KOLEO report shows declining parental support for teen train travel

A recent report by KOLEO, titled ‘Z koleją od dziecka’ (2026), highlights a growing reluctance among Polish parents to allow their teenagers to travel alone by train. While 86% of parents view traveling by rail with their children as a positive experience, enthusiasm drops significantly when it comes to independent travel for adolescents, with only 47% expressing a positive attitude toward teenagers traveling solo.

The data shows that 23% of parents do not accept independent train travel for teenagers, and 31% remain undecided. The report notes a gender difference in perspectives, with 51% of fathers being open to their children traveling independently compared to 42% of mothers. This trend reflects a broader societal shift regarding child independence and parenting models in developed societies.