how to get children to travel alone?

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Last moments together for Samuel and his grandfather. After a week of vacation in Avignon (Vaucluse), the 4-year-old is preparing to return home to Paris without a member of his family. It is entrusted to the SNCF. For each vacation, it offers a support service called Junior et Compagnie. After the goodbyes, we set off for a 2h42 journey. That day, four animators were responsible for looking after 29 children.

53,000 young people took advantage of this service during the All Saints’ Day holidays. A figure that continues to increase. This service costs a minimum of 38 euros. On the quay in Paris, the parents we met found what they were looking for. “It’s a cost which, in any case, gives me security”indicates a mother. “It’s always cheaper than going there and back with him. It’s advantageous”assures a father. If he had had to accompany his son, the one trip from Avignon to Paris would have cost him 78 euros. With Junior and Company, it’s 38 euros, half the price. The supplement depends on the distance traveled.

Faced with success, certain private players have launched into the niche, such as KidyGo or Club Kids. Because, despite the 100 destinations offered by the SNCF, few provincial towns are connected to each other. Many connections leave from Paris. “When we look at the destinations which are the most offered, these are journeys which are already quite in demand by all the rest of the travelers. I think that the SNCF chooses its destinations in this sense”notes Lucile Ramackers, founder of Famimob. Last year, more than 316,000 children were supported by the SNCF.