Train Trips

Train Adventures

All aboard — the journey is the destination

Trains are pure magic for toddlers. The rumble, the windows, the passing world — Edison is obsessed. Here's everything we've learned about making train travel with little ones genuinely wonderful.

Edison Score

Best SeasonYear-round

DifficultyEasy

The first time Edison rode a train, he pressed his face against the window for the entire journey and didn't make a single sound. For a toddler who never stops moving, that was extraordinary. Trains have a way of holding their attention that nothing else quite matches — the rhythm, the scenery, the sense of going somewhere. We're completely hooked.

Places we've been

Our honest notes from every spot we've visited — name, city, Edison's rating, and what we'd tell a friend.

10/ 10

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City, State

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9/ 10

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City, State

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9/ 10

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City, State

Add your notes — what made this route special, any tips for the journey, and Edison's favourite moment.

Our tips

Book a window seat — always

This is non-negotiable. The window is the entire entertainment system for a toddler on a train. Book early, request window seats, and if you're on a double-decker, go upstairs. The elevated view is worth the extra effort getting the pram up the stairs.

Time it around nap or a meal

A well-fed or sleepy toddler on a train is a dream. We try to board right after lunch so Edison naps for the first hour. When he wakes up, the novelty of the train carries him through the rest of the journey. Timing is everything.

Pack a dedicated train activity bag

We keep a small bag that only comes out on trains — a few sticker books, a new small toy, some window clings, and a snack he doesn't get at home. The novelty of the bag itself buys you 20 minutes before you've even opened anything.

Bring real food, not just snacks

Train food is expensive and often not toddler-friendly. We pack a proper meal in a bento box — something easy to eat without making a huge mess. Sandwiches, cut fruit, cheese, and a treat. Eating together at the little tray table feels like a proper adventure.

Let them walk the carriages

On longer journeys, Edison needs to move. We walk the length of the train together — it's exciting for him, burns energy, and the walk back to our seat feels like a new adventure. Most conductors are lovely about it. Just avoid the quiet carriage.

Narrate the world outside

The window is a running story. We point out cows, tunnels, rivers, bridges, and towns. Edison started naming things he recognised on repeat routes — 'the big bridge!', 'the horses!' — and now he looks forward to spotting them. It turns the journey into a game.