handled, and when to contact emergency services. The nanny should know the destination address, nearest appropriate medical facility, and two ways to reach the parents.
Use a written travel addendum
Add the travel terms to the existing employment agreement or create a trip-specific addendum covering:
- Dates, destinations, and transportation.
- Scheduled work, travel, overnight, and off-duty hours.
- Regular pay, overtime, overnight compensation, and cancellation terms.
- Lodging, meals, expenses, and reimbursements.
- Childcare, family-assistant, and household duties.
- Emergency authority, insurance, and communication.
Travel within a long-term placement
Notable Nannies primarily supports long-term placements. Families and nannies can use the matching and agreement process to discuss whether travel is part of the ongoing role and how it will be handled sustainably.
Learn about our placement process, start a family search, or apply as a professional nanny.
Last reviewed August 2026. This article provides general information, not legal or tax advice.
