If you feel stressed and overwhelmed just by idea of traveling by train with toddlers, this post is for you! Everything you need to know to make a journey a pleasant experience, we got you covered. From helpful little tips on preparation, through in-train entertainment ideas to necessary mindset shifts - we got you covered!
Introduction
We have travelled with kids extensively - on short commuter trains, day trains across Europe, on high-speed rail in China, on night trains... While (as everything you do with kids) it is not always a blast, we found that traveling by train is by far the easiest way to be with kids on the move.
To my surprise, many of our friends, fellow parents, find traveling with kids on the long train journeys stressful.
I am here to tell you why this doesn't have to be the case. Think about the alternatives: a kid strapped for hours on end to a car or a plane seat.
Traveling by train is the only way to travel that gives you a possibility of free movement, with no one on driving duty, no need to stop for toilet breaks etc. For longer journeys, you even have restaurant on board! So while keeping a child entertained might be challenging, it is by far your best bet!
Plus, travelling by train, compared to a plane, is usually cheaper - you don't need to buy extra tickets for small kids, in many countries for kids as old as 6 years old. In China, children up to 120cm in hight can travel for free.
That being said, doing literally anything with the kids can be stressful, which is why I want to share with you my tips for easy and stress-free train journeys. You learn this all by trial and error, and we have definitely have many trials - and many errors - under our belts.
Why is travelling with kids challenging?
Traveling with kids can be a challenging endeavour for several reasons.
Children often have shorter attention spans and higher energy levels, making long journeys potentially stressful for both parents and fellow passengers. Their need for frequent snacks, bathroom breaks (or nappy changes), and entertainment can disrupt carefully planned schedules.
Packing for kids adds extra bulk and complexity to luggage, while their unpredictable moods and potential for meltdowns can test even the most patient parent's nerves.
Additionally, navigating unfamiliar environments or dealing with travel delays becomes more complicated when responsible for young ones. Despite these challenges, many parents find that the rewards of exposing children to new experiences and creating family memories outweigh the difficulties.
General tips for traveling with small kids
Be organised
Having to look after children while constantly looking for something in your backpack/suitcase/pram is a very bad idea - and a recipe for a mental breakdown. Make sure everything you might need during your trip is easily accessible - tickets, snacks, change of clothes, diapers.
An older child can have a small backpack for their toys to play on the train. Keep all snacks separately - ideally this bag will be empty at the end of your trip and can be put away.
Travel light
It should be an obvious one, but for people who are used to traveling by car and taking almost everything they own “just in case” it will be the hard one to accept.
But when you are travelling with kids, especially young ones, you already have plenty to deal with and you already have many mandatory items that take a lot of space. Everything that is not a must deserves a second thought.
On our first trip to Norway we took a travel cot and we regreted that every time when we had to change location - what a nightmare that was! And we almost lost it changing train once. Everyone will have their own “must-haves” but it is worth to keep your luggage small.
Most unexpected situations can be dealt with when they happen, you cannot possible predict anything.
Have plenty of snacks
Another important one - always make sure you have enough to eat, preferably things that won't be consumed immediately.
We usually go for bread, apples, some savoury biscuits, dried fruit (in moderate amount).
Make sure it is something that is slow to eat and that is not going to upset your child’s stomach when over-consumed.
Stay clear off of sweets - they might offer a quick high and then a very long low. As a treat we sometimes take a piece of banana bread or some other not too sugary baked treat.
Take simple engaging toys with you
We are very much against toys that are distractors - anything with screens, flashing lights and noises is a no-go. These kind of toys, even though they take care of a child for a while, are also overstimulating and playing with them ends with kids going crazy at some point - every parent knows that you cannot take a phone from a child peacefully. Not to mention how annoying those toys are for adults.
It is much better to have something that offers wide range of activities, taking minimum amount of space.
When Hanna was 1 year old, we didn't take almost anything - just a few wooden blocks, stackable animals and books. Later on what worked really well was an erasable drawing pad, picture books (preferably with a lot of things which allow you to make up stories), a small box of legos (simple bricks, no really small items). We also try to make sure that things we take are not something we play with every day, which makes it more special.
Embrace social interactions
In the age of the smartphone, it becomes less and less common to talk to strangers, but you will very likely discover that other children on the train are eager to play, and older people want to talk. Especially when travelling to places where people don't see many tourists with children.
In China, people will definitely want to talk to you, but even on a train from Norway we managed to met some friendly fellow travellers.
Embrace it - the time will fly and your child will have great memories!
Become an entertainer
This is probably what makes travelling with children so tiring, but you need to be the entertainer. Come up with fun games, make them laugh, show them what is outside of the window.
This is what is so great about travelling by train - your hands are head are free, so you have more freedom to play with you child.
Age specific train travel tips
Baby (0-12 months):
- Be Organised:
- Pack a diaper bag with easy access to diapers, wipes, and changing pad
- Bring multiple changes of clothes for baby and a spare shirt for yourself
- Keep pacifiers and comfort items within easy reach
- Travel Light:
- Consider baby-wearing instead of bringing a stroller - they are indispensable when putting a baby to sleep on a train
- Use disposable diapers for the journey to save space
- Snacks and Feeding:
- Bring pre-measured formula if not breastfeeding
- Pack extra bottles and nipples
- Bring bibs and burp cloths
- Entertainment:
- Soft, quiet toys like teething rings or cloth books
- A small mirror for self-entertainment
- Comfort:
- Bring a lightweight blanket for naps
Toddler (1-3 years):
- Be Organised:
- Use a backpack with multiple compartments for easy access to toddler essentials
- Pack a small potty if toilet training
- Travel Light:
- Let your toddler carry their own small backpack with a few toys
- Avoid bulky items; focus on multi-use gear
- Snacks:
- Pack a variety of healthy, mess-free snacks (e.g., cut fruits, cheese sticks, crackers)
- Bring a spill-proof water bottle
- Entertainment:
- Bring simple, engaging toys like wooden blocks or stacking cups
- Pack colourful, sturdy board books
- Bring a drawing pad with chunky crayons
- Comfort:
- Pack a favourite stuffed animal or comfort object
- Bring a travel pillow for naps
Kindergarten (4-6 years):
- Be Organised:
- Involve your child in packing their own small backpack with toys and activities
- Keep a separate bag for snacks and drinks
- Travel Light:
- Teach your child to be responsible for their own small luggage
- Choose versatile clothing items to minimise packing
- Snacks:
- Pack a mix of healthy snacks and a small treat
- Let your child help choose and pack their snacks
- Entertainment:
- Buy a special magazine or a colouring book at the train station
- Bring age-appropriate activity books (colouring, puzzles, stickers)
- Pack a small LEGO set or other building toys
- Include a few favourite books
- Engagement:
- Prepare simple travel games like I Spy or 20 Questions
- Encourage your child to keep a travel journal or draw pictures of what they see
- Responsibility:
- Assign small tasks to your child, like being in charge of the snack bag
- Teach them about reading train schedules and following the journey on a map
Remember, these are general guidelines. Every child is unique, so adapt these tips to suit your family's specific needs and your child's personality.
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