The jaw-dropping play areas on European trains that will make British parents green with envy
IF you're a parent who's ever struggled to entertain a child on a long train journey in the UK, you might want to look away now.
Because it turns out that in countries across Europe, train lines have special carriages with play areas designed for children complete with slides, climbing equipment, games and TV screens.
Finland
On inter-city trains across Finland, parents and guardians can often find a children's play area.
The space is typically located on a service carriage and will include features like a library, a slide, and a wooden toy train that children can climb on.
There are other features too, including a wooden bead maze, funky mirrors, and safety gates to keep younger passengers safe.
And Brit passengers who've used the play area have been impressed by the carriage.
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In a post on X (formerly known as Twitter), one person wrote: "[British trains] I love you but look at Finland’s trains.
"All parents who’ve sat on the floor with buggies you can’t fit in, play areas on trains are just normal in Finland."
On the same thread, another user commented: "I loved the trains in Finland."
In addition to the charming play areas, Finnish trains also have other features, including a fully-equipped restaurant carriage where passengers to eat their meal at a table.
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As well as Finnish delicacies like salmon soup, a range of alcoholic drinks like pints of beer are also served.
There's also ample bike and luggage storage, and passengers can pay to take their pets onboard.
Norway
Norwegian trains that run on the Bergen Line between Oslo and the Bergen, also have a carriage specifically designed for younger travellers.
Inside the playrooms, passengers will find climbing frames, children's books, and a TV screen that plays age-appropriate shows.
The carriages also have plenty of space for pushchairs and luggage, and they're close to changing tables too.
There's also an adjoining area where older family members can sit and keep a watchful eye on their tots.
Vy, the train company that operates these child-friendly services, actively encourages kids to play.
A statement on read: "We encourage little ones to play and run around in the playroom, so there is no need to worry about whether you may be disturbing other passengers."
Before boarding, passengers are invited to download a free app called Bædi & Børdi where they can download child-friendly games.
Just like on Finnish trains, these long-distance services in Norway also have a restaurant cafe where hot and cold refreshments are served.
Czech Republic
There's also a kids' compartment inside the standard class cabins on train services in the Czech Republic.
The child-friendly compartment is only found between seats 61 to 66 on RegioJet services.
Seats in this area must be reserved in advance online, as they often sell out very quickly.
The compartment is designed for children aged six and under and includes toys, funny pictures, and a screen with interactive games.
The train also has free Wi-Fi throughout as well as free bottles of water and newspapers.
Switzerland
All InterCity long-distance double-decker trains in Switzerland have a family coach, which is home to its very own play area.
The play area includes features like a slide and other small pieces of climbing equipment.
The carriage is also decorated with fun motifs too, so children can "let off steam to their heart’s content", according to the .
There's also a family zone on single-decker InterCity train services too, which have space for passengers with pushchairs.
Inside the carriage, customers will find several folding tables covered with board games.
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Passengers are encouraged to use their own coins as board game pieces, and download a dice app onto their smartphone.
Meanwhile, we've rounded up the best UK railway journeys where Brit holidaymakers can enjoy beautiful scenery without dusting off their passports.
