Eurail Pass

The Only Way to Travel on a Legit Euro Trip

Are you an EU citizen or resident? This isn’t for you – click this box to check out out Interrail Pass page instead >

A Eurail Pass is a ticket that can be used to travel by train all over Europe. Depending on the Eurail Pass you get, you can use it to travel within a country in Europe; or from one country to another.

Unlike point to point tickets where you have to buy a new ticket to get to a new destination, a Eurail Pass allows you to explore up to 28 different countries without having to buy several tickets.

Choose your Eurail Global Pass

5 Days Pass 

Travel on 5 days within a period of 15 days

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Youth (12-27)

374

Adult (28-59)

€ 466

Saver (2 Adults)

€ 792

Family (2 Adults)

Children age 4-11 travel free

€ 932

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7 Days Pass 

Travel on 7 days within a period of 1 month

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Youth (12-27)

€ 456

Adult (28-59)

€ 568

Saver (2 Adults)

€ 966

Family (2 Adults)

Children age 4-11 travel free

€ 1136

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10 Days Pass 

Travel on 10 days within a period of 2 month

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Youth (12-27)

€ 561

Adult (28-59)

€ 699

Saver (2 Adults)

€ 1188

Family (2 Adults)

Children age 4-11 travel free

€ 1398

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15 Days Pass 

Travel every day within a period of  15 days

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Youth (12-27)

477

Adult (28-59)

€ 595

Saver (2 Adults)

€ 1012

Family (2 Adults)

Children age 4-11 travel free

1190

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22 Days Pass 

Travel every day within a period of 22 days

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Youth (12-27)

€ 614

Adult (28-59)

€ 766

Saver (2 Adults)

€ 1302

Family (2 Adults)

Children age 4-11 travel free

€ 1532

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1 Month Pass 

Travel every day within a period of 1 month

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Youth (12-27)

€ 753

Adult (28-59)

€ 940

Saver (2 Adults)

€ 1598

Family (2 Adults)

Children age 4-11 travel free

€ 1880

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Does everyone qualify for a Eurail Pass?

If you live outside Europe then you are fully entitled to purchase an Eurail Pass. However, if you are a resident or a citizen of a European country, you can instead get the InterRail Pass.

What kind of company is Eurail?

Eurail is not actually a company. In fact, there is no such thing as a dedicated Eurail train. It’s not like all the train companies in Europe decided to have a merger and establish a huge monopoly in the entire continent.

What we have instead in the Eurail system is all the rail companies in all 28 European countries working together to provide a unified system, which makes travel a lot easier for all passengers.

Simply put, Eurail is just one of the many services that these rail companies offer. Along with the Interrail Pass, the Eurail Pass is one of the world’s most popular cross-border rail tickets that is offered across different rail companies and train operators.

What’s the catch?

The Eurail Pass system is actually a win/win solution for the rail companies and for passengers as well. A unified ticketing system makes it easier for train operators to manage passenger trips who travel from one country to the next within Europe.

On the other hand, it also makes it easier for visitors to Europe since they no longer need to purchase multiple tickets from different train operators. It doesn’t matter which train you get – as long as the train operator and their train units are participating in the Eurail system, you can get on board and use your Eurail Pass for travel.

 

Which countries are participating in the Eurail System?

The countries participating in this unified ticketing system include most of the mainland European countries; Switzerland, Sweden, Spain, Slovenia, Romania, Portugal, Norway, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Italy, Ireland, Hungary, Greece, Germany, France, Turkey and Finland.

Note that the following countries are not currently participating in the current Eurail Pass system; Lithuania, Estonia, Moldova, Russia, Ukraine, Macedonia, Albania, and the UK. Some of these do support the Interrail Pass, which suggests that they may in future support Eurail Passes too.

 

Tips for using your Eurail Pass

Note that there are different types of trains that are participating in the Eurail system. There are suburban trains, regional, local, overnight, inter-city trains, and high speed trains participating.

Do take note that the availability of seats on these trains will be affected by a number of different factors. That includes the number of trains currently available, the reservations that other passengers have made, which trains are covered by the Eurail Pass service, and extra fees that should be paid.

Note that an Eurail Pass is not the only rail pass that is made available by these train operators. There are times when the other rail passes provide a better value to passengers, which is why it pays to know about them too. Here at Interrail-Journey though, we prefer the spontaneity that the Interrail and Eurail Pass can inspire.

 

How does Eurail Pass work?

Unlike airline tickets, bus tickets, or standard rail tickets, there is no specific date when you can use your Eurail Pass. You don’t buy it today and use it for a specific date only. You don’t even have to use it immediately after you buy it.
The validity of your Eurail Pass will begin on the date you validate it, at any station with Eurail trains running throughout Europe. You can do that any time after your purchase. However, do note that you should validate it within 11 months after your purchase date.
That means if you bought your pass in April, you can still use it in August with no problems. In fact, even if you had to postpone your August trip for the following month, whatever the reason may be, you would still be able to use your Eurail Pass without any hassles. All you have to do is to keep your pass and then validate it on the day you decide to use it – that’s how convenient it is.

How do I validate my Eurail Pass?

As stated earlier, you will validate your pass at any Eurail station. That means the day you decide to start your tour of Europe, you need to go to any main station at your first departure area. Take your pass to the ticket office and a railway official will activate it, taking the start and end date of your Eurail Pass, as well as your passport number.

The railway official will then stamp your Eurail Pass. Once validated, the overall Pass period will begin to count down – that also means your Eurail Pass is ready to be used and you can now get on your train.

Who can buy an Eurail Pass?

As explained earlier, the Eurail Pass is intended for people who live outside Europe. If you are a tourist, a student, or other traveller visiting the different European countries, then you can buy one.

However, if you are a resident or citizen of a European country then you can’t buy an Eurail Pass. You should get the InterRail Pass instead, which will still enable you to travel around Europe with freedom.

Where to make Eurail Pass reservations?

You can choose your Eurail Pass right here on this site. Note that each type of Eurail Pass will have different prices, and that not all passes will suit your itinerary. If you intend to plan your journey in advance, you should match the type of Eurail Pass with your itinerary and your budget.

If you are more of a spontaneous traveller though, you will probably prefer to get the Eurail Global Pass which allows much greater freedom to travel than other options such as the One Country Pass.

You can see the different types of Eurail Pass that are available below. Once you’ve decided which one you need, just click on the ticket and we’ll take you straight to the official Eurail website to make your reservation.

What are the Eurail Pass benefits?

There are a few good reasons why it makes great sense to use a Eurail Pass. The many benefits of the Eurail Pass include the following:

Speed:Traveling by rail is the usually the fastest way to go if you are traveling from one city to the next within Europe. These trains work in a vast network, linking hundreds of cities, towns, and countries. Some of these trains even travel at speeds of up to 200 mph.

Relaxation:Traveling by rail in Europe is actually more relaxing when compared to flying. If you are on vacation and you want to experience the local culture then this is the mode of travel that you should take. Unlike a stuffy crowded plane, rail travel usually offers you a lot of space to move around.

Comfort:There are trains that provide a lot of entertainment options while you travel. You can move around, meet the local folks and other travellers, and get enough space to stretch your legs and enjoy the trip. There are trains that have cafes, restaurants, and bars too.

Sleepers:If you are traveling long distance, then you can take an overnight sleeper and cover the distance while lying in comfort. You don’t only travel fast as you go along; you also save on the hotel bill too. Think of it as a way to chill out and hang out while traveling in between different European cities.

Scenery:Unlike other means of transport, you will more often than not be presented with unique and spectacular European countryside scenery. That is why some people claim that you haven’t really experienced life in Europe without having actually travelled by rail. Some of the landscapes you will enjoy as you travel from one place to the next are truly breathtaking.

Location:It’s the easiest way to get to city centers – much simpler and cheaper than renting a car! Although renting a car might be the best option in your country, that doesn’t mean it is in Europe.

3 Great Reasons NOT to drive around Europe

Crowds:It’s the easiest way to get to city centers – much simpler and cheaper than renting a car! Although renting a car might be the best option in your country, that doesn’t mean it is in Europe.

Parking:The traffic is not the only thing that will kill the excitement (not to mention waste your time). Finding parking space will often be extremely difficult, if not impossible. Driving along the busy streets looking for spaces will be quite a tedious task – not what you want to spend your holiday time doing!

Fees:On top of that, there are car rental companies that won’t allow you to drive their cars across borders. However, if they do allow it, expect to be charged additional fees like drop off charges and others like it even if it is just a one way rental.

Final Toughts:You don’t get all of that hassle when you use your Eurail Pass in Europe. You even get dropped off at the city centre where all the points of interest are usually nearby. Remember that train stations are usually centrally located, which is an added convenience.

Ready to get on board?

Choose your pass now!

Why to NOT travel Europe by plane

It is undeniably true that planes travel long distances faster than trains. However, another truth that you will have to deal with all the traffic and hassle of traveling from your hotel to the airport.

It isn’t usually a walk in the park just to get to the airport. Sure your flight will only take an hour, but it might take you 3 hours just to make it to the airport on time.

Another thing you will miss out when you travel by air is that you don’t get to enjoy the unique views and scenery. Some say that the journeys in between European cities is one of the unique highlights of a Eurail Pass trip.

Why to NOT travel Europe by plane

It is undeniably true that planes travel long distances faster than trains. However, another truth that you will have to deal with all the traffic and hassle of traveling from your hotel to the airport.

It isn’t usually a walk in the park just to get to the airport. Sure your flight will only take an hour, but it might take you 3 hours just to make it to the airport on time.

Another thing you will miss out when you travel by air is that you don’t get to enjoy the unique views and scenery. Some say that the journeys in between European cities is one of the unique highlights of a Eurail Pass trip.

Eurail Pass vs. Interrail Pass: which one do I need?

 

To make use of the superb rail networks all over Europe, you need to buy a Eurail Pass if you not a citizen or resident of Europe. But if you reside within Europe, then you can’t get a Eurail Pass.

Instead, you should get an InterRail pass. Some residents of non-European countries are also able to get the InterRail Pass, such as visitors and tourists from Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, the Russian Federation, and Turkey. People from these countries are able to get an InterRail Pass but not a Eurail Pass.

The InterRail Pass actually covers pretty much everything that any Eurail Pass covers. It has the same fees and it also has the same reservations. There are just a few other privileges given to InterRail pass holders that are not afforded to Eurail Pass holders. Nevertheless, these rail passes make it possible for Europeans and non-Europeans to travel together in ease and comfort.

One thing that you should remember though is that if you are getting the Eurail Pass, you should buy your pass before you get to Europe. You can’t buy them once you are already at the station.

Ready to get on board?

Choose your pass now!

Types of Eurail Pass – Europe awaits!

There are different types of Eurail Pass that you can buy – but they can all be bought via the official Eurail site.

For instance, there are Eurail Passes that are continuous in nature. These passes are valid for a certain period of time and can be used for traveling by train every day as long as the indicated Eurail Pass validity period has not expired.

Some types of Eurail Pass give you several days of unlimited travel. These are sometimes called flexi type travel passes. Some flexi type travel Eurail Passes have an overall pass validity period that will last for a total of two months. As usual, the pass validity period starts the day you validate your Eurail Pass, just before you hop on your first train ride.

These days of unlimited travel will be marked on your Eurail Pass. Let’s say you bought a pass that includes 5 unlimited travel days on it. You will see 5 empty boxes printed on your Eurail Pass. Whenever you decide to use one of the unlimited travel days, then you will have to mark one of those boxes when you board a train.

Once you have indicated a date on the said box, you will have unlimited travel from midnight to midnight on the date you indicated.  You will not be required to decide immediately when you should use all the unlimited travel days. You can make that decision when you need it and go as you please.

Common Eurail Pass Mistakes

Filling out your ticket in advance

Even if you have a fixed itinerary, it isn’t necessary or wise to fill in all the boxes for unlimited travel dates in accordance with your travel schedule. Remember that some unexpected things may happen along the way that may force you to change your travel dates. It’s more sensible to simply indicate your travel date on the day you head for the station.

Using your Pass for the wrong journeys

Another mistake that tourists also make is to use their Eurail Pass for every train trip they make. Using your Eurail Pass in this way can work out be a bit expensive so you should use it only for really important trips. If you just need to get out of the hotel and make an unscheduled trip then it will be more economical to use a regular ticket for a day trip than using your Eurail Pass.

However, if you do use an unlimited travel day to make an unscheduled trip, then it will be cheaper to use your Eurail Pass for all trips you take that day, since you’re already getting unlimited travel on that day. It doesn’t matter how many trains you take or how many miles you travel that day.

Using your Pass for the wrong journeys

Another mistake that tourists also make is to use their Eurail Pass for every train trip they make. Using your Eurail Pass in this way can work out be a bit expensive so you should use it only for really important trips. If you just need to get out of the hotel and make an unscheduled trip then it will be more economical to use a regular ticket for a day trip than using your Eurail Pass.

However, if you do use an unlimited travel day to make an unscheduled trip, then it will be cheaper to use your Eurail Pass for all trips you take that day, since you’re already getting unlimited travel on that day. It doesn’t matter how many trains you take or how many miles you travel that day.

Other Types of Eurrail Pass – Explained

2 Week Eurail Pass – Explained

What is referred to commonly as a 2 week Eurail Pass is actually a ‘15 day continuous’ ticket, which allows unlimited travel every day throughout a 15 day validity period. It is perfect for quick getaways, whether you are a backpacker or just looking to see some new scenery at a great price. You can see a lot in 15 days!

The benefits of this type of Eurail Pass are the same as we listed above, in that it saves you from needing to buy point to point tickets for journeys and affords you a great deal of flexibility while you are on your trip. Even if you decide to stay longer than 15 days, you can easily order another Eurail Pass and get it delivered to your location in Europe within just a few days.

3 Country Eurail Pass – Explained

Of course, not everyone will have the time to use an Eurail Global Pass to visit every country in Europe. If you are a traveller or holidaymaker who only wants to visit two or three countries, the 3 Country Eurail Pass is your friend.

Some popular examples of countries people choose to visit with the 3 Country Eurail Pass include France, Italy and Spain; Austria, Germany and Switzerland; or even Denmark, Norway and Sweden. It is easier if you choose countries that share a border – the closer they are geographically, the more time you will be able to spend in each place.

Is there an Eurail Pass for students?

Yes, there is a Student Eurail Pass, also known as the Eurail Youth Pass or Student Pass. You can consider a Student Eurail Pass as a discounted rail pass afforded to students traveling via the Eurail system.

If you are a student, a backpacker, or even if you’re under 28 years old then this is the option for you. When you purchase a Student Eurail Pass, you get a pretty huge discount compared to the standard rate given to adults – which amounts to 35% off. If you’re on a tight budget and you want to see as much of Europe as you can, then this discount could make all the difference.

The Student Eurail Pass gives you discounts on all travels. You can use the Eurail Global Pass to travel to all 28 countries and get the 35% youth discount. The same also applies whether you get a 2 week Eurail Pass, 3 Country Eurail Pass, or whichever one you decide you need.

Although there are terms and conditions that apply when you use your Eurail Pass for students, they are usually available for both 1st class trips and also for 2nd class trips. That applies to all trips except for a trip to Norway, where there is no 1st class trip available.

You can save even more money if you use your Eurail Pass for students with 2 or more people who are also aged 27 years and below. Getting an Eurail Pass at the youth rate is even more affordable than the Saver Pass, which requires you to travel with a companion throughout your trip.

Is there an Eurail Pass for seniors?

There is unfortunately no such thing as a dedicated Eurail Pass for seniors. Seniors travelling alone will need to purchase an Eurail Pass at the standard adult rate. However, instead of senior rate discounts, you can opt for the Saver Pass. By travelling in a group of 2-5 people, you can save up to 15% off the regular ticket rates.

What is a Eurorail Month Pass?

A common misnomer, what some may know as the Eurorail Month Pass is actually an Eurail Pass that has a validity of one month. There are a number of these to choose from, offering varying numbers of travel days, so take your pick from the Eurail Pass (AKA Eurorail Month Pass) options above depending on what kind of trip you are looking to take.

Eurail Pass prices – how much does an Eurail Pass cost?

Eurail Pass prices vary from one type of Eurail Pass to the other. There are factors that come into play when you place your order for an Eurail Pass, such as:

  • The type of pass you are getting
  • The age of the passenger
  • The number of people traveling together
  • How long you wish to travel for
  • How much travelling you intend to do during your trip

Youth Eurail Pass – First Class

For instance, a single youth (someone aged 12-27) traveling alone via a first class seat will have to pay €374. This rail pass will include 5 travel days and it is valid for a month.

Youth Eurail Pass – Second Class

A second class ticket on the other hand for the same youth traveling alone will cost €305. If there is more than one of you, just multiply the standard ticket price by the number of travellers – Youth Passes typically work out cheaper than Saver Passes.

Adult Eurail Pass

Adult Eurail Pass prices start at €466. However, if you are traveling as a group of 2-5 people, when you order your Eurail Pass you will get a 15% discount off of the standard prices offered to adults. By definition, an adult is someone who is 28+ years old.

Family Eurail Pass

In Eurail terms, a family is a group composed of 2 adults and 2 kids traveling together. You will be offered a 15% discount if you travel as a family via Eurail. Note that the fare price for the children will be waived if you travel as a family – that means you don’t have to pay anything for the kid’s travel.

Children are classified as aged between 4 and 11. Bringing kids more than 2 children per adult will incur additional costs – each additional child will need a Youth Pass of their own. Family rates in the Eurail system currently start at €466.

*Note that the figures we have quoted will vary depending on the available discount offers currently being offered. More information about that can be found below.

Eurail Pass deals – can I get an Eurail Pass discount?

As stated earlier, there are discount offers provided here on this site. If there are any current discount and special rates provided by the official Eurail Pass vendors then they will be displayed here.

The best way to stay up to date with the different offers is to sign up for our email alerts  using the form above. We’ll send you an email whenever the system posts a new discount offer.

Are there Eurail Pass student discount offers?

Yes, there are discount offers that are provided for students who purchase a Eurail Pass. You can see the current discount offers we have on this site displayed on this page. Do take note that some offers are time limited, which means if you see a discount offer you like, you should take advantage of the offer as soon as possible.

However, if you miss a certain offer, don’t worry. We usually post a special discount at the soonest time possible. There will usually be a discount offer or a special rate coming up sooner or later – if you want us to let you know when it happens, just drop us your email using the form below!

Don’t make any more excuses not to take the trip of a lifetime!

Buy Interrail Global Pass

Why to NOT travel Europe by plane

It is undeniably true that planes travel long distances faster than trains. However, another truth that you will have to deal with all the traffic and hassle of traveling from your hotel to the airport.

It isn’t usually a walk in the park just to get to the airport. Sure your flight will only take an hour, but it might take you 3 hours just to make it to the airport on time.

Another thing you will miss out when you travel by air is that you don’t get to enjoy the unique views and scenery. Some say that the journeys in between European cities is one of the unique highlights of a Eurail Pass trip.

Need some inspiration?

We’ve got you covered! Check out some of Europe’s top places to visit and explore in our guides below.

Interrail France

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Interrail Italy

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Interrail Portugal

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Interrail United Kingdom

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Eurail Pass Review

Susan Rickman, 26

“Is the Eurail Pass cheap? It can be, if you need it to. But if you are retired and you want to see Europe – it was my dream vacation and on top of that it’s on my bucket list anyway – so I travelled first class.

The good news is that traveling in style via train rail kept those rowdy whippersnappers away. I had a great time enjoying the scenery – I even took pictures of the countryside.

Using a Eurail Pass was more a convenience since I didn’t have time to queue up to get tickets. The service was good and the trip was a delight.”

Can I leave an Eurail Pass review?

We welcome anyone who wishes to leave a review about their experience of the Eurail Pass, or if you have any feedback about the information provided on this page.

Please feel free to post your experiences and reviews in our comments section below, or if you feel you’d like to make a feature with your own page on Interrail-Journey, get in touch with us!

Eurail Pass – worth it?

“I was about to hit my 27th birthday so I decided to take the plunge and buy an Interrail Global pass so I could see the rest of Europe. I also downloaded the Rail Planner app for my phone so I could avoid trains that required a reservation fee.

During my trip, I ultimately visited 11 countries, including the Czech Republic, Germany, France, Switzerland, Spain and Estonia. I used the pass 20 times and spent just 85 euros in reservation fees. By using the pass, I spent around 200 Euro less overall than if I had bought single tickets.

Was it worth it? Although 200 Euro does not seem like that much, you also need to factor in the convenience of not having to line up for tickets every time I had to use the train. In addition, I also made a few mistakes by using the Pass for trains that went for just short distances; if I had planned better and used the Pass for longer trips I would have saved more.

So yes it was worth it, particularly if you factor in all the other benefits and discounts you can get with an Interrail pass. Many people are not aware of these bonuses, since they are only focused on using it for train trips. If you do a little research, you can actually discover some great little spots that can greatly enhance your stay in a particular city!”