Four-year-old alone on the S-Bahn: shock for mother and police!

Four-year-old alone on the S-Bahn: shock for mother and police!

In an unexpected incident, a four-year-old girl traveled alone on the S-Bahn from Bitterfeld to Halle on Friday. While the mother got off in Bitterfeld to validate her ticket, the train doors closed behind her. The little one was left alone in the compartment, which quickly alerted the train attendant. They immediately informed the federal police about the situation. Fortunately, the mother was able to pick up her daughter later in Halle/Saale, but the incident led to an urgent instruction from the police about the duty of supervision. MDR reports that It often happens that passengers do not validate their tickets.

Deutsche Bahn points out that there is a train attendant on every train who passengers can contact in such cases. This incident has reignited the discussion about the safety of children while traveling by train. After all, traveling by train can be a nice experience for families as long as you are well prepared.

Safety and tips for traveling by train with children

Train travel offers many advantages, especially when it comes to children. They are not only environmentally friendly but also practical. To make the trip as pleasant as possible for the little ones, there are some helpful tips. For example, reserving a seat is recommended, especially for longer journeys, so that the family can sit together. Children's compartments are particularly popular and offer both changing tables and connected seating areas. Lilies Diary has interesting insights about it.

It is particularly advantageous that children up to the age of 14 often travel for free, which makes the train a financial alternative for families. However, family reservations were abolished in long-distance transport, which met with criticism from many families. From June 15, 2025, individual reservations must be made, which could increase costs. This also looks Railway steam critical.

Entertainment and catering for young travelers

To prevent the journey from becoming boring, games and audio books are a good way to keep yourself entertained. Suggestions for games include “I see something you don’t see” or “Guess the melodies”. In addition, small snacks such as fruit, vegetable sticks or fresh croissants should not be missing to keep the little ones happy.

It is important to also pay attention to luggage: several backpacks are more practical than large suitcases, and a folding buggy can be useful in many cases. Additionally, parents should Make sure you take enough water with you for the trip.

In summary, traveling by train with children can be a lot of fun if you plan correctly. And if a mishap occurs, as in the recent case, it's good to know that safety precautions are in place. A good hand in preparation turns every train journey into a relaxed adventure.