How to Survive Long Train Journeys with Toddlers

February 25, 2025 Francesca 9 min read

Let’s be real: Traveling with toddlers is like herding cats… if the cats were hyped on apple juice and obsessed with screaming “Are we there yet?”

But guess what? Long train trips don’t have to be a nightmare. With a few tricks (and a lot of snacks), you can turn chaos into calm.

Ready to survive—and maybe even enjoy—your next rail adventure? Let’s dive in.

1. Choose Scenic, Short Routes

A red train at a scenic mountain station with snowy peaks in the background.

Stick to short, sweet rides—because toddlers have the attention span of a goldfish hyped on gummy bears. Switzerland’s Chocolate Train (Montreux to Broc) nails this with a 2.5-hour round trip that’s equal parts scenery and sugar rush.

Toddlers gawk at cows grazing in Gruyère’s pastures through panoramic windows, then tour the Cailler Chocolate Factory (hello, free tastings).

Pro tip: Book the 10 AM departure so post-chocolate crashes align with nap time. Tickets: CHF 59 for adults, kids under 6 free via GoldenPass.ch.

Prefer mountains over cocoa? Germany’s Zugspitze Railway (Garmisch-Partenkirchen to Zugspitze Summit) packs alpine drama into 75 minutes.

The train chugs past fairy-tale forests before spilling you onto a glacier playground at 2,962 meters.

Toddlers burn energy building snowmen in July or spotting marmots—distractions that beat iPad screens. Round-trip tickets: €58 (under 6s ride free).

Bonus: The summit’s Sunny Deck café sells kinderpunsch (alcohol-free mulled wine) to warm tiny hands.

For multi-country trips, the Interrail Pass is your golden ticket. Skip high-speed routes and hop on Italy’s Trenord trains circling Lake Como.

These regional rides let you bail early if meltdowns strike—Como’s waterfront playgrounds or Varenna’s gelato shops (try Gelateria Riva) are just steps from the station.

Pro move: Book a family pass (€140 for 4 days) and let spontaneity (or tantrums) dictate your next stop.

2. Pack Smart – Essentials for Tiny Travelers

Elegant brown leather briefcase with dark straps and metal buckles, ideal for fashion and business.

Snacks are your first line of defense. Pack spill-proof containers like Munchkin Click Lock boxes filled with raisins, crackers, and cheese.

Hydration is key: the Pura Kiki stainless steel bottle fits in train cup holders and keeps drinks cool for hours.

A Skip Hop Toddler Travel Tray transforms fold-down tables into activity centers. Stock it with mess-free toys like Water Wow! pads or Melissa & Doug reusable stickers.

Don’t forget a compact first-aid kit: band-aids, baby wipes, and motion sickness remedies like Sea-Bands. Trains like France’s TER often have bumpy regional tracks—better safe than sorry.

Forget toys. Pack a dedicated entertainment bag with:

Melissa & Doug Water Wow Books (mess-free painting, €10).
Reusable sticker scenes (Amazon, €15 for a 5-pack).
Wikki Stix (bendable wax sticks, €8).
A mini Etch A Sketch (because nostalgia works).

Rotate toys every 30 minutes to keep things fresh. Hide a surprise toy (a €3 dinosaur figurine) for meltdown emergencies.

3. Embrace Onboard Entertainment

A child using a tablet for streaming cartoons, relaxing on a couch indoors.

Download the PlayKids app for offline episodes of Paw Patrol or Peppa Pig. Pair with kid-safe headphones like BuddyPhones to avoid disturbing fellow passengers.

Turn the journey into a game. On Switzerland’s GoldenPass Line, challenge toddlers to spot cows with bell collars or count tunnels. Bring a “scavenger hunt” checklist for extra fun.

For hands-on play, the Melissa & Doug Water Wow! book or a magnetic puzzle board keeps little fingers busy. Some trains, like Austria’s Railjet, even loan toys—ask conductors!

And yes, Bluey on your phone is a valid survival tool—download episodes offline via Netflix or Disney+.

4. Book the Right Seats: Family Zones & Compartments

Not all train seats are created equal. Hunt for family compartments or quiet zones when booking.

Trains like Eurostar offer Family Rooms with extra space for strollers, while Deutsche Bahn’s Familienbereich has baby-changing tables and play areas.

Check train operators’ websites for family perks—for example, Swiss Federal Railways lets kids under 6 ride free with the Junior Travelcard (CHF 30/year).

Reserve seats near bathrooms (but not too close—trust me). Aisle seats let toddlers stretch their legs without climbing over strangers.

Pro tip: Use Trainline or Rail Europe to filter family-friendly options.

5. Snack Like a Pro: Mess-Free & Mood-Boosting

Close-up of gourmet popcorn in classic red and white striped boxes, perfect cinema snack.

Snacks are your secret weapon. Ditch crumbly crackers and pack:

Pouches (apple-mango, €1.50 each).
Cheerios in a spill-proof Snackeez cup (€12).
Freeze-dried strawberries (lightweight, €4/bag).
Babybel cheese (toddler crack).

For hot meals, Eurostar and TGV offer kid-friendly menus (€8–12) with pasta or chicken nuggets. Bring a silicone placemat (€10) to turn tray tables into crumb-free zones.

6. Time Bathroom Breaks Like a Ninja

Train bathrooms are… an adventure. Time potty trips before the “I NEED TO GO NOW” wail. Use Pull-Ups for newly potty-trained kiddos, even if they protest. Pack a travel potty seat (€15) for germ-phobic parents.

Pro tip: DB and ÖBB trains have family bathrooms with mini toilets. Find them via the train map on the operator’s app.

7. Embrace the Power of Strategic Naps

Nap time = parent sanity time. Book trains during your toddler’s usual nap window. Bring a travel pillow (€20) and a portable blackout shade (€25) to mimic bedtime.

If your kid sleeps in a stroller, SNCF and Renfe let you store folded strollers in luggage racks.

White noise apps (Baby Sleep Sounds) drown out chatty neighbors. And yes, that €5 chocolate bar you’re eating while they snooze? You’ve earned it.

8. Master the Art of Distraction

Turn the journey into a game. Spot cows! Count tunnels! Play “I Spy” with seat colors. Some trains, like Avanti West Coast, have activity packs (ask the conductor).

For older toddlers, a LCD drawing tablet (€30) keeps scribbles contained. Or print a “train bingo” sheet with icons (dog, red hat, suitcase) to spot along the way.

9. Dress for (Dis)comfort

Skip the cute outfits. Opt for elastic waistbands, slip-on shoes, and layers (trains swing from sauna to Siberia). Pack a spare outfit (for them and you)—because apple juice explosions are inevitable.

Footie pajamas? Genius for overnight trips. They’re cozy and minimize bathroom struggles.

10. Book Overnight Trains Wisely

Overnight journeys can be golden… or a horror show. Nightjet’s Family Compartments (€120–200) have bunk beds and privacy.

Avoid couchettes with strangers—toddlers kicking Mrs. Schmidt at 2 AM won’t make friends.

Bring a familiar blanket and bedtime storybook. For midnight wake-ups, a dim flashlight (€10) helps soothe without blinding everyone.

11. Plan Pit Stops: Break Up the Journey

A 6-hour ride? Split it. Stop for 1–2 hours in kid-friendly cities:

Rotterdam Centraal: A 10-minute walk to Markthal (food market with giant murals).
Munich Hbf: The Deutsches Museum Verkehrszentrum (train museum, €6/kids) is 2 stops away.

Check if your ticket allows stopovers. Eurail Passes do, but regional tickets may need revalidation.

Stay Calm: You’ve Got This

Toddlers feed off your stress. Forgive the meltdowns. Pack a parent survival kit: noise-canceling headphones (€50), chocolate, and a mantra (“This is temporary”).

If all else fails, walk the aisles. Point out “choo-choos” outside. Bribe with a “quiet game” prize (a €1 sticker pack). You’re not failing—you’re surviving.

Pro Gear That’s Worth Every Cent

GB Pockit Stroller (fits overhead racks, €150).
Munchkin Travel Snack Catcher (€8, no-spill).
Skip Hop Portable Baby Changing Mat (€20, wipes included).

FAQs: Your Panic Button

Q: What if my toddler hates the train?
Distract, distract, distract. New toys, snacks, and walks. If they scream, remember: Everyone’s been there.

Q: Are there diaper stations on trains?
Most long-distance trains (like Thalys or ICE) have changing tables. Ask staff if you’re stuck.

Q: Can I bring a car seat?
Yes, but most trains don’t require them. Use a travel harness (€25) for wiggly toddlers.

You’ll Miss This (Really)

One day, you’ll laugh about the time your toddler licked the window or declared “POOP!” in the silent car.

Trains let you see the world through their eyes—chaotic, curious, and full of wonder. So, take a breath, hand them another snack, and know you’re winning at parenting.