Different types of Passes
There are a number of different passes that you can choose from. Instead of getting overwhelmed by the options, think of it as an opportunity to find the perfect Pass that will make your trip exceptional. Read on to find out which is the best European rail Pass for your travels.
Others perks of a rail Pass
Beyond expanded travel, many Passes come with a number of other advantages. For starters, children travel for free on many Passes. There are also often youth and senior travellers discounts plus reduced rates on public transportation, museums and other activities, depending on the Pass. Take advantage of these discounts not just for the savings, but to also embrace more cultural experiences. For Pass-specific perks, see below.
Eurail and Interrail Global Passes - Your ticket to Europe
If you plan on travelling between multiple countries for an extended period of time, the Global Pass is likely the best European rail Pass for you. A bonus perk is the impressive flexibility this Pass offers. With a Global Pass, you can pivot and easily change your plans without having to purchase extra Passes or separate tickets when moving between countries or regions. Tailored formulas are available, offering unlimited travel in 33 countries as well as travel bonuses. You can choose the start day of your Pass the moment you’re ready to travel. Passes must be activated before your first train trip and within 11 months of the date of purchase. You will instantly receive your mobile Pass after purchasing.
Eurail versus Interrail Passes: What’s the difference?
The Eurail Pass is for non-EU residents. Choose between the Eurail One Country Pass or the Eurail Global Pass for unlimited train travel to 40,000 destinations in 33 European countries. On the other hand, if you’re a citizen or permanent resident of the EU*, then an Interrail Pass is for you. Choose between the Interrail One Country Pass or the Interrail Global Pass for access to 40,000 destinations in 33 European countries.
*Or one of the other European countries: Albania, Andorra, Belarus, Bosnia Herzegovina, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Iceland, Isle of Man, Kosovo, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom or Vatican City.
Flexipass or Continuous?
Getting this part right is key to maximising travel and your budget. To choose between a Flexipass or Continuous Pass, first you must understand a travel day. A travel day is a day that you can use your Pass to travel. Passengers choose the number of travel days when selecting the type of Pass they wish to purchase.
The Continuous Global Pass gives passholders uninterrupted travel during the timeframe that the pass is valid. The Flexipass, on the other hand, has a fixed number of travel days, which allows travellers to have more control over their itinerary. This is the more flexible option as it allows you to pick and choose on which days you wish to use a travel day.
Passholder fares
Certain types of trains (high-speed trains, international cross border trains, some panoramic trains, night trains and to board ferries), require a reservation for Passholders. These reservations can be made directly on the Eurail app and include a discounted Rail Pass rate.
Booking your Passholder fares
If you are travelling on a train operated by SNCF, Trenitalia or RHB (which run routes in France, Spain, Italy and Switzerland), you can book your Passholder fare on the Rail Europe website. Just search for the train you want to use, and you will see if it requires a reservation. If it does, you can book your seat right then and there.
One Country Passes
If you are planning on travelling around a country with at least 3 to 4 train trips, a One Country Eurail or Interrail Pass is likely going to offer you the most value. And while we say “One Country Pass,” there are a number of travel options to choose from to customise your Pass to the adventure you have in mind.
Here’s how it works. First, depending on your residency, select either a Eurail or an Interrail Pass. Then choose a One Country Pass and select the single country in which you wish to travel extensively. Next you must select how often you wish to travel and for how long.
You can pick between the Flexible travel options of 3, 4, 5, 6 or 8 travel days*. You can pick which days you want to use as travel days within 1 or 2 months of the first date of travel, depending on the Pass you select. Then you will choose if you wish to travel in First or Second class with your Pass.
*Each One Country Pass’ details and restrictions differ.
The best France rail Pass options
From the endless vineyards of Bordeaux to the snow-capped peaks of the French Alps, France offers more exciting experiences than there are types of French cheese (and there are over 1,000 versions of those). See (and taste) them all with the top France rail Pass: the Eurail and Interrail France One Country Pass.
With the Eurail/Interrail France rail Pass, you can travel the entire national rail network – over 31,000 km to be more precise – with the ease of a mobile Pass. You can take multiple trains per day all at the fixed price of the Pass itself. And be sure to take advantage of the discounts this Pass offers, including entrance fees to Disneyland® Paris and the French Riviera Pass, plus discounts on hotels, museums and more.
The best Germany rail Pass options
Where besides Germany can you visit castles dating back to the Middle Ages, celebrate Oktoberfest in its birthpalace, visit over 50 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, listen to symphonies right where they were first composed, try one of the one thousand local sausage varieties and wash it all down with some of the best beers in the world? Take it all in with a Eurail or Interrail Germany rail Pass.
With this Germany rail Pass, you can travel the entire national rail network plus aboard certain DB trains from the four countries of Switzerland, Austria, Belgium and Italy. Using your convenient mobile Pass, you can travel as long and as far as you want during a day. Also, take advantage of the numerous perks of this Pass, including a 50% discount on steamer boats on Lake Constance, discounts on boating trips, free rides on the German S-Bahn (suburban metro railways) and more.
The best Swiss rail Pass options
From French-speaking Geneva to German-speaking Zurich onto Italian-speaking Lugano, Switzerland offers a diverse experience of cultures, foods, languages, people and nature. Experience it all with ease thanks to the Swiss Travel Pass, which covers travel aboard trains, buses and even boats!
Suitable for non-Swiss residents who want to travel in Switzerland, the Swiss Rail Pass provides unlimited travel on Swiss trains, buses, boats and more, as well as unlimited public transport in 90 towns and cities. Perks include free admission to over 500 museums, free or discounted excursions to the alpine summits, unlimited use of public transit in over 90 Swiss cities and discounts on cable cars.
The best Spain rail Pass options
Is the most beautiful beach in Spain in San Sebastian, Málaga, Marbella or Alicante? What about the best cuisine? Is it Valencian paella, crema Catalana, pulpo a la gallega or Cocido madrileño? How about the best city in Spain to visit. Madrid? Barcelona? Sevilla? Bilbao? The answer is: you don’t need to pick! Instead, get a Eurail/Interrail Spain rail Pass to visit and see them all. This Pass allows you to travel across the entire national rail network of Spain, with multiple journeys allowed per day.
The best Italy rail Pass options
Experience your own travel renaissance in the birthplace of the Renaissance. Explore renowned art museums, visit legendary historic architecture, take some sun on the sands of luxurious beaches, try trend-setting fashion and bask in the warm hospitality of the Italian people. From the breathtaking cliffs of the Amalfi Coast to the vibrant restaurants of Bologna's thriving culinary scene, Italy should be savored like a traditional Italian dinner – slowly, and with an espresso to finish. Make the most of your Interrail/Eurail Italy rail Pass to travel the country's extensive national rail network at your own pace.
The best UK rail Pass options
From the bustling streets of London to the wild natural beauty of the Scotish Highlands, the UK is like a brewing tea of multiple flavors, each as important as the next. The best way to see as much of the UK as possible is with a Eurail or Interrail Global Pass that covers travel not only across England but also in Scotland and Wales.
Other Country Passes
Beyond this list, there are a number of other One Country Passes to choose from, including Austria, Benelux (Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg), Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Greek Island - 4 and 6 day validity, Hungary, Ireland, Lithuania, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Scandinavia (Finland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden), Serbia, Slovenia, Sweden and Turkey.
The real value of a European rail pass
Now that you know all of the different rail Pass options, let’s grab a calculator and see how much value your rail Pass could offer you.
The cost of travelling Spain, France and Germany with a Global Pass
Imagine you've always dreamed of exploring Europe, so you've decided to embark on a whirlwind journey across Spain, France and Germany.
If you choose a 4-day Eurail Global Mobile Pass Flex, you will have 4 travel days within one month for a total of €283.00 for 2nd Class travel. This would include the trips between Spain, France, Germany and more. If you travel by high-speed or night train, you would be required to purchase a Passholder fare, but with your Pass, your fares will be heavily discounted. Keep in mind that ticket prices can vary depending on the day, route and country. To provide a rough estimate of the trip cost, let's compare the cost of travelling with your Global Pass versus booking single journey tickets along your travels.
Here’s the scenario: After getting your fill of tapas in Madrid for a few days, you are headed off to Barcelona. If you take the 17:00 train with a single journey ticket, it starts at €107.35, while a Passholder fare starts at €12. Then a couple of beautiful days later, you are ready to head from Barcelona to Paris on the 13:25 train. Single tickets start at €99 and Passholder fares start at €27. Then after you’ve had your fill of croissants and pain au chocolat, it’s off to Berlin at 10:52. Single journey tickets start at €85.90 while Passholder fares run around €19. Finally, a few days later you decide that you just must visit the Museum Brandhorst in Munich for the day, so you set off early in the morning on a train that costs €89.90 for a single journey ticket but with no Passholder fares required. Then later that evening you head back to Berlin for €89.90 on a single journey or with a €0 Passholder fare.
So, what’s the total?
The verdict: For this specific trip, a Eurail Global Pass allows you to save €131.05.
The cost of travelling Germany, Switzerland and Italy with a Global Pass
In this case, let’s imagine you want to see some of the world’s most glorious natural wonders, so you decide to set off on a trip across Germany, Switzerland and Italy. You can pull this trip off with a 4-day Eurail Global Mobile Pass Flex for €283.00. But if you want to take it a bit slower, consider the 5-day Eurail Global Mobile Pass Flex for €318.00.
Here’s the scenario: Starting off in Frankfurt, you head off just after 8am to the stunning Black Forest of Germany to hike to the famous waterfalls. The single journey ticket here would start at around €33.90, with a Passholder fare of €0. Then, after a day of enjoying the great outdoors, prepare for the scenic ride to Lake Geneva leaving at 8 am, with a single ticket cost of €37.90, again with a Passholder fare of €0. Then you head from the shores of Lake Geneva to Birg, the gateway to the breath-taking Swiss Alps. Getting there with a single journey ticket starts at around €71.50 versus the Passholder fare of €0.
Day four of travel is a big day. The first round of trains goes from Brig to the picturesque village of Andermatt. You set off at 9:18am with a single ticket costing €88.50 and a Passholder fee of €14. You could choose a cheaper train that doesn't have a Passholder fee, but this one is a can’t-miss because it is on a panoramic car, which takes your trip to the next level, trust us. After a nice lunch and early afternoon walking around Andermatt, hop aboard the Glacier Express to St. Moritz, one of the most famous luxury ski resort towns in the world, with a single journey ticket of €63.50 and a €0 Passholder fare.
On your final travel day, cruise across the Bernina Range and the Swiss-Italian border to Tirano, Italy aboard another panoramic train. The single journey ticket runs €66.50 with a €0 Passholder fare. After taking in the stunning local architecture, head to your final destination of Milan for a few days of shopping, eating and practicing your Italian. A typical single journey fare starts at around €12.50 and there is no passholder fee.
So what’s the total?
The verdict:
In this example, buying a Pass saves you anywhere from €42.30-€77.30, depending on if you choose a 4- or 5-day Pass. Either way, you are saving with a Pass. And notice that the only Passholder fare that we paid on this voyage was €14 for the panoramic train in Swtizerland, which we could have skipped and taken a train that does not require a reservation. Depending on the country you are travelling through, you can avoid paying Passholder fares altogether!
