Actress and singer-songwriter Christina Milian has done it all. She starred in TV shows, feature films, and music videos. Her music has also been successful, and she’s collaborated with stars like Jennifer Lopez and Hillary Duff. Now Milian has cracked the code for exploring Europe with children and teenagers, and she is collaborating with her daughter Violet on a Trainline campaign to show how train travel can make travel easier and more fun for families with teens.
Christina Milan and daughter Violet now live in Paris, France.
(Christina Milan)
I interviewed Christina Milian about her Trainline campaign, tips for European rail travel for families, and what has reshaped her family’s sense of adventure. Here’s what she had to say.
What convinced you that trains are the “code” to cracking European family travel?
Since moving to Paris two years ago, my family and I have discovered that traveling by train is the easiest and most enjoyable way to see Europe together. Trainline really opened up that world for us. It makes planning and booking so simple, especially when you’re juggling family schedules. We get to skip stressful boarding lines, watch the countryside roll by, and spend that time connecting as a family. Train travel has transformed what are often exhausting travel days into some of our favorite memories.
Christina and daughter Violet get ready for train travel.
(Christina Milan)
In your Trainline campaign, what specific pain points for parents are you trying to solve?
As a parent, I know how much work goes into planning a family trip. It can take months! Trainline makes that process easier and more fun by helping everyone in the family feel involved. Kids, especially, want to have a say in what we do and where we go. With Trainline, we can plan routes that work for everyone, find the best fares, and make the journey part of the adventure rather than just the destination.
What did Trainline change about how you plan?
Before Trainline, I felt like I had to do all the heavy lifting myself. Now, the app makes it so easy to explore destinations and see all the train options in one place. My kids love being part of it, they’ll help look up routes and even suggest day trips based on what they’ve seen online or on social media. It’s made planning more collaborative and spontaneous, which takes so much pressure off me.
What are your family’s top three routes for a weekend escape, and why do you pick those?
We have a few favorites! From Paris, Strasbourg is a must, especially at Christmas with its markets, lights, and cozy holiday energy. Marseille is one of my hidden gems. It’s beautiful year-round, and even a short stay feels like a full vacation. For weekend trips, Lyon is a go-to because it’s an easy train ride from Paris, scenic, and full of great food and art.
Can you share one big-city route and one scenic route that teens actually get excited about?
For a big-city trip, London is always a hit. There’s so much to do, from parks to museums to the royal guards (which the kids love). For a more scenic route, Nice never fails. The train ride along the coast is stunning, and once we’re there, the beaches and markets keep everyone happy.
Christina Milan and daughter Violet sit next to each other.
(Christina Milan)
What’s your most pleasantly surprising day trip by rail from Paris?
Strasbourg was definitely the most surprising. Despite only being a quick train ride away, it feels completely different from Paris. It’s charming, festive, and full of character. It’s the perfect mix of French and German influences, and it’s especially magical during the holidays.
Which journey felt like a miniature movie in terms of views, snacks, soundtrack, and all?
Our trip to Florence was straight out of a movie. We enjoyed the pastries and coffee drinks on the train from the café, played Uno and just watched all the vineyards pass by, especially during an early morning ride. The evening rides are really nice and peaceful as well.
If a family has just one week and a set budget, how would you design their first Europe-by-rail itinerary?
I’d make it all about variety and those “aha” moments! Start in charming Paris — maybe two nights there to wander cobbled streets, pop into a few museums and enjoy croissants. Then take the train to the beautiful city of Strasbourg for one or two nights. It has fairy-tale architecture, canals, and an easy, relaxed pace. It’s one of our family’s favorite cities, especially during the holidays when the Christmas Market is up! Then take the train to Italy and spend the last part of the week in Florence for art and gelato. From here, you can also day a quick day trip to Pisa. Train-travel ties it all together, makes it so easy to see multiple cities in one trip, and allows you to enjoy the journey itself.
Christina Milan rides the train with daughter Violet.
(Christina Milan)
How has living in Paris reshaped your family’s sense of adventure?
Paris has totally changed how we see adventure as a family. It showed us that you don’t have to go far to feel like you’re in a completely new place. It’s about curiosity, stepping outside your comfort zone, saying yes to new foods, new streets, new rhythms. My kids and I now look at weekend train trips like mini-escapes, and I think we’ve learned to lean into the unknown and embrace the journey.
Do you have any tips for traveling with strollers, lots of luggage, or younger siblings?
Plan smart and pack light-ish. I always say: wheels are your best friend! Strollers, suitcases – let them roll! Train travel helps because there’s space to move, stretch, and snack along the way. Snacks are everything, by the way. I also let the kids each choose something they want to do on the train. That helps get them excited for the journey ahead. Violet loves to play Block Blast and bring card games to play with her siblings for the ride.
Christina Milan and Violet enjoy traveling together.
(Christina Milan)
What’s the one mindset shift that instantly makes family travel feel easier?
Let go of perfection and aim for fun. If every moment isn’t “Instagram-ready” but everyone’s laughing, that’s gold. The best travel memories come from the unscripted moments that you don’t plan for. Once you stop trying to control every detail, you actually get to be in the trip.
How do you give teens independence on board while keeping everyone safe and together?
It’s all about trust and little boundaries. For us, we’ll sit in the same train car so we’re still together, but I let Violet roam (within reason) with her headphones, her music, her phone. That way she gets the freedom, and I get the peace of mind. It builds her confidence but keeps that together feeling intact.
What’s your packing formula for trains vs. planes? What gets left behind?
On trains, since you’re moving between cities, I still keep it minimal, but I allow for more than I would for a plane. I always pack the essentials: comfy layers, versatile shoes, a good playlist, chargers, and snacks. Unless I’m traveling for a special event, I leave behind bulky outfits or anything that’s hard to repurpose or restyle.
Packing doesn’t have to be stressful for teens or parents.
(Christina Milan)
What did you and your daughter learn about each other filming the Trainline campaign
This was the first time we worked together on a campaign. Honestly, it was just so much fun to create content together and talk about something we both love! We really are a great travel team, but we’re very different in what we like to do and see when we’re on vacation. She loves the beach and making TikToks, and I love anything cultural. This campaign is all about finding balance and planning trips that can appease us all!
When you disagree on the plan, who wins? How do you negotiate it?
Honestly, she often wins! I love giving her a say in where we go or what we do. I often pick the cities, and then we choose some “must-do” things together and each pick a “you pick” activity. That way it’s balanced. If we disagree, we talk it out, maybe flip a coin, but always pick something we’ll both enjoy.
Do you prefer window or aisle on a train?
Window, always. I’m the girl who can’t stop looking out and taking photos or videos of the scenery. It’s part of why we love train travel. You get to see and experience so much more of the countryside you would otherwise miss.