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Free travel for kids - age limits in different countries in Europe

I have an interesting question - is there a single website where the age limits are listed for kids traveling with their parents in Europe? If not, could someone please help?

Here is the deal - we have two kids, one 14 and another 10. I want to plan Europe trips over the next couple of years so we can have the kids travel free with us on trains. As of now, I know about Germany (Berlin) and Switzerland (Zurich) based on experience. What about other countries?

  • in Germany, kids up to 14 years old can travel free with parents who pay for their tickets. In Berlin, with the ABC welcome card, up to three kids can travel with a parent. Also, is a 14-year-old kid allowed, or does the kid need to be less than 14 years old?

  • in Switzerland, kids up to 16 can travel with a paying parent.

Feel free to correct the above as well, if it is not applicable to the entire country's train system.

  • Porcupyn
Posted by
145 posts

Looks like I got my answer on seat61 - are these pretty much accurate as of right now?

Posted by
16893 posts

Rules vary significantly by country, but half-price train tickets are more common for a child than free tickets. In most of Europe, ages 12 and older are considered Youths, not Children, and Youth discounts may require buying a discount card. We have notations for significant discounts on every single-country page of our rail travel information. All Eurail-brand rail passes and the Germany rail pass added free-childoptions this year for kids under 12. BritRail and Swiss passes continue to have a more generous child age range. Free or reduced admission to museums and local transport also varies. In general, you should ask as you go, or read Rick's analysis of any city pass that he describes in the books.