Taking the Eurostar with a toddler

It seems faintly ridiculous that after a dozen or so flights with Minnie, we haven’t actually been on a train together. Not even the tube… So unless we practise with a journey around the UK first, her first train journey will be on the Eurostar to Paris.

So if you’re also planning to take the Eurostar with a toddler or baby, I’ve been looking at the pros and cons.

Pluses – much simpler security than airports.

Minuses – I can’t offload the suitcase as we check in and will need to wrestle it around to the train.

Still, that’s far from the biggest downside as I also won’t have to wait by a carousel at the other end. Besides, I’ll also have to negotiate the Metro at the other end (and possibly London Underground on the way) in any case. So what else is there to know about taking the Eurostar with a toddler?

Under fours travel free

Totally free. Not even the admin charges and taxes I’m used to. She’ll have to sit on my lap but then she has to do that on planes as well.

And unlike flying, there’s no need to enter their passport details anywhere while booking (although obviously you do have to take their passport).

Child facilities on Eurostar

Eurostar has baby changing as well as other family-friendly options, and you can check which coaches it’s available for once you’ve booked.

On my trip, that was available in coaches 1, 2, 17, and 18, while the first and last of those also have extra space and more family tables. I’ve gone for seats in the latter carriage on the basis we might have toddler-sized company. Coaches 3 and 16 also have extra space for luggage.

Food

The buffet in coaches 6 and 13 have kids’ meals and a toddler meal box (sandwich, drink, fruit and colouring book). No idea what it’s like admittedly, but nice to know. They don’t sell baby food but will warm up yours.

Extra luggage

On top of normal allowances (two bags, unlimited weight as long as you can lift them, plus hand baggage), you can bring a pushchair and car seat.

Then once I arrive, I’ve been checking out the Paris by Metro app

As well as a map of the metro/RER system and of the city, there’s information on tickets plus you can plan journeys between specific stops, or your location, as well as major rail stations and the airports.

For now, it’s been helpful while planning possible accommodation – how fast/easily can I get there from the Gare du Nord, and what time will it take to get to some of the major sites.

Best of all? It’s free. I do like a freebie… You can download it from the Google Play store and iTunes – and there are other languages available as well as English, if you’re feeling particularly multilingual.

Taking the Paris Metro – the joy of hoarding

I try not to throw things away. Because you never know when they might be useful, right? There’s a fine line, admittedly, between carefully saving those vitally important odds and ends and hanging on to any old junk. Usually you only discover it was actually the former shortly after you finally threw it away.

But finally my squirrel-style behaviour is paying off.

Rummaging through the purse I use for travelling, I discovered that I had saved four Paris Metro tickets from the last carnet I bought.

And according to the wisdom of the internet, it looks like they should still be valid, more than three years on*. Which means I’ve saved £5.63, based on today’s exchange rate. (I know, riches beyond my wildest dreams…).

 

*Kind readers, if I am horribly wrong about this, and about to add time/stress/embarrassment/large fines to my Metro journey with a suitcase, buggy and toddler, please can you tell me before I make my way down to ligne 2…

Check out my tips on what to do in Paris with a toddler

Image: Depositphotos/MummyTravels