Interrail with children and groups

A train journey through Europe with Interrail with children and groups is surprisingly affordable and flexible, provided you make smart use of the rules for free child tickets and discounts. The details of your preparation determine the success of your trip, from mandatory reservations to choosing the right pass. Read on and discover how to organise a smooth and well-planned train journey.

The Interrail Pass for families: how it works

Interrail makes travelling with the family financially attractive. The main benefit lies in the scheme for children. Per adult with a valid Interrail Pass, up to two children aged between 4 and 11 may travel completely free of charge. For this you need a special Child Pass, which you must request immediately and at no extra cost when purchasing the adult pass. It is not possible to add this pass later.

Children under the age of four do not need a pass and always travel free, unless they require their own seat or bed on a night train. The child’s age on the start date of your journey determines whether the Child Pass is valid. This scheme makes a round trip through, for example, Switzerland, Italy or Scandinavia far more accessible for families.

Saving money with the right pass

A well-planned journey starts with choosing the right pass. The benefits are not limited to young children; young people and seniors also benefit from reduced fares. By weighing up the options, you can significantly reduce the cost for the entire group.

Youth discount for travellers up to 27 years

Travellers aged 12 to 27 qualify for the Interrail Youth Pass. This pass offers a discount of around 25% on the standard adult price. This applies to both the Global Pass, which gives access to 33 countries, and the One Country Pass for a specific country. People in their twenties who are no longer studying can still benefit from this, which makes Interrail a popular choice for groups of friends.

Senior discount and flexible passes

For travellers aged 60 and over there is a senior discount of 10% on the adult price. In addition to age-specific discounts, your choice of pass type affects the total cost. A flexible pass, such as a ‘Global Pass seven days in one month’, gives you seven travel days that you can use freely within a one-month period. This is often a better option than a continuous pass if you plan to spend several days in one destination. It gives you the freedom to adapt your travel pace to the wishes of children or the group.

Reservations: an essential step in your planning

A common misconception is that an Interrail Pass gives unlimited access to every train. Although the pass is your travel ticket, for many trains an additional seat reservation is compulsory. This applies in particular to:

• high-speed trains (such as Thalys, Eurostar and TGV);
• night trains (for a seat, couchette or berth);
• popular international connections, especially during peak season.

The cost of these reservations is not included in the pass and varies per train and route. For children travelling with a free Child Pass you will often still need to reserve and pay for a seat. It is sensible to make these reservations as early as possible, ideally a few months before departure. You can do this via Interrail’s Rail Planner app or via the websites of the national railway companies. Without a valid reservation you risk a fine or may be refused access to the train.

Practical tips for travelling in a group

Travelling with a larger group, whether a family or a group of friends, calls for good coordination. The Interrail app is a useful tool for managing the travel plans of several people. You can link multiple passes to one account and activate the travel days centrally. Bear in mind that the rule of two free children per adult is not transferable. Two adults can therefore take a maximum of four children for free between them.

When planning, think about the logistics. Travel with light luggage and choose routes with good connections and fewer compulsory reservations. Regional trains are often a good alternative to busy high-speed trains and provide a more scenic travel experience through the countryside.

Child-friendly routes and trains in Europe

Some countries and rail companies go the extra mile to make travel comfortable for families. In Switzerland, for example, the Globi Express runs between Lucerne and Engelberg, a special train with a children’s carriage entirely themed around a well-known Swiss children’s book character. In France, staff on some TGV trains hand out colouring books, and Austrian trains sometimes have carriages with a small children’s cinema. By tailoring your route to these, the train journey itself already becomes part of the holiday experience.

Preparing a train journey requires attention to detail. On the Traveler Tips website you will find practical guides on planning train routes, choosing the right equipment and discovering child-friendly destinations. Discover more and turn your next journey into a smooth and unforgettable experience.

Frequently asked questions