An interrailing holiday with kids can be an adventurous experience that allows exploration of many different places across Europe and the creation of long-lasting memories all in one long holiday with the whole family. However, careful thought and planning have to be put into a family’s decision to embark on such a journey.
Here are some important things to consider before interrailing with your kids…
Interrailing With Your Kids No. 1: Work Around Age and Stamina
The age of your children will make a huge difference in the travel plans. While the smaller ones get tired easily and would want to stop, teenagers are more resilient but with different interests. Note the endurance of your child for long train rides, walking tours, and sleeping arrangements that might differ from place to place. The itinerary with many rest periods and some downtime in between places.
Interrailing With Your Kids No. 2: Pack Efficiently
When traveling with children anywhere on an interrail, a packing light is key. Ensure that every member of your family carries no more than one rucksack or a small suitcase that they are able to transport on their own. Teach your kids to pack only essentials and versatile clothing items. Don’t forget entertainment options for the train ride as well, from books to tablets and travel games. Do not miss out on carrying first-aid supplies, medicines, and comfort items required for your kids.
Interrailing With Your Kids No. 3: Choose Accommodation Wisely
While interrailing often involves staying at hostels, this might not work best when traveling with the kids. Opt for the accommodation mix with family-friendly hostels, small hotels, and vacation rentals. In view of the fact that many of those offer meal-preparation facilities, it’s a means of saving on food costs. Make advance bookings for the accommodation that you plan to use during the peak travel season; this applies to ensure you have suitable options for your family.
Interrailing With Your Kids No. 4: Plan Your Route
While beating out an Interrail route, make sure there is a mix of both city exposures and outdoor activities. Add various destinations that would suit different tastes within the family. Consider the distance between stops and take overnight trains where possible.
Thus, you will use as much time as possible and won’t need extra accommodation. Stay flexible in your schedule and give it some space for spontaneity and surprising discoveries.
Interrailing With Your Kids No. 5: Set Your Budget
While interrailing in itself is a cheap way to travel, the costs do add up when you’re taking along kids. Research and plan for extra charges such as seat reservations on most high-speed trains. Some places will give family discounts on attractions and transportation. Consider setting a daily budget that covers food, activities, and souvenirs, and involve your child in managing these expenses to teach them about financial responsibility while traveling.
Interrailing With Your Kids No. 6: Meal Planning
When you have finicky eaters, eating out becomes quite expensive and difficult for every meal. Be prepared to cook some of your meals in hostel kitchens or the kitchen of your holiday rental. Stop by local markets and grocery stores to gather snacks and simple foods to prepare that will save you money and be part of the cultural experience. When you do decide to eat out, look for family-friendly restaurants and give the local specialties a try to help your children get a taste of new foods.
Interrailing With Your Kids No. 7: Educational Opportunities
There are plenty of opportunities for kids to learn European history, art, and culture while interrailing. Look out for educational events at stops that will coincide with either their current interests or their school curriculum. You can buy travel journals where they could choose to write down their impressions and create a kind of knowledge timeline. Then, encourage them to learn basic words and expressions in the languages spoken in all the countries they will visit.
Interrailing With Your Kids No. 8: Safety Precautions
It’s great to travel with children, but you do have to be a bit more careful about their safety when you’re travelling. Make sure you have identification and emergency contact information for each child. Explain to the kids what to do in case they cannot locate themselves in a very crowded place. Consider turning on GPS tracking devices or using apps that will help in keeping tabs on older, independent children. Be concerned about the emergency service and hospital information at each destination you will visit.
Interrailing With Your Kids No. 9: Technology and Connectivity
While it is fabulous to shut off while traveling to help you zone out and recharge, it’s not as easy when traveling with kids! This is where access to technology can be quite a plus. Download movies, games and apps in offline mode to keep the kids entertained during down time and make sure you have all the relevant batteries and chargers to keep them powered up, but establish limits on device use so your kids stay present. Additionally, maps and translation apps are really handy to have as well as Whatsapp to stay in touch or make any emergency calls.
Interrailing With Your Kids No. 10: Laundry Solutions
Kids get messy; that is a fact! And with limited luggage space, you’ll need to do laundry during your trip. Research laundrettes or laundry services at your destinations. Alternatively, pack some travel detergent for hand-washing clothes in sinks or baths.
Interrailing With Your Kids No. 11: Prepare for Weather Variations
Weather in Europe can be fickle. Pack variable and layerable clothes, with some rain gear.
Depending on your destinations and the time of year, you can expect anything from very hot to very cool temperatures, with rain showers thrown in.
Interrailing With Your Kids No. 12: Purchase Adequate Travel Insurance
Consider comprehensive travel insurance that will cover you in case of medical emergencies or cancellation of trips, loss of bags or other similar unexpected mishaps. This will provide peace of mind for the whole family.
Interrailing With Your Kids No. 13: Balance Structure and Flexibility
Although having a general plan is important, it’s also good to leave room for spontaneity and some free time. Allow your children the opportunity to provide input into daily activities, and be game for changing plans around if energy levels and/or interests are not where you had envisioned them to be.
Interrailing With Your Kids No. 14: Document the Journey
Encourage them to document all experiences through photography, videos, or merely journals. This will keep the young ones busy during the journey and also record activities for reference later.