Family compartment in Pendolino - how to travel with a small child? | PolishTrains

At a glance

• Each Express InterCity Premium (Pendolino) trainset has three family compartments with 4 seats each
• Family compartment tickets can be purchased by an adult travelling with at least one child under 6
• Routes with family compartments include Warsaw-Gdynia, Warsaw-Krakow, Warsaw-Wroclaw and Warsaw-Rzeszow
• Family compartments provide extra space, comfort and privacy particularly valued on longer journeys
• Tickets can be paid by card, BLIK or online transfer without registering an account on PolishTrains
• Availability varies by trainset - always check the seat map after selecting a specific connection

The Pendolino is a very comfortable train for children. However, it is worth knowing the rules regarding special seats. On the Pendolino, the family compartment is available on many trainsets. It is a separate section of the carriage with seats for families. This compartment often offers more space for a pram or accessories, making it easier to travel comfortably with a toddler.

Reservations in the family carriage are not always reserved exclusively for parents with children, but priority is given to such travellers. It is worth planning your ticket purchase in advance.

The family compartment in Pendolino is a specially designed and separated space dedicated to parents travelling with young children. Each Express InterCity Premium train running in Poland has three such compartments (4 seats for families in each).

Who can use the family compartment? Tickets can be purchased by an adult (parent/guardian) travelling with a child/children under 6 years of age. Importantly, if you are travelling with a whole family, e.g. 4 people, you can also use this option. All you need is one child under 6 years of age among you. Above all, the seats in these sections of the train provide additional comfort and privacy during the journey, which is particularly appreciated on long distances.

**On which routes is a family compartment made available?**Family compartments on Pendolino trains are available for journeys connecting the largest cities in Poland, including the longest routes from the south to the north of the country. Such a facility can be used, among others, on the following sections:

• Warsaw - Gdynia
• Warsaw - Cracow
• Warsaw - Wrocław
• Warsaw - Rzeszów
• Warsaw - Szczecin
• Warsaw - Poznañ
• Bielsko-Biała - Gdynia
• Cracow - Gdynia
• Warsaw - Katowice
• Gliwice - Gdynia

It's worth noting that the family compartments are particularly helpful for longer journeys - if you have a young child, buying these seats will be a good idea, especially on the route:

• **Cracow - Gdynia**The Pendolino train journey from Cracow to Gdynia takes around 5 hours 30 minutes and can seem extremely long, especially for curious toddlers. It is therefore worth taking advantage of the family compartment, which offers more space in which the child can play, sleep, rest and also eat comfortably.
• **Bielsko-Biała - Gdynia**This is one of the longest routes served by Pendolino, as the journey takes almost 7 hours. Surely during such a long journey, a toddler will want to take a nap - and in the family compartment this is entirely possible! Thanks to increased privacy and better sound insulation, children can fall asleep undisturbed by the noise of other passengers. The comfortable seats can easily be transformed into a cosy cot and parents can watch over their child's peaceful sleep.
• **Warsaw - Szczecin**The journey lasts just over four hours - that's a lot of time to manage, especially when travelling with a little one. Does your little one find it hard to sit still or does he or she feel like playing with you? In the family compartment you will have the opportunity to spend time together, play board games or read books. Or would you rather just talk? By choosing a family compartment, you don't have to worry about disturbing other passengers.
• **Warsaw - Rzeszów**The journey on this section takes more than 3 hours 30 minutes, long enough for children to get bored with the standard seat. Wondering how to keep your little one occupied? The family compartment is a good solution! This way, you can concentrate on reading your favourite story books or colouring books together, for example - the tables in the armrest make it comfortable.

What's more, the family compartment on Pendolino trains not only provides more space for children to play and relax, but also a comfort zone for parents where it is easier to keep an eye on their children. As a result, this translates into a less stressful and more relaxing journey for all passengers.

Do you want a pleasant and stress-free journey with your child? You will gain the greatest comfort in the family compartment on Express InterCity Premium trains. Here are the most important advantages:

• Accessibility - every Pendolino train set in Poland has three dedicated family compartments.
• Spaciousness - there are 4 comfortable seats in the compartment, with more space than in standard compartments.
• Practical equipment: tables concealed in the armrests, individually customisable lighting for each seat, electrical sockets for charging essential equipment, coat hangers and more space for luggage or prams.
• Comfort - the compartments are better soundproofed and therefore provide peace and more privacy.
• Good location - family compartments are in close proximity to a toilet equipped with a changing table.

Pendolino family compartment ticket - what is the price?

Wondering what the price of a family compartment ticket on the Pendolino is? We are already in a hurry to answer! Well, it does not differ from the standard ticket price in this class of train. However, families can take advantage of several attractive discounts:

• Free travel for children under 4 - only requires a free ticket reservation.
• 37% discount for children and young learners - must carry a valid school card when travelling.
• 78% discount for children affected by a disability or handicap - applies up to the age of 24 on the basis of valid proof of disability. In addition, one of the child's parents or guardians will also receive a 78% discount when travelling together. The discount is only available for journeys between the place of residence and the school, health facilities and rehabilitation centres attended by the child.
• 30% discount for families on the Pendolino family ticket - conditions for obtaining the discount: the journey must be made in a group of 2 to 5 persons. At least one person in the group must be a child under 16 years of age - in the case of a family group of up to 6 years.
• Additional 30% discount with Large Family Card - when purchasing a ticket for a minimum of two people. Discount only for current holders of the special Large Family Card.

Pendolino family compartment price - want to know more about other discounts? Check out the detailed information on PKP discounts.

When is the best time to buy a Pendolino family ticket?

Don't wait until the last minute - tickets can sell out quickly! It is worth remembering that although seats in the family compartment are available for booking until the train departs, it is not worth postponing your purchase. Their number is very limited!

How do I book a family compartment?

To book a family compartment on a Pendolino train, we recommend using the PolishTrains portal. The website allows you to search for connections and quickly purchase tickets.

Purchase instructions on the website:

• Go to www.polishtrains.eu - create an account or purchase without registering.Use the connection search engine, select the departure and destination station, date of travel and number of passengers.
• In the search results, select the train marked "EIP (Pendolino)".
• When selecting seats, look for the "family compartment" option (always located in carriage u 2) - you can also select such seats from the diagram that will appear after clicking on the "Select seat from map" button.
• Select the appropriate discounts and complete the booking process by making payment - by BLIK, credit card, online transfer or using deferred payment.
• If you have any problems, please contact us: Contact PolishTrains

For the convenience of travellers, the PolishTrains mobile app is also available, allowing you to quickly book tickets and access all the features of the website from your smartphone.

The family compartment on the Pendolino is the perfect solution for families travelling with young children. It offers not only extra space and comfort, but also a range of amenities to ensure privacy and peace throughout the journey.

The PolishTrains website and mobile app offer a transparent booking system that makes it easy to choose the right compartment and to take advantage of all available discounts.

Can only people travelling with children sit in the Pendolino family carriage/compartment, or are "normal" bookings also allowed?

The family compartment on the Pendolino is primarily intended for travellers with children and they have priority when booking seats. However, occasionally seats may be available for other passengers if they have not been purchased.

Is there room in the Pendolino family compartment for a pushchair and larger luggage, or is it better to fold it up and put it away elsewhere in the carriage?

There is usually more space in the family compartment, which makes it easier to position the pushchair. In practice, it is often more convenient to fold the pushchair and place it in the designated luggage area so as not to block the aisle and to ensure the comfort of other passengers.

What if you have not been able to buy a ticket for the Pendolino family carriage - are there any alternatives for travelling with a small child?

If seats in the family compartment are sold out, it is advisable to choose seats at a table or in a section of the carriage with more space for luggage.