Family Travel in Russia: Discounts and Free Rides for Kids on Planes, Trains, and Buses

Planning a family trip in Russia? The government has laid out a clear set of discounts for children traveling by air, rail, and road. Here’s what families need to know. On domestic flights, children under two fly for free. For international routes, they get a 90% discount. Kids aged two to twelve receive a 50% reduction on airfare. And parents can breathe easier: airlines now guarantee seats next to their child, no extra fuss. Train travel is similarly budget-friendly. Children up to five years old ride for free in long-distance trains. Those aged five to ten get a 65% discount, and passengers from ten to eighteen pay half price. On public transport—buses, trams, and metros—all kids under seven travel at no cost. Federal law guarantees this. For families hitting the highway, the state toll operator Avtodor offers large families a 15% discount on toll roads. So far in 2025, more than 11,000 families have taken advantage. There’s also a 30% discount on the T-pass transponder for easy toll payments. Transport Minister Andrei Nikitin shared these updates during a recent meeting on family and demographic policy, chaired by Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko. He emphasized that the ministry keeps a close eye on passenger needs and adjusts benefits as necessary. Whether you’re flying to the Black Sea coast or taking the train to visit relatives, these savings can add up fast.