Inter railling with 4yr old?

K

Klesser

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Hi a couple of friends plan on inter railling round europe next year for three weeks. I would love to go with them but would anyone have any opinions on doing this with a 4 year old?
 
Don't think it would be fair on a four year old

All the hanging around stations ,queuing,heat,sitting on trains,toilet problems
They are not really old enough to appreciate the cities etc
 
Interrailing with a 4year old? It's tough enough doing it with 24year olds!

Imagine, country after country of "Are we there yet?"
 
I guess i knew it wouldnt be possible. Ah well have a whole year to beg someone to mind her for 3 weeks.
 
I did it when I was in my late teens and loved it and agree that there is a lot of hanging around etc, but I don't see why you couldn't tailor it to suit a 4 year old. (I have one too so can easily imagine...)

Boat to Le Havre, loads to do on the ferry, no problem. Couple of hours train to Paris, OK. One day in Paris, I'm sure s/he could manage with the promise of Eurodisney the next day! 4 or 5 hour train to Lyon?/Geneva?/Bordeaux, one day in a city, one day at the beach/lake etc etc. If your friends were willing of course.... which is probably the hardest part.

The longest train journeys we did were about 8 hours apiece, so I would definitely break that in two. 4 hours on a train is easier than 2 hours wait to board a plane, then an hour flight, then passport control etc.
 
Ah the glorious days of inter-railing when i was a student, some memories there tucked away . I wouldnt drag a 4 year old on it now, they would die of boredom
 
I seem to remember Dervla Murphy used to bring her daughter, who was about my age, everywhere with her. My holidays were in the west of Ireland age between 7 and 9. Dervla's daughter would be cycling around India. I think bringing a four year old would be mad though.
 
I travelled a lot with my children from the age of 6 months (the baby that is not me!)

Inter-railing is quite possible. However, I wouldn't do it with another adult who expects to be able to travel/socialise like a student; you will have to slow down the pace considerably.

You could think about joining up with another parent for a trial run (say UK for a week?) and also bringing a bike w. child seat (you can put bikes on the train), it's very handy for transport when you get to your arrival point - much more useful than a buggy when your child is too tired to walk.

If you are a lone parent, An Oige give family membership at half the standard rate and almost all YHA hostels have family rooms now.
 
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