Holidays with a young child. Where to go to keep toddlers and parents happy? | PolishTrains

At a glance

• Children under 4 travel free on Polish trains with a zero-fare ticket obtained in advance
• PKP Intercity trains offer nappy-changing facilities, pushchair space and family compartments
• Coastal resorts, mountain areas and Masuria are recommended as family-friendly holiday destinations
• Travelling at the beginning or end of season means smaller crowds and lower accommodation prices
• Rail travel is recommended for families with young children due to space and ease of movement
• Older children up to specific ages qualify for statutory discounts or special family ticket offers

Key information

• The best time to travel with a child is at the beginning or end of the season.

• Choose your holiday destination in terms of tranquillity, access to a doctor and facilities for families.

• Coastal destinations, mountain destinations, destinations in the Masuria region or larger cities with facilities for children are best.

• Travelling by train makes logistics easier - it is a better option than the car. Carriages offer plenty of space and room for activity.

• Take essentials with you on the journey - nappies, food and drink for your little one, as well as healthy snacks and changing clothes.

A holiday with an infant or young child can be an unforgettable experience for the whole family if planned well. It becomes particularly important to match the destination to the child's age, daily rhythm and individual needs. The right destination, access to numerous amenities and a sensibly planned trip make the trip an enjoyable experience for both parents and children.

The choice of destination for a family trip depends primarily on the age of the child, the parents' expectations and the nature of the planned holiday. Some families feel most comfortable at the seaside, where the sandy beaches and fresh air favour peaceful strolls, while others prefer destinations with more attractions available in the city centre. If it's your first holiday with a toddler, it's worth betting on locations that offer plenty of amenities, easy access to a pharmacy, playgrounds and green spaces.

Seaside towns with wide, safe bathing areas are good choices, as are cities with extensive tourist infrastructure and parks where you can spend time outdoors. Lake regions and gentle mountain ranges are also good options, where active holidays can be combined with relaxation in peaceful surroundings.

When choosing a holiday with a baby, it is also a good idea to avoid places with a lot of noise and air pollution - especially during the peak season - as this often translates into poorer sleep for the baby and more fatigue for the parents.

Thanks to the dense rail network, many such destinations are accessible without the need for a car, which for some young parents is a particularly convenient option for planning a trip with a young child.

Zielona Góra

Zielona Gora is a quiet, green city that works well for a family trip. Extensive parks, a pedestrian zone in the centre and vineyards in the surrounding area encourage unhurried strolls. For children, the Palm House and numerous playgrounds can be an interesting attraction. The city's compact layout means that most of the highlights can be visited without extensive travel.

Cracow

Cracow offers many attractions that can be adapted to the pace of travel with a young child. A stroll through the Main Square, a walk along the Vistula River or a visit to the Wawel Castle allow you to combine sightseeing with moments of rest. The city also has a zoo, city parks and museums with exhibitions prepared for younger visitors. A large selection of accommodation and restaurants makes it easy to plan a longer stay.

Tricity

Gdańsk, Sopot and Gdynia form a unique region with both sandy beaches and numerous additional attractions for children of all ages in one place. A walk in the Gdańsk Old Town, a visit to the Experyment Science Centre in Gdynia or stepping onto the pier in Sopot allow you to combine sightseeing with relaxation by the water. The Tricity also offers a wide range of accommodation - from hotels with facilities for families to comfortable cottages and flats near the sea. When planning your stay, it is worth paying attention to the distance of the accommodation from the beach and the availability of facilities for children.

When holidaying by the sea, protection from the sun is also key - especially for babies - so it is advisable to take a sun umbrella to the beach to provide shade during naps and breastfeeding, as well as a sunscreen suited to the age of the child. The proximity of green areas, parks and coastal footpaths means that even with a pushchair you can comfortably plan a peaceful yet attractive holiday - even beyond the beach itself.

Giżycko

The Masuria region is ideal for relaxing by the lake, as it offers many guarded beaches and a wide range of agrotourism, making it easy to plan a peaceful family holiday close to nature. Giżycko, located in the heart of Masuria, is a good base for short trips to the lakes and surrounding attractions. The town has a famous rotating bridge, a marina and an extensive tourist infrastructure. Families with children appreciate the numerous walking areas and the opportunity to enjoy relaxing on the water in a safe environment. The availability of accommodation facilities of varying standards makes it easy to tailor a trip to individual needs.

Szklarska Poręba

Szklarska Poręba is a mountain resort offering beautiful views and many attractions suitable for families with children. The area offers gentle walking trails, waterfalls and cable cars, allowing you to enjoy the mountain landscape without long hikes. The village also offers educational centres, amusement parks and nature trails to make your stay both active and peaceful.

Zakopane

Zakopane remains one of the most popular destinations for family trips to the mountains. The mountains - including the Tatra Mountains - offer picturesque scenery and clean air, which is good for walking with a pushchair. However, it is advisable to choose easier trails and sections with a good surface to match the pace to the needs of the baby. The city has numerous attractions also available for the youngest - cable cars to Kasprowy Wierch and Gubałówka, rope parks, thermal baths and easy walking routes in the valleys. Holidays with a baby in the mountains, however, require adjusting the plan to the child's capabilities - instead of hiking for hours, it is better to choose short walks, more frequent breaks and places from which it is easy to return when the toddler needs sleep or feeding. It's also a good idea to set off early in the morning - it's cooler then and brighter for longer, making it easier to have a calm day and reducing the risk of overheating during the season.

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Ustronie Morskie

Ustronie Morskie is a smaller town by the Baltic Sea, often chosen by young parents who are looking for a holiday in a quiet place away from the major resorts. Wide sandy beaches, gentle descents to the sea and access to walking areas promote safe outdoor play. There are also plenty of family attractions waiting to be enjoyed in the area, with cycle paths, small amusement parks or child-friendly food outlets. Both guesthouses and comfortable cottages are available, which provide more space than standard rooms.

Toruń

Toruń is a city with an exceptionally intimate atmosphere, conducive to peaceful sightseeing with a child. The Old Town with its brick buildings, the Vistula boulevards and numerous squares allow for short walks with rest breaks. Attractions of particular interest to families include interactive museums, a planetarium and gingerbread workshops that combine fun with an educational element.

Poznań

Poznań combines a historic city centre with a modern, family-friendly infrastructure. The market square with its colourful townhouses, the famous goats and the spacious recreational areas along the Malta River create a diverse range of activities. In the area around Lake Malta there are walking paths, a park railway and attractions for children, so that the trip can be both relaxing and active.

Malbork

Malbork is a destination that combines education with an attractive sightseeing experience. The monumental Teutonic castle - one of the largest in Europe - can hold the interest of even younger travellers, especially if you choose a guided tour or multimedia exhibition. The city centre also offers walking areas on the Nogat River, playgrounds and family-friendly restaurants. With a well-developed tourist infrastructure and easy access to the most important attractions, Malbork is an excellent base for a quiet holiday with a young child, where sightseeing does not require long distances.

For many families, rail travel proves to be the ideal solution, especially when the lack of a car makes organising a trip difficult. The train allows you to move about freely in the carriage, it is easier to transport a pram and to take advantage of the additional facilities available in modern trains.

When planning a holiday with a young child, opt for direct connections and departure times that fit in with the child's daily routine. Travelling in the early morning or during the off-peak season can be much quieter, and the lower volume of passenger traffic makes for a more comfortable environment.

A longer train journey should be planned in such a way that the child can move and change position freely during the journey. Unlike when travelling by car, there is no need to stop for breaks - you can get up, walk along the corridor or use the space at the entrance to the car. This is especially important when travelling with a toddler who is a few years old and can be less tolerant of sitting in one place for hours on end. Before departure, it is also a good idea to check which trainsets run on your chosen route and whether they offer family compartments and additional amenities.

Travelling by train with a young child can be a really enjoyable experience if you prepare properly for the trip and ensure the comfort of all passengers. People with different needs meet in the carriage - some want to relax, others work - so it's worth planning in advance what will occupy your child's attention during the journey. Favourite toys, books, colouring books or a cuddly toy will help your child to pass the time without disturbing the silence around them, especially if you choose accessories that don't make loud noises.

If the child is still young and it is difficult to predict his or her reactions, it can be a good idea to choose seats close to the exit of the compartment or in a part of the carriage with more space. Snacks and refreshments are also a good idea - even if there is a refreshment area on the train, it is often a good idea to have something to hand when hunger strikes. A small first aid kit with basic medicines and hygiene products is also useful.

Before the journey, it is a good idea to talk to your child about the rules of transport - that you do not kick the seat in front of you or shout in an enclosed space. If the toddler is still too young, the responsibility for their behaviour lies with the carer. It is a good idea to make a shorter test trip beforehand, so that you can more easily assess what will work on a longer journey. This preparation makes the train journey calm, comfortable and enjoyable for both your family and fellow passengers.

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When travelling with a child, it is a good idea to start by thinking through all the logistics before you leave, especially if you are planning your first longer journey. It's a good idea to check in advance whether your chosen train offers the option of booking a specific seat and whether it's easy to board the carriage with a pushchair . This reduces the stress of boarding the train and allows you to focus on starting your journey in peace.

It is also important to match the rhythm of the journey to your child's needs. For the youngest passengers, it is advantageous to choose journeys that take place at a time of day when the toddler is usually asleep or most quiet. It is also a good idea to plan your departure with enough time to avoid the rush on the platform and to have a moment to find your seat quietly.

If you're travelling with an infant, it's particularly helpful to bring items familiar from home, such as a blanket or pillow, which help create a sense of security for your baby in a new environment.

Travelling by train with an infant - check out what you need to know.

When planning a family trip, it is worth checking out the Family Ticket offer (on EIP and EIC trains). On PKP trains, it can be used by groups of 2 to 5 people, one of whom is a child under 16. As part of the offer, each participant receives a 30% discount on the basic price.

Children up to 4 years of age - free of charge

The youngest passengers can travel by rail free of charge. A child under 4 years of age travels free of charge, but a so-called zero ticket is required. This document confirms the right to travel and must be presented at the check-in together with a document confirming the child's age. In practice, this means that travelling by train with an infant or toddler does not generate additional costs for the journey itself.

Discounts for pre-school age children

Children of pre-school age who no longer enjoy free travel can travel with a statutory discount of 37% on single tickets. To benefit from the discount, the child must show proof of age.

Discounts for pupils and trainees

Children and young people continuing their education can benefit from statutory concessions on rail travel. A 37% discount is available for single tickets, while a 49% discount is available for registered monthly tickets. It is essential to have a valid school card or other document confirming student status. This makes regular travel, e.g. on longer holidays or when visiting family, less of a burden on the budget.

Large Family Card

Families with a Large Family Card can benefit from additional discounts. Holders are entitled to a 30% discount when at least 2 KDR beneficiaries travel together. It is worth mentioning that the discounts associated with it are combined with other offers, such as discounts for pupils and students.

Modern PKP trainsets increasingly offer a range of facilities designed with families in mind. Many trains have toilets with changing facilities, space for a pram (no charge for bringing in an unfolded pram) and comfortable seats for a comfortable journey. Tables, individual lighting and clothes hangers are installed next to the seats. In addition, it is worth mentioning the lifts and platforms, which make it easier to move the wheelchair. In WARS carriages, on the other hand, there is a menu especially for the youngest, and parents can ask for free boiling water or bottle scalding.

COMBO carriages are an attractive option. These are children's areas whose interior and equipment are covered with colourful graphics with motifs of space, jungle or cities and iconic characters. Importantly, the carriages are adapted not only for the youngest, but also for people with disabilities. They offer access to wireless internet, electrical sockets and USB ports. In addition, passengers can make use of vending machines serving cold and hot drinks and small snacks.