Traveler_2012

Hi,

We will be traveling with our 11 month old this August to Prague, Budapest and Vienna. We are planning on using public transportation (buses / trains) and are trying to decide on whether to bring our car seat / big stroller or a lighter stroller (more like an umbrella stroller) without the car seat. Are there rules in Europe that require kids that age to be in a car seat in the train or bus? Lugging around the car seat would be a huge pain so we would like to travel without it. Any recommendations would be great. Thanks!

PalenQ

Never seen a car restraint seat on a train - not sure about buses but think not either.

A usually kids younger than 4 who do not occupy their own seat do not need a ticket either - but check that locally - if they occupy their own seat they may be required to have a ticket - for lots of good info on Central European trains check www.budgeteuropetravel.com; www.seat61.com and www.ricksteves.com.

There are overnight trains between Prague and Budapest you may want to try - assuming the kiddo will sleep 'like a baby' - save time and money by not having to pay for a hotel that night. See above sites for more on overnight trains.

nytraveler

Car seats cannot be used in either buses or rains. If you want to get a car service they might be able to use it but typically taxis and similar are exempt from car seat regs applied to private cars.

I would bring a stroller sturdy enough to deal with cobblestone streets - which you will find a lot of. Also being something to carry the baby which you will probably be doing a lot.

Traveler_2012

Thanks for your feedback. We are planning on bringing a sturdy stroller and a baby carrier. I think we will leave the car seat behind in that case. Appreciate your helpful feedback!

NorCal_Jo

Just another suggestion on your stroller as we traveled all over Europe with our young kids between ages 1-6 while living in UK. You'll want sturdy for cobblestones but still try to go for the umbrella style that folds up long/narrow (we always used Maclarens)as you'll find that some of the trains/buses can get crowded and you do NOT want to be dealing with a bulky stroller!

In Vienna our kids loved the Prater as there were playgrounds and rides plus we rented a four wheeled bike they could ride in. At 11 months, obviously most of the rides will be for older kids but there are some tiny old fashioned rides that might be fun plus the playground in the park and there is a also little train that you can ride through the park.

They also liked the Schonbrunn Zoo (in the Palace gardens) and especially the little Panorama train which takes you all around the gardens and allowed us to see them (without having to push the stroller up all the hills).