Train Trek Tales: Our Euro Adventure With Two Kids Off the Beaten Path

"Why can't we simply fly there?" asks my younger one as we wait on the platform for our train to Paris.

I’m preparing for an Interrail trip with my husband and our two kids, who are eight and eleven years old. This will be my first time doing something like this. In my younger days, I spent most of my time moving from one beach hut to another in Southeast Asia rather than traveling by train across Europe.

However, lengthy trips with four people can be quite costly, and I am increasingly aware of the environmental effects of air travel. Additionally, Interrail passes offer great value for family journeys. Children under 12 years old ride at no charge, and the tickets maintain consistent pricing throughout the year.

"Traveling by train will be much more enjoyable!" I exclaim. "We can avoid waiting at airports, have more space to roam around, and easily adjust our plans whenever we wish." Airports often bring to mind images of lines, limitations, and lengthy, unpleasant trips, whereas taking the train seems considerably more refined and pleasant.

It appears others concur. There is a resurgence happening in train travel, as More individuals choosing to turn to trains for travel. There are now more routes available than ever before, thanks to the EU’s extensive high-speed rail network almost doubling in a decade , alongside the resurgence of overnight train services. **

How to organize a family train trip across Europe with children

Our journey will cover France, Germany, Croatia, and Austria, but we'll spend most of our vacation in Slovenia, a place I've been eager to explore for some time now. Known as one of the greenest nations globally, Slovenia seems like an ideal destination to embark upon using one of the eco-friendliest modes of transportation available.

Opting for a train journey rather than flying can reduce personal carbon emissions by as much as 90 per cent.

Nonetheless, arranging cross-border train trips can be more complicated than choosing a flight. Besides dealing with numerous countries and route choices, managing various railway companies, figuring out which paths require seat bookings and finding seats available, along with making sure the schedule won’t overwhelm children, tends to get quite confusing.

The Interrail and Seat61 websites are incredibly helpful for streamlining our travel plans. If you prefer not to plan everything yourself, Byway offers organized flight-free trips as their specialty.

There are plans in development to enhance European rail travel, with the EU aiming for a cohesive system. cross-European booking system to make the entire process more straightforward.

Reservations for seats can be made up to three months ahead of time, so ensure you book early if you wish to sit together. While organizing your travel plan, it’s wise to schedule some buffer between long trips to avoid overwhelming the children.

When considering lodging options, apartments tend to be more budget-friendly and convenient for family stays.

While traveling on the train, doing some preparatory work can prevent many hassles later on. Consider downloading movies or TV series ahead of time since Wi-Fi might not always be reliable or affordable. Additionally, numerous trains do not offer satisfactory dining choices, so ensure you bring along some snacks for sustenance.

Compared to overnight economy flights, trains are considered a luxury.

Having completed our planning stages, we transition smoothly into rail travel with a brief initial trip. The Eurostar takes us from London to Paris, after which we settle into a charming apartment in the city of lights.

After enjoying the warmth of flaky croissants, we start our day by boarding the subway headed towards Parc de la Villette, an excellent family-oriented urban oasis located in northeastern Paris. We leisurely make our way back via the picturesque Canal Saint-Martin, eventually reaching Gare de l'Est as we prepare for further travel—to Stuttgart first and then continuing overnight to Zagreb.

The excitement hasn’t worn off yet, and my two kids really enjoy riding in the upper deck of the German train. "This thing goes as fast as 199 miles per hour!" declares my oldest child, munching on a large pretzel. Their jaws hit the floor when they learn that certain Trains in Switzerland feature play areas onboard. .

Traveling overnight by train offers a distinctive experience. We stayed in a private couchette with six compact berths, complete with a locking door and amenities such as a bottled water and a croissant for everyone. More modern sleepers even come equipped with onboard showers and room service, although I'm cautious about sharing this detail so the children won’t think they’re missing something special.

In either case, it's a luxurious experience when compared to an all-night flight in economy class, and it comes at a tiny fraction of the cost. Plus, boarding just 15 minutes prior to departure? It feels like a dream.

Cable cars and quirky museums in Zagreb

We awake to gently falling snow in Austria, then travel along icy rivers toward Zagreb, an often-overlooked capital of Croatia. Upon our arrival, we're greeted dramatically when the Gric cannon fires its traditional midday shot from Lotrščak Tower, a practice that has persisted since 1877.

As we explore Zagreb's peculiarities, we can marvel at the impressive Austro-Hungarian facades standing alongside brutalist structures. This city also boasts a charming botanical garden right next to graffiti-covered walls, and cracked staircases adorned with vibrant mosaic tiles for repairs. Additionally, there are almost 50 quirky and unusual museums here, ranging from exhibits about failed romances to those dedicated to hangover remedies.

We opt for the more child-friendly Museum of Laughter, known as the Ha Ha House, featuring inverted rooms and warped mirrors.

Our acquaintance Ivo informs us that Mount Medvednica, located to the north of the city, holds a special place in Zagreb’s heart. Eager to experience this treasured landmark, we hop aboard a cable car for an exhilarating ascent into the heights above, ready to delve into its winding paths.

"On Mondays, people inquire whether you managed to reach the hills over the weekend. Making it there signifies a successful outing. Joyous spirits are often discovered in those elevated spots," he remarks.

The moods remain positive as we return to the train. The familiar sound of wheels rolling over tracks combined with the shifting scenery outside creates a calming effect. During this forced break from activity, we pass the time through card games like Uno, reading, and occasionally watching something on screens. A younger traveler comments that our journey is "really awesome," which makes my children beam with pride at having made an impression.

As we venture from Zagreb, the expanding cityscape transitions into rolling wooded hills, expansive azure rivers, and scattered homes perched atop the slopes. "Look! A mountain! Covered in snow!" exclaims my younger child as we make our way into Slovenia.

Fairy-tale castles and ski resorts without crowds in Slovenia

Slovenia’s The captivating city of Ljubljana is immediately appealing. With its small, vehicle-free center featuring charming cobblestone lanes and riverside cafes lined with trees, it invites leisurely exploration. When we get there, blossoming trees can be seen all around.

We extend our limbs in Ljubljana’s most charming public area, Tivoli Park, before marching uphill to the observation deck of the historic castle for panoramic vistas of the meandering River Ljubljanica and the city with its terracotta-tiled rooftops.

In Bled, we cycle around Slovenia’s renowned lake, taking in the picturesque cliff-top castle and the 15th-century Gothic church situated on a small island at its center.

But it is Bohinj We genuinely become captivated by this place. It’s serene yet untamed. There isn’t even a station nearby, requiring greater exertion to get there. This solitude suits us better, particularly when we paddle across the mirror-like surface of Lake Bohinj, surrounded solely by towering mountains.

In the late afternoon, when the crisp mountain breeze arrives along with the kitesurfers, we make our way back home for some rich, steaming hot chocolate and Bled cake—a decadent, creamy treat brimming with calories. This dessert not only boasts an appealing appearance but also offers a delightful taste experience.

In the heart of Bohinj lie majestic mountains, where we manage to experience the latter part of the skiing season up at Vogel, which sits 1535 meters above the lake level. While I stay back with our children, my spouse heads out for some solo time on the nearly deserted slopes. Later, through a private to semi-private ski lesson lasting from one to three hours, both my sons and I gain confidence and skill quickly enough to make our way down a serene, uncrowded blue trail by early afternoon.

The kids are captivated. As the cable car quietly lifts us back up towards the serene snow-covered mountains for yet another gentle slide down, we start planning our next visit.

Sadly, it’s now time to depart. As Slovenia gives way to Austria, the valleys grow more precipitous and the mountains appear even grander. Cotton-like clouds drift lazily against the azure heavens while we speed through the majestic Alpine scenery. "We'd never get such views traveling by air," remarks my spouse.

Following a brief visit to Salzburg, where we glimpse Mozart’s birthplace and have fun at the quite impressive Toy Museum, our trip continues through Stuttgart before returning home to the UK.

Taking another small piece of Austrian chocolate, merely to ensure it’s still as delicious as ever, my youngest child reflects, "Ultimately, I'm happy we decided not to go flying." This is quite an endorsement.

Train travel was offered through Interrail.eu.