The train is an ideal mode of transportation when travelling with children: they can play, walk around or read a book. Besides, children get discount. How much discount differs between train services and/or country. Some trains even have facilities especially for children.
An adult can bring a maximum of 4 children. There are the following exceptions to this rule:
You can travel comfortably to Germany with Intercity Berlin or ICE International.
0-4 years
Children younger than 4 years of age may travel for free on Intercity Berlin and ICE International. They will not need their own ticket.
4 -14 years
Children aged 4 through 14 years of age can also travel for free when accompanied by a person with the age of 15 years or more. Add the child when booking your ticket. It is not possible to add a child to the ticket once the ticket is purchased.
Unaccompanied minors
Children from the age of 12 are allowed to travel alone. An unaccompanied minor (up to and including 17 years of age) must be in possession of (and be able to show this upon request) written permission for the trip from a parent or legal guardian throughout the trip. Unaccompanied children from 12 to 14 years old receive a 50% discount in Germany, from 15 years there is no special child rate and the same rate applies as for an adult.
Tip: reserve a seat
Travelling with ICE International? Then we advise you to reserve a seat so that you are sure that your child will not have to stand. You can reserve seats by contacting the NS International Customer Service at 030-2300023.
Children's compartment
Especially for travellers with babies and/or children 3 years and younger, there is a children’s compartment on board both Intercity Berlin and ICE International. In most of these compartments, you will find a table where children can draw and play, a socket outlet and folding baby changing table. Tickets for the children’s compartment cannot be booked online. You can book them at the Customer Service (030-2300023) or at an NS International counter at a train station.
Strollers
You are feel free to bring your stroller on board. You will not pay extra as there is plenty of room to store your stroller. This can be stored in or near the children’s compartment. Folded strollers fit into the regular luggage rack on board the train. On board Intercity Berlin you may also store a stroller in the bicycle carriage.
Especially for children
“The Little ICE" and other fun activities for children on board make travelling with the train even more exciting! "The little ICE" is a train character that has been developed together with children, comic book artists and illustrators. Together with his friends Benni IC Bus and Ida IC “Little ICE” ensures that the trip itself (but also afterwards) is a lot of fun. The Little ICE & friends are aboard ICE International, Intercity Berlin and all long-distance trains in Germany and available at the Bistro, free of charge. During your trip, come on over to Bistro where staff members with gladly makes your children happy! The smallest train passengers will also get a nice magazine, LeseLok with coloured pencils for the trip.
More about ‘The Little ICE’
Family zones on board ICE International
Passengers with children often find it pleasant to travel alongside ‘similar’ passengers. The children’s compartment (Kleinkindabteil) is for passengers with babies and/or children 3 years and younger. For passengers with older children (4 years and up) ICE International has a special "Family Zone". In this zone, there will be other families with children. For your convenience there is an exit, a luggage room and a toilet close to the Family Zone. You can book them at the NS International Customer Service (030-2300023) or at an NS International counter at a train station.
You can travel comfortably with your family to Vienna or Munich and Innsbruck with the ÖBB Nightjet night train.
0-5 years
Children aged 5 or younger must always be accompanied by an adult. They are not obliged to reserve their own seat or couchette, they may also share it with a paying traveller. If they travel without their own seat or couchette they can travel without a ticket, free of charge. If you want them to have a seat or couchette they can travel for the child's fare.
6-14 years
Children aged 6 to 14 must also always be accompanied by an adult. They must reserve their own seat or couchette and travel at the child's fare.
Familienabteil
A Familienabteil is a compartiment with 6 couchettes for no more than 3 adults and 3 children aged 14 or younger.
Ladies only compartment
The ladies only compartment is only for women and girls. Boys travelling with their mother are not allowed in here. In that case, they must book their own compartment or a couchette in a mixed compartment.
On vacation in France or a visit to Disneyland Paris? With TGV or Thalys you will be there before you know it. Below you can find out more about the discount offers for both trains.
0-3 years
Children of 3 years and younger can travel for free (on your lap) and do not need to have a reserved seat.
4-11 years
For children through to 11 years of age the child rate applies. Children up to 11 years old always travel accompanied by an adult (18 years or older). Ticket price depends on class. in Standard, € 25 in Comfort and € 40 in Premium class, one way.
12-17 years
Children under the age of 18 can benefit from the youth tariff. Children that are not accompanied by an adult must always be able to show a valid form of identification and written permission from a parent or legal guardian.
| Changes | Cancellation | Header | Header | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Child Full Flex (Premium, Comfort or Standard) | No charge until 1 hour after the train’s departure | No charge until 1 hour after the train’s departure | Content | Content |
| Child Mid Flex (Comfort or Standard) | No charge 7 or more days prior to departure € 15 6 or less days before departure | No charge 7 or more days prior to departure € 15 6 or less days before departure | Content | Content |
| Chil No Flex (Standard) | Not possible | Not possible | Content | Content |
An unaccompanied minor (up to and including the age of 17) must at all times during the journey be in possession (and be able to show it on request) of the written permission for the journey of a parent or legal guardian. Children younger then 12 aren't allowed to travel unaccompanied.
Baby care
Thalys: In the carriages 7, 17 and 27, you can use a changing table, sink and bottle heater.
TGV: In carriages 7 or 17 and in 1st class, there is a nursing room with changing table available.
Strollers
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.
To Belgium you can travel with either Thalys or Intercity Brussels. Below you can find out more about the discount offers for both trains. In Belgium, an adult aged 18 or older may travel with a maximum of 4 children aged 0 to 11 can travel for free.
0-3 years old
Children aged 0 to 3 travel for free. You do not need to buy a ticket for them but they do count towards the number of children who may travel for free with you.
4-11 years
When booking online, indicate that children aged 4 to 11 are travelling with you. You will receive a free ticket for them.
| Ticket rate/sort | Ticket conditions | Conditions for changes and cancellations | Header | Header |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accompanied children | Children 4-11 years old, accompanied by an adult who is at least 18 years old. Maximum 4 children per adult. | You can change or cancel your ticket free of charge up to and including the day of departure. After that there is no refund possible. | Content | Content |
| Unaccompanied children | This rate can be used for unaccompanied children (from 6 years old) or for any 5th (or more) accompanying child. | You can change or cancel your ticket free of charge up to and including the day of departure. After that there is no refund possible. | Content | Content |
Minors
An unaccompanied minor (up to and including 17 years) child is the responsibility of the parents. A written liability by the parents is mandatory, the train manager can ask for this.
For Thalys to Belgium the same discounts count as for the train to France
Baby care
Thalys: In the carriage 7, 17 and 27, you can use a changing table, sink and bottle heater.
Intercity Brussels: There are no baby facilities available.
Strollers
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.
With Eurostar you travel to London in 4.13 hours: ideal for a weekend getaway with the kids!
0-3 years
Children up to and including 3 years travel for free and do not need a reserved seat if they remain on your lap during the trip. Are you traveling alone with several children up to and including 3 years old? You can keep one on your lap, for the other you have to buy a children's ticket. Remember that every child, no matter how young, needs their own identity papers.
4-11 years
There are children's tickets for children up to and including 11 years old, with which your child can travel at a reduced rate. Children up to the age of twelve must always be accompanied by a responsible fellow traveller who is at least 16 years old.
12-15 years
Young people from 12 to 15 years old travel with a regular ticket. On Eurostar trains between London and the Netherlands (direct connection) and between the Netherlands and Brussels v.v., they must always be accompanied by a responsible fellow traveller who is at least 16 years old.
16-18 years
Young people from 16 to 18 years old are allowed to travel unaccompanied, provided they have the normal required and legal papers with them as the other travelers.
Unaccompanied minors
An unaccompanied minor (up to and including 17 years of age) must be in possession of (and be able to show this upon request) a written consent from a parent or legal guardian during the entire trip. Children are only allowed to travel alone from the age of 16.
Children’s compartment
In carriages 1 and 18 you will find several family tables where children can do some colouring and play.
Baby care
Provisions for baby care can be found in carriages 1, 2, 17 and 18. You cannot buy any baby food in the train. However, the staff at the bar carriage will be happy to warm up any baby food you have.
Strollers
In carriage 1, 3, 16 and 18 there is additional space to store your stroller or pram.
Especially for children
For toddlers, there is a special meal box on sale in bar carriages 6 and 13. It includes a sandwich, drink, piece of fruit and a colouring book.
With an Interrail Pass you can travel through a few days, two weeks or even a month at you own pace through Europe. And the kids? They can join you - with discount!
0 - 3 years
Children who are not older than three years on the first day of travel, do not need an Interrail pass. When the train is full, you may be requested to take the child you’re your lap. If you want to be sure your child has a seat, reserve a seat in advance. Also for the night train, you can book a separate sleeping place for your child. That can be done via the NS International Servicecenter of NS International desk. Without valid reservation, your child has no guarantee of a seat or bed.
4 - 11 years
Also, children younger than 12 on their first day are allowed to travel for free in both 1st and 2nd class. They only need a Child Pass. This Child Pass can be purchased along with an Interrail Pass for adults, with a maximum of two children per adult. The adult whom the child travels with does not need to be a family member.
12-17 years
Children 12 through 17 years of age travel with their own Pass: Youth Pass. This pass gives 25% discount and pricing can be found on our Interrail page.
An Interrail Pass for children can be ordered using our online order form.
Read more about buying an Interrail pas
There's no greater pleasure for children than travelling by train! You have more freedom of movement than in a car.
On holiday to the South of France with the kids. Very enjoyable and super-fast with Thalys.
Laura visited Paris together with her daughters Pip and Juup. And what did this threesome discover? That Paris is the perfect family city.