Train journey with a baby or toddler: what to pack
A train is one of the easier ways to travel with a little one: you can move around, there is a table, and you are not strapped in. It still goes better with a small, well-organised bag, because you can’t easily nip back to the luggage rack. This list is for the bag that sits at your feet or on your lap.
Check these first
The things people forget most. Everything else can be bought, borrowed or worked around.
- Tickets and seat reservations
- Nappies and wipes
- Feeds, with spare
- Medication, with doses
- A comfort toy
Changing
Feeding
Keeping them happy
Getting on and off
Tips
- Book a seat with a table, and near the doors if you have a pushchair.
- Keep the bag light: you will be carrying it, the child and maybe a pushchair.
- Pack a few small surprises and bring one out each half hour.
- Check whether your journey has a family area or baby-changing facilities on the train and at the stations.
Common questions
What should I take on a train with a baby?
Nappies, wipes, a change of clothes, feeding things, a comfort toy and a few small toys. Keep it all in one bag you can reach.
Do babies need a ticket on the train?
Rules vary by country and operator. In many places very young children travel free, but check with your operator.
Can I take a pushchair on the train?
Usually yes. Folding ones are easiest, and there is often space for them near the doors. Check with your operator.