Travel with Kids

How To Conquer Training Around Europe With Kids

How To Conquer Training Around Europe With Kids

Last updated: October 26, 2026. This update checks selected rail-pass, reservation, and Eurostar arrival information; the family’s routes and prices reflect earlier trips. Date information added October 28, 2026.

A family rail guide first published November 17, 2022. The five-week journey, gifted first-class travel days, and family stories below describe that trip. The practical guidance now distinguishes those memories from current pass and operator rules. Check the exact train’s reservations, boarding times, ticket requirements, and amenities before you travel.

Does the idea of training around Europe fill you with a sense of nostalgia and romanticism? Europe has a long history of rail travel. Train services, facilities, and travel times vary by country, operator, and route. 

Whether a train is a good choice depends on the route, schedule, and traveler. Our family enjoyed the scenery and the onboard experience on many legs of this trip; services and amenities varied by train.

What Is Easier With Kids: Train Travel Or Airplane?

During our five-week trip, our family used Eurail/Interrail Passes, and all of us preferred the train to flying. That was our experience, not a rule for every child or journey.

*Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. Opinions shared are my own, and I only endorse products I support. By clicking on any of the links below, I may get a small commission if you purchase at absolutely no additional charge to you. I appreciate your support.*

Originally linked 7Wayfinders short: Train Travel with Kids: 10+ Countries in 5 Weeks with Eurail. The short records our trip; use the current boarding and pass guidance below when planning your own journey.

Why Do We Prefer The Train Than Flying?

On some routes, a train journey can take longer than a flight; total travel time also depends on the airport or station, connections, and check-in or boarding requirements. Compare the full itinerary for your trip.

During our five-week trip, we have taken two flights. We booked them initially because the train trip would have been 18-20 hours. However, having completed most of our journey, we now wish we had booked overnight sleeper cars instead.

These are observations from our trip. Services, facilities, and station procedures vary by route and operator:

• Security procedures vary by route. On the rail trips we took, we did not go through the airport-style screening we were used to. Eurostar journeys to or from London do include ticket, security, and border checks; follow the arrival instructions on your ticket.

• On the non-Eurostar trains we took, we did not remove shoes or take tablets out for airport-style screening. Screening and boarding requirements differ by station and service.

• On a few occasions during our trip, we ran for a train and boarded only a minute or two before it departed. I don’t recommend planning to arrive that late; station and boarding procedures vary by operator and route.

• On our trains, the kids could get up to use the bathrooms or walk through the carriages. Follow crew instructions at stops and stay aware of boarding times.

• Facilities differ by service. Our Norway trains had small playrooms, and we used a family compartment on one of our routes; check the specific train before relying on those features.

• Some first-class seats on our trains had power outlets. Their availability and location vary by train, so check the operator’s service details.

• We enjoyed the food on some of our trains. Dining options, menus, payment methods, and prices vary by service.

• The scenery is entertaining by itself.  We’ve been awestruck at the lush countryside, waterfalls, lakes, and mountain landscapes.

• We used train tables to play games, read, and do homework together; our family sometimes got two tables. Table availability depends on the carriage and seat assignment.

• We found it easier to rest on some train legs than on a plane. Seat size, legroom, footrests, and reclining vary by service and class.

What Is The Eurail Pass?

Our family used the Eurail/Interrail Pass for our summer train travels.

A Global Pass is valid on participating services in its network; it does not cover every European train or automatically include every reservation. Check the current Global Pass conditions and route details. Some trains require separate reservations, and reservation costs vary by service, class, and booking method. The Pass Conditions of Use list required reservations for most high-speed and night trains.

A pass may suit an itinerary with several rail journeys, while point-to-point tickets may suit other trips. Compare the pass price, required reservations, and actual fares for your dates and routes before choosing.

Eurail Pass Versus Interrail Pass

Pass eligibility is based on country of residence, not simply citizenship. At the time of our trip we were residents of Portugal, so we used the Interrail Pass. Confirm eligibility and any home-country travel restrictions in the current Pass Conditions of Use before ordering.

You can read more details here if you have dual citizenship or more than one passport.

Which Eurail Pass Is Right For You?

If you are comparing one-country and multi-country itineraries, review the current One Country and Global Pass options alongside point-to-point fares. Which option works best depends on your route, dates, and reservation needs.

You also need to know roughly how long you’ll be traveling and how many travel days you’ll have. For example, we knew we would travel for five weeks and have approximately 13-20 travel days. We wanted some flexibility to add more train sections. 

We visited the following cities and countries:

Vienna, Austria

Budapest, Hungary

Warsaw, Poland

Copenhagen, Denmark

Stockholm, Sweden

Oslo, Norway

Bergen, Norway

Prague, Czech Republic

Salzburg, Austria

Munich, Germany

Interlaken, Switzerland

Pass types, travel-day counts, and overall validity periods vary. I waited until our first travel day to activate our pass. With a current mobile Flexi Pass, add the journey and activate its travel day before boarding; see the 2026 Eurail Mobile Pass guide for the current steps.

The pass may be valid on eligible Eurostar services, subject to route-specific conditions and a separate reservation. For trains to or from London, security and border checks apply, and the required arrival time depends on the route and ticket; check Eurostar’s current arrival guidance. The train crosses the Channel Tunnel.

1st Class Eurail Pass

First-class and second-class features vary by train. A first-class pass does not guarantee a reservation or last-minute seat; check seat availability and reservation requirements for each service before booking.

Discounts

Passes can have age-based or child options, subject to current conditions. Check the provider’s current discount and child-pass rules for your travelers.

How To Plan Your European Train Journey

When we planned this trip, we used the Eurail.com Trip Planner and named our itinerary “European Summer.” Eurail announced that the web Trip Planner was retired on May 4, 2026; its current planning options include the Rail Planner app, a planning guide, and timetable. See the Eurail announcement about the Trip Planner and the current Rail Planner guide.

At the time, we used our saved itinerary on the mobile app and named it “European Summer.” We could still modify it, and it became the backbone of our trip, helping us remember the times, dates, and sections we had planned.

Connecting Your Passes To Your Trip

Now here’s the fun part! I didn’t realize how to connect each pass to an itinerary until we were on a train and being asked for tickets—whoops! I named each child’s itinerary with their name plus “European Summer,” such as Grace’s European Summer. The app interface may change; the current mobile-pass guide explains how to add journeys and activate travel days before boarding.

Activating Your Pass For Travel

On our trip, I toggled the day’s trip in the app when it was time to travel. For a current mobile Flexi Pass, add each journey and activate the travel day before boarding. See the 2026 mobile-pass instructions.

The app screens may change; use the current Rail Planner instructions to find and display each traveler’s pass ticket.

On our trip, the ticket displayed our passenger and pass details, and the conductor scanned the QR code. Current ticket screens and inspection steps may differ; carry the identification document required by your pass terms.

Seat Reservations

Some services require reservations; others do not. Check the route in the Rail Planner app and follow its current booking instructions. Reservation availability and booking channels vary by train operator and service. Eurail.com has provider information, but check the current route-specific instructions.

Reservation prices are not one fixed amount; they vary by train, route, class, and booking method. Check the total cost for your specific service before choosing a pass.

On some overnight routes, a sleeper or couchette reservation may be available for an added cost. Check the carrier’s current cabin and berth choices, whether the space is private or shared, and the full reservation price. Our family booked a six-berth room on the journey described below.

When a reservation is required, carry it with your valid pass. Inspectors may check the pass, reservation, and ID; follow the current conditions for your service.

Why You Want A Seat Assignment

On our first few journeys, the 1st class cabin was nearly empty, and we were just wherever. However, our leg from Vienna to Warsaw filled up quickly. We had people in our seats, so we didn’t make them move immediately.

That proved a mistake as it ended in a domino effect… we were kicked out of our seats, had to move others, and had to argue with some. That journey somehow ended with tons of extra people sitting in the train car’s aisles, floors, and ends. It was strange! We were glad for the seats, and they were quickly occupied as soon as we stood. We have not seen that before.

For our big family, I always book a seat assignment if it is available to avoid us having to stand or be separated.

Difference Between First Class and Second Class on European Trains

Is it worth the cost to book the first class? Eurail gifted us 15 first-class travel days to try, but we’ve walked through the second-class cabins and, in some cases, only been able to book seats in second-class. What are the differences?

Not much.

These were features we encountered on the first-class services we tried; they are not guaranteed on every train:

• It’s quieter, which can be a challenge for kids. I’ve gotten some dirty looks and one nasty comment about their noise.

• Larger seats. Instead of three across, it may only be two seats. Occasionally, first-class seats are leather versus cloth.

• Supplied with complimentary coffee and tea. On one journey, we got a free breakfast box. On another trip, we were told that has to be booked in advance.

• Closer to the restaurant car. This is very nice for kids to avoid having to walk too far.

• Has it’s own bathroom, meaning it might be a bit cleaner.

• Sometimes has an attendant dedicated to first class.

• Often the first car of the train and, therefore, the closest to the beginning of the platform. 

• Sometimes we get a free water bottle in first class.

Otherwise, there isn’t much difference. If price is a significant consideration, booking 2nd class might be okay!

Sleeper Cars On European Trains

There are several variations of sleeper cars on European trains; what you can get will depend on the train company.  Typically, the options include:

1st class sleeper for two

2nd class private car for two

2nd class berth in a shared cabin (either 4 or 6 berths)

We only had one night’s journey, a quick 2.5 hours. However, due to our family size, we were able to book an affordable 6-berth room for ourselves. Bathrooms were shared in the hallway.

What Was The Sleeper Car Like?

Surprisingly, we now know we can sleep well in a train car! The rocking of the train quickly put us all to sleep. In our room, the top was very hot, and the air conditioner was blasting at the bottom. The berth was large, with enough space to store luggage at our feet if needed.

There was a large luggage area at the top, above the door, and plugs in each berth to charge phones.

At the time, I understood Eurail’s instructions to say that our overnight tickets needed to be printed. I had waited for them to arrive by mail, then forgot to pack them. Gah! Ticket formats and rules depend on the carrier and booking; check what your specific journey requires.

I was so stressed we wouldn’t be allowed to onboard the train. Despite the quick journey, we didn’t even book a hotel room that night. On our journey, the conductor accepted the mobile QR code; that single experience does not establish ticket rules for another operator or booking.

I hope we can make another train trip in the future, and we will definitely be booking some overnight journeys again! For our family, the six-berth room we booked was affordable for that trip. Compare the full cost of a sleeper reservation with lodging for your route and dates.

Standard Amenities On Board European Trains

Amenities can vary substantially by operator, route, and carriage; check the service you plan to take.

For example:

• In Norway, our trains had small playrooms for kids.

• Some trains have reclining seats, and others do not.

• Some trains have compartments for families, like our train from Prague to Austria.

• Overnight accommodation options depend on the train. Our one-night journey offered a six-berth cabin; check the carrier’s current options and whether a berth is private or shared.

If you’d like to see the benefits of your particular train, you can find the train name and number on your Eurail pass and look up the benefits online.

Passes cover participating companies and specific services; some bus and ferry connections may be included, but coverage is not universal. Check the current list of included services before building an itinerary.

Other Tips For European Train Travel With Kids

• Language support varies by service and staff member. Do not assume every conductor will speak English; keep your route, station, and ticket details easy to show.

• Ticket inspections can happen at different points during a journey. Keep your pass, any required reservation, and identification available.

• Travel-document checks depend on the route and border requirements. Carry the documents required for your trip and check official guidance before crossing borders.

• Onboard payment options and food rules vary by operator. Check before traveling; where permitted, bringing snacks may help you manage your own food budget.

• On one first-class journey, I was chastised for being too loud while my seven-year-old read a story aloud. Our five kids often kept busy with tablets and books and were fine, but that read-aloud moment drew a complaint. Expectations and cabin atmosphere vary by train; that was our experience on one ride.

• Language and assistance vary by place and person. A translation tool or a few station and travel phrases can help when you need directions.

• Listen for station announcements and prepare to leave when your stop approaches; station procedures and dwell times vary.

• We had only one late train in more than a dozen trips during this journey. That was our experience, not a punctuality guarantee; check live service updates while traveling.

• Bike and oversized-baggage rules vary by operator and service; check the carrier’s current conditions before bringing them onboard.

• On our Norway leg, we had to wait until we were in Oslo to buy the reservation for our train to Bergen. The ticket-office process was easy for us, and our pass gave us a discount on a private-railway section. Reservation channels and availability can change; use the current operator or Rail Planner instructions for your own journey.

Our train travel experience has never been this smooth. European trains are really the best!

Xoxo,

Leslie

Additional Reading

68 Critical Tips for New International Travelers From An Expert Travel Family

Essential Tips for Visiting The Top Of Europe in Switzerland With Kids

10 Important Things To Know When Traveling From Italy to Switzerland By Train