FIP with Children - suggestions and help please!

[Blinky]

FOllowing a change in personal circumstances, I am looking for advice on European train travel for myself and my two (dependant) children (9&10yo).
I and my children have "Rail Staff Leisure Cards" and I have a FIP card. If i have understood things so far, both I and my children can travel discounted in a number of countries, eg France SNCF, Netherlands NS. But there are some countried that only I can receive discounted fares, eg Germany DBAG.

First question - i am looking for a destination suggestions. The last time i went to Europe travelling i was in a car and without children, so a very different set of needs! Firstly budget is tight, so i think that rules out some 'touristy' cities such as Paris. Secondly, I need to put a cap on the travel time. I will be travelling from South Wales, Lille is about 4:30 and it like to travel no more than around 2:30 from Lille. I think i will have some tired kids even that distance!

Have you had any experience travelling by rail in Europe with kids, what diestinations and any tips?

 

[signed]

What do you like, you and your children? When approx. and how long?

There is everything and anything... around 3h from Lille.

You can easily visit the Châteaux de la Loire (Chambord...), visit the world-famous Etretat Cliffs, visit Belgium or the Netherlands...

 

[AdamWW]

I and my children have "Rail Staff Leisure Cards" and I have a FIP card. If i have understood things so far, both I and my children can travel discounted in a number of countries, eg France SNCF, Netherlands NS. But there are some countried that only I can receive discounted fares, eg Germany DBAG.

Generally I believe accompanied children under 14 travel free on DB:
https://int.bahn.de/en/offers/additional-services/travelling-with-children

Children aged 6 to 14 travel free of charge when accompanied by passengers aged 15 and over, but must be indicated when booking. Up to four children can travel on each ticket. It is not possible to add children on the adult's ticket once the journey has started.

If you are only using local transport, it is generally possible to take up to three children with you free of charge. Regional and transport association tariffs may deviate from this rule.

I don't know if that works with discounted fares but if not it might still be cheaper to buy one undiscounted adult ticket and two free child ones.

 

[rvdborgt]

Generally I believe accompanied children under 14 travel free on DB:
https://int.bahn.de/en/offers/additional-services/travelling-with-children

I don't know if that works with discounted fares but if not it might still be cheaper to buy one undiscounted adult ticket and two free child ones.

Should also work with discounted fares. Also on international journeys to/from Germany.
However, if you just have the 50% discount, then (Super)Sparpreis tickets may still be cheaper (also with free children).

 

[Sir Felix Pole]

I'd recommend the Netherlands with kids - not too far and you can have an 'adventure' going on the boat Harwich - Hoek overnight. Coupons available - you just pay for the cabins which are reasonably priced (and saves hotel accommodation for a night!). No reservations on trains - you get issued with a barcode 'coupon' which works the barriers without any hassle. (N.B. some branch lines are not NS so not valid on those). You've got beaches, waterways, attractive towns and villages. Hire bikes - safe cycling on dedicated routes. A couple of preserved railways too.

 

[74A]

Have you got FIP cards for your children ?

 

[Cheshire Scot]

I'd recommend the Netherlands with kids - not too far and you can have an 'adventure' going on the boat Harwich - Hoek overnight. Coupons available - you just pay for the cabins which are reasonably priced (and saves hotel accommodation for a night!). No reservations on trains - you get issued with a barcode 'coupon' which works the barriers without any hassle. (N.B. some branch lines are not NS so not valid on those). You've got beaches, waterways, attractive towns and villages. Hire bikes - safe cycling on dedicated routes. A couple of preserved railways too.

If you were to choose the Netherlands I would recommend a visit to Madurodam in The Hague - many years ago I visited as a child and have made two return adult visits in 2003 and 2023 and still find it facinating.
madurodam.nl