How to travel safely in India with children, by car, plane, train

Travel is a joy, but travelling with children in India requires patience and caution. If you plan in advance the traveling with children can be safe as well as fun.

Trains:
In India, the rail authorities do not provide any special arrangements for children. At the most, mothers are given booking preference for lower berths. The other facilities provided are:

  • Up to age of 5, children can travel free in trains.
  • Indian railways provide on board catering facilities which includes supply of hot milk and boiled water.

Cars:
While most of the recent cars have safety belts to secure children on bumpy roads, however there exists no special seat for children.

Plane:  
Indian aviation follows the children safety and service standards as prescribed by the IATA. Some of the facilities given are:

  • Jet Airways and Kingfisher Airlines have the facility to heat baby food and bottles.
  • Food can pre ordered and can be warmed and served to children.
  • Infant and child care services are provided by the Jet Airlines

General list of safety measures:

  • Road travelling is an extremely difficult as India ranks the highest in road related deaths. So never allow your children wander on the street without your assistance.
  • Help Children while crossing the roads.
  • Use cars with seat belts.
  • Provide helmets to children while travelling on bike and scooter.
  • Buses are driven recklessly so avoid them while travelling with kids.
  • Trains are safer hence use them often during your stay.
  • If you intend to drive on your own that is safer while travelling with children, and then you need a valid international driver’s license. However carry local driver with you to guide you on difficult Indian roads. Driving is done left hand side
  • Use horns and flashlights often during the night travel.
  • Ask the driver to maintain safe speed of 25-40km per hour while travelling with children.
  • In case of accidents, don’t wait at the site, but simply push towards nearest police station. Emergency numbers: Police: 100, Fire: 101 and Ambulance: 102
  • Most of the new Indian cars have seat belts which can be used by the children for safe travel on bumpy road. In some states like in Goa, wearing seat belts is compulsory for adults and children. So ask your travel agent to book new cars such as Toyota Innova and Chevrolet Tavera
  • Let your children mix with local people, which will make your travel easier and happier.

Things to bring along while travelling with children in India:

  • Bring convertible car seats and baby carrier for the children, which will make your journey lot easier.
  • Carry woolen clothes to wrap your children while travelling by car to keep them away from common cold and cough.
  • Inflatable booster seat can come in handy while you break the journey so that you can make your children sit comfortably in motels.