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Travelling with children

Save 59%* on average with an LNER Family Single. *Average saving is based on two adults and two children travelling with an LNER Family Single vs Advance fare.

Mums and Dads, you deserve a medal. But how about free travel for up to two children under five instead? After all, kids love trains. However, you might have to sit them on your lap if we're busy.

Travelling with older kids? You can save money on travel with the LNER Family Ticket. Up to two adults and four children can travel for one great price.

Alternatively, with a Family and Friends Railcard you can save up to 1/3 on adult fares and up to 60% on most child fares.

Onboard facilities for parents

Prams and buggies

We’re very happy for prams to be on our trains. If you are able to, please fold your prams before boarding to prevent delays. These can be stored in the luggage racks at the end of each carriage.

If this is not possible, they may be stored in wheelchair spaces that are empty. Please bear in mind, that if a customer requires wheelchair space, you will need to move the pram. Please do not leave your pram unattended in a wheelchair space and do not store other luggage or bags here.

Baby-changing toilets onboard

On our Azuma trains there are baby-changing facilities in every toilet.

On our other trains, you’ll find baby-changing facilities in the toilet compartments of coaches G and L.

Keeping little ones entertained

Travelling with the family needn’t set your heart racing. We’ve made it our mission to make a journey with us an adventure for you all.

Take the Window Seater app, it tells you stories of all the great places you’ll pass along our route, while you’re passing them.

You can order a free Eleanor activity pack, using the Let’s Eat At Your Seat QR code and we’ll bring it straight to your seat. Find out more further down!

There’s also our Family Waiting Lounge at London King’s Cross station. Full of places to play, climb, slide, and burn off a bit of energy while watchful parents take a bit of a break.

We’ve also got a few tips to make every journey that little bit smoother for everyone.

Bring favourite books, toys and small screens!
Window seats are always a big hit with little people. They love to watch the world whizz by!
Choose a seat near the toilets, for those who leave it to the last minute!
Snacks are always great to keep them occupied too.

Keep the little ones entertained onboard

Grab a free activity pack and crayons when you ride with us this summer. Eleanor's activity packs are filled with games, puzzles, stickers, and more and are themed around some of the wonderful destinations across our route.

Order your pack using the Let’s Eat At Your Seat QR code and we’ll bring it straight to you.

Brand new family waiting lounge at London King's Cross

Take a seat, put your bags to the side, and let your children explore our new Family Lounge in London King's Cross.

The new Family Lounge, created by LNER along with other train operators, offers a space for children to play and explore, whilst parents can take a break.

Open during travel centre hours, the area is a welcoming space for families travelling by train. Please be aware that children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Big fun for little ones

We’ve put together a handful of fun ideas to make it a stress-free adventure for you all.

Take the view from the window to a whole new level with the Window Seater app. It tells you stories of all the great places you’ll pass along our route, while you’re passing them.

Onboard you can order Use the Let’s Eat At Your Seat QR code to order free activity packs to keep kids entertained so you don’t have to leave your seat.

We've also changed the way you buy tickets. You’ll now buy a Family Single to catch the cheapest tickets for each stage of your journey, making the whole process much simpler.

Travelling while pregnant

Life doesn't stop for you while you carry a new life, but we understand that it can add some more requirements to your journey.

Toilets

A common question we're asked about travelling whilst pregnant is the location of our train toilets. The location of toilets depends on the type of train (whether it is an Azuma or an Electric train) and the number of coaches (5, 9, or 10-coach).

When booking your tickets online, select "Let me choose my seat", click "Reserve" and then "View/edit seat map". Here you'll be able to see the location of the toilets on your train and choose a seat in your preferred location. Please note that there are accessible toilets in the end carriage on all Azumas (A, E, F, and M).

Priority seats

Also, on our Azuma and Electric trains, there are priority seats that can be used by those with reduced mobility such as people who use wheelchairs or if you are pregnant.

If you require a priority seat, please contact our Assisted Travel team who can reserve a priority seat for you.

View our seat maps

Reserve a priority seat with Assisted Travel

FAQs

Can I take my pram onboard the train with me?

We’re very happy for pushchairs, prams and buggies to be on our trains, just as long as you make sure they’re folded at all times and stored the same way as any other item of luggage.

If this is not possible, then please speak with the Train Manager.

Can I book assisted travel for my pram?

Unfortunately, we cannot offer assisted travel for help with prams, buggies or pushchairs. However, our station and onboard staff will be happy to help you when and where they can.

Will you be able to heat baby food or my own food onboard the train?

Unfortunately, we cannot heat any baby food products onboard, including bottles. The reason for this is that the equipment that we use onboard is a lot more powerful than what is in your kitchen at home. We are obligated to keep all our customers safe and can only heat products that have been thoroughly tested by our catering team.

At what age can children travel on your trains unaccompanied by an adult?

Children should not travel on their own on an LNER train until they are mature enough to understand the risks involved with rail travel. It is the responsibility of the parent or guardian to make this decision.

LNER staff are unable to provide a chaperone service and if we notice a child travelling on their own and we are worried about their safety we will contact the British Transport Police for assistance.

You'll find some helpful guidance for children travelling alone by the British Transport Police here.

At what age do children have to pay to travel?

Up to two children, aged 4 years old and under, can travel free of charge with a fare-paying adult. Please bear in mind that as they do not have a ticket or a seat reservation, so on busy trains they will be expected to sit on your lap. You can purchase a childs ticket or Family Return to reserve a seat.

If you're travelling with more than two children under 5 and one adult, you will need to purchase a childs ticket for the additional children,

If your children are aged between 5 and 15 we offer discounted fares which are available on our website.

If you're travelling as two adults and between two and four children, the Family Return ticket might also be a great saving for you and it offers a flexible return ticket, find out more here.

Are there baby-changing facilities at the station?

Some stations have baby-changing facilities, but not all. You can check a specific station using our Station Information page.

Our new LNER Azuma trains have baby-changing facilities in all toilets. On our electric trains, there are baby-changing facilities in coaches F and L. You can view our seat maps to see how close you are to the onboard baby-changing facilities when you book a ticket, or from your account if you already have a booking. If you would like to change your seats you can use our seat reservation tool.

Stations we call at that do not have baby changing facilities: