Travelling by public transport with a baby

This article is about using public transport. For other transport or long-distance travel read our articles on using a car or bike and travelling overseas.

Train travel

Up to two under 5s can travel free by train with an adult, and 5-16 year olds get a discount. However, fee paying customers have priority over seats (My Train Ticket, no date; National Rail, no date).

The busiest and most expensive ‘peak’ hours are usually 6.30am to 9.30am, and 4 to 7pm (South Western Railway, no date a). Travelling ‘off peak’ means it will be less busy and cheaper.

Tips for train travel include:

• Savings can be made by booking in advance and being flexible about timing (My Train Ticket, no date).
• If it’s necessary to travel at busier times or for longer distances, consider booking a ticket for the baby or babies so they have their own seat. This provides room to spread out and for the baby or child to nap (My Train Ticket, no date).
• Some parents choose to sit near the toilets where there’s more space to accommodate pushchairs.
• Avoiding the quiet zone means there won’t be any worries about disturbing other passengers.

Travelling by train can be an opportunity to spend uninterrupted time with a child, where other jobs don’t need to be done. Chat about things going past the window and bring paper and pens for drawing or games with toddlers.

Travelling by bus

A car seat isn’t needed on a bus but the child should be in a buggy or on a caregiver’s lap.

On buses, there is usually room for a maximum of two buggies in the wheelchair space. Caregivers should stay close to their baby if they remain in the buggy.

Travelling in coaches and minibuses

Each provider will have different rules, so check with them before travelling. For tickets, it may be possible that (National Express, 2025):

• A single child under 3 can travel for free when the 16+ adult has a full fare ticket.
• When there are two children, even if both under 3, then a ticket is needed for the second child.

Do they need a car seat or booster seat? (Gov.uk, no date; National Express, 2025)

It is recommended that the caregiver books an additional seat and brings an appropriate child car seat or booster which they are responsible for fitting. ISOFIX points aren’t always available. Rospa has guidance on choosing and using car seats.

The child can sit with an adult behind the driver when a car seat is not available . The adult’s seat belt should not go over the child, who must be held securely by the adult.

Over the age of 3, children can use adult seat belts in the rear seats of coaches and minibuses where no child car seat is available.

Using slings or buggies on public transport

Where possible, parents might find that a sling is easier than using a buggy on public transport. Having free hands makes stairs and boarding simpler. NCT has sling libraries where parents can try out different slings to see what feels comfortable for them. 

When travelling with a buggy (South Western Railway, no date; My Train Ticket, no date):

• Where available, use a lift rather than the stairs to reach your platform. If you need to use the stairs then staff may be able to help with the buggy.
• Use wide ticket gates and ask staff for assistance if necessary.
• Always use the brake on the pram or buggy when waiting on a platform or at a bus stop. Reapply the brake when onboard unless the buggy is folded down.
• Remember that approaching vehicles will cause a strong draft which may make the buggy move unless the brake is on.
• For short trips, it isn’t usually necessary to fold the buggy down before boarding unless there is a lack of space. On longer or busier trips it may be necessary to collapse the buggy before getting on or off public transport.
• The gap between the vehicle and the platform can be large, so it’s recommended to carry young children who are not in a buggy on and off the train or bus.
• If the child is in the buggy and it isn’t collapsed down, it’s safest to get off buses or trains backwards, with the child securely strapped into the buggy.
• It can be easier to travel with another adult when this is possible.

Will I need to fold the buggy down?

A lightweight buggy which is easy to assemble and collapse one handed is an advantage on public transport. There are times that it will need to be folded during the journey, either to go up and down stairs, or where there’s a lack of space.

Tips for public transport journeys with babies and toddlers

• Leave enough time for journeys to reduce any feeling of being rushed. Allow for unexpected nappy changes and feeds. When possible, break up long journeys with stops along the way.
• Avoid rush hour when possible.
• Aim to travel light, but nappies, wipes and a change of clothes will be needed.
• Wipes can help if a toy or book gets dropped on the floor.
• Snacks can reduce the chance of the child getting irritable.
• Music or audio stories can help keep babies and toddlers entertained.
• If the child gets travel sick, facing the direction of travel might help.

Feeding and changing

The Equality Act 2010 means that breastfeeding is allowed on all public transport and in all public spaces, no matter the age of the child (Maternity Action, 2026).

If using formula milk, our Step-by-step guide to making a formula feed has tips on preparing bottles to feed away from home.

Most train stations and some trains have changing facilities. You can check station facilities in advance so you can plan where it might be possible to do a change along the way.

Further information

Transport for London has information on planning a journey with your buggy. Other cities may have similar information.