Pushchairs on Trains and Ferries
Taking the train or ferry instead of flying is one of the easiest ways to cut a family trip's footprint, and the pushchair rules are usually far more relaxed than on planes.
From each operator's own website, checked October 2026. Rules change, so check before you travel.
| Operator | Babies' fares | Pushchair | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Rail (UK trains) | Under 5s free on most journeys | Allowed | A free under-5 can't take a seat a paying passenger needs; buy a child ticket to reserve one |
| Eurostar | Under 4s free, on an adult's lap | Folding pushchair, pram or buggy free, on top of your luggage | One infant per adult; a passport is still needed |
| P&O Ferries | Under 4s free | Not stated on the page we checked | Add infants as passengers when you book |
| DFDS | Not checked | Not stated on the page we checked | On its Rosslare to Dunkirk route, DFDS says one infant aged 0 to 3 can be added beyond a cabin's berths |
Sources (checked October 2026)
- National Rail: train travel with children
- Eurostar: pushchairs, prams and buggies, under-4s
- P&O Ferries: Dover to Calais passenger information
- DFDS: Rosslare to Dunkirk FAQ
We couldn't load Brittany Ferries' family travel pages this time, so they aren't in the table. Check their site directly.
Tips for trains
- Book a table seat if you can. You'll get more room for feeding and changing.
- Under-5s can't hold a seat for free. On busy trains, a child ticket guarantees one (National Rail).
- Lifts and step-free access: check your stations before you go. A light, one-hand-fold pushchair makes stairs and busy doors much easier.
- Eurostar: fold the pushchair for the journey and keep your baby's passport to hand.
Tips for ferries
- Foot or car passenger? Car passengers can leave the big pushchair in the car, but check whether you can go back to the car during the crossing. If not, take a sling or a small buggy for the passenger decks.
- Overnight crossings: ask whether a cot can be added to your cabin, and bring baby bedding.
- Baby food and milk: pack enough for delays.
Why it's the eco choice
There are no airline cabin-size limits to meet, so you can keep the pushchair you already own instead of buying a "travel" one. See packing light with kids.
Back to trains and ferries.