I have two boys - 3 and 1 years old. We will be in Italy for three months while my husband works. I have no idea what to expect of train travel with two small children. Any advice? Can I use a stroller? Should I bring a backpack for my 1 year old instead? Many thanks for any advice.

Entering most trains requires mounting some steep and narrow stairs. If you need the stroller where you are going, then one of those parasol folding ones looks easiest to me. They make double strollers I see, but getting that and two children onto the train sounds like a nightmare.

That said, people will often offer to help you get up and down the stairs at stations and on and off trains.

You can also ask to use the elevators where they exist-- which is more and more stations every year. I believe two little folk and a stroller would melt the appropriate hearts. You should arrive early, though, because you have to find someone to unlock it for you quite often.

If you can cope with a backpack and your 3 year old will walk I would go that route. I use a stroller on the trains for my 3 year old and my husband is tall enough to get it into the overhead luggage rack! But on my own it is hard work. People do and will help but you can't always rely on this, especially for airports where many people are not as child friendly!

Another tip - always get off the train in front of your toddler! As Judith says the stairs are steep and there is quite often a gap between the last step and the platform. I then lift my toddler down.

Also remember on Eurostars seats are allocated. As both your children are free they won't have seats on a busy train. But you can sit the full journey in the restaurant car where they can have a seat. We do this from Florence to Rome when we go.

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I use a stroller on the trains for my 3 year old and my husband is tall enough to get it into the overhead luggage rack! But on my own it is hard work.

Is the 3 year old safe up there? During a hard stop couldn't she take a tumble?

Now you come to mention it, most stations do have stairs. Would be hard with 2 little ones.
Agree about big gap between platform and train. Train the little one to wait (trouble is they are often scared they will be left behind and don't like to get off second!). You will have to explain fully before you go and do some training on a doorstep or similar (or even a real train, that would be fun).

Can you speak Italian? I would learn the phrase for 'please can you assist me?' or similar.

I think you will be okay. I find driving in Italy far more stressful. The children will love the trains (and buses).

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Originally posted by Bill 2:

quote:

I use a stroller on the trains for my 3 year old and my husband is tall enough to get it into the overhead luggage rack! But on my own it is hard work.

Is the 3 year old safe up there? During a hard stop couldn't she take a tumble?

Yeah but she can be such a nuisance on long journeys it's worth the risk!

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Originally posted by mrs teapot:
Now you come to mention it, most stations do have stairs. Would be hard with 2 little ones.

Let's not forget that at 3 years, one of the two would just need to hold someone's hands for climbing down stairs! At 3 a child is supposed to be walking authonomously.