Hi everyone,
as I’m starting to plan next years travels I’m wondering about the value of getting a pass vs normal tickets for a teenager under 14.
This year I just assumed that it would be worthwhile for my 12 year old son as it was for me, but then looking on the individual train companies, I realized that more often than not, he could have traveled for free, being with a parent, so I came to wonder how this is handled in every European country.
- Switzerland (my country of residence): kids under 16 can get a Junior Card (30 CHF for one year) and then travel for free if the accompanying parent has a valid ticket (Interrail pass included, at least that’s what a ticket inspector told me)
- Germany: kids under 14 travel for free with a parent, but have to be registered on the ticket (so as far as I understand not possible with an Interrail Pass).
- Austria: same as in Germany but the age limit is 15
- Italy: seems to differ from region and train type, but for example in Lombardy under 14yo travel for free with a parent, carrying a autocertification or railcard (doesn’t depend on what ticket the parent has, so I guess it could be an Interrail pass)
- in all off the above countries except Italy, children’s tickets costing 50% can be purchased until a set age that’s more than 12
So it’s obvious that a Interrail Pass in these countries for a 12/13/14-year old is much less value than for a young adult who pays the same for the pass.
So what about the other countries? Are there any where 12yo get to pay like adults?
