Alone on the train: sending your child on an independent journey

Until what age can children travel for free on the train when they need a child ticket?

Standing at the ticket office, parents ask a lot of questions: is it worth taking a ticket for a child and how to accommodate it if you don’t buy a ticket, are there discounts for schoolchildren, what documents are needed for a child when traveling, and these are not all the uncertainties of the upcoming trip with children .

If your child is under five years old , you can take him with you for free. Please take into account the fact that the child is not provided with a separate seat and will have to ride on one shelf.

If a child is under 5 years of age, then travel on the train is free of charge.

• But a mandatory condition will be to issue a free ticket for a child under five years old.
• To register, you need to go to the railway ticket office and purchase this ticket there, otherwise your child will not be allowed on the train without it.
• For one adult, you can spend one child who has not reached the age of five. If you travel in a luxury under 10 years old are allowed free travel.
• After this age, the child must purchase a child ticket; it is valid up to 7 years for trains in the suburbs and up to 10 years for trains that travel longer distances

You can buy it in two ways:

• through the Internet
• at the ticket office at the station

To purchase a ticket, you do not have to stand in line - you can do this through the website.
In any case, in order to receive such a ticket, you must enter the data from the child’s birth certificate in the electronic version of the ticket order or present the document directly to the box office.

The cost of a child ticket varies from 35% to 50% of the price of an adult ticket.

Benefits for long-distance routes.

Those planning a long trip should take into account that the rules for transportation on long-distance trains differ from those on suburban routes.

• Children under 5 years old do not have to pay extra for a ticket.
• From 5 to 10 years old, reduced fares are used to pay for children's travel.
• If a child under 5 years old travels for free, then there is no place for him. When parents want to place it separately, they will need to buy a ticket at the current rate.
• One child under 5 years old is allowed free travel with one adult. When you plan a trip with two children of this age, the second one is issued a ticket at a reduced rate.

Transporting children under 1 year of age on a train has its own characteristics, which are taken into account when planning the trip.

If you are traveling with an infant, you should purchase tickets for the lower shelves for safety reasons. There is no need to expect that your neighbors in a compartment or reserved seat will give up their seats; it is recommended that you take care of your own comfort and that of your baby.

Since May 2020, rules for transporting children under one month old for whom a birth certificate has not yet been issued have come into force.

To purchase a train ticket, you must present a certificate from a medical organization. It indicates the personal data of the newborn (full name) and information about the document (number and series). Children fit into their parents' ticket.

Rules for children traveling on trains

In order to travel with a child on the train, you need to know certain travel rules:

• Children under 5 years old
• A child ticket entitles children aged 5 to 7 years
• Children over 10 years old travel at the price of an adult ticket
• If the date of travel coincides with the child’s birthday, then payment is made taking into account full years

Up to the age of five, a child has the right to free travel.
Be careful and take into account the indicated difference in ticket prices so that their cost does not take you by surprise at the ticket office.

Features of traveling with children.

If you are planning a long trip with a child on the train, then you should pay attention to the fact that long-distance trains offer seats in reserved seats, compartments or luxury cars.

The cheapest tickets can be purchased for reserved seats. But you need to be prepared that it has a minimum number of amenities.

In luxury class carriages, children under 5 and up to 10 years old are allowed to travel without purchasing a ticket, regardless of the number of adults with them.

A disabled child is given the right to free travel on suburban railway transport if this is required for treatment or rehabilitation measures.

He can be accompanied by one adult without purchasing a ticket at full price. Twice a year, a child from this category of beneficiaries is given a free ride on long-distance transport if he goes for sanatorium treatment.

When purchasing tickets, you must present documents from a medical institution.

When transporting children in groups by rail, it is possible to issue a common travel document. In this case, payment is possible only by bank transfer.

If a group of schoolchildren will be on the road for more than a day, then it is necessary to draw up an agreement for the organization of hot meals in the dining car.

In cases where the duration of the trip is less than 24 hours, dry rations are allowed, which must comply with the recommendations of Rospotrebnadzor.

Travel benefits for children on long-distance trains

long-distance trains , other conditions for transporting children apply:

• A child from birth to five years of age has the right to free travel; a free ticket is required
• From five to ten years of age, travel is carried out using a child's ticket.
• Children under ten years of age are prohibited from traveling without an adult. An exception is the travel of schoolchildren to educational institutions.
• The age of the child is the main indicator for determining the cost of the ticket. If a child turns 10 years old , he must purchase an adult ticket
• Children under 14 years of age must have a birth certificate with them.

After 10 years of age, a child can travel on preferential terms only to SV.
For the child’s own peace of mind and safety do not let him go on a long trip alone, even if he is already ten years old.

Tourist trips in groups and independently

If a group of children is planning a tourist trip, its organizers must follow the transportation rules provided for in the legislative acts of the Russian Federation and JSC Russian Railways:

• During the trip, the presence of accompanying persons (teachers, coaches, parents) is required, at the rate of one adult for 7 - 11 children.
• Ensuring timely nutrition and compliance with the drinking regime. The interval between meals should not exceed four hours.
• If there are more than 30 children in a group, and the travel time is more than 2 hours, then the accompanying person must include a medical worker or a person capable of providing first aid.
• Three days before the planned trip, children who are part of the tourist group must take a medical certificate confirming the absence of infectious diseases and contacts with infected people.
• At least 3 days in advance, the organizers are obliged to inform the relevant authorities about the timing of the trip and the number of children who are planned to be transported.
• Proper execution of travel documents and identification papers for each child is mandatory.
• The carrier company is determined a month before the intended trip.

Travel in groups

Recommendations to help avoid unpleasant surprises when your child travels on his own:

• At the ticket office of the railway station, tickets for trains of all directions are sold 1-45 days before departure. In order to avoid misunderstandings and speed up the process of issuing a travel document, provide the cashier with the following information: departure date and train number, destination station, carriage category and seats. And also their number.
• Be sure to check the information indicated on the ticket without leaving the ticket office.
• When purchasing a one-way ticket, you can also purchase a return ticket.
• The purchased travel document is valid only for the duration of the route indicated on it. During the trip, the passenger has the right to one stop with an extension of the ticket validity for no more than 10 days. The validity period of a travel document (ticket, reserved seat) can be extended.

Transporting children alone on trains, especially over long distances, is a necessary measure. Is it possible to send a child alone by train? Yes, but in order to minimize risks and ensure that the trip goes without any hiccups, parents must know exactly at what age their offspring can travel by train on their own, what documents are required for transportation, and most importantly, learn the rules of conduct on the railway for children.

Discounts on tickets for children in compartments and reserved seats

Seats on the train vary in price and comfort. There are the following seating options depending on amenities:

• Reserved seat
• Coupe
• Lux or SV

The cheapest option is to travel in a reserved seat , but in terms of amenities, everything here is not entirely ideal - there is no door, all passengers are in full view.

Holy places offer more comfortable conditions

The compartment has improved conditions - four seats are separated from the rest of the passengers.

The suite is designed for two people, has more comfortable beds and improved service. Naturally, the price is twice as high.

From 10 years old in reserved seats in the period from September 1 to May 31, the price is reduced by half. Unfortunately, the coupe does not offer any discounts other than those mentioned above.

If you want to buy tickets at a better price and not have to wait for them while standing in a long line with your child, you can order online .

It is much faster, more convenient - you can choose the best travel option, the best seats and save significantly on the cost of the ticket.

Rules of conduct for children on the railway and on the train

Children and adolescents are required to follow generally accepted rules:

• You should cross the tracks only on a bridge or special decking, having first made sure that there is no approaching train.
• It is prohibited to climb under cars and climb over automatic couplers.
• Do not jump into the departing train car.
• Do not enter or exit the carriage until the train has completely stopped.
• Do not play on the platform or on the tracks.
• Don't walk on the paths.
• On the platform while waiting for the train, do not go beyond the yellow or white line that is drawn along the edge of the platform.
• It is prohibited to jump from the passenger platform onto the railway tracks.
• It is strictly forbidden to cling to a moving train or ride on it.
• Do not approach the rails closer than 5 m.
• It is prohibited to ride bicycles, skateboards or roller skates on the platform.

Violation of safety rules on the railway

Important! When crossing railway tracks, you should take off your headphones, as you may not be able to hear the driver's signals through them.

Rules for safe behavior in railway transport:

• Having entered the carriage, the little passenger must take his seat.
• More than one person should not be on the top bunk.
• It is prohibited to run around the carriage, play outdoor games, or jump from shelf to shelf.
• While railway transport is moving, you must not open external doors, stand on the steps, or look out of windows.
• It is good to place your luggage on the overhead luggage racks to avoid it falling when the train slows down.
• Use the stop valve only in extreme cases.
• Fire safety regulations must be observed.
• Children under 10 years of age are not allowed to go to the toilet, vestibule, or get water, including at night, without the accompaniment of an adult.

Accompanying children on the train

• Train travel is unaccompanied children
• Firstly, this is associated with the risk of injury , and secondly, very often thieves operate , who want to take away other people’s property
• Therefore, it is better not to send children on a trip without adults.

Children on the train must be accompanied by an adult

Children under 10 years of age are not allowed to travel without an adult. If you are unable to accompany your child, you can ask close people or friends.

• Don't worry about going through paperwork to do this. To transport a child across the territory of the Russian Federation, a power of attorney from the parents is not required
• If a child crosses the border of the Russian Federation by train to the CIS countries, then official permission from the parents will be required.
• The person who will accompany your child must have not only permission from the parents, but also an identity card
• The permit must include the full name of the accompanying person, his passport details and the child’s details so that the inspectors can identify the information

Responsibility

All adults are responsible before the law for the safety and proper documentation when transporting children by rail. First of all, every adult who accompanies a child must monitor his behavior.

Playing on the platform of the station, train station, children should not be allowed to get on the railway track, as well as other precautions and safety measures should not be allowed.

Parents

When transporting children accompanied by mom or dad, parents are fully responsible for each of their children.

When transporting children on trains, parents are advised to follow the following rules:

• children should not run around the carriage, scream or play noisily;
• it is necessary to maintain the cleanliness and hygiene of the child, for example, take him to the toilet on time, wash him, etc.;
• It is undesirable to allow the child to sleep on the top bunk;
• if, nevertheless, the child will be located on the top bunk, then you should think in advance about a pair of seat belts, which should limit the child from falling during sleep;
• Children's meals should be taken at intervals of at least 4 hours;
• It is imperative to provide for a drinking regime;
• at temporary parking stations, a child should not leave alone, without an adult;
• also, a child is not allowed to walk alone in other carriages and there are other rules for safe and civil behavior;
• Be sure to ensure that children do not lean out of the windows while the train is moving.

While waiting for the train to arrive on the track, children should stand next to their parents and not run along the platform or jump onto the rails. It is best if the parent holds the hand of overly active boys or girls tightly.

Adults responsible for an organized group of children

The sanitary and epidemiological requirements for persons accompanying a group of children stipulate the following basic standards:

1. The person responsible for the trip must accompany a group of children of no more than 8-12 people.
2. At the same time, proper nutrition is mandatory for children, the responsibility for which also lies entirely with the accompanying person.
3. The interval between children's meals should not be more than 4 hours.
4. A drinking regime for children must also be organized.
5. The accompanying person takes care of the children not only during the trip, but also during the entire event - from start to finish, including while waiting for the train at the station.

In addition to these requirements, for organized group movements of children by rail, there is also an obligation of event managers to Rospotrebnadzor.

3 days before the start of the trip itself, the organizer of the event should send the relevant information to Rospotrebnadzor that it is planned to transport children en masse in a certain number of people, along a specific route on a specific date.

If children travel without any accompaniment from their parents, guardians or adoptive parents, then the trip organizers will be responsible for their safety.

Carrier

Companies that transport passengers on railways must remember the Rules for accepting written applications for the transportation of an organized group of children. Such applications must be accepted in advance, before the start of the trip.

Approximately, pre-submission of applications should be made in the range of 10-45 days before the time of boarding the train.

Such an application must contain the following attributes:

• the name of the organization whose administration will be responsible for the safety of children on the road;
• name and contact details of the leader who will accompany the group;
• number of seats to be reserved for children and accompanying persons;
• train number;
• class, type of car;
• place of departure (station) and arrival (city, station);
• date of departure and arrival at destination.

This application must be accompanied by a list of the names of the children participating in the trip, as well as details of their documents - birth certificates.

The calculation should be according to the following schedule - no more than 1 adult responsible accompanying person for 10-12 children and schoolchildren.

All travel documents must be completed without errors. We are especially talking about personal data - last name, first name and patronymic of children or accompanying persons.

It is also the responsibility of the carrier to ensure safety measures on its part during the transportation of all passengers, not just children.

Car conductors have the right to reprimand parents or other persons accompanying children who do not supervise their children well and that they are running around the carriage.

In case of any violations in the behavior of children or accompanying persons that provoke a conflict situation, the conductor has the right to report this to the head of the train.

The carrier is not responsible for the lack of relevant documents needed to transport children across the border.

For violation of the Rules and laws directly related to the transportation of children by train, the carrier may incur not only administrative, civil, but also criminal liability. It all depends on what kind of violations were made by the carrier.

When transporting children by train, appropriate identification documents of the child, as well as travel documents, must be properly issued. Children under 10 years old cannot travel on the train without any accompaniment.

A child can travel independently when he or she has a Russian passport or parental consent, and the child is over 10 years old.

In the case of group transportation of children by train, there must always be at least one adult accompanying for 8-12 children. In this case, group trips are arranged through a carrier company a month before the trip.

How the rules for transporting children on a bus are reflected in the 2020 traffic rules is shown in the article: rules for passenger transportation by bus. The main points of the rules for the provision of passenger transportation services can be found on the page.

Is it possible to transport children under 12 years of age in a car in the front seat? Find out from the information.

Child with grandmother on the train

If you are sending a child with his grandmother to visit relatives or just on a trip around the country, then no documents with your consent are needed.

The main thing you need to have with you is the child’s birth certificate and a ticket, depending on age. This will be quite enough.

Child with grandmother on the train

It is important that the child understands who is traveling with him and, in the event of a question from the inspection, can calmly and adequately give an answer.

• When a child and his grandmother need to go on vacation abroad, the parents will be required to provide a notarized permission, where they must provide detailed information about the child - birth certificate, date of birth and full name
• The grandmother who is accompanying your child must also be mentioned in the permit. Otherwise, if any doubts arise at customs, the child may not be released
• Therefore, think carefully about the route of the child with the grandmother and prepare all the necessary documents so that there are no difficulties or unforeseen situations during the trip.

How to prepare a child

When a child travels independently, not only the legal aspect is important, but also proper preparation.

A child should not be sent anywhere alone if he has not gone anywhere before. The first trip should always be accompanied by a parent.

In order to prepare a child for independent travel, parents should first:

1. Discuss in detail the upcoming stages of the journey from boarding to arrival at the destination. The parent should explain possible problems and ways to solve them; they need to understand whether the child is psychologically ready for the trip.
2. Check whether the child has taken everything necessary for the trip with him. The minimum set includes a passport, birth certificate, compulsory medical insurance policy, SNILS and parental consent (if required). Additionally, the child should be given a notebook with all the telephone numbers; if the mobile phone suddenly runs out or breaks, the notebook should contain the telephone numbers of the person meeting, accompanying, parents, emergency services, etc.
3. You need to make sure that the child takes a mobile phone with him. It should include all the contacts necessary for the trip. You should not give your child expensive gadgets.
4. Documents and the phone should be placed so that the child does not lose them and is easy for him to get them. It is necessary to further instruct the child on how to properly handle valuables.

Documents for a child's train

Anyone who buys train tickets for themselves and a child needs to know what documents and data are needed in order to get this ticket.

It doesn't matter whether you buy them online or directly from the ticket office, you need this information anyway.

To purchase a ticket and travel for a child, you must have a birth certificate

• If the child is under 14 years old , then a mandatory condition for purchasing a ticket for him will be the presence of a birth certificate or international passport
• When the child is already 14 years old , the birth certificate is replaced with a passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation
• If the child does not live in the Russian Federation and is not its citizen, then it is necessary that he has a birth certificate issued by an authorized body of his native state. Only in this case will he receive a ticket using a special foreign document
• When purchasing a ticket online, your birth certificate number or passport series and number will be the main information you will need when receiving your e-ticket

Parents or accompanying person must have identification

It will be much easier to buy tickets online - the entire procedure can be completed in the comfort of your home.

On which trains is childcare possible?

The service is provided only up to the age of 16 and is currently provided only on four routes and on selected trains:

• No. 747/748 “Nevsky Express” and “Sapsan” in the direction Moscow - St. Petersburg;
• No. 727/728, 729/730, 731/732, 733/734 “Swallow” Moscow - Nizhny Novgorod;
• No. 801/802 “Swallow” Adler - Krasnodar;
• No. 803/804, 822/821 “Swallow” Imereti resort - Krasnodar.

The cost of childcare services at Sapsan is 1,600 rubles, at Nevsky Express - 1,500 rubles. You can order it at the Leningradsky station in Moscow at ticket offices no. 1-2, and in St. Petersburg - at the Moskovsky station at ticket offices no. 9-10.

It is better to check details for other destinations at the station when purchasing a ticket. When traveling from Moscow to Nizhny Novgorod - at the Kursky station at ticket office No. 12, at the station in Nizhny Novgorod - at ticket office No. 6, at the same place on the street. October Revolution, 7A - in window No. 1, at the Krasnodar station - at the ticket office No. 2, at the Adler station - in window No. 4, at the Sochi station - No. 6.

Do you need a child's power of attorney on the train?

• If the child is not traveling with his parents , but the trip is carried out on the territory of the Russian Federation, then no documents or your documentary consent are needed in order to receive a ticket
• The main thing you need to have with you is an identity document of the accompanying person and the birth certificate of the child himself.
• If a child travels abroad , then the parents are required to visit a notary and issue a notarized permit , where you need to provide detailed information about the child and the accompanying person - the notary will help you fill out all the necessary information

When traveling abroad by train, persons accompanying a child must have a power of attorney

If the power of attorney does not contain detailed information from the child’s birth certificate and the accompanying person’s passport, the trip may be prohibited.

Pay maximum attention to the fact of preparing documents for your child’s trip if you are going to send him abroad. There are no problems with powers of attorney for traveling within the Russian Federation

Do adults need a power of attorney for a child?

At what age can you travel alone on a train?

The rules for transporting children by railway transport oblige those accompanying them to have a power of attorney from the child’s parents. And if the baby is an orphan - from the persons responsible for him. These may be guardians or the administration of the institution where the child lives and studies.

The accompanying person must have a power of attorney, certified by a notary, for each transported child. If the necessary documents are missing, passengers are disembarked, and the child is sent to his parents.

Sample power of attorney

Traveling a child on a train without parents

According to the legislation of the Russian Federation, a child who has not reached the age of ten cannot travel by train unaccompanied by an adult.

Or rather, in fact, they won’t even let him on the train alone, even if he has a ticket.

From the age of 10, a child can travel on a train unaccompanied

If you want to send your child to visit, but you cannot go with him yourself, there are two options depending on age - if the child is under ten years old , then only the accompaniment of an adult is required and no other options.

For children over 10 years old you need:

• Talk to your child and explain to him about the possible dangers that he may encounter - these include strangers and various kinds of danger on the train. Therefore, be sure to tell your child about safety precautions and that under no circumstances should you get off the train during a stop - otherwise the train may leave and the child will be left in a foreign city.
• Buy a ticket for the middle carriage on the bottom berth - they are considered the safest
• Provide the child with the necessary hygiene products and medicines
• Ask the conductors or passengers to look after the child and, in case of any problematic situations, provide assistance
• Be sure to give your child a mobile phone so that you can constantly be in touch with him. It’s better to download a special program for your mobile phone to track where your child is at the moment.
• Discuss with the people who will meet your child the place and time of train arrival, tell them the car number. Stay in touch with your child until he sees adults

By following these simple recommendations, you can be a little calmer that your child will successfully reach his destination .

But it is still better not to let small children travel by train without adult supervision.

Safety regulations

Even if children have reached the age when they are allowed to travel independently, they must know the rules of behavior in transport and not forget about safety, as sometimes unpleasant situations happen during trips.

To avoid tragic consequences or minimize them, you should explain to your child the rules for minors traveling on a train without their parents.

During the movement of railway transport, while on the platform, you should move to a safe distance. Railway tracks can only be crossed at specially equipped crossings.

If the crossing is located at the same level as the railway tracks, make sure that there is no approaching train nearby.

It is prohibited and prohibited:

• navigate along the paths;
• cross the railway tracks at a red traffic light;
• enter the tracks and passenger platform in unspecified places;
• approach the edge of the platform;
• crawl under the train, as it can leave at any moment;
• run and play on the platform;
• while crossing railway tracks, use a mobile phone and headphones, as this distracts attention;
• lean against the carriages;
• touch the wires;
• climb onto the roof of the cars, as they are under high voltage;
• attempt to enter or exit moving carriages;
• stand on the steps of a train;
• open doors while railway transport is moving;
• lean out of an open window while the train is moving.

In addition to standard safety rules, we suggest using the following tips:

• It is better to purchase a ticket for a child in the carriages in the middle of the train, as they are the safest;
• It is recommended to purchase a ticket for a lower seat, since a child may fall from the upper floor and be injured;
• it is advisable to escort the child onto the train and ask the conductors and adequate neighbors of the passengers to look after him as far as possible;
• the child must be met by relatives at the destination;
• If those meeting you are late, the child should be instructed on further actions.

It is very important to talk about safety precautions with the child himself, because traveling on a train is unsafe even for an adult . The train may suddenly swerve at speed or brake suddenly.

Do not allow your child to walk around the carriages on his own or get out of the carriage at a stop; he may get lost or fall behind the train. Forbid him to come into contact with suspicious strangers.

If there is a request for help, then it is better for the baby to turn to a woman, especially if she is traveling with her children.

Having found out whether it is possible to send your child on the train alone, you can plan a trip for your child to visit grandma or go on an excursion, but it is still better not to send children on the trip alone.

If such a need arises, then it is necessary to responsibly prepare for this trip, not only by preparing the necessary documents, but also by paying attention to safety rules.

Remember that no one can keep an eye on your child and ensure his safety better than a parent.

Sending a child alone is dangerous, even if he is already 10 years old, so try not to let him go alone on long-distance trains unnecessarily!

Similar articles:

• Power of attorney for a child to travel abroad unaccompanied by parents
• What documents are needed to take a child and grandmother abroad?
• Declaration of the Rights of the Child
• What documents are needed to travel abroad with a child?
• Is it possible to take a child abroad without the father’s permission?

• Previous Post Is it legal to sell e-cigarettes to minors?
• Next entry Is it possible to give an apartment to a minor child?

3 comments to the article “At what age can you ride a train alone without adults?”

1. 07/17/2018 at 13:51
   Anonymous writes:

   Is it possible to send a 17-year-old child alone to another city for sports training? For example

   Answer

2. 06/01/2019 at 13:00

   Anonymous writes:

   In my opinion, the article was written by a moron who has no children.

   Answer

3. 08/13/2019 at 17:30

   Angela writes:

   Is it possible to send a 10-year-old child from Saratov, alone to the train, so that his father can meet him in Krymsk?

   Answer

What to take with you on the road?

Now, you have already bought tickets and are almost ready for the trip, but the question remains open: what to take with you on the road? Now let’s take a closer look at the approximate list of necessary things for the trip:

• Hygiene products – hand and body wipes, mouthwash and other personal hygiene items
• Comfortable casual clothes
• Drinks that are not diuretic to prevent frequent trips to the public toilet
• Products that store well - sausage, raw eggs are best put aside for another occasion.

You should definitely take hygiene products on the train - especially if the child is small

• The main reason why it is better to take drinks that do not have a diuretic effect is the need to visit the toilet.
• No matter how diligently they clean it, even if you are traveling in a “Lux”, it is still a public place with a huge number of germs
• Traveling by train is the cheapest way to get where you need to go, but if price is an advantage, then there are various disadvantages during travel - shaking, dirt and unfriendly neighbors
• the optimal type of transport for yourself and be prepared for various non-standard situations - then the trip will have a positive ending, and inconveniences will not take you by surprise

Children's safety on railway transport

Child on the tracks

At what age can you fly on an airplane?

Rail transport is the safest among other modes of transport; accidents occur very rarely. Passengers are injured on the road most often due to ignorance of basic rules of conduct and their own inattention.

Important! When sending children to another city unaccompanied, they should be taught to observe the basic rules of behavior on the railway tracks and directly in the carriage itself.

What food should I take my child on the train and what should I feed him?

It is important that the child does not go hungry , but at the same time does not become poisoned by low-quality products that can spoil in a stuffy carriage.

For infants and children up to one year old , baby food is the best option if you are not breastfeeding or using complementary foods. It is advisable, if the trip is no more than three hours, to use a cooler bag.

The food products you take with you on the train must not be perishable.

• For children from one to three years old, you can take cookies, fruits, vegetables - anything that is healthy, but not heavy on the child’s stomach and will not make him thirsty (remember the point about the toilet)
• For children over three years old, you can take homemade food - potatoes, boiled eggs, meat or fish, but remember the storage conditions of these products
• For drinks, it is better to take juices or buy tea on the train. Never buy food during stops - dusty food at the station is not the best solution to satisfy your hunger

What do you need to do for a comfortable trip?

If the trip is long, order meals. As a last resort, give your child plenty of non-perishable foods for the trip. Strictly prohibit leaving the train when stopping at stations - otherwise your child may not be able to navigate the time and risk being left on the platform in a foreign city.

Do not let your child travel on his own if he is unwell - on the train, under the influence of stress and stuffiness, he may become much worse, and there will be no one to help. In any case, the child must be provided with medications (with a list of what is what) and hygiene products. And also bring with you a mobile phone with a charger, a spare battery and a program that will help track its location. Don’t forget about the necessary clothes, an interesting book, a player, a sketchbook, handicrafts or a toy - it depends on what the child likes to do. But it’s better to leave valuables like a laptop at home. Inform those greeting you with the carriage number and train arrival time.

Travel for a child up to one year: railway arena, net

If you are afraid to take a small child on the train and do not want to hold him in your arms all the time, then there is a railway playpen that you can install in the compartment and not worry that your child will fall during the next turn of the train.

Using such a playpen, it is not at all necessary to buy your child a separate sleeping place and you don’t have to worry about creating inconvenience for other passengers. The playpen fits perfectly on the bed and does not create any inconvenience.

Railway arena

You can also buy a special railway net, which is attached to the sleeping place and protects the child from falling to the floor.

These convenient accessories are not very affordable , but if you move often, they will become an indispensable thing for you when traveling.

This way, your child can play all the way in the playpen, and you will not be afraid that he may fall and get injured.

Advice from experienced travelers

Unfortunately, it is impossible to foresee all unexpected situations in which a child traveling alone may find himself. Therefore, it will be useful for parents to learn from “experienced” travelers how to keep their child as safe as possible on the road:

• Parents are obliged to tell their child about what communication with strangers can lead to.
• It is necessary to warn the child against eating food from neighbors in the carriage. After all, the baby may have food allergies or poisoning.
• The child must have all contacts recorded not only in his mobile phone, but also in a separate notebook. This will provide the ability to communicate with relatives if they lose the gadget.
• It is very important to provide your child with a mini-first aid kit for the entire trip, which will contain essential medicines (iodine, hydrogen peroxide, etc.) and medications if they are prescribed for the baby by a doctor.
• It would be nice to get to know the child’s adult travel companions and the guide. They can look after him during the trip.

It is better to purchase a ticket for cars located in the middle of the train because They are, as a rule, the safest. It is recommended to buy a ticket for a child for a lower seat. He may fall from the top shelf and suffer various injuries. If the baby is located at the top, you should take care of his safety by installing seat belts.

The issue of nutrition is especially relevant in the summer. Therefore, do not put perishable foods in your luggage, but rather provide your child with dry rations in the form of cookies, biscuits and caramels, as well as a supply of bottled water.

Tell your child, for prevention purposes, that the rules of behavior on the train for schoolchildren during the trip are established, first of all, for his own safety.

Hooks

What to do with your child on the train: games, tips?

If the journey is long and your child is very active, be prepared for the fact that you need to keep him busy . We offer several options that will brighten up your journey:

• Reading books – it will be interesting to read funny poems or fairy tales about animals to your child. Choose books with bright pictures
• Ball game - buy a soft ball so as not to injure the child and have fun
• Draw pictures - pencils and felt-tip pens will help you - you can think of drawing what the child sees in the window

Think about entertainment for your child, because it’s not a fact that there will be other children on the train

• Technical innovations – download new games or cartoons to your phone or tablet and show them to your child. Don’t rely on searching on the Internet; not all trains are famous for such features as access to a Wi-Fi network
• Favorite helpers – dolls and cars will help you have fun.

So, there are plenty of fun activities to keep your child entertained on the go. Show your imagination and then both you and your child will definitely enjoy the trip , and the minor inconveniences that so often exist on trains will not bother you too much.

Advice from experienced parents

Marina, sons Mikhail (12 years old) and Vladislav (8 years old)

I myself am not from Moscow. At one time, my girlfriend and I came to study, time passed and, in addition to our husbands, we had children. At the very beginning, while we were both on maternity leave, we went together to visit our parents, and then, when we went back to work, it became very difficult to coordinate. Therefore, now we are drawing up a power of attorney and visiting parents and children one by one. This makes it more convenient and not too expensive.

Elizaveta, daughter Evgeniy (5 years old), sons Dmitry (9 years old) and Ivan (13 years old)

As you understand, it is not always possible to take a child, for example, to a sanatorium in person. Now, of course, I can send Ivan alone . But I worry terribly all the time on his way. Therefore, I try to either go with him or look for his company. As a rule, he travels either with friends or with one of his friends’ parents. That's when I'm calm. In general, children are not so sociable now, and if suddenly they forget something, they won’t be able to ask again. They will be shy. That’s why you’re afraid for them, no matter what happens. It’s good that mobile communications are available almost everywhere, otherwise I would probably have been exhausted by this time. But what I want to say is that if we all go on vacation together with dad, then our trip always looks like a fairy tale. Everything is calm, everything is working. Now, if I’m on the train alone with him , then we’re running around and bustling, this probably also affects my weak self-organization. In general, in any case, try to travel outside your usual boundaries so that you have a change of environment and a friendly family.