Travelling by train with a baby - check what you need to know | PolishTrains

At a glance

• Children under 4 travel free on PKP Intercity but must have a zero-fare ticket purchased in advance
• Pendolino offers up to 3 family compartments with 4 seats each for carers and young children
• A folded pushchair can be carried as free hand luggage if it fits in the overhead or under-seat space
• Spare clothes, nappies and a small toy are the most practical items to pack for a baby journey
• Train aisles allow babies some movement during the journey to prevent boredom and digestive problems
• Carry the child's birth certificate or passport for age verification during ticket inspections

Is travelling by train with a baby a good idea? Of course it is! However, you need to prepare properly for such a trip, and then everything will certainly work out. Using the train with a small child is, despite appearances, very comfortable.

You need to prepare properly for a train journey with a baby. As well as the formalities of buying a ticket and choosing the right seats, don't forget to bring along useful items.

The most important thing is a supply of nappies and food, depending on whether your baby is already eating solid food or still drinking milk. A thermos of hot water to make a mix is a good idea, as well as dry snacks to keep your baby entertained too. A favourite toy will also come in handy, for example one that doesn't take up much space, can be attached to the window or is simply an interesting book to look at.

When travelling on a train with a young child, spare clothes placed somewhere on top of the bag will also come in handy. You won't be stressed about your baby getting dirty, and you can easily change them in the compartment too if necessary.

The pushchair you take with you should be collapsible. On the train, the aisles are narrow, so a model that folds flat and can be put on the luggage rack or placed in a special place to transport larger hand luggage will work. Some have a convenient strap so you can sling it over your shoulder and not fret when getting on and off the carriage, making the train journey with your baby more relaxed.

And don't forget the opportunity for your baby to move around the carriage aisles. A bit of movement prevents boredom and digestive problems.

If you have any problems, don't be afraid to ask the train staff for help. Everyone is usually very friendly towards families with children and there is bound to be someone to help.

Children up to the age of 4 travel for free by law. They are entitled to a concession of 100% of the ticket price, but please note that this is only available in 2nd class. 1st class has no such concessions. Please also note that a child travels for free, but requires a zero fare ticket, which you purchase together with the adult ticket. You must also carry proof of your child's age. Older children, even before they start school, can also benefit from reduced fares. In this case, the discount is the same as for schoolchildren, i.e. 37%. Another option to save money is to buy tickets for several people, including children. How much does a PKP family ticket cost? It is valid for a group of 2 to 5 people, of which at least one person must be a child under the age of 16. The adults will then receive a 30% discount. When checking, you must carry proof of the age of the child travelling. For children over the age of six, this must be a school ID card. Importantly, even if one person in the travelling group gets off the train early, the family ticket will still be valid. It is sufficient that at least two people are travelling, one of whom is under 16 years of age. You can also buy such a family ticket on the PolishTrains website. All you need to do is tick the appropriate box and there will be at least one adult and one child among the travellers. This way, a discount will be applied to the adult tickets. You will travel cheaper, so it really pays off.

A family carriage with a children's compartment is a special seat that can be booked at the time of ticket purchase. This space is prepared for the youngest and their carers, who can make the journey surrounded by similar families.

Combo is the name of the new multi-purpose carriages in Pendolino trainsets of a higher standard, which PKP Intercity is introducing on its trains on popular routes. This is being done as part of the Accessibility Plus programme. What is such a compartment for a person with a child under six? Such compartments are soundproofed, the walls are decorated with colourful pictures. There is space in the carriage for wheelchair users with disabilities, as well as space to put away an infant pram. There are also electrical and USB sockets on site, ideal for plugging in a food warmer. There is also a changing table in the toilet.

These carriages can be found on popular routes such as:

• Szczecin - Tricity - Olsztyn - Białystok;

• Wrocław/Zielona Góra - Poznań - Gdynia/Olsztyn - Białystok;

• Kraków/Lublin - Katowice - Wrocław - Zielona Góra - Szczecin - Świnoujście;

• Przemyśl - Lublin - Warsaw - Bydgoszcz - Gdynia/Piła - Kołobrzeg/Gorzów Wielkopolski;

• Suwałki - Białystok/Lublin - Warsaw - Poznań - Szczecin/Gorzów Wielkopolski/Zielona Góra.

A compartment for children under 6 years of age on IC trains is not available on all trainsets. Parents of young children can opt to travel in a compartmentless carriage or use a carrier that does not offer such special compartments. However, designated seating for pregnant women and young children is available on such trains. Please note, however, that there may not be enough of these and it will be difficult to occupy such a seat if there are more travellers. On short journeys this is not a major problem, but on a long journey it can be a handicap.

Pendolino also has a family compartment, and even 3, for pregnant women and carers with children under 6 years of age. These compartments can accommodate 4 people, making the journey even more comfortable. Such amenities make an already fast and comfortable journey on this train an even more pleasant experience.

On the train, travelling with a child in a pram is also possible. It is best to choose a lightweight and handy model that is easy to fold flat, as this is much easier to handle. It is not only possible to carry a pushchair if you have a seat in a family compartment, but also in a normal compartment.

If you are wondering whether you have to pay for a pushchair on the train, it is exempt if you are able to fold it and place it under or above your seat. This also applies to a baby carrier or travel cot. In some cases, however, a carriage charge is required. However, this applies to journeys without the child and models where the pushchair cannot be folded. The fee and its amount depends on the individual carrier and you will need to refer to the carrier's terms and conditions.

Travelling by train with a child is undoubtedly more difficult than travelling alone. However, the PKP (Polish National Railways) provides some facilities, such as a compartment for a mother with a child on Intercity. Patience and understanding is key in this case. Just be prepared for the fact that travelling with a baby can be stressful. Be patient and flexible, try to adapt to your baby's needs and deal with any surprises. Plan what you will take with you, but try to limit extra luggage, especially if you also have a pushchair to take.

Are there dedicated spaces or areas for pushchairs on PKP trains and how do I find them during my journey?

In family carriages (compartments for people with a child up to 6 years old) you will find specially designated areas for prams. If you are facing a train journey with a baby in a public carriage, where the aisles are usually narrow, it is best to fold up the pushchair and stow it above or below the seat. If this is not possible and the pushchair obstructs the aisle, you may be asked to move it or be charged an additional fee. In addition, some trainsets in the compartmentless carriages have special areas for luggage or suitcases, where it is also permitted to store folded prams.

Travelling on PKP trains with a child in a pram will certainly be less stressful if you check in advance where you will find space for the pram/baggage on your chosen train. Usually, you will already see the carriage map when you book your tickets on the PolishTrains website (you will find it by clicking on the SEAT MAP button).

Are there baby changing facilities on PKP trains?

You will find baby changing facilities in the toilets on selected PKP Intercity trains. This is standard on family compartments and most modern trainsets, such as Pendolino. On slightly older trains, this option may not be available or the changing table may only be in single carriages. If you are travelling on a long journey with a baby and you know it will be necessary to change your little one during the journey, choose trains that have InterCity compartments for mother and baby. This will give you peace of mind and greater comfort during the journey.

How do I prepare for a train journey with a baby - what should I have "at hand" in a compartment or carriage?

Travelling by train with an infant requires adequate preparation and, above all, entertainment and provisions for the journey. You need to bear in mind:

• snacks and milk - you will find products for slightly older children such as candy bars and small snacks in the regular WARS range. If your child is at the stage of porridge or specially prepared pieces of fruit, you need to remember to bring them from home; in the dining car you will buy water and juice instead, and you can ask for hot water (e.g. for preparing milk) and bottle scalding,

• games and favourite toys - if you are travelling in a family compartment, toys can be interactive or make a sound (as long as they do not disturb other passengers), otherwise, especially in non-compartment cars, opt for mascots or picture books,

• necessary documents - during the control, you will need a paper or electronic ticket (including a valid free ticket for a child under 4 years old) and documents entitling you to concessions.

In addition, remember that if you are travelling solo with your child, only take a lightweight and collapsible pushchair that will not cause you any problems, so can be folded and will be treated as hand luggage. In the event that you have a bulkier model that you will not be able to fold, find out in advance whether such a pushchair is paid for on the train and how much the possible charge is.