The Swiss have been leading the way with affordable family travel for years but now a few other European railways are cottoning on.

The Swiss Travel Pass allows kids under the age of 16 to travel free when travelling with a guardian carrying a Swiss Travel Pass or a Swiss Travel Pass Flex.  It’s not just trains, but unlimited use of all public transport in Switzerland, including the panoramic train tours like the Glacier Express.

Now others in Europe are following their lead:

• Up to two children between the ages of four and eleven years of age, can travel free when accompanied by a guardian on a Eurail Pass
• If you are just travelling in Germany, two children between six and eleven years of age are free with an adult pass holder
• One child between the ages of five and 15 years of age can travel on selected BritRail Passes with an adult pass holder (and discounts for additional children).