LIVE: You can now book your Swiss Travel and Global Passholder fares directly with Rail Europe!

So you have or are thinking of getting a Global Eurail, Interrail Pass or a Swiss Travel Pass. Well, you’re in the right spot. Now you can book your Passholder fares and seats aboard trains right from the Rail Europe website. No need to wait in stressful lines the day of travel to (fingers crossed) get a ticket aboard. Rail Europe has you covered.

But let’s pump the brakes. Passholder fares? Seats? Eurail and Interrail Passes? Swiss Travel Pass? Let’s start from square one so you can get the most out of your Pass and your train trip across Europe.

What is a rail Pass? 

A rail Pass gives unlimited travel on the rail networks of the country/countries or regions covered by the pass at one fixed price. Passes offer the best value compared to a single point-to-point ticket if an itinerary includes three or more journeys. They are flexible, allowing passengers to choose when to travel (within a set period of time that the Pass is valid for). 

Great, so what are Eurail and the Interrail Passes? How are they different?

The Eurail and Interrail Passes allow for unlimited train travel on participating train operators within one country or throughout 33 countries in Europe – depending on the type of pass that you choose. The difference between these two Passes is that the Interrail Pass is available only to European citizens and permanent residents, while the Eurail Pass is for all other non-Europeans. 

Learn more about how the Eurail Pass and Interrail Pass work!

Getting the most out of your Eurail or Interrail Pass

Holding a Eurail or Interrail Pass not only opens you up to seeing the wonders of Europe, but it also comes with a number of other benefits. First, children travel for free on many Passes and there are a number of other perks like discounts on accommodation, local transport, city tours and more. Plus, you will also get a discount on trains requiring reservations. 

And what about the Swiss Travel Pass?

The Swiss Travel Pass gives you the freedom to traverse the entire Swiss Travel System network and hop on and off trains at your leisure. When it comes to One Country Pass, Switzerland takes it to the next level by not just covering trains but also buses, boats, mountain excursions and scenic trains. Plus, it comes with perks like free admission to over 500 museums and public transportation all over Switzerland and discounts certain high-speed trains and Nightjet trains. Which brings us to…

Booking your Global Passholder fares and seats with Rail Europe

When using your Eurail or Interrail Global Pass or Swiss Travel Pass to cruise around Europe, know that many trains do not require a reservation. Those trains are perfect for those on-a-whim type of trips. Although these trains do not require a strict seat reservation, they do still require that you book a Passholder fare so that your space aboard is accounted for.

On the other hand, certain types of trains (including high-speed trains, international cross border trains, some panoramic trains, night trains and ferries), require a reservation for Eurail and Interrail Passholders and Swiss Travel Passholders. As we mentioned before, these reservations include a discounted rail Pass rate, so you will not be paying the full fare. 

Before today, travellers had to make these reservations on another website or even in person on the day of travel. Now you can avoid that stress (and those long lines)!

If you are travelling on a train operated by SNCF, Trenitalia or RHB (which run routes in France, Spain, Italy and Switzerland), you can simply book your seat on the Rail Europe website. How? First, search the train you wish to take and we will then automatically tell you if a seat reservation is required. If it is, in just a few clicks, you can book your seat at a discounted rate. Nice, right?

We are working to roll out other train operators, so stay tuned for updates!

Travel highlights you don’t want to miss

Now that you can easily book your seats aboard SNCF, Trenitalia and RHB trains right from Rail Europe, here are some top trips to add to your next European itinerary.

SNCF routes to adventure

SNCF high-speed trains cruise around France and into Spain, connecting two of the most visited and beloved countries in Europe. 

• Paris ⟷ Lyon (The fastest trains arrives in under 2 hours and 10 minutes.)
• Paris ⟷ Marseille (Arrive to Marseille in 3 hours flat.)
• Paris ⟷ Barcelona (Travel between these incredible cities on a high-speed train.)

Memories waiting to be made on Trenitalia

Whether you want to go from Rome to Milan or Turin to Salerno, Trenitalia has you covered. With over 250 departures per day, getting around Italy, seeing the sights and tasting the iconic dishes of Italy is easier than ever. Want to country hop? Take the train from Paris to Milan in around six hours.

Must-see stops on RHB

RHB, or the Rhaetian Railway, is the Swiss operator that runs some of the smoothest, puntual travel in all of Europe. When visiting Switzerland, you simply cannot skip the Bernina Express and Glacier Express. These scenic routes connect the Alps of Switzerland and northern Italy and provide a trip that makes ‘getting there’ the best part. Pro tip: get a window seat. You won’t regret it!

Hit the tracks with your Eurail or Interrail Global Pass

From the tippy top of the Alps to the beaches of Barcelona, your Eurail or Interrail Global Pass or Swiss Travel Pass will make Europe your oyster. Ready? Set? Start booking your seats now with Rail Europe!

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