And everyone is invited! Parents, grandparents, groups of friends, and distant cousins can ride the rails together with Interrail. 

Good to know: Anyone who purchases an Adult Interrail Pass can travel on the rail lines of a Pass network with up to two children for free (note that the Child Pass can only be used together with an Adult Pass). Seniors over 60 can grab a 10% discount. 

Irresistible reasons to travel as a family with Interrail

✔ Each adult over 28 years old can travel to 33 countries with two children with our free Child Pass option. 

✔ Large families are rewarded with extra savings. Let’s say your family trip includes two parents and two grandparents; that means up to eight children in the family can tag along for free.  

✔ Children under four travel for free and don’t need an Interrail Pass (though you need to book a seat reservation if you want a separate child seat on high-speed and night trains)

✔ Children aged 4 to 11 can travel for free with a Child Pass. 

✔ Travellers aged 12 to 27 can travel with a discounted Youth Pass. 

✔ 10% discount for travellers over 60 with the Senior Pass. 

Interrail Pass holders with small children can experience a playground on wheels on ÖBB’s Railjet routes in Austria.  

The family zone on ÖBB’s Railjet trains has a fully integrated children’s cinema and table games area in the last second-class carriage on routes run by Railjet. Alternatively, you can find a toddler compartment on many of ÖBB’s Eurocity, Intercity, and Intercity-Express trains, which offer a safe space for small children to play while their parents relax and enjoy the view.  

Interrail Pass holders with small children will love the family coach on SBB’s long-distance, double-decker InterCity trains. 

Look for the jungle or dragon stickers on the outside of the train before entering the Ticki Park family coach (located in the middle of the upper deck). Kids can run and play to their heart’s content while the parents sit back and watch the world go by from the comfort of their seats.  

Reservation-free routes in Switzerland (with a family coach)

• Basel SBB – Bern – Brig (IC6) 

• Basel SBB – Zurich HB – Chur (IC3) 

• Basel SBB – Bern – Interlaken Ost (IC61) 

• Romanshorn – Zurich HB – Bern – Brig (IC8) 

• St. Gallen – Zurich HB – Bern – Geneva Airport (IC1)

Make the most of your time in Switzerland and take advantage of the IC trains with an onboard family coach with our suggested route below.  

Zurich: Start your trip by strolling along the Bahnhofstrasse, a world-class shopping boulevard that will delight your senses, then take the children to explore the car-free Old Town.  

How to get to Zurich by train: Check out the Rail Planner app to plan your trip to Zurich from neighbouring countries or reach the city in under 15 minutes from Zurich Airport.  

Take an unforgettable expedition to Basel Zoo and spend the whole day marvelling at the baby animals. Insider tip: Don’t forget to stop by the Hogwarts-style owlery.  

How to get to Basel by train: Travel from Zurich to Basel in 54 minutes with the direct IC. 

Swim in the azure blue Aare River in summer or go sledding at  Gurten Hill in winter. Don’t forget to take a teddy and a picnic to the BearPark (but please don’t attempt to feed the city's famous Bernese bears). 

How to get to Bern by train: Travelling from Basel to Bern on IC trains takes less than one hour. 

Head to Switzerland’s sports mecca for some world-class snowboarding runs in winter. And in summer, sail across the sparkling Brienz and Thun lakes.  

How to get to Interlaken by train: Take the IC from Bern to Interlaken in 54 minutes. 

End your trip with an afternoon spent sipping Swiss Rivella or hot chocolate on a sunlit terrace. Don't forget to take family photos with the stunning French and Swiss Alps in the backdrop, preserving memories for your children that will last a lifetime.

How to get to Geneva by train: Head back to Bern to connect with a long-distance train with a family coach to complete your trip to Geneva (total travel time: Approx 3 hours).