Train travel offers a host of practical advantages for families: more room to move, greater flexibility, the possibility of keeping the stroller close and fewer restrictions when packing.
On top of that, rail companies in Europe are increasingly offering family-friendly services on board and reduced fares for children and young people.
Here’s what you need to know about available facilities and discounts and how to take advantage of them.
Free travel and reduced fares for families
Across Europe, many rail operators offer free travel or reduced fares for children, young people and families. Conditions vary depending on the country, route, operator, ticket type and any mandatory reservations, so booking site Rail Europe has broken it down for Euronews Travel.
Eurail and Interrail: up to two children aged four to 11 can travel for free with each eligible adult pass holder. Travellers aged 12 to 27 can access Youth Passes.
Swiss Travel Pass: children aged six to 15 travel for free with the Swiss Family Card when accompanied by a parent holding a valid Swiss Travel Pass, Swiss Travel Pass Flex or Swiss Half Fare Card.
Switzerland: children under six generally travel for free.
Germany: children under six travel for free. Up to four children aged six to 14 can also travel for free when accompanied by a person aged 15 or over, provided they are included in the booking.
France: children under four can travel for free without their own seat on many services. Child fares are available from the age of four.
Italy: children under four can travel for free without their own seat. Some family offers also allow children to travel for free while adults benefit from discounted fares.
Spain: children aged three and under can travel for free if they do not occupy a seat. Children under 14 can access discounts on many services.
Austria: children under six travel for free, and reduced fares are available for children.
Belgium: up to four children under 12 can travel for free with each adult holding a valid ticket.
Eurostar: children under four travel for free without their own seat. Reduced fares are available for children aged four to 11.
Great Britain: National Rail in the UK has a Family & Friends Railcard which allows families travelling together to save on both adult and child tickets
Children’s cinema and play areas: Family facilities on board
Advantages for families continue on board. Some European train services offer family areas, space for pushchairs, baby-changing facilities, play areas or private compartments on night trains. Here’s what you can expect in different countries.
SNCF / TGV INOUI (France): TGV INOUI has an Espace Famille (family space) in second class on certain services, particularly at weekends, during school holidays and on public holidays. It’s free and can be selected when booking. There’s also a Carré Famille, with four seats facing each other, in both first and second class.
TGV INOUI trains also have baby-changing facilities, and on trains with a Bistro, staff can warm bottles or baby food.
Deutsche Bahn / ICE and IC/EC (Germany): Almost all ICE trains have family areas in second class, and family compartments are available on all ICE trains and most IC/EC services. They’re generally close to toilets and luggage storage, which makes life a little easier when travelling with young children.
Rail Europe recommends reserving these seats in advance if possible. Seat reservations currently start at €5.50 in 2nd class.
SBB/CFF / InterCity (Switzerland): Some of SBB’s double-deck InterCity trains have proper family coaches with a play area on the upper deck and space for pushchairs downstairs. You’ll find them on routes including St Gallen-Zurich-Bern-Geneva Airport, Basel-Bern-Interlaken, and Basel-Zurich-Chur.
Baby-changing tables are also available on many of these trains. Seats in the family coach can be reserved for CHF 5 (€5.30) per person for the whole journey.
ÖBB Railjet (Austria and international services): Railjets have a Family Zone in second class with a children’s cinema, board games, space for prams and baby-changing facilities.
There’s no extra charge for using the Family Zone itself. If families want to make sure they sit there, seat reservations can be booked in advance and normally start from €3.
České dráhy / ČD (Czech Republic): A number of ČD long-distance trains have coaches or compartments specifically reserved for passengers travelling with children up to the age of 10.
You’ll find them, for example, on some Berliner and Metropolitan services, and certain trains also have a children’s cinema. Availability depends on the particular train, so it’s worth checking the train facilities when booking.
Eurostar: Pushchairs can be taken on board free of charge in addition to the usual luggage allowance, although they need to be folded and stored in the luggage racks.
All Eurostar trains have baby-changing facilities. Families can also choose table seats, subject to availability, and in some cases select seats close to the baby-changing area after booking. There’s no separate family surcharge for these facilities.
ÖBB Nightjet: Families can book a private couchette or sleeper compartment rather than sharing with other passengers. Depending on the train, private couchette compartments can accommodate families of up to six.
You’ll find these on routes such as Vienna-Hamburg, Vienna-Amsterdam and Munich-Rome.
These need to be booked as a specific accommodation category, so Rail Europe recommends booking ahead if travelling as a family. Prices vary depending on the route, date and comfort category. The compartment reservation is included in the Nightjet ticket.