To take a 3 yo backpacking/inter railing?

[FragrantBumFluff]

Is this a total crazy idea?

We have been invited to a wedding in Europe next summer. All of us including DD who will be just 3.

The obvious thing to do is fly there and fly back but it’s a nice destination so we were thinking making a short holiday out of it, then had the idea of going to another destination nearby and suddenly we are considering taking a month off work to travel around Europe a bit. I travelled a bit in my student days but it was a lot of drinking and partying so there are so many landmarks I’d love to visit again or for the first time as a family.

Is this a totally mental thing to do with a preschooler?

Exactly what I was thinking. 3 year olds won’t even remember the experience and would not understand the concept of a new city.

However, if it’s something you really want to do and you think your 3 year old would enjoy it then crack on. The concept of navigating several long train journeys with a toddler makes me feel queasy, but you can do it then good for you. You’re a much better woman than me and I hope you have a wonderful time!

I think if the journeys were short it would be ok. But some considerations:

1. how do you and your DD do in hot weather? Might not be enjoyable if very hot, especially with lots of luggage.
2. talking of luggage, kids involve a lot of stuff. Would you need a car seat for example or would you do the whole lot by public transport? You'd probably still need a buggy at just turned 3.
3. does your child eat most things? I find it a bit stressful travelling to other places just because eating out all the time -whether in the UK or abroad - is more challenging with small children. Also need to have snacks with you all the time.
4. is there any possibility of another child, in which case would you want to do all this when pregnant?
5. does child sleep well in unfamiliar locations? Holiday won't be fun on little sleep.

Overall I wouldn't fancy it with my small children but I hope they would be up for it when a bit older (like 6+).

I think they might remember bits of it. My youngest remembers going to the zoo in amsterdam and she was under 2 then as she got her seat for free & going to Tunisia and getting rose petals on the table for her 3rd birthday & the dances from the evening entertainment. Mine both loved to see new things but then liked to revisit them several times before moving on to something else. If you fancy trying it maybe have a go just taking them via train for a couple of nights and see how it goes

Did this with a friend and her child of about the same age (plus baby) They had a brilliant time and talked about it for years. I think it’s great for kids to see new places and understand there is a world out there for them to explore and to experience different cultures at a time when they don’t have any expectations.
I can understand not all kids would be down for this but I think it can be an amazing experience

I follow some travel bloggers who have their toddler with them. It would not be what I consider fun, enjoyable or worthwhile. My primary age kids moan if they're in the car or on a plane for a few hours. I would absolutely hate to be on a train and multiple trains trying to entertain them while listening to their whining for hours.

Imo kids are not interested in landmarks and sightseeing. We hire a car when abroad but always include a couple of hours everyday on a beach/kids museum/playground/toyshop. They much prefer simpler holidays on a campsite where they have freedom to run around.

I've done a shed load of travelling with my 2 young kids, on my own as I'm a single parent. Just be prepared for all possible situations and have low expectations. Mine are used to travelling now so there's less whinging and they do enjoy and benefit from seeing other cultures and types of people and ways of life. Of course it's selfish - I'm not kidding myself to think that I'm selflessly travelling the world for them - but so what, I spend the rest of the year catering to their every need!

Keep in mind you may have an easy just-turned-two year old now, but in a year you could have a nightmare threenager.

My DS's behaviour went into steady decline from age 2 to about 4. He was screamy, emotional, and tantrummy at 3 and refused to do a lot of things. I can't think of anything worse than interrailing with him. And this is a child that has happily flown transatlantic 4 times.

I have 3 young DC aged between 1 and 5 and we were thinking of doing it this summer. I didn’t realise it was such a ‘crazy’ idea until I read some old mumsnet threads. We aren’t now due to circumstances changing but I do hope to soon still, and I def would do it in your circumstances, sounds fun!

I did this with my daughter when she was 3. We went to Paris, Brussels, North West Germany, Berlin and Prague. Just me and her, though we did stay with family and friends most of the way.

She really enjoyed herself and she still talks about it now (she's 10). She definitely remembers a few things from each place. But that wasn't the point from my perspective. I wanted to go, and I wanted her to have those experiences at the time.

She has always been the kind of child that craves novelty. She never wanted to read the same book over and over or eat the same food. She liked sitting still being read to or playing Uno. Or watching Netflix. All these things made her an easy person to travel with.

I really think it depends on the child. I also agree that the adult needs to be OK not seeing all the big sights but spending more time in random playgrounds etc taking in the atmosphere. If that's what you expect and would be OK with then it's less likely you'll be disappointed.

She's been to over 20 countries now and if anything gets more and more enthusiastic about travel.

I did a lot of traveling pre kids (36+ countries at 24) and I'm taking my almost 3 year old traveling around india and Sri Lanka for a month in January (he'll be 3.5) and then for a month around Singapore and Indonesia in June 2024 (one month off turning 4). Only you know your child and whether it's realistic for you but I say go for it! I think europe is a bit tricker as there's a lot of walking, not as laid-back etc but if it's something you really want to do then I wouldn't let the fear of taking your young child hold you back

Did it with a 4 and 2 year old when Ryanair cheap flights first came in and we used 10 quid flights and trains. It was great and it obviously installed something as they both travel all the time as adults, as does their subsequent siblings. Just take your time, no mad itinerary, use apartments not hotels so you can cook what they eat and sleep when hot and just chill when required. That would be our main advice.

It sounds like a lot of pain for very little gain.

Not from our perspective. They remember really random things, like pegions in St Marks square, the Irish Greyhound in mini Europe in Brussels, a bus ride in Treviso and some chocolates we ate in Pisa, but not much about the tower. They love looking at the photos even if they don't remember the photo being taken. They've revisited most of the places as adults anyway. As parents we loved it. Never did a journey of more than 3 hours and stayed at least 2 nights in places.

There's a nice Facebook group 'Adventurous Global Travel with kids' that will give you some great ideas. I agree they remember totally random stuff, but that's part of the fun. Most other European countries are super kid friendly and have loads of playgrounds, zoos and outdoor pools. You'll have a brilliant time.

Oh and The Man in Seat 61 of course, essential for any train journey!

I wouldn’t do it. Too much for them (and me) personally I wouldn’t enjoy it, and I love travelling.

We were just at centreparcs for 5 days and my 3 yo lost his shit numerous times due to over-tiredness, over-stimulation due to new surroundings / new experiences, change of routine and also the heat.

Do it then start a real time thread on Mumsnet to update us how it's going 😁

I’d love to do something like this. But it really depends on what your child is like. Only you know how they’d be. If you do, maybe pick a few key destinations for spending at least a few days each, rather than all the time on trains.

We’re discussing next summer’s holiday with our 9yo. He has made it very clear that he doesn’t like moving around lots (we’d thought of inter railing for 2 weeks).
It depends on the child though.

My best holidays with my three year old were city breaks. They were the right kind of busy for her, whereas beach holidays were much more hard work because they weren’t pacey enough for her. She’s have been fine interrailing but I would take a stroller if I were you

Do it! We traveled by train around Europe when ours were 2&3, they still talk about it now at 7&8 and we are doing it again this summer.
Just plan it so train journeys aren't too long or travel over meal times. The longer journeys we did overnight by sleeper. And look for a playground or something fun in every place you stop.
You will have an amazing time!

Voting pretty much 50/50!

Thanks for all the comments and tips - I will look into a camper van as well but I love the sound of trains with kids play carriages.

She is currently almost 2 and we’ve just come back from being abroad and she didn’t bat an eyelid at the travelling or being in a different place, took it all in her stride. She is a pretty fussy eater though so food may be an issue. And a year is a long time so I guess her personality could be totally different by then. At the moment she is far easier to entertain out and about than at home and I take her most places with no issues.

I’m definitely not entirely put off and will do some more research of my own. Also loving the live MN thread idea 😃

My 3 year old would love this. He's in his element travelling around, seeing the sights, eating out etc. Weirdly he's much more high work at home than when travelling so it's actually more relaxing for all of us. My child may be atypical though.

I've taken mine on various trips around Europe and we normally have a good time, although you definitely need to factor in a lot of time at play parks and water parks.

Both of mine love sleepers, which can be easier than long daytime journeys.

Island hopping is good too - particularly if you're somewhere you can spend some time on the beach every day.

The worst thing was the luggage!

Took mine backpacking for 3 weeks aged 2&4 including ferries, trains and a plane. Loads of fun just remember to take minimal luggage relying on washing every few days