Please select from the Train Operator below to find out what their rules are for buying a child ticket.
All Trains in the UK
Children under 5
Up to two children under 5 can travel free with a paying adult.
They don’t need a ticket but won’t have a reserved seat, so they may need to sit on your lap.
To guarantee a seat, buy a child ticket (select age 5–15 even if younger).
Children aged 5–15
50% discount on most fares, applied automatically when you select a child ticket.
If your child looks older than 15, bring proof of age (e.g., passport).
Save more with a Family & Friends Railcard (33% off adults, 60% off children).
České dráhy (CD) – Czech Republic
Children under 6
Travel free with a complimentary ticket from the conductor.
Children aged 6–14
50% discount automatically applied.
Children aged 10–14 should carry ID showing their age.
CFL – Luxembourg
Up to four children under 12 travel free when accompanied by someone aged 12 or older.
Deutsche Bahn – Germany
Children under 6
Travel free without a ticket or seat reservation.
Children aged 6–14
Travel free within Germany with parents or grandparents (ticket required, add them when booking).
For cross-border trips (e.g., Germany–France), a child ticket is required.
DSB – Denmark
Children aged 0–11
Up to two children travel free per paying adult.
Children aged 12–15
Reduced fare automatically applied.
Eurostar – UK and France
Children under 4
Travel free on your lap (no seat). Don’t add them when booking, or a fare will apply.
To reserve a seat, buy a child ticket.
If travelling alone with multiple children under 4, only one can sit on your lap; buy tickets for others.
Children aged 4–11
Special child fares available in Standard class.
From age 12, youth fares apply.
FlixBus – Europe
Children aged 0–3
Children up to 3 years old must travel in a suitable child seat that can be secured with a 2-point seat belt.
Parents or guardians must:
- Bring their own child car seat with a seat belt adapter
- Ensure it is correctly installed
Passengers travelling with a child without a suitable child seat will be denied boarding.
To make sure you can sit together, reserve a seat for both yourself and your child.
Children aged 0–10
Children up to 10 years old must always travel with an accompanying adult.
Unaccompanied children
Children aged 10–15 may travel alone with a declaration of consent from a parent or guardian (confirmed during the booking process).
Children may only travel alone:
- On domestic routes
- On direct journeys (no changes)
- Between 6:00am and 10:00pm
From age 15, children may travel alone without restrictions but must carry all necessary travel documents.
Bus drivers cannot provide supervision for children.
iryo – Spain
Children under 4
Travel free on an adult’s lap (must be included in the reservation).
Children aged 4–13
Reduced fare automatically applied when added to booking (must travel with an adult).
Under-18s travelling alone need written consent from a parent or guardian.
Italo – Italy
Italo Family Offer
Children under 14 travel free in Smart ambiance with adults on Flex tickets (2–4 passengers, at least one aged 18+).
Infants under 36 months travel free on an adult’s lap.
Children under 3
Travel free on an adult’s lap.
ÖBB – Austria
Children under 6
Travel free with an adult (ticket issued at booking).
On night trains, free tickets don’t include a bed—book a child ticket if a bed is needed.
Children aged 6–14
50% discount automatically applied.
Ages 15+
Adult fare applies.
Ouigo – France
Children under 12: set fare (€8 from Paris/Lille-Flandres, €5 from other stations).
Children 12+: adult fare.
OUIGO España – Spain
Children aged 0–4
Travel free (no need to include in reservation).
Children aged 4–13
Reduced fare automatically applied when included in booking.
Ouibus
Children under 2
50% of full fare; must travel with an adult.
Children aged 2–12
75% of full fare.
Must have photo ID showing date of birth.
Renfe – Spain
Children up to 3
Travel free on an adult’s lap (must be added to booking).
No ticket needed for Media Distancia routes.
Children aged 4–14
40% discount, seat included.
For under-14s without ID, enter “11111111” in the ID field for domestic trips.
Bring the Family Book as proof.
From age 14, official ID is legally required.
SBB – Switzerland
Children under 6
Travel free with an adult or youth (12+).
Up to 4 children per youth, 8 per adult; extras need a child ticket.
Children aged 6–15
50% discount or minimum fare automatically applied.
Ages 16+
Adult fare applies.
SNCB – Belgium
Up to four children under 12 travel free when accompanied by someone aged 12+.
Renfe-SNCF – Spain and France
Children under 4
Travel free on an adult’s lap (no ticket).
To reserve a seat, child tickets start from €15.
Children aged 4–13
40% discount on “Flexi” or “Essential” fares.
SNCF – France
Children under 4
Travel free on an adult’s lap.
To reserve a seat, buy a Forfait Bambin (€9).
Regional TER fares
Vary by region; check local websites.
TGV Lyria – France and Switzerland
Children under 4
Travel free on an adult’s lap.
Seat reservation: Baby Pass from €9.
Thello – France and Italy
Children under 4
Travel free if sharing a bed/couchette with an adult (1 child per adult).
For additional children, book extra beds.
Children aged 4–14
Must have their own bed/couchette and be included in the reservation.
Trenitalia – Italy
National Trains
Children under 4: travel free on an adult’s lap.
Children aged 4–14: 50% discount.
Ages 14+: adult fare.
Regional Trains
Rules vary by region (see below).
Most regions: under 4s travel free; 4–11s get 50% off; 12+ pay full fare.
Regional Differences
Abruzzo: under 1 m tall travel free.
Bolzano: under 6s travel free; local exceptions apply.
Campania: under 6s travel free.
Lombardia: under 4s free; 4–14s 50% off.
Trento: under 6s free (with seat); up to 5 per adult.
Sardinia: under 6s free; if more than one child per adult, extra tickets required.