Traveling by train with a baby – what you need to know about family carriages, strollers and bookings with PKP Intercity
train travelTraveling by train with a baby can evoke more emotions and questions than packing a maternity bag: Will there be a place to change the baby's diaper, what to do with the stroller and how to book a seat so as not to juggle luggage in the corridor?? There are also concerns about what it's like to travel with a child in a stroller on the Polish State Railways (PKP) and whether such a trip can truly be comfortable. Many parents are unaware that Intercity trains offer a carriage for children up to 6 years old, designed with the youngest passengers in mind. Therefore, in this article, we'll advise you on how to plan a train journey with a baby and a toddler, what amenities you can expect, and how to ensure a smooth journey – for your child, you, and your fellow passengers.
Traveling by train with a baby instead of by car – why is it often a better choice?
Many parents, when planning a long journey with a toddler, automatically choose the car, believing it's the only truly comfortable and "safe" solution. However, traveling by train with an infant often proves much less stressful – for both the child and the adults. Instead of spending hours in a cramped car seat and nervously adjusting the route to accommodate naps, On the train, the toddler can change position and be picked up at any time, while the older child can freely walk around the carriage or play at the table.It's this flexibility that makes the first train journey with a baby surprisingly peaceful for many families – and children often quickly come to enjoy it.
PKP travel with a small child: freedom of changing diapers, feeding and no symptoms of motion sickness
A huge advantage is also comfort of feeding and changing the baby without the stressful search for a parking lot or a toilet with a changing table.
Parents' experiences and specialists' observations show that children experience motion sickness less often when traveling by train than in a car.
On long-distance trains it is also available dining car and snack and drink vending machines, which can be invaluable when your little one suddenly gets hungry — you don't have to interrupt your journey, look for a gas station/restaurant to grab a bite to eatCombined with a well-organized carriage for travelers with children up to 6 years old, even longer journeys on Intercity can pass without any stress, and traveling on PKP with a child in a stroller ceases to be a logistical challenge and becomes a real, comfortable alternative to driving.
A colorful dizziness – what does the carriage for passengers with children up to 6 years of age in Intercity look like?
For several years now, PKP Intercity has been gradually developing its offer for families with small children. The result of these changes is modern warehouses and specially designated family zones last year, which is carriages intended for passengers with children up to 6 years of age, available on Intercity trains. Their interiors are designed to train travel with a baby was as comfortable as possible – both in terms of space and organization of the place.
For many caregivers, the choice of the so-called a carriage for a mother with a child up to 6 years old means significantly less stress. The toddler has more freedom of movement, can sit at a table, play or eat something peacefully, and the presence of other families naturally reduces tension related to the fear: "Will my child's behavior disturb other passengers?". On Intercity trains, the compartment intended for mothers and children often offers more space on the floor, making it easier to stretch their legs and play. In some trains, there are also changing tables in toilets especially important when the journey by train with a child in a stroller lasts several hours.
How do I book a compartment for a mother and child on Intercity trains and how much does it cost?
In Intercity, reserving a seat in a carriage for passengers with children up to 6 years of age is simple and possible both when purchasing a ticket online or at the ticket officeSimply select the appropriate option or ask at the ticket office for a compartment for a mother with a child up to 6 years old, available on selected Intercity trains.
Children under 4 travel free with a zero-fare ticket (proof of age required). Older children and their guardians can purchase a Family Ticket, which provides a 30% discount for each passenger in a group of 2 to 5 people.
Thanks to this, traveling by train with a baby or a toddler can be cheaper than driving a car, especially with current fuel costs. A well-planned journey on the Polish State Railways (PKP) with a child in a stroller doesn't have to mean a large burden on the household budget.
PKP and traveling with a child in a stroller – what does it look like in practice?
One of the most common concerns for parents is traveling by train with a child in a stroller. It's worth knowing that the transport of a stroller with a child in it is free of chargeModern Intercity trains – such as Pendolino and Dart – use wide doors and low thresholds, which makes getting in and out much easier when traveling with a child in a stroller.
When folded, the stroller can be placed above or under the seat, while when unfolded, it should be placed in the designated luggage area.
On a longer route it is also good to have yoke – especially when visiting the restroom, moving to the dining car, or when a child needs closeness. This makes train travel with a baby more enjoyable, and using the mother-child compartment on Intercity trains much easier.
Not only survive, but enjoy the moment: proven tips for traveling by train with a baby
Good organization is key to ensuring that a train journey with a baby doesn't turn into a series of stressful situations. Proper preparation allows you to respond to your child's needs immediately, without having to improvise nervously.
What to take on a train journey with a baby?
- Sweatshirt or blanket They will come in handy when it gets colder on the train.
- Multifunctional a mat made of thicker material will be suitable both for changing and for short games on the floor in a carriage intended for children up to 6 years of age in Intercity.
- It's also worth having in your bag wet wipes, diapers, hand sanitizer and spare clothes – especially when the journey on the Polish State Railways with a child in a stroller takes several hours.
Snacks for a train journey with a baby – what works best?
When traveling by train with a baby, it is best to choose snacks that don't stick to your hands or crumble excessivelyA leak-proof water bottle, vegetable sticks, larger pieces of fruit, homemade muffins, sandwiches, dried fruit, a lunch in a thermos, or puree in tubes are all solutions that make feeding your baby easier during intercity travel.
If you are traveling by train with a baby in a stroller and you know you will need warm water to mix milk or porridge, take it with you a small thermos or thermal mugYou can stock up on boiling water in the dining car, but treat this option as an emergency – if you're traveling in the carriage for mothers with children under 6, it's best to have everything readily available, at hand.
What toys are best for traveling by train with a child?
When traveling by train with a baby or toddler, it is best to choose toys that are light, quiet and do not have many small partsSmall books work great, including books with magnets or reusable stickers, small travel-sized magnetic blocks, and water-based coloring books that won't stain hands or clothes.
If you plan to play an audiobook for your older child, remember to bring headphones, preferably over-ear ones, so as not to disturb other travelers.
In the Intercity carriage intended for passengers with children up to 6 years of age, such toys allow the child to concentrate for longer and give parents a moment of respite during longer journeys.
Toilet on the train and PKP travel with a child in a stroller – how to take care of hygiene?
Using the toilet can be the biggest challenge when traveling with a baby. When traveling with a baby in a stroller, pack the following in one carry-on bag: changing pad + diapers + wet wipes + diaper cream + hand disinfectant sprayIf your little one is already weaned, take foldable or disposable potty, disposable toilet seats, wet wipes, and a mini disinfectant spray. You can also bring a small travel container filled with children's shower gel if the restroom runs out of soap.
Thanks to these gadgets, packed in one spacious bag, even during a train journey with a child in a stroller, you can take care of your hygiene quickly and without unnecessary stress.
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Senior specialist in the Department of Assessment and Cooperation Development, Institute of Mother and Child
Traveling by train with a baby at PKP – what is worth remembering before departure?
A well-planned train journey with a baby can be a very good experience. an alternative to a car: combines comfort, safety and real amenities designed with families in mind.
When choosing a carriage on Intercity trains intended for travelers with children up to 6 years old, you usually encounter parents in a similar situation, which relieves the pressure of "judgmental glances" and allows you to focus on the child's needs.
Thanks to this, traveling on the Polish State Railways (PKP) with a child in a stroller can not only be logistically simpler, but also become a great start to your first trips together.
Bibliography (access to internet sources from 23.01.2026/XNUMX/XNUMX):
- “Family travel with PKP Intercity!” intercity.pl/pl/rodzinne-podroze.
- PKP Intercity and Aleksandra Piotrowska (child psychologist), PDF guide: "Family journeys, small and large – a guide" andntercity.pl/poradnik-pdf
- “Travelling with a child and pregnant women” and “Transporting a stroller” – rules for the free transport of strollers, baby carriers and car seats: https://utk.gov.pl/pl/pasazerowie/kolejowe-faq/osoby-z-dziecmi-i-kobie/12146,Z-6-latkiem-w-pociagu-Jak-jechac-z-ulga.html and https://utk.gov.pl/pl/pasazerowie/kolejowe-faq/osoby-z-dziecmi-i-kobie/20124,Podroz-osoby-z-dzieckiem-i-kobiet-w-ciazy.html
- More zones for children on PKP Intercity trains: https://www.intercity.pl/pl/site/o-nas/dzial-prasowy/aktualnosci/wiecej-stref-dla-dzieci-w-pociagach-pkp-intercity.html
