What’s the Secret to a Smoother Family Train Journey Through Europe?
For many American parents traveling around Europe, the journey comes with an added layer of pressure: keeping little travelers entertained while sharing space with fellow passengers.
We surveyed approximately 1,000 U.S.-based parents who have traveled internationally by rail with their children to better understand how families are navigating train travel abroad. The findings reveal that parents see travel as a powerful opportunity to inspire creativity, with 88% agreeing that experiences like travel can help nurture their child’s imagination. At the same time, 84% believe creative activities help children remember journeys more vividly.
That’s why we’ve partnered with award-winning children’s audio platform Yoto to launch Yoto Daily Draw Along with Trainline, a free collection of travel-inspired audio draw-alongs that transform train time into creative time. Packed with guided drawing activities, the playlist encourages children to dream up stories, characters and worlds of their own as the scenery unfolds outside their window.
A Little Imagination Goes a Long Way
"We know how powerful audio can be in capturing children's imagination, even when they're doing something else, like traveling or creating on the move. This new Draw Along collection is designed to give families a simple, screen-free option to entertain children, ideal for supporting families to travel more comfortably and confidently."
Jake Harris, host of Yoto Daily podcast
"As a parent and advocate for family train travel, I know how valuable it is when the journey feels like part of the adventure. Our research shows 82% of parents feel more conscious of how their child's behavior is perceived on trains abroad, and 77% still rely on screens to keep boredom at bay, even though 88% see travel as an opportunity to nurture creativity. Our partnership with Yoto offers a creative alternative that makes train travel easier and more inspiring for families."
Hannah Randall, Country Manager at Trainline
Start Your Drawing Adventure
Choo Choo! Hop on board for Yoto Daily Draw Along with Trainline, created especially for little ones as a fun, screen-free companion for train adventures, featuring 12 guided drawing episodes (including seven brand-new tracks!) voiced by award-winning Yoto Daily podcast host Jake Harris and more than two hours of imaginative audio entertainment, perfectly timed for a typical train journey in Europe.
As the world rolls by outside the window, children are invited to grab their pencils, crayons or markers and draw along! Each episode invites little ones to let their imaginations take the lead and draw what they see along the journey - from beach vacations and mountain landscapes to camping adventures, bustling cities and underwater worlds.
Whether you're traveling across the country or heading off on a family vacation, Yoto Daily Draw Along with Trainline keeps young minds engaged, inspired and entertained from departure to arrival. Simply press play in the Discover section of the free Yoto app or download the playlist onto a Yoto Make Your Own Card and bring the adventure offline wherever the rails take you.
Yoto Playlist
1) Mountain Train
2) Beach Scene
3) Dream Train
4) Steam Train
5) Camping Scene
6) Train Conductor
7) Under-the-Sea Train
8) Rollercoaster
9) City Scene
10) Train Station
11) Ice Creams
12) Flowers
The playlist is available from June 24 through September 1, 2026.
Sketching Travel Tips from Children’s Book Artist Oliver Jeffers
Get those crayons ready! “For even more sketching inspiration, Trainline has teamed up with renowned European children’s book artist, illustrator and author Oliver Jeffers, who knows a thing or two about the importance of screen-free creativity. A train traveler himself, he loves to watch the world unfold through passing clouds and city skylines while on his own trips.
His tips are the perfect guide for summer vacations, day trips and every “are we there yet?” moment in between.
"I'm always traveling by train, and it gives me a rare chance to slow down and notice the world as it unfolds, from the shape of a passing cloud to a city skyline. Creativity often starts with simply looking closely. My first tip: engage your senses, be all eyes and ears, and soak up your surroundings. The Yoto Daily Draw Along with Trainline helps children turn the journey itself into part of the adventure."
Oliver Jeffers, creator of the beloved The Day the Crayons Quit
Family-Friendly Routes to Explore by Train
Summer is one of the busiest times of year for American family travel, with trips peaking in July when kids are out of school.
As families jet off on adventures across Europe, train travel offers a chance to slow down, take in the scenery and turn travel time into creative time. From castles and canals to beaches and bustling city streets, these family-friendly destinations pair unforgettable experiences with scenic train journeys that can inspire little travelers long before they arrive.
Dublin
Why Families Love It: With colorful streets, a welcoming atmosphere and plenty of family-friendly attractions, Dublin is a fantastic place to start an Irish adventure. From parks and museums to riverside walks, there is plenty to inspire little imaginations.
Most Scenic Route: Travel to and from Dublin through Ireland’s rolling countryside, passing charming towns and lush green landscapes. The ever-changing scenery offers plenty of inspiration for children to sketch winding fields and colorful cottages.
Closest Station: Dublin Connolly
Edinburgh
Why Families Love It: With its fairytale castles, historic winding streets and dramatic views, Edinburgh feels like a city straight out of a storybook. For aspiring wizards, stroll along Victoria Street – famously believed to have inspired J.K. Rowling’s “Diagon Alley.”
Most Scenic Routes: Edinburgh serves as the perfect hub for travel across Scotland and the UK. Take in its spectacular scenery, including dramatic hills, forests and picturesque countryside. Maybe you’ll even see a castle or two!
Closest Station: Edinburgh Waverley
London
Why Families Love It: London is packed with iconic sights, royal parks, world-class museums and family-friendly attractions that appeal to every age group.
Most Scenic Routes: Travel from Edinburgh to London along the East Coast Main Line, with coastal views, rolling countryside and glimpses of historic towns along the way.
Closest Station: London St Pancras International
Windsor
Why Families Love it: Home to Windsor Castle and beautiful riverside surroundings, Windsor is ideal for families looking to combine history with outdoor fun.
Most Scenic Route: Travel from London to Windsor through the leafy countryside of southeast England, offering views of rolling hills and historic towns perfect for sketching.
Closest Station: Windsor & Eton Central
Paris
Why Families Love It: Paris offers families a mix of culture, outdoor spaces for picturesque picnics and unforgettable landmarks that make every visit memorable.
Most Scenic Route: Travel from London to Paris for one of Europe’s most iconic rail journeys. Let little imaginations run wild beneath the English Channel before arriving in the City of Love.
Closest Station: Paris Gare du Nord
Marseille
Why Families Love It: With its Mediterranean coastline, historic harbor and relaxed atmosphere, Marseille offers the perfect blend of culture and outdoor adventure.
Most Scenic Route: Travel from Paris to Marseille aboard a high-speed TGV and watch the scenery shift from city skylines to sun-drenched countryside on the way to the Mediterranean coast.
Closest Station: Marseille Saint-Charles
Madrid
Why Families Love It: Madrid blends royal history, world-class culture and expansive green spaces, offering families a distinct side of Spain that sparks curiosity around every corner.
Most Scenic Route: Ride Spain's high-speed rail from Barcelona to Madrid, passing rolling countryside, mountain landscapes and historic towns. The ever-changing scenery inspires young travelers to sketch castles, winding hills and the adventures ahead.
Closest Station: Madrid Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes
Seville
Why Families Love it: With colorful streets, horse-drawn carriages and sprawling gardens, Seville offers families a look at the colorful Andalusian culture, where history and storytelling come to life around every corner.
Most Scenic Route: Travel from Madrid to Seville and watch the landscape shift from central Spain to Andalusia. Along the way, children can sketch orange trees, majestic palaces and scenes inspired by the region's vibrant culture and architecture.
Closest Station: Sevilla Santa Justa
Como
Why Families Love It: Nestled on the shores of Lake Como, this picturesque destination pairs stunning scenery with family-friendly outdoor adventures, from lakeside walks and boat rides to exploring charming villages.
Most Scenic Route: Travel from Milan to Como and watch cityscapes give way to sparkling lake views and dramatic mountain backdrops. The breathtaking scenery is sure to inspire young adventurers.
Closest Station: Como San Giovanni
Bologna
Why Families Love It: Bologna’s rich history, delicious food and walkable city center is ideal for families to explore. Children will enjoy wandering beneath the city’s famous porticoes, climbing towers and discovering colorful streets around every corner.
Most Scenic Route: Travel from Florence to Bologna through the rolling landscapes of Northern Italy. Along the way, young travelers can draw inspiration from rolling hills, charming towns and Tuscan Cypress trees.
Closest Station: Bologna Centrale
Making Every Mile More Memorable.
