A guide to stress-free train holidays with kids
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Travelling Europe by train with children can feel daunting at first: no car boot to pile things into, no flight to “get it all over with quickly”. But families who’ve done it with Byway tell us again and again that it’s one of the most rewarding, relaxed, and memorable ways to explore the continent together.
We asked parents who’ve travelled with babies, toddlers, tweens, and teens what worked for them, what didn’t, and what advice they’d give to other families. Here’s what they shared.
The best trip planner? A curious pair of eyes.
Let the kids lead
Paul (Byway’s Head of Partnerships) travelled with his pre-teens on a Byway trip and gave them control from the beginning, letting them choose destinations across Europe and plot the route themselves on a map. The result was a dream itinerary: Paris, Lake Como, Zürich, Venice, Munich, and Bruges.
“They designed the trip. We let them choose places they wanted to go and then used a map to organise something that looked sensible. They did some research of places they wanted to visit for various reasons. If I could give one piece of advice to someone planning a train trip with kids it would be: let them own it. Let them be in charge of the Interrail app, let them be part of the planning, let them choose where to go and what to see.”
Even younger children, from around seven upwards, enjoyed navigating platforms, checking the Interrail app, and being trusted with small responsibilities. Far from just tagging along, they became mini conductors on the journey.
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Waiting it out... not every delay is smiley!
Dealing with delays (without meltdowns)
Delays are never ideal, but they can happen. Byway trips often use Interrail passes, giving flexibility on many routes across Europe. If you miss one train, you can often just hop on the next.
At least you are usually somewhere like a train station where you can walk around, go to the loo, get snacks, and you’re not stuck in an airport or in a car on the motorway.”
Train stations are usually in the centre of town, so if you face a long delay, you can store your bags in lockers and explore. Ice cream in the sunshine is a much better way to pass the time than waiting at a departure gate.
Cat (Byway’s CEO) recommends always packing activities, snacks, and a few extra treats in case of delays. If your train is delayed and it affects ongoing travel, Byway’s in trip support team will work out a new route for you.
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Hannah's boys on the sleeper train, excited to wake up in a new country.
Slow down
Every parent we asked for advice told us the same thing: slow down and enjoy the ride. Rushing with children is no one’s idea of fun, so avoid cramming the itinerary. One of the joys of train travel is that the journey is part of the holiday.
“Don’t try and fit too much into the itinerary, especially if this is the first time you’re doing family train travel.”
Sleeper trains are a hit with children, waking up in a new country is pure adventure. And for parents, it’s a way to stretch the budget by combining travel with accommodation.
“We know the children love overnight travel and the adventure of that, so we plan that in. We know they are good on long journeys if they have appropriate colouring, games like Uno, word games and, arty activities, so we pack around long journeys rather than limiting them. We try to make sure we have a few days in each main place, so that we don’t have long travel days back to back.”
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Claire and Ben stopped at Train World in Brussels on their family holiday.
Take a break
Slowing down could also mean building in buffer time for connections. Kids need a chance to stretch their legs, explore new surroundings and, often, burn off some energy. Many train stations are architectural gems, so take the time to admire them.
“If a connection is in a place worth exploring, spend longer there and get a later train instead of rushing to make the next one. We only had an hour in Villach but it would have been nice to have longer. It’s not a race!”
For those travelling with toddlers, you may want to plan arrival and departure times around naps and feeds.
We aimed to get to each new location by 4pm so our toddler could get used to the new room before bedtime.”
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Proof you can overpack... learn from Paul!
Pack like a pro
If there’s one golden rule to emerge, it’s this: pack light - and then pack even lighter. Many parents regret overpacking, especially when children inevitably refuse to carry their own bags. A spare set of clothes in easy reach, a few well-chosen card games, art supplies, and audiobooks were the most-mentioned essentials.
“If you’re travelling with a baby, you’ll be doing laundry all the time anyway, so take fewer clothes than usual and use the space for more snacks and toys.”
Lewis recommended a dedicated backpack for baby essentials – nappies, wipes, snacks, toys, and spare clothes.
Other useful items included:
A blanket and travel pillow for naps. Scarves can double as tablecloths for impromptu picnics.
Multiple adaptors (especially with teens).
Spare clothes at the top of the bag in case of accidents.
Plastic bags for any incidents.
Layers, as train temperatures vary.
Refillable water bottles – many stations have fountains.
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Elaine's crew enjoying family fun on the ferry.
On board entertainment
Screens are easy, but recommended alternatives include:
Sticky notes for the windows: letters, numbers, shapes, puzzles.
Travel journals: encourage kids to collect tickets, write about their day, or record new words they’ve learned.
Compact travel games: Uno, Rush Hour, Bananagrams, sticker books, jigsaws.
Books and audiobooks: an e-reader saves weight, and audiobooks are great for travel sickness.
Maps and language books: help children connect with the places they’re visiting.
Some European trains even have family carriages with play areas. Byway customer Jo recalled a Vienna–Klagenfurt train with a colourful carriage complete with crawling space and a pretend driver’s seat. Where possible, request a family carriage when booking.
And of course, on many scenic train routes, the view out of the window is the entertainment.
Baby Ben watching the world roll by.
Other advice
Start small and simple. If this is your first family train holiday, keep it simple. A scenic ride, a couple of nights in one place, maybe a sleeper train for the adventure. Once you get an idea of what works and what doesn’t, you can always branch out on the next trip!
Remember to book seat reservations. Many operators let young children travel free but without a seat. If you’d prefer them to have their own, make sure to request one.
Be adventurous. Encourage children to try new foods and learn new words – these are the memories that last.
Train travel with kids can feel daunting, but families who’ve tried it often find it easier, more flexible, and far more joyful than flights or long car trips. With Byway taking care of the planning, routes, and connections, all that’s left is to pack snacks, involve the kids, and enjoy the ride.
Explore Byway’s family-friendly holidays here.
Read about the art of slow travel, why we love taking the local train, or about six of the most scenic train rides in Europe.
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