Budget travel · Discounts

Travel discounts by group: seniors, students, military and kids

By the TravelCheap Editorial Team · Updated October 18, 2026

The biggest group discounts in travel come from trains and public lands. In the US, seniors 62 and over can buy a lifetime national parks pass for $80, Amtrak gives 10% off to seniors 65 and over and to military and veterans, and students aged 17 to 24 get 15% off some routes. In Europe, Eurail and Interrail passes cost up to 25% less for travellers aged 12 to 27 and 10% less from age 60.

Below are the discounts for each group, with the official source for every number. Check the conditions before you book, because companies change them.

Group travel discounts at a glance

Group	Discount	Where	Who qualifies
Seniors	$80 lifetime pass, or $20 a year	US national parks (America the Beautiful)	US citizens and residents aged 62+
Seniors	10% off most trains	Amtrak	Passengers aged 65+
Seniors	10% off rail passes	Eurail and Interrail	Aged 60+ on the first day of travel
Students and youth	15% off travel to top destinations	Amtrak	Students aged 17 to 24
Students and youth	Up to 25% off rail passes	Eurail and Interrail	Aged 12 to 27 on the first day of travel
Military	Free annual pass; free lifetime pass for veterans and Gold Star families	US national parks	Current US military and dependents; veterans
Military	10% off	Amtrak	Active duty, spouses and dependents; veterans
Military	Extra free checked bags (for example up to 5 on orders with American, United and Alaska)	US airlines	Active-duty members with military ID
Kids	50% off for ages 2 to 12; under 2 free	Amtrak	Children travelling with an adult
Kids	Free Child Pass for ages 11 and under	Eurail	With an adult pass
Disability	Free Access Pass	US national parks	US citizens and residents with a permanent disability

Sources: Entrance passes (US National Park Service), Everyday discounts (Amtrak), Seniors: 10% off for passengers 65+ (Amtrak), Youth and senior discounts (Eurail), Senior and youth discounts (Interrail) and Airline military baggage allowances, updated June 2026 (Military Money Manual).

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Senior travel discounts

National parks: the Senior Lifetime Pass costs $80 and the Senior Annual Pass $20 for US citizens and residents aged 62 and over. It covers entrance fees at sites run by the National Park Service and other federal land agencies.
Trains in the US: Amtrak takes 10% off most fares for passengers aged 65 and over.
Trains in Europe: Eurail and Interrail passes are 10% cheaper for travellers who are 60 or over on the day their trip starts.
Ask for the senior rate at hotels, museums and local transport too, and carry ID that shows your age.

Student and youth travel discounts

Amtrak gives students aged 17 to 24 15% off travel to its top destinations.
Eurail and Interrail youth passes cost up to 25% less than adult passes for travellers aged 12 to 27 on the first day of travel. From 28 you need an adult pass.
An International Student Identity Card (ISIC) is widely accepted as student ID abroad for museum, transport and attraction discounts. Check the current price and the discounts in your destination on the ISIC website before you buy.

Military and veteran travel discounts

National parks: current US military members and their dependents get a free annual pass; veterans and Gold Star families get a free lifetime pass.
Amtrak: 10% off for active-duty members, their spouses and dependents, and 10% off for veterans of all branches.
Airline bags: major US airlines give active-duty members extra free checked bags, for example up to 5 bags when travelling on orders with American, United and Alaska, and fewer on leisure trips. Rules and weight limits differ by airline and change often, so confirm before you fly and bring your military ID.

Discounts for families with kids

Amtrak: children aged 2 to 12 travel at half price every day, and under-2s ride free.
Eurail: children aged 11 or younger travel free with a Eurail Child Pass when an adult has a pass.
US national parks: US 4th graders get a free pass.

How to get the most from group discounts

Check the age on the day of travel, not the booking date: rail passes use the first day of the trip.
Compare the discounted fare with a normal sale fare. A flexible date or a different train can beat a 10% discount.
Ask whether discounts can be combined. Many companies allow only one per ticket.
Carry the ID that proves your status (age, student card or military ID), because staff can ask for it on board or at the gate.

Frequently asked questions

At what age do senior travel discounts start?

It depends on the company. The US national parks Senior Pass starts at 62, Amtrak’s senior discount at 65, and Eurail and Interrail senior discounts at 60.

Do students get discounts on trains?

Yes. Amtrak gives students aged 17 to 24 15% off travel to top destinations, and Eurail and Interrail youth passes are up to 25% cheaper for travellers aged 12 to 27.

Do veterans get free national park passes?

Yes. Veterans and Gold Star families can get a free lifetime Military Pass, and current military members and their dependents get a free annual pass.

Do airlines give military members free bags?

Most major US airlines give active-duty members extra free checked bags, especially when travelling on orders. The number and weight limits vary by airline, so check before you fly.

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Sources

Prices, timetables and trail status change. We checked the figures on this page on October 18, 2026. Found something out of date? Email contact@travelcheap.online.