From "Please, no!" to "Again and again!": How train travel with children and bicycles becomes a highlight
Traveling by train with children and bicycles
Your first family cycling trip, including travel to the starting point, is coming up. You and your children love cycling and have already done several tours together in the area. Now, for the first time, you're not starting from your front door, and a train journey with bikes and luggage is on the agenda. "I hope I haven't bitten off more than I can chew!" you're thinking? Don't panic, with our tips, you'll master this adventure together!
The journey is the destination: make it an adventure!
„"When we get there, we'll have to check in, take our luggage to our rooms, and store the bikes." – Ugh, you're already not in the mood for that, are you? How about: "When we get there, we'll already be able to hear the waves!" or "Where we're going, there are loads and loads of cows."“ Okay, this trip is worth it.!
And there's plenty to discover beyond the destination: ever-changing landscapes as you look out the window, fascinating fellow travelers, hissing doors, and unusual restrooms. Go exploring together or share your discoveries with each other as you gaze out the window.
Family-friendly amenities on trains – a good idea with room for improvement
Cinema, board games, and a children's toilet – many trains offer family zones and children's compartments. On Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB), you'll even find a changing table. Sounds great, right? Unfortunately, these zones are often quite small and seem like an afterthought, just to cover the basics. On German trains, these zones are usually limited to six reservable seats per train and are therefore often booked months in advance. So, the concept definitely has room for improvement. So, find your own entertainment!
You'll find a few game ideas for all ages and small luggage. here.
„"Monster alert" – travel time according to a child's internal clock
For children, just like for Gremlins: "Things can get dangerous after midnight!" Which basically means, "Keep an eye on the travel time!" Depending on how far the train journey is going, you shouldn't overtax your children's internal clocks. So, plan your trips so that everyone can wind down in the evening. Ideally, you should avoid arrival and transfer times after 9:00 PM.
This also applies to night trains. Longer journey times can even be an advantage here. This way, the children can experience the adventure of the trip while still getting their eight to ten hours of sleep. After all, you're traveling with your bikes, and the real adventure is just beginning.
You can find more tips on taking your bike on the train in our article. „Rail-bike: How to achieve a stress-free combination“.
Stage destination: transfer station. Plan generously.
Transfers are like stages in your day's journey, celebrate them! Every station you reach is an important milestone. So plan your transfer times generously and combine them with activities such as a visit to the playground, a meal together (perhaps even at the fast-food chain you usually avoid), or a bathroom break in a stable restroom.
Tip: Check the facilities, bicycle-friendliness, and surroundings of train stations. cyclebeeOnRails.
Children's bikes free as hand luggage: Only for toddlers
You can take children's bikes on the train free of charge as hand luggage. However, as is often the case, you should pay attention to the fine print. ÖBB specifies exact dimensions of 90cm x 60cm x 40cm. – If you don't want to measure right now: based on my own experience taking Woom 1 and Woom 2 bicycles with me, children's bicycles of this size shouldn't pose a problem. – Deutsche Bahn states that children's bicycles up to 16 inches can be taken along free of charge.
Disadvantage: On long-distance trains, space for bicycles and luggage is usually limited anyway. Therefore, children's bikes might not be able to be placed directly next to yours because they could block aisles. So, when you get off, you'll have to collect the bikes from different locations.
Family ticket and family seat: Check the specific case
Children up to their 6th birthday travel free. However, seat reservations can be a bit confusing: When you select your seats online with ÖBB (Austrian Federal Railways), children's seats aren't initially displayed. When selecting your "preferred seat," you can then freely choose any seat and only pay for the adult seats. This applies provided all children are under six years old. If a child between six and 15 years old is traveling, you'll only see the paid seats for children over six when selecting your preferred seat.
With Deutsche Bahn (DB), you can always add a discounted family reservation to your ticket, however, this is also subject to a fee for children under six. From the age of six until shortly before their 15th birthday (DB's 14th birthday), children and teenagers only pay half price.
The rolling youth hostel: Traveling with children on a night train
On the Nightjet, you can reserve an entire private compartment for yourself and your children. And let's be honest, you should. For your sake and the sake of your fellow travelers. For a longer journey, like to Croatia, the night train offers a fantastic way to start your adventure together. It's like a pajama party on rails. You fall asleep at home and wake up in a new world. How amazing is that?!
To ensure a restful night, treat yourself and your children to a night in a couchette or sleeper car. Sleeper cars offer wider beds, making them ideal for overnight guests from younger children. However, the two- or three-berth compartments offer less luggage space. Couchette cars provide more room and are designed for four or six people. This is certainly a good option for those traveling with older children.
Even though a seat is the cheapest way to travel by night train, with children: Uh, no!
Conclusion: Train travel with a child and bicycle – An unforgettable adventure
- Adventure instead of stress: View the journey as an adventure. Focus on the positive aspects, such as shared discoveries.
- Adaptation to the child's watch: Avoid late arrivals or departures to allow the children enough rest.
- Transfer times as intermediate goals: Use layover times for breaks and activities to make the journey more interesting for the children.
- Taking children's bicycles along: Find out about the specific conditions for taking children's bicycles along free of charge.
- Family-friendly amenities: Take advantage of family-friendly services on trains, such as children's compartments or special entertainment options, even if these are sometimes limited or could be expanded.
- Family tickets and seat reservations: Check the conditions for family tickets and seat reservations, especially regarding the age of the children and possible discounts.
- Traveling by night train: For longer journeys, book a private compartment in a sleeper or couchette car so you can start cycling full of energy.
These tips are designed to help you and your children make your train journey not only stress-free, but also a special experience.
With the right planning, an initial "Please don't!" becomes an enthusiastic "Again and again!".
Share your own experiences with family train travel in the comments. Your stories will inspire and help other families make their journeys even better.
cyclebeeOnRails – Your partner for taking your bicycle on the train
Want to travel comfortably and flexibly by bike and train? Then "cyclebeeOnRails" is the answer for you. Here we offer official data on connections and train stations, which you can supplement with comments, tips, and reviews. Over time, your feedback will create a vibrant knowledge platform for everyone who enjoys combining cycling and train travel.