Family vacations: Europe by night train, low-cost tropics

Family travel remains a priority for many parents despite rising prices: ABTA reports that families are « prolific travelers », with an average of 3.94 vacations per person and a particular appetite among young families for frequent short breaks. Against this backdrop, the idea of combining Europe by overnight train with « low-cost tropical » holidays is seductive: it promises time savings, relative comfort and a reduced carbon impact compared with air travel.

However, the practical and budgetary reality is nuanced. Between line relaunches, one-off interruptions, fare policies and seasonal promos, you need to plan carefully. This practical guide helps you assess the strengths and limitations of the « Family overnight train vacation » option, and how to link it with economical offers to the tropics.

Why choose the night train as a family?

The night train offers a double advantage for families: it saves a night’s hotel accommodation and often allows you to arrive early at your destination, which is invaluable with children. In terms of climate, long-distance rail emits significantly less CO2 per passenger-kilometer than air travel, as shown by the balances published by operators and the European Commission.

The environmental arguments are backed up by figures: flights departing from EU+EFTA airports emitted around 133 Mt CO2 in 2023, and the European Commission gives an average of ~83 g CO2/passenger-km for aviation, making overnight rail attractive to families keen to reduce their footprint.

However, cost and practicality remain decisive factors for parents. Recent studies (Greenpeace / Le Monde) show that air travel is still often cheaper on many cross-border routes, which hampers a rapid switch to rail, even if the climate argument makes a clear case for overnight train travel.

At the same time, the cost and convenience of air travel remain decisive factors for parents

What connections and operators in 2025, 2026?

The night train landscape in Europe is undergoing a major reshaping. Some routes have been relaunched or modified for 2025, 2026, while others have suffered interruptions for funding reasons. For example, Paris, Vienna/Berlin links were suspended at the end of 2025 for subsidy issues, a reminder of the fragility of some night networks.

Among the active players, ÖBB Nightjet remains a benchmark for cross-border journeys and offers very clear family conditions: a baby up to the age of 5 can travel free on the adult’s seat, and reduced fares exist for children between 6 and 14. ÖBB recommends reserving a private compartment or sleeper for families, and points out limits for strollers (folding strollers are recommended)

New independent initiatives, such as European Sleeper, have concrete plans: operation of a Brussels, Prague route at the end of 2025 and plans to relaunch a Paris, Berlin route in March 2026 via a cooperative operator. These developments demonstrate a changing market, but require vigilance and flexibility when booking.

Budgeting and booking: realities and tips for families

A key point to be aware of: Interrail/Eurail passes often offer advantages for children (e.g. free child pass for 4, 11 years with each adult pass, up to 2 free children per adult) but do not include paid reservations. For night trains, you need to book and pay separately for the sleeper or couchette if you want a bed for your child.

In practice, this means that a trip that looks « free » on paper can entail significant additional costs (compulsory reservations on TGV, high-speed trains and many night trains). So budget for booking fees, and book berths as early as possible to take advantage of the best fares.

To keep costs down, compare options: using a pass for the European part, then combining with a low-cost flight or a package to reach cheap tropics can be more economical than all by train. And don’t forget the special offers (Black Friday/Cyber Monday 2025) for heavily discounted all-inclusive cruises and stays, often with offers like 3rd/4th passenger free.

Combining overnight trains and the tropics on a budget: practical destinations

If your goal is sun and warmth at low cost, several options remain realistic from Europe. The Canary Islands and Madeira are « nearby tropics » destinations accessible all year round, often served by low-cost airlines and economical packages.

For trips further afield, Southeast Asia (Thailand, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Cambodia) offers a very low cost of living and a range of affordable family accommodations, particularly out of high season. Flight + package or cruise combinations can smooth out the cost per head for families.

A common strategy: take the night train to a major hub (Brussels, Paris, Amsterdam) the night before, sleep on board, then board an early-morning low-cost flight or package to the tropics. This saves a night’s hotel accommodation and limits the stress of early-morning transfers with children and luggage.

Family practices, safety and plan B

Traveling by night train with children requires preparation: book a private compartment or sleeper for added privacy, pack light bedding for the little ones if necessary, and pack games and snacks for the evening. ÖBB Nightjet advises opting for private compartments when traveling as a family, and reminds us of the rule of free baby up to 5 years of age on the adult’s seat.

Technical incidents do happen: the power failure in the Channel Tunnel on 12/30/2025 caused major Eurostar disruptions, delays and reroutings, illustrating the need to have a plan B. Make sure you have travel insurance, emergency contacts, and alternative solutions (low-cost flights, ferries, buses) in case of cancellation or lengthy disruption.

Finally, foldable strollers are recommended (many trains limit space for unfolded strollers), and it’s wise to anticipate formalities related to child(ren) during international connections. Flexibility remains the best ally for families traveling by night train.

Practical examples and recommendations for planning

Some points to remember for parental planning: a child aged 4, 11 often travels free with an Interrail/Eurail pass (up to 2 children per adult), but you’ll need to book and pay for the berth/sleeper for a bed. For Nightjet, remember the free baby on seat up to 5 years and discounts for children 6, 14 years.

Reserve bunks and compartments as soon as sales open to secure a family-friendly pitch. Compare costs: sometimes it’s cheaper to combine overnight train + low-cost flight rather than trying to do it all by rail, especially if flying remains significantly cheaper on your chosen route.

If you want, you can also book a low-cost flight

If you like, I can prepare a personalized mini-itinerary « Europe by night train + cheap tropics » (cost estimate for 2 adults + 2 children, list of necessary bookings and optimal schedule according to school vacations). Give me your preferences (country of departure, age of children, duration) and I’ll take care of it.

In summary, the « Family vacation overnight train » option combines ecological and practical advantages, but requires anticipation and budgeting for bookings. Trends in 2025, 2026 show a gradual revival of night services, but also their fragility in the face of financing and technical incidents.

With the right organization , early bookings, use of children’s passes, comparison of flights and packages to the tropics, and well-thought-out plan Bs , it is entirely possible to offer the family a memorable, responsible and economical vacation.