Public Transit Tips for Families in Europe

Traveling in Europe is a great experience for families, and an array of discounts and passes make traveling with kids more budget-friendly. From Eurail passes covering most of the continent to individual country and city discounts — and even free travel — these options make travel by public transport attractive.

Children aged 4–11 can get a free Eurail Child Pass, ordered together with an adult pass. Two children can travel free with one adult or a youth aged 18 years or older. The adult, or youth, or senior they travel with does not have to be a family member; it can be any adult over age 18 at the time of travel.

Traveling through Switzerland by rail on a Swiss Travel Pass not only includes free rail passes for children under 16, but can also be used throughout the country on buses and boats, as well. These passes include local transport in more than 90 cities and towns, as well as free entry to more than 500 museums. Passes cover the popular Rigi Mountain Railroad trip and a reduced rate on Jungfraujoch Railway, the highest in Europe.

Cities have a variety of options for families. In Rome, children up to age 10 travel free on public transport when accompanied by a fare-paying adult. In Munich, the Group Day Ticket is valid for any number of trips for up to five adults, and any two children between 6 and 14 count as one adult.

In Berlin, the 24-hour transit ticket is valid for one adult and three children under age 15. In Paris, you can buy Navigo cards (get these in Metro stations) for everyone and they can charge individual fares; children under 4 are free and ages 4–10 are half price.

In Madrid, the best family option is a 10-trip MetroBus ticket, valid on both buses and metro within Zone A (central Madrid). Children under 4 years old travel free without a pass on both the metro and buses. Apply online for a free Tarjeta Infantil for children aged 4–6, allowing them to ride for free across all zones.

This is only a sample of the many free and discounted travel plans for children. As you plan your trip, check each country and city for youth travel discount systems and the details on how to access them for your children.