A couple travelling without children makes two individual booking decisions. A family of four with two children aged 4 and 10 makes significantly more complex decisions: Which airlines charge for lap infants? At what age does a child pay full adult fare? Which attractions offer family tickets that are cheaper than 2 adult + 2 child tickets? Which rail passes cover children free?
The answers vary by operator, country and ticket type — and getting them right saves families hundreds of dollars per trip.
Most airlines worldwide allow one infant per adult to travel on the adult's lap for:
Key rules:
| Age Range | Typical Fare Rule |
|---|---|
| 2–11 years | 75% of adult fare on most long-haul carriers |
| 2–11 years | Full adult fare on many budget/short-haul carriers |
| 12+ years | Full adult fare on almost all carriers |
Airlines with the best child fare policies:
Airlines that charge full adult fare for children:
Budget airlines are notorious for charging families extra to ensure they sit together. The regulations differ by country:
In practice: Airlines' systems do not always automatically implement this. Call customer service if your family is not seated together and cite the relevant regulation for your flight's jurisdiction.
| Pass | Children Free Policy |
|---|---|
| Eurail (most passes) | Children 4–11 pay 50% of adult pass price |
| Interrail (most passes) | Children 4–11 pay 50% |
| Swiss Travel Pass | Children under 16 travel FREE when accompanied by a parent (Swiss Family Card) |
| Austrian Federal Railways | Children under 15 travel FREE on weekends and holidays with a paying adult |
| German Rail (DB) | Children under 15 travel FREE with a parent on weekdays and at weekends |
The Swiss Family Card is exceptional value — entirely free for children under 16 accompanying a parent, issued free with any adult Swiss Travel Pass.
Most major attractions offer a family ticket (typically 2 adults + 2 children) at a discount from adding 4 individual tickets. The saving varies:
| Attraction | Adult | Child | 2+2 Total | Family Ticket | Saving |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tower of London | £34 | £17 | £102 | £85 | 17% |
| London Eye | £32 | £26 | £116 | £98 | 16% |
| Legoland Windsor | £49 | £49 | £196 | £165 | 16% |
| Disneyland Paris (1 day) | £99 | £89 | £376 | £320 | 15% |
| Alton Towers | £55 | £50 | £210 | £175 | 17% |
| Attraction | Free Entry Age |
|---|---|
| Most UK national museums | All ages free |
| Disney theme parks | Under 3 free |
| Universal Studios | Under 3 free |
| Legoland | Under 3 free |
| London Zoo | Under 3 free |
| Most zoos globally | Under 3 free |
| Most European city museums | Under 12–18 free (varies) |
| Paris Louvre | Under 18 free (EU residents); free on first Sunday |
Merlin Annual Pass (UK):
Covers Legoland, Alton Towers, Thorpe Park, Chessington World of Adventures, Warwick Castle, Madame Tussauds (multiple locations), SEA LIFE aquariums across UK and Europe.
For families with children over age 8, interconnecting rooms are typically worth the modest extra cost for the privacy benefit.
| Chain | Family Policy |
|---|---|
| Marriott | Children under 18 stay free in parent's room (most properties) |
| Hilton | Children under 18 stay free in parent's room |
| IHG (Holiday Inn) | Kids eat free at many Holiday Inn properties |
| Club Med | All-inclusive with dedicated children's clubs by age (mini, juniors, teens) |
| Center Parcs (UK/Europe) | Self-catering with extensive activities included; ideal for families |
Booking a holiday apartment or house with a kitchen cuts food costs dramatically for families:
On a 7-day family trip, self-catering vs eating every meal out can save £700–£1,500.
The family luggage challenge: Budget airlines charge per bag — a family of 4 with 4 checked bags pays £120–£300 in luggage fees on a return trip.
The solution: Consolidate into 1–2 large checked bags rather than 4 small bags. Most airlines allow 23kg per bag — a family of 4 collectively needs perhaps 35–45kg total, which fits in 2 bags with careful packing rather than 4.
Pushchair/buggy policy: Most airlines carry one pushchair/stroller free as checked special baggage. Gate-check is even better — the pushchair is returned at the aircraft door on arrival rather than at baggage reclaim.