Is it possible to put a child on the train alone?

Let's not hide the intrigue – yes, you can. Let's analyze all possible options when a child can independently have the right to ride on any train. How to make sure that parents do not turn gray during this time.

To begin with, children under the age of 10 cannot be on long-distance trains without an adult accompanying them. An exception is organized study groups that use rail transport to attend an educational institution. But from the age of 10, a child may well be unaccompanied. This is indicated by the rules for the provision of services for the transportation of passengers by rail. Therefore, if there is a need to send a child by train to another city, no one forbids you to do this.

The question is how parents can avoid stress at the same time. Of course, children are different. Even if you arrived at the train station together, and the greeter is waiting at the arrival station, it is unknown how the child may behave during the journey, who he may encounter, whether he will eat on the road, and in general it is unknown what may happen. Some are not afraid of this, and they are confident in their children, they teach them to ask questions to the guide. In this case, just buy a ticket without additional services. Of course, as a parent, you are responsible for your child until his eighteenth birthday.

If you have doubts, then just use an additional service from Russian Railways. It is called "Accompanying children". Unfortunately, it does not work on all railway routes. This service applies to passengers aged 10 to 16 years. Its main goal is to have a small passenger under supervision.

The head of the train meets the child, checks his tickets and documents, accompanies him to his place. He will also assist in carrying things and placing them in the luggage spaces. Also, the head of the train will be obliged to hand over the child to a meeting person or a station employee upon arrival of the train. If the meeting person is late, the child is handed over to the station employee and he is in the high-comfort waiting room until the appearance of the accompanying person, about whom you inform in advance.

During the movement of the train, a conductor will look after the young traveler. It will limit the independent exit from the car or the transition to another. If food is included in the ticket, then the conductor takes full responsibility for this issue. Also, if necessary, he will deliver water, confectionery, or accompany you to the restaurant car. Of course, the service includes supervision, escort to common areas, assistance in using equipment. And, of course, prepare the child and his luggage for the exit at the destination station. He will give it to the head of the train.

This service will allow parents to avoid unnecessary nerves and children without nerves to postpone the trip, especially if they make it for the first time.

The cost of such an escort is 1500 rubles, but on a Peregrine Falcon it will be 100 rubles more expensive. You can only register at the train station, from where the train departs no later than two days before its departure. If you contact us later, the service may be refused, but not always. By contacting the ticket office, you fill out a special application, specifying in it the details of the person who will receive the child in the future. You will also need documents proving the identity of you and your child, as well as confirming that you are his legal representative. In case of refusal of support, its cost is refunded in full. You must arrive at the train station at least 30 minutes before departure.

The service of accompanying children currently operates on the trains "Sapsan" and "Nevsky Express", plying between Moscow and St. Petersburg. On «Swallows» of the following destinations: Moscow – Nizhny Novgorod, Adler – Krasnodar, Imereti Resort – Krasnodar, Yekaterinburg – Tyumen.

For the first time, passengers had such an opportunity in 2013, and every year the number of routes with children's accompaniment is growing. Therefore, if you cannot go on a trip with your child, then using this service, the child will be under adult supervision all the time. Did you know about this opportunity, have you used it before? Share your opinion and experience in the comments.