Hi, I am travelling with a group to Switzerland in July. We have 5 adults and 5 girls aged 15 or under.
The Berner Oberland Pass gives a price of c.£84.00 for age 6-15 years - but the Junior Card is c.£26 for a child 6-15 travelling with one or more parents.
Does this have to be a parent or can it be a full-price-paying adult ?
Thanks for your help in advance
If you all get Berner Oberland Passes, then each of girls MUST be either the grand daughter or daughter of one of the adult pass holders to qualify for the Junior Card. So lets say one of them is just a friend. She would have to buy the higher priced card.
How does one prove they are a "GrandParent" of a traveler. I'm not even sure how one proves they are a parent - this is in regard to buying the Junior Card / Grand Parent Card / Free Swiss Family Card. I know everyone must show their ID at the ticket counter when validating the Swiss Passes and Family Cards...but I can't think how anyone could prove/disprove a parent/child relationship based on just a passport.
If both parents are traveling with a child, then I think there's an honor system applied to the statement that you are the legal parents. If just one parent, a grandparent, or a Girl Scout leader is traveling abroad with a child, then they're recommended to carry a letter documenting the other parent/s' permission. That's not really proof either, but it would at least be official-looking (notarized) paperwork stating your relationship.
If that's you, this is what our tour department suggests for tour members traveling with grandchildren, or single parents, etc.:
In addition to his or her passport, any child under age 18 who is not accompanied by both parents must bring a notarized letter, signed by both parents, allowing the child to be taken out of the US and also allowing the adult traveling with the child to seek any necessary medical care. The letter should include the child's legal name and date of birth as shown on his or her passport, plus dates and countries of travel. For details, call the US State Department at 888-407-4747.
