Train Travel with Kids

Family Train Travel Tips, Tourist Trains, Thomas the Train and Other Train Travel Ideas with Children

Jul 15, 2006 Kelby Carr

Kids just love trains, so they of course enjoy travel on trains. Find out how to plan a train trip with your children.

A child's eyes light up when he or she spots a train chugging along the track. There are dozens of children's books devoted to trains, ranging from the classic Little Engine That Could to the Thomas the Train phenomenon. Imagine how delighted a child would be to actually experience riding the rails.

Here are some ideas and tips for planning train travel for kids.

• Look for local tourist trains - If you aren't yet up to a cross-country voyage or zipping to Europe with rail passes in hand, check for a nearby tourist train. Great Smoky Mountain Rail is a great choice, for instance, and they even host kid-friendly themed rides like A Day Out With Thomas and the North Pole-bound Polar Express.
• Take the commuter rail - Another quick trip is simply riding your local commuter rail into the nearest city. It's short and sweet, but you can bet your kids will get just as much of a thrill from the ride. And isn't this nicer than sitting in traffic while they whine?
• Look for a family rail sale - There are frequently hot deals offered for buying multiple tickets, and sometimes kids ride free. On the French rail, children 4 and under don't pay. Amtrak has a great family-friendly train sale lasting until the end of 2006.
• Take the train prepared - While train travel is fun, it isn't always easy. In foreign countries and even the States, you may encounter train stations that aren't stroller-friendly. Use these tips for strollers and stairs.
• Let the kids help plan - Use this opportunity to teach your children while traveling by letting them map out the route or calculate time and distances between stops.

The great thing about trains is they are family-friendly. Instead of cramped seating, you get more leg room and it's easier to walk around. It allows everyone to enjoy the view, instead of mom or dad stuck watching the road. You can be sure your kids will get a rush out of riding the rails.

The copyright of the article Train Travel with Kids in Family Travel is owned by Kelby Carr. Permission to republish Train Travel with Kids in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Train travel with kids

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Jul 19, 2006 5:31 PM

Jennifer W. Miner :

Boy, I never thought about this before, probably because every major trip we take involves flying. But with gas prices being what they are, it also makes good economical (and environmental) sense to take a trip by train, if and when you can. Thanks, Kelby!

Jul 22, 2006 3:30 PM

Kelby Carr :

I think it's a more pleasant way to travel with kids than by plane, personally. It still has its issues (getting on board with kids, bags and strollers isn't always fun), but I love that you can have all your stuff with you... which you can't do on planes. And kids enjoy train rides so much, but plane rides lose their appeal pretty quickly and they start getting squirmy.

Jul 28, 2006 11:18 PM

Alan Sorum :

Our family enjoyed traveling by train in Europe this summer. The transportation system there is remarkable. We alway try take our visitors here to Alaska on the <a href="http://www.alaskarailroad.com/">Alaska Railroad</a> from Whittier to Denali Park. It's an awesome trip.

Jul 29, 2006 4:47 PM

Kelby Carr :

I love the European rail system. Our daughter traveled quite extensively on it when we lived over there, and with the exception of diaper changing (not all trains have changing stations) and a <a href="http://familytravel.suite101.com/article.cfm/strollers__travel_a nd_stairs">lack of elevators for the stroller</a>, it was a great way to travel. It is so much nicer than the American rails... That Alaska rail sounds wonderful. Alaska is definitely on my to-do list.

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