Travelling with kids

In the summer of 2024, I interrailed and Couchsurfed through Eastern Europe with my 12 year old son and a friend. Many times, I have been asked: what is it like to travel with kids on a journey that requires a lot of hours on different trains, staying with strangers and not having the comfort that hotels and set holiday packages offer? Most people seem to think it´s just a lot of hassle. At the same time, a lot of families and especially single parents like myself, don´ ´t have a big budget to spend when going on holiday. They are looking for a cheaper alternative but are afraid to take a leap into the unknown

I would say both interrailing and Couchsurfing are amazing ways to holiday with children. But you need to be prepared and have a different mindset in order to make the journey a success.

1) Choose the right destinations

When deciding where you´re going, pick places which have activities that appeal to both children and adults. Is there a nice beach or a water park?

Are there any museums or other educational places that could interest your child (depending on age)? If your kid is into high adrenaline sports, find out if there might be activities on site where they could for example try rafting, climbing, kayaking or diving.

2) Stay longer

If you are about to explore different countries, stay at least a few days in every place. Travelling by train is fantastic but could also be demanding and a bit stressful at times. Make sure you have time to load the batteries before you set off on the next journey.

3) Stay with another family

Through Couchsurfing, we found a family in Kraków with two boys the same age as my son, and they immidiately became friends. When staying on a farm in the Czech countryside, my son became fascinated with gardening and animals thanks to their teenage daughter who taught him how to take care of chickens and grow tomatoes. Make sure you communicate with your host that you are travelling with kids and look for reviews from other families who have stayed with your host.

4) Prepare on the train

When travelling by train, prepare for long hours where the Wifi could be out of function.

Bring a card game, Yatzy, a travel size Monopoly or toys and download books, podcasts and films on an iPad. A power bank is always handy when the phone runs out of battery. And make sure you also bring water, fruit and snacks in case there is no bistro on the train.

5) Travel light

Bring small bags of washing powder and do a weekly laundry instead of bringing half the wardrobe.

In our book, Sofas & Strangers, you could read more about our interrail and Couchsurfing adventure

Here, you could get your own copy of our book