Easter holidays 2025 by train: where kids travel cheap
Easter holidays by train can be surprisingly cheap for families: under-fives travel free, a Family & Friends Railcard cuts fares for everyone else, and many great destinations are a short walk from the station. Easter Sunday falls on 20 April 2025, so most English schools break up in early April. Here is how to keep train costs down, six destinations that work brilliantly with kids, and tips on stays, food, rainy days and packing.
Why now: Easter holidays by train
Spring is a great time to travel by train with children: the days are longer, the countryside is green, and you skip the bank holiday traffic. Trains let you play games, eat snacks and look out of the window together, rather than spending hours strapped into car seats.
Book early, as advance fares are cheapest weeks ahead, and avoid the busiest trains on Thursday and Friday before the Easter weekend. National Rail has journey planning and engineering works updates, which are common over bank holidays.
How kids travel cheap by train
The three biggest savings are free travel for under-fives, the Family & Friends Railcard and booking advance off-peak fares.
| Saving | Who it helps | How it works | Price impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under-fives travel free | babies and toddlers | free on National Rail without a reserved seat | free |
| Child fares | ages 5–15 | reduced fare compared with adults | £ |
| Family & Friends Railcard | families travelling together | discount on adult and child fares | £ |
| Advance fares | everyone | cheaper fixed-time tickets booked early | £–££ |
| Off-peak travel | everyone | cheaper outside rush hours | £ |
| TfL in London | under-11s with an adult | free on most TfL services | free |
Typical family return fares: £ = under about £60, ££ = about £60–£150, £££ = over £150. Rough guide only, prices change.
The Family & Friends Railcard covers up to four adults and four children travelling together. In London, children under 11 travel free on most TfL services with a paying adult, which makes city sightseeing cheaper.
Top 6 family destinations by train
Brighton, York, the Lake District, Cardiff, Liverpool and Edinburgh are easy by train and packed with things to do near the station.
Find family attractions in Brighton on the Kid.ooo map
Brighton. The beach is a short walk downhill from the station. Brighton Palace Pier has rides and arcades, and Volk's Electric Railway, the world's oldest operating electric railway, runs along the seafront.
York. The National Railway Museum is right by the station and free to enter, perfect for little train fans. The city walls make a great short walk.
Lake District. Trains run to Windermere, where you can hop on Windermere Lake Cruises and connect with the steam trains of the Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway.
Cardiff. Cardiff Castle is in the city centre, and Techniquest in Cardiff Bay is great for curious kids.
Liverpool. The Museum of Liverpool is free and sits on the waterfront, a walk or short bus ride from Lime Street.
Edinburgh. The free National Museum of Scotland is ten minutes' walk from Waverley station, and Arthur's Seat makes a fun family climb.
Find family attractions in Edinburgh on the Kid.ooo map
Getting there with kids: trains, stops and tips
Reserve seats together, ideally around a table, and bring snacks, games and headphones.
- Seat reservations: free with most long-distance tickets and essential at Easter.
- Luggage: travel light, with a backpack each and a small, foldable pushchair.
- Changes: allow extra time for connections and toilet breaks.
- Step-free access: check the station's accessibility before you go if you have a pushchair.
- Engineering works: check for bus replacements over the bank holiday weekend.
Our earlier guide to family city breaks by train has more ideas for York, Bath and Bristol.
Where to stay: family-friendly stays
Stay within walking distance of the station, so you can drop bags and start exploring straight away. Budget hotel chains often have family rooms, and serviced apartments give you a kitchen for breakfasts and simple teas. In the Lake District, many B&Bs and self-catering cottages are close to Windermere station.
Check for travel cots, lifts and blackout curtains, and look for a park or playground nearby for evening runarounds.
Where to eat with kids
Station-area cafés and museum cafés are easy for lunch, while chain restaurants with kids' menus suit early evening meals. Pack snacks for the train and treat yourselves to one sit-down meal a day. Our guide to kids eat free deals has budget tips.
Find kid-friendly restaurants near the station on the Kid.ooo map.
Rainy-day plan B
Pick destinations with free museums, so a wet day doesn't cost a fortune. York, Liverpool and Edinburgh all have excellent free museums, and our guide to science museums for kids covers London, Manchester and Edinburgh in detail. In Brighton and Cardiff, look for aquariums, science centres and indoor play.
For more ideas across the country, see our Easter getaways guide.
Packing checklist
Keep everything in backpacks, so your hands are free for little ones on busy platforms.
- Tickets, railcard and seat reservations on your phone
- Snacks, water bottles and a few surprises for the journey
- Waterproofs and a warm layer, as April weather changes fast
- Small toys, colouring books and downloaded shows
- Headphones and a power bank
- Nappies, wipes and a travel changing mat
- A foldable pushchair or baby carrier
For relaxed family travel ideas from a dad of two, take a look at @rolandhall on Instagram.
Save your Easter places in Kid.ooo
Kid.ooo is a free family days out map where parents share attractions, playgrounds and cafés near stations and across the UK. Use it as your app for days out with kids: save places before you travel and find playgrounds near me when you arrive.
Save your Easter trip on the Kid.ooo map
Missing a great family spot near a station? Add it to Kid.ooo and help other parents plan their Easter holidays by train.
Frequently asked questions
Do children travel free on trains in the UK?
Children under five travel free on National Rail services as long as they don't take a seat someone has paid for. Children aged five to fifteen pay a child fare, which is usually around half the adult fare, and a railcard cuts it further.
How much does a Family & Friends Railcard save?
The Family & Friends Railcard gives a third off adult fares and a bigger discount on children's fares for up to four adults and four children travelling together. It usually pays for itself on one family return trip.
When are the Easter holidays 2025?
Easter Sunday is 20 April 2025. Most schools in England break up in early April for two weeks, but dates vary by council and nation, so check your school calendar.
What is the best family day trip by train?
Brighton, York, Liverpool and Cardiff are all easy day trips from big cities, with attractions a short walk from the station. For a longer break, the Lake District and Edinburgh are well connected by train.
Find family places near you
Open the kid.ooo map in your browser – no download needed.