Flying with a toddler is a nightmare. You are strapped into a tiny seat, trying to keep them quiet for hours.
Taking a train in Europe is the opposite. It is freedom.
Kids can walk around. There are big tables for coloring. There are toilets in every carriage.
But before you board with your entire family, you need to know the rules about tickets and strollers.
Do Kids Travel Free?
Yes, but the age limit depends on the country.
- Babies & Toddlers (Under 4): Almost always FREE across Europe. They don’t need a ticket, but they don’t get their own seat (they sit on your lap).
- Tip: If you want a seat for them (for a car seat/carrier), you must buy a child ticket.
- Children (4 to 11): Usually 50% off.
- The “Germany Hack” (DB): In Germany, children up to 14 years old travel FREE if accompanied by parents/grandparents! You just have to specify them on the ticket when booking.
- Switzerland: Kids 6-16 travel free if you buy the “Swiss Family Card” (free add-on with the Swiss Travel Pass).
The Stroller Problem (Read This!)
This is the biggest stress for parents.
Rule #1: European trains have narrow doors and steps. Huge American-style jogging strollers are a problem.
- You MUST fold it: Be prepared to fold your stroller before boarding.
- Storage: Once on board, store the folded stroller in the luggage rack at the end of the car or overhead (if it’s a travel stroller like a Babyzen Yoyo).
- High-Speed Trains (TGV/ICE): Have level boarding (no steps) and wide aisles. Easier.
- Regional Trains: Often have steep steps. You will need two people to lift the stroller up.
Look for “Family Zones” (Kinderabteil)
Some trains are designed specifically for you.
- Switzerland (SBB): Look for the train car with a huge “Teddy Bear” painted on the outside (usually the first or last car). Inside, there is a literal playground with a slide!
- Germany (ICE): Book the “Kleinkindabteil” (Toddler Compartment). It’s a private glass-walled cabin for families so you don’t worry about noise.
5 Survival Tips for Parents
- Book a Table Seat: Essential for coloring books, iPads, and snacks.
- Boarding Strategy: Don’t try to do it all at once. One parent hops on with the bags/stroller first, then grabs the kids from the platform.
- Snacks: Bring twice as many as you think you need.
- Headphones: If your kid watches Peppa Pig, please use headphones. The “Quiet Zone” passengers will thank you.
- Potty Training: Train toilets are surprisingly spacious. Most have a changing table (look for the baby icon on the door).
Summary
Don’t be afraid. Europeans travel with kids constantly. It’s chaotic but fun. Just bring a foldable stroller and book that Family Zone!
Ready to book? Check family deals on Trainline (remember to add your kids ages in the search).
