Travelling by train with children
Discounts, facilities and conditions
Travelling by train is a comfortable and practical way to travel with children. With space to play, look outside and relax, the train is an ideal choice for family travel. Here you will find important information on child discounts, facilities and travel conditions by country and train operator.
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Click to go to inforamtion per train operator
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General rules on travelling with children and unaccompanied children
Every train journey is a new adventure, especially for our youngest travellers. To ensure that the journey goes smoothly and comfortably, there are a few important conditions to keep in mind.
- Travelling at a discount: The age applies on the day of travel, not the day of booking, and the discount is valid only when accompanied by an adult.
- Travel with proper documents: All children must carry a valid passport, identity card and/or other required visas or immigration documents for the countries they are travelling in.
- Travel with permission: Minor children (up to the age of 17) travelling alone always need written permission from a parent or guardian. A sample form can be found on the Rijksoverheid website. Train managers may request to view it.
- Travelling unaccompanied: The child’s parents are always responsible for travelling for the child and there is no supervision on the train or at stations during the journey.
- Maximum of 4 children per adult: An adult may bring a maximum of 4 children. There are three exceptions: 1. Are you travelling to Germany with the Sparpreis group fare? Then there is no maximum number of children. 2. In Norway and Sweden, adults are only allowed to accompany one child. 3. In Denmark and the Czech Republic, two children.
In each country, the minimum ages for children travelling unaccompanied varies as well as the corresponding rules:
| Country | Minimum age of unaccompanied children | Header | Header | Header |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Netherlands and Belgium | No specific legal age limit set for from which age a child can travel unaccompanied. However, the carrier (e.g. Eurostar and Eurocity Direct) may have regulations. | Content | Content | Content |
| Germany, France, Switzerland | Children from 12 years of age are allowed to travel by train unaccompanied only if they have the necessary documentation such as parental consent form and a valid identity card. | Content | Content | Content |
| Austria | Children from 14 years of age are only allowed to travel by train unaccompanied if they have the necessary documentation such as parental consent form and a valid identity card. . | Content | Content | Content |
| England (London) | On the direct Eurostar between the Netherlands and London, young people aged 16 and over may travel unaccompanied. From 12 to 15, they may only travel between Brussel-Zuid/Midi and London if they meet the necessary requirements. Children under 12 are not allowed to travel unaccompanied. | Content | Content | Content |
Child discounts and facilities on the train
Children often travel at a discount. How much discount you get varies by train and/or country. Also, some trains have facilities especially for children on board. We have listed them below for you for each train carrier.
Eurostar: Belgium, France and London
Belgium & France
Discount
- Children 0 t/m 3 years: Travel for free on the lap or at child rate with their own seat. Must be accompanied by a parent/guardian or adult with written permission.
- Children 4 to 11 years Travel at child fare and always travel accompanied by an adult. Children must be accompanied by a parent/guardian or an adult with written permission from the parent/guardian. Ticket price depends on class. Children get 50% off the adult fare in Eurostar Standard and Plus. They will not receive a discount in Eurostar Premier.
- Children 12 and up: Travel at youth fare, if available. If the youth fare is sold out, the adult fare applies.
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Facilities
- Baby care: In carriages 7, 17 and 27, you can use a changing mat, washbasin and bottle heater.
- Stroller: You may take the pram or stroller on board for free, when travelling with a child. You can store your stroller in the carriage you are sitting in, provided you fold it.
London
Discount
- Children 3 years and younger: Children up to 3 years of age travel for free and do not need a reserved seat if they sit on your lap during the journey. Are you travelling alone with several children up to 3 years old? You can keep one on your lap, for the other child(ren), you will need to buy a child ticket. Every adult may bring one child 3 years or younger free of charge.
- Children 4 to 11 years: Children aged 4 to 11 travel at child fare .
- Children 12 years and over: There is no discounted fare for young people aged 12 and over, they travel at the regular fares.
In the direct Eurostar service between the Netherlands and London, young people aged 12 to 15 are not allowed to travel alone. They must travel with:
- A parent or legal guardian, or
- An escort who is at least 16 years old and has written permission from the young person's parents or legal guardian. This will be checked during check-in, check-out, and on the train.
Only between Brussels-South and London are young people aged 12 to 15 allowed to travel unaccompanied if they meet the following conditions:
- Young people may only use trains that depart between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM local time.
- The young person has written permission from their parents or legal guardian. This form must be presented during check-in, check-out, and at any time during the journey upon request by Eurostar staff.
- The young person must be accompanied to the station by their parents, legal guardian, or another responsible person aged at least 18. This escort must remain at the station until the Eurostar to London has departed.
Permission form from the Dutch Government
- Ticket prices will change from 4 November 2024. The child fare will no longer apply for travel on Eurostar Premier.
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Facilities
- Children's compartment: In carriages 1 and 18 you will find several family tables where children can colour and play.
- Baby care: Facilities for baby care can be found in carriages 1, 2, 17 and 18. You cannot buy baby food on the train. However, the staff in the bar carriage will be happy to warm up any baby food you have with you.
- Stroller: In carriages 1, 3, 16 and 18, there is extra space to store your buggy or stroller.
- Specifically for children: For toddlers, a special 'mealbox' is on sale in bar carriage 6 and 13, containing a sandwich, drink, piece of fruit and a colouring book.
Eurocity Direct: Belgium
Discount
- Children 3 years and younger: Travel for free when accompanied by an adult provided they do not have their own seat.
- Children 4 and 5 years: Travel for free when accompanied by an adult and if the ticket is bought online. At an NS ticket machines and NS service counters, the ticket costs €2.50
Children 6 to 11 years:
- Accompanied: Travel for free when accompanied by an adult and if the ticket is bought online our website. At an NS ticket machines and NS service counters, the ticket costs €2.50.
- Unaccompanied: Children aged 6 years or over may travel unaccompanied with written permission from a parent or guardian. Unaccompanied children receive a 50% discount on the standard adult fare.
- Children 12 years and over: No special child or youth discount on Eurocity Direct.
Facilities
- Baby care: There are no baby facilities available.
- Stroller: You may take the pram or stroller on board for free, when travelling with a child. You can store your stroller in the carriage you are sitting in, provided you fold it.
ICE International: Germany, Austria and Switzerland
Discount
- Children 3 years and younger: Travel for free when accompanied by an adult. They do not need a ticket.
- Children 4 to 14 years: Children from 4 to 14 years also travel for free when accompanied by a person aged 15 and over. However, they will need a ticket. You can specify this while making a booking and then the children will travel with you on your ticket. Please mention children immediately when booking, adding a child afterwards is not possible. An accompanying person under 18 does need a parental consent form. Children aged 12 to 14 travelling unaccompanied receive a 50% discount in Germany. Children up to 14 years do not travel free with Sparpreis Europa Gruppe and Supersparpreis Europa Gruppe fares.
- Children 15 years and over: No age discounts in ICE International. They travel at regular fares.
- Exception in Swizerland: Here, children up to 15 years of age travel free when accompanied by a (grand/step) parent, or at 50% discount if travelling with another adult.
Facilities
- Baby care: Especially for travellers with babies and/or children up to 3 years old, there is a children's compartment. In most children's compartments, you will find a table to draw or play on, a power socket and fold-out baby changing table. In 2nd class in carriage 25 (ICE Frankfurt) and carriage 35 (ICE Basel). You will also find a baby changing area near the children's compartment .
- Stroller: Feel free to bring your stroller. You pay nothing extra for this and there is plenty of space to store your stroller. This can be done in the children's compartment or nearby. Folded strollers fit in the train's regular luggage rack. On Intercity Berlin you can also put your stroller in the bicycle carriage.
- Specifically for children: 'Little ICE' is a child-friendly train character to make train travel more fun for children. Together with his friends Benni IC Bus and Ida IC, 'Little ICE' provides entertainment during and after the journey. These figures are available free of charge on board ICE International in Germany at the Bord Bistro. Bistro staff are happy to hand them out to children. In addition, the little ones will receive a magazine, LeseLok, with colouring pencils for the journey.
- Family zones in ICE International: The Kindercoupé (Kleinkindabteil) and Family Zone on ICE International trains are designed for families travelling with children. The Kindercoupé is specifically for families with babies and children 3 years and younger, while the Family Zone is suitable for families with older children, up to 14 years old. Both zones offer proximity to facilities such as exits, baggage areas and toilets, and reservations can be made online. You can indicate this preference when booking online.
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Intercity Berlin: Germany
Discount
- Children 3 years and younger: Travel for free when accompanied by an adult. They do not need a ticket.
- Children 4 to 14 years: Children from 4 to 14 years also travel for free when accompanied by a person from 15 years. However, they will need a ticket. You can specify this while making a booking and then the children will travel with you on your ticket. Please mention children immediately when booking, adding a child afterwards is not possible. An accompanying person under 18 does need a parental consent form. Children aged 12 to 14 travelling unaccompanied receive a 50% discount in Germany.
Children up to 14 years do not travel free with Sparpreis Europa Gruppe and Supersparpreis Europa Gruppe fares.
- Children 15 years and over: No age discounts on Intercity Berlin. Children aged 15 and above travel at the regular fare.
Facilities
- Children's compartment: Especially for travellers with babies and/or children up to 3 years, there is a children's compartment. In most children's compartments, you will find a table to draw or play on, a socket and fold-out baby changing table. The train also has a Familienbereich in 2nd class, carriage 10 (seats 25 to 34), with 12 seats, suitable for families with (young) children, next to the Children's compartment.
- Stroller: Feel free to bring your stroller. You pay nothing extra for this and there is plenty of space to store your stroller. This can be done in the children's compartment or nearby. Folded prams fit in the train's regular luggage rack. On Intercity Berlin, you may also put your pram in the bicycle carriage. However, a foldable buggy is recommended.
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TGV: France
Discount
- Children 3 years and younger: Travel for free on the lap or at child rate with their own seat.
- Children 4 to 11 years: Discounted travel with the Child fare.
- Youth aged 12 to 25 years: TGV has a youth fare, but it is not always available. If the youth fare is unavailable for that particular route, the regular fare applies to them.
Facilities
- Baby care: A changing room with changing table is available in carriage 7 or 17 and in 1st class. Want to warm up a bottle or baby's meal? The catering staff will be happy to do this for you.
- Stroller: You may take the pram or stroller on board for free, when travelling with a child. You can store your stroller in the carriage you are sitting in, provided you fold it.
ÖBB Nightjet: Austria and Switzerland
Discount
- Children 5 years and younger: Travel free without their own seat or berth, accompanied by an adult. It is not compulsory to reserve their own seat or berth, they may also share it with a paying, adult traveller. Otherwise, children up to 5 years of age travel at the child fare.
- Children 6 to 14 years: Travel at the child fare accompanied by an adult and must reserve their own seat or berth.
Facilities
- Familienabteil: A compartment with 6 berths intended for up to 3 adults and 3 children up to 14 years.
- Ladies only compartments: Exclusively for women and girls, with 4 berths. Boys travelling with their mothers are not allowed in this section; they must book their own compartment or space in a mixed compartment.
Interrail
Discount
- No pass needed for children 3 years and younger: Children younger than 4 do not need an Interrail Pass. Children must sit on their parent’s lap when train is crowded, as children are not guaranteed their own seat.
- Free children pass 4 to 11 years: Travel at a child fare and always travel accompanied by an adult. Ticket price depends on class.
- Youth discount 12 to 17 years: Passengers aged 12 to 27 receive discounts on Interrail Passes.
- Reservations: Note that reservations are required for all travellers, including children, for certain train types, such as night and high-speed trains.
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Facilities & Conditions
More information on Interrail Passes and facilities for children and young people can be found on the Interrail website.
European Sleeper
Discount
- Children to 3 years: Travel free when sharing a seat with a paying traveller. For a separate seat, book a ticket at the child fare.
- Discount for children 4 and 11 years: Children of this age travel with European Sleeper at a child rate.
- Accompanied travel up to 17 years: Children may travel with one adult, maximum four children per adult, with written permission from parents or guardian.
Facilities & Conditions
On thier support page, you can find more information on child facilities on European Sleeper's trains.
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