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Travelling with babies and toddlers on Eurostar
Everything you need to know before your trip, from travel document guidance to what you can bring.
Planning your Eurostar trip with a baby
Babies might change how you travel, but they don't have to change where you go. Whether it's your first time travelling with a newborn or you're a seasoned parent explorer, Eurostar makes family travel with a baby refreshingly easy. No long check-ins, no liquid restrictions and plenty of space to settle in. From tickets and passports to pushchairs and packing, find out everything you need to know about travelling on a train with a baby.
Do babies and toddlers need a ticket?
You'll be pleased to hear that when it comes to children's train fares on Eurostar, little travellers under 4 usually go free of charge. They don't need their own ticket, as long as they're happy to sit on your lap for the journey.
That said, every family travels differently. If you'd prefer a bit more breathing room, you can choose to book a seat for your child. This can be particularly helpful if:
- You're travelling on a train with a baby solo.
- You're bringing more than one young child.
- Your child is more comfortable sitting independently.
- You want to use a car seat during the journey.
A paid child ticket guarantees a separate seat, giving you both a little extra space to stretch out.
Do babies and toddlers need a passport?
The short answer is yes — even the tiniest explorers need their own passport when travelling to and from London. Baby passport requirements across Europe are pretty much the same, so if you're planning family travel with a baby, ensure your child's passport is valid before you set off.
Make sure to check your passport expiry date before your journey, as entry requirements can vary depending on your destination. Find out what other essential travel documents you might need.
Essential travel information for babies and toddlers
Here's everything you need to know before your Eurostar train journey with an infant:
| Information | |
|---|---|
| Ticket | Babies and toddlers under 4 can travel free, but they must sit on an adult's lap. |
| Seating | You can book a seat for your child if you have a car seat or would like the extra space. |
| Passport | A valid passport is required for all journeys to and from London, even when travelling with parents. |
| Pushchairs | Pushchairs or strollers can be brought on board, but they must be folded before boarding and stored in the luggage racks during the journey. |
| Baby changing | All our trains have baby-changing facilities available. |
Travelling with a baby: what can you bring?
Packing for train travel with a baby doesn't have to feel like preparing for a long-haul expedition. In fact, train travel is actually very flexible. Unlike flying, there's no need to worry about strict luggage rules or liquid limits. You can bring exactly what you need and keep it all within easy reach during the journey.
Need a buggy? No problem. In addition to your luggage allowance, you can usually bring your pushchair on the train free of charge. It just needs to be folded before boarding and stored in one of the baggage racks near your seat.
A compact, easy-fold pushchair can make things even smoother when moving through stations, especially if you're travelling on a train with a baby solo or juggling bags.
Bringing a car seat for train travel isn't essential for kids on Eurostar, but it can make your train journey with an infant more comfortable. For some families, a familiar car seat helps babies settle more easily, especially on longer journeys. It can also give you peace of mind knowing your child has a secure, designated space.
If your baby usually naps in their car seat or is happiest snuggled in familiar surroundings, bringing it along can help keep routines intact while you travel.
We know travelling with little ones means extra luggage, so we've kept things simple with no baby bag travel rules. With 2 pieces of luggage and 1 piece of hand luggage per Eurostar Standard ticket, you're free to bring all the essentials, including baby food, milk, nappies, spare clothes, toys, the lot.
We've got no liquid restrictions either, so you can take everything you need. No measuring liquids, no last-minute repacking – just easy, flexible travel that works around you.
Support for your family journey
Priority boarding and assistance
While Eurostar doesn't offer priority boarding or dedicated family lanes for all families travelling with children, assistance is available in certain circumstances.
If you're travelling alone with a young child or are pregnant and would benefit from extra support, our assistance team may be able to help you through the station and with boarding. We recommend booking assistance at least 24 hours before you travel to ensure everything is in place for your journey.
You can also speak to a member of staff at the station if you need a hand on the day – we'll always do our best to help where we can.
On board facilities for babies
When you're travelling with a baby, it's the little practical touches that make all the difference – and we've got those covered. All our trains are designed with family-friendly features, including baby-changing facilities, so there's no need to worry about mid-journey changes. If you'd like to sit nearby, visit our Manage your booking page and choose your seats once you've booked.
You'll also have the freedom to move around when needed – ideal for soothing a restless baby or stretching your legs. Also, on board, we don't sell baby food, but we're always happy to warm up any baby bottles. Just head to the Eurostar Café, and a member of the team will assist you.
Baby travel checklist
When you're travelling with kids, a little prep goes a long way. Here's your simple baby travel checklist to keep everything on track.
Documents
Use the following baby travel documents checklist before your journey:
- Passports – don't forget to confirm that they're valid beforehand.
- Tickets (if you've booked a seat for your baby).
- Parental authorisation (if required).
Top tip: keeping everything together in an easy-to-reach place can help save time at the station.
Equipment
Pack smart with our practical baby travel equipment list:
- Pushchair or stroller
- Car seat (optional)
- Infant travel gear, like a baby carrier or sling
Baby essentials
When it comes to baby essentials for travelling, think comfort, convenience and easy access during the journey, for example:
- Milk or baby food
- Bottles
- Nappies and wipes
- Spare clothes (for both of you, just in case!)
- Favourite toy or comfort item
- Dummy
FAQs
Yes, every baby needs their own valid passport for international travel – even when travelling with a parent.
In most countries, baby passports are valid for 5 years. Always check the expiry date before travelling.
You're welcome to bring your pushchair on our trains, as long as it's folded before you board and then stored in one of the baggage racks near your seat.
You don't need to buy train tickets for kids under 4. They can travel for free, without a ticket, but must sit on an adult's lap throughout the journey. You can book a child's ticket if you'd prefer your child to have their own seat or want some extra space.
