SNCF children's train tickets: everything about child and baby fares
Everything you need to know about child and baby train fares.
Travelling with children can be rewarding, but understanding the different fares that companies such as Ouigo, SNCF, Trenitalia, Lyria, Italo, Deutsche Bahn and many others apply to children and babies is essential when planning your trip. At Kombo, we help you decode the fare policies of the main train and bus companies in Europe:
On Kombo, you will also find every alternative with more than 400 companies across train, bus, plane and carpooling, so you can find the cheapest journey.
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Child and baby fares: SNCF, Inoui and Ouigo
Child fares on TGV Inoui and Intercités:
Up to 3 years old (inclusive): travels free on an adult's lap
Forfait Bambin: €9 for a seat of their own (under 4 years old)
From 4 to 11 years old: 50% off the base fare
Child fares on Ouigo:
OUIGO Grande Vitesse: €8 per child (under 12)
OUIGO Train Classique: €5 per child (under 12)
Toupti offer: free for children aged 0 to 3 on an adult's lap
Child and baby discounts on a train ticket:
Carte Avantage Adulte, an SNCF discount card for TGV Inoui and Intercités in France
Price: €49 per year
30% off for the cardholder
60% off for up to 3 children (aged 4 to 11)
15% off services (catering, car hire, luggage)
-> Get your Carte Avantage to unlock reduced fares!
Carte Famille Nombreuse, an SNCF card for large families in France
For families with at least 3 children under 18; €19 application fee
30% for a family with 3 children under 18
40% for a family with 4 children under 18
50% for a family with 5 children under 18
75% for a family with 6 or more children under 18
The discount is calculated on the standard second-class leisure fare, and applies in both first and second class
Child and baby fares on trains across Europe
Trenitalia child and baby fares:
National trains:
Children aged 0 to 3 inclusive:
Free without a seat.
50% off if a seat is booked.
Children aged 4 to 14:
50% off the base fare.
Regional trains:
Children aged 0 to 3 inclusive:
Free without a seat.
Children aged 4 to 11 inclusive:
50% off the fare.
Aged 12 and over:
Full fare.
Regional exceptions:
Campania: free for under-6s accompanied by a paying adult, without a seat.
Bolzano: free for under-6s, and for resident children aged 6 who have not yet started school.
Sardinia: free for under-6s accompanied by an adult holding a valid ticket.
Puglia: free for under-10s accompanied by an adult holding a valid ticket.
Additional information
Accompanying adults must carry ID proving the children's age if asked.
Special fares apply in some urban areas, where child discounts may not be valid.
Italo child and baby fares:
Children aged 0 to 3 inclusive can travel free of charge without an assigned seat when held on an adult's lap.
How does it work?
When you travel with a child of this age, you do not need to buy a separate ticket at the time of booking. You can simply board the train with your child and enjoy a hassle-free journey. For safety reasons, the child must stay seated on the adult's lap for the whole journey.
Deutsche Bahn child and baby fares:
Children aged 0 to 5:
Travel free on long-distance trains, without needing to be named on the ticket.
It is worth including them when booking, so you can reserve a seat in the family compartments.
Children aged 6 to 14:
Travel free when accompanied by someone aged 15 or over.
They must be named when the ticket is bought, and up to four children can be included on a single ticket.
Travel to Switzerland or Austria:
Children up to 5 travel free with an adult holding a cross-border ticket.
Children aged 6 to 14 also travel free, provided they are named on the ticket.
Local transport:
As a rule, up to three children can travel free, but this varies by federal state and transport network.
Important notes:
Children must be named when the ticket is bought, as they cannot be added once on board.
Family areas are available on most ICE trains, offering a suitable environment for families travelling with children.
DB also offers the Familienreise ticket, a fixed-price option for families travelling on the ICE. Find out more about Deutsche Bahn fares →
Child fares offered by Eurostar (United Kingdom, France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany):
Eurostar applies a specific child fare structure, both on its routes to the United Kingdom and on its services between France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany.
Child and baby fares
Under 4: travels free and without a ticket, on an adult's lap, limited to one child per adult. For a seat of their own, a child ticket must be bought.
From 4 to 11 (up to and including the day of their 12th birthday): child fare, around 30% cheaper at peak times and 30 to 50% cheaper off-peak, in Eurostar Standard and Eurostar Plus.
No child discount applies to Eurostar Premier tickets.
Youth fare (12–25 years old)
Prices available across 9 tiers in Eurostar Standard, 3 in Plus, 3 in Premier
The discount applies across every tier
Free exchange up to 1 hour before departure
Refundable (€25 fee) up to 7 days before departure
Bookings
Children's tickets must be booked at the same time as the adults' tickets.
Under-12s cannot travel alone. From 12 to 15 inclusive, the child travels with a responsible person aged at least 16, or alone with the Eurostar unaccompanied minor form.
Additional conditions
It is worth checking the specific conditions when booking, as they can vary depending on the travel period.
Child fares offered by RENFE:
Children under 14:
Must travel with an adult, or use the unaccompanied minors service where it is available.
Children's tickets can be exchanged or cancelled, subject to the conditions of the fare chosen (Básico, Elige or Prémium). Fees may apply.
Avant trains (medium-distance high speed) and Media Distancia (medium distance)
Children's tickets:
Exchangeable.
In the event of cancellation, 15% is deducted from the price.
Seat selection is available.
Cercanías and Rodalies trains
Cercanías:
Children under 6 travel free, with a maximum of two children per adult ticket.
Rodalies:
Children under 4 travel free.
Important notes
Minors under 18 travelling abroad must carry the documents required under the rules of the Spanish Ministry of the Interior.
Make sure you check the specific conditions when booking, to avoid any confusion.
Child fares offered by Lyria:
Children up to 3 years old (inclusive):
Free: children under 4 travel free without a seat.
Baby Pass:
€19 / CHF 19.- in STANDARD: for a seat on every route, except Geneva <> Marseille.
€29 / CHF 28.- in STANDARD 1ÈRE: for a seat on every route, except Geneva <> Marseille.
Children aged 4 to 11:
30% discount: on the adult fare, with the same flexibility conditions.
Specific fares for young travellers (4 to 15 years old)
CHF 39.- in STANDARD.
CHF 49.- in STANDARD 1ÈRE.
These fares come with full, partial or no flexibility options.
Additional conditions:
All child fares can be exchanged and refunded free of charge until the train departs.
It is important to state each child's age when booking, in order to get the right fare.
Family spaces:
Carré Famille: a group of 4 seats facing each other in certain carriages, ideal for families.
Club 4: a similar space, with a table in the middle.
Nurseries with changing tables are available in certain carriages.
Organising a school or club trip? Kombo offers online group booking through our dedicated tool for SNCF tickets, from 10 travellers, with specific discounts for children (up to 60%) and young people (up to 30%).
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Kombo's tips for booking train tickets for your child or baby:
Tips for travelling with children
Plan ahead: children's tickets sometimes have to be booked at the same time as the adults' tickets.
Check the policies: every company has its own rules for children and babies.
Pack the essentials: bring something to keep them entertained, and some snacks to make the journey more pleasant.
Book with a Carte Avantage: this SNCF card gives your family exclusive discounts on TGV Inoui and Intercités journeys in France
On Kombo, we make booking easier by bringing all these options together in a single, intuitive app. Book your tickets today and travel with peace of mind with your children!
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