Train
Travel With Small Children
Useful
planning tips
Train
travel can offer a relaxing, economical alternative to flying or
driving long distances with scenic views of the countryside and
time to enjoy each other's company.
Here are some tips for planning to ride the rails as part
of a family vacation:
If the trip involves visiting friends or family,
then your train route should probably be the most
direct route available.
Look for the most direct
route to a destination to reduce or avoid the
necessity of changing trains. This will reduce
stress of the trip and the chances of missing a
connecting train as a result of delays. It also
reduces the risk of losing luggage.
If you haven't chosen a final destination for the
vacation, do some research and look into scenic
train routes that will add picturesque views to the
trip. For example, taking the train from Edmonton
to Vancouver through the Mountains can be a
thrilling adventure for kids as they watch the
mountains pass by, go through tunnels and over train
trestles.
Children under two years and not occupying a seat
are usually free on most trains, check with the rail
company when riding in parent's lap. If booking a
seat, consider taking a car seat for children under
two years of age.
Most rail companies
offer reduced rates for children under 12 years of
age and if purchasing a seat for children under two.
Check with the rail company for packages that may
include accommodations, rental cars and discounts.
If the trip is longer than six hours, consider
travelling at night and booking a sleeper car, most
children really enjoy sleeping in the bunks. It is
more expensive to book sleepers, but it is worth it
for a long trip.
Take a trial run, look
for a local heritage or site seeing short duration
train trip (one that is about an hour in length) to
take the kids for a ride on. This gives you a
chance to familiarize all of you with a train, and
perhaps go over some guidelines for safety and
behavior on the train prior to the actual trip.
Reserve a window seat. Ask if the seats allow seats
facing each other if travelling as a family of four
(2 adults/ 2 Children). This way each child has a
window seat.
Inquire if a dining car is available and if you can
reserve a seating time, take an early seating if
possible.
Some trains offer
special domed cars or cafe cars that may have
lounges offering a chance for families to walk
through the train for a change of pace.
Book seats at either end of the car, especially if
travelling with toddlers, this allows for walks to
one end and back again. It may be a bit louder at
the ends, but this may work to your advantage to
muffle any noise children may be making.
Train
travel can offer a relaxing, economical alternative to flying or
driving long distances with scenic views of the countryside and
time to enjoy each other's company.
The
