How to travel by train with children

Traveling with children can be a great pleasure or also a very demanding activity. Either way, train travel is among the more popular options for children. For some mothers it is better because their child cries in the car, is not restricted in movement, and can walk around the train/compartment. This way of traveling is also appreciated by mothers who carry their children in a wrap/carrier, because they do not have to take the child out of it, can discreetly breastfeed in it, and putting the child to sleep is not a problem on the train either. Thanks to the separate compartments, you also do not have to worry about disturbing other childless passengers, and if more children travel with you, then you will have entertainment covered.

What the individual train companies offer

Most trains that run across our country are adapted for transporting children, and on shorter distances it can be managed even without children’s compartments. What are the differences between the individual companies and what does each offer?

České dráhy

The fare for children aged 0–6 years is free (valid for both 1st and 2nd class), and a document showing the child’s date of birth must be presented (most often a health insurance card). Children aged 6–18 receive a 50% discount on fares in 2nd-class trains. Every child under 6 must have their own free ticket from the boarding station to the destination station.

On long-distance trains, seats are reserved for passengers with children under 10 years, and the cars with these seats are marked with the letter D. It is nothing special, just a separate compartment from the other cars.

The children’s cinema can be found on SC Pendolino, Railjet, InterJet trains and in Bmz229 series cars and is marked as D kino.

Transporting a stroller for a traveling child is always free, and you place the stroller in the spot marked with a stroller or suitcase symbol. Alternatively, the stroller can be stored during transport and the conductor keeps an eye on it the whole time. This service is provided on trains marked with a suitcase symbol (or a suitcase in a circle or suitcase in a frame).

Trains with barrier-free boarding (the symbol of a black wheelchair user on a white background) not only allow smooth boarding and getting off with a stroller, but also offer changing tables in the barrier-free toilets.

RegioJet

On RegioJet trains, accompanied children aged 0–6 years travel free (valid for any train category). Children aged 6–18 travel with a 50% discount, which applies to Low cost, Standard, and Relax category trains. For all children under 18, it is necessary to present any document showing their date of birth.

In RegioJet Standard cars, it is possible to reserve seats numbered 61–66, which are located in the children’s compartment (6 seats for adults and stools for children under 6). The children’s compartment also offers free Wi-Fi, various toys, games, and a screen with fairy tales and children’s films. Upon boarding, you will also receive free bottled Rajec water, daily newspapers and magazines, and an entertainment portal on your own device. From the trolley, you can then choose free 100% apple juice, American coffee, or fresh mint tea.

Transporting strollers is free of charge, but if they cannot be folded, they must be transported at the front or end of the train set, which means that if you do not reserve a seat in those areas, you will not see it for the whole journey. It may also happen that stroller transport will be refused for safety and space reasons.

Leo Express

On all Leo Express train classes, children aged 0–6 years travel free and no document needs to be presented, but they must be accompanied by a person older than 10 years. Children aged 6–18 travel with a 50% discount, which applies to Economy class trains. Up to 15 years of age, no document needs to be presented; from 15 years onward, an ID card, passport, driver’s license, orange card, or ISIC is required.

In Economy class cars marked with the letter A, there is a children’s carriage (for children under 6), which has 16 seats and space for 2 strollers. The entire compartment is decorated with children’s motifs, and children can borrow games, coloring books, and tablets with children’s fairy tales and games here.

Transporting strollers is free of charge, and thanks to the low-floor trains, boarding and getting off with a stroller is very comfortable.

You will find a changing table in all Leo Express cars.

What to take on the train

Whether you will be in a children’s compartment or not, be sure to pack enough food and drinks so you do not have to deal with it. And do not forget some toys, ideally ones the child has not seen before, so it is more interesting for them. Definitely do not overdo it with the amount of things you are taking, so that boarding and getting off are not too complicated. After all, holding a child in your arms, pushing a stroller, and carrying a suitcase or sports bag is really demanding. The ideal luggage is a backpack or a hiking backpack on your back. If you are traveling with more adults or even older children, then you can have more with you, because they will surely help you.

We wish you a pleasant train journey, and if it does not go well the first time, do not despair; with repetition it will certainly get better. Alternatively, you can practice shorter distances within a larger city or between villages so that the child gets used to it.