The Complete Guide to Exploring Europe by Train with a Eurail Pass

Planning a multi-city adventure across Europe this summer and relying on trains? You might want to think about getting a Eurail Pass. If it’s been a while since you considered a Eurail Pass—like back in your backpacking days—you’re not the only one. My last experience was in 2007 as a student when I spent around $500 (earned from my part-time barista job) on a multi-ride ticket. Over the course of a month, I traveled on over a dozen trains from Amsterdam to Paris, then to Madrid. This not only saved me money but also eliminated the hassle of purchasing tickets, as I could board most trains and have the conductor validate my pass on the spot.
For those new to train travel in Europe, the Eurail Pass is a single document that grants non-European citizens access to travel multiple times across a network of 33 countries. Travel must take place within a specified timeframe, allowing you to skip buying individual tickets for each journey. Celebrating its 65th anniversary this year, the Eurail Pass can be used on local trains, high-speed trains, and even night trains. In addition to providing flexibility and saving time, it can also reduce your travel costs, depending on your itinerary.

Here’s everything you should know about Eurail Passes before making a purchase.

Eurail vs. Interrail

Eurail is not more affordable than Interrail. Their pricing is identical; however, Eurail is specifically for non-EU residents and citizens.

How do Eurail Passes operate?

You can opt for a One Country Pass, which allows train travel in just one country, or a Eurail Global Pass, which provides unlimited travel across 33 European countries using their national rail systems. Within each pass category, you’ll find even more choices. There are options for children (ages 4 to 11), youth (12 to 27), adults (28+), and seniors (60+). These passes are available in both first- and second-class across all age groups.
Additionally, the passes offer varying trip lengths for both One Country and Global Passes. If you’re planning a brief getaway and won’t be traveling frequently by train, the flexible, four-days-in-one-month option is ideal. On the other hand, if you're looking for an extensive journey with lots of travel, the three-month unlimited travel pass is your best bet.

The validities for flexible passes are as follows:

• Four travel days within a single month
• Five travel days within a single month
• Seven travel days within a single month
• 10 travel days within two months
• 15 travel days within two months

There are also passes available for unlimited travel days during specific time frames. These continuous train passes cover durations such as:

• 15 days
• 22 days
• One month
• Two travel months
• Three travel months

The pass is available based on the number of travel days you intend to use it. Each travel day allows unlimited train rides within a 24-hour period from 12:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. on the same day.

Remember, there are some exceptions when taking a night train. For instance, if you book a train that departs on Monday night and arrives on Tuesday morning, you will only need to use one travel day (the day you depart) for that journey. However, if you board another train on Tuesday, you’ll need to use an additional travel day on your pass.
To help you find the perfect pass for your journey, Eurail has created an online tool where you can input your travel details, including the countries you wish to visit, the number of days you plan to travel by train, and the overall length of your trip. At the end of this quick survey, it will suggest the best pass for your needs.

Where can you purchase a Eurail Pass?

You can buy any type of Eurail Pass online at Eurail.com, but there are several other websites that offer them as well. RailPass and Rail Europe are both authorized sellers that provide Eurail Passes at prices similar to Eurail.com, with minor differences in insurance and service fees.

Some sites offer free shipping (for those who prefer a paper pass) and others provide special discounts and promo codes for tickets, so it’s wise to explore all your options before finalizing your purchase to ensure you get the best deal.

You can also buy Eurail Passes at train stations in Europe, but this option tends to be pricier than ordering them online in advance.

What is the cost of a Eurail Pass?

Here are some starting prices for the Eurail Global Pass for adults in 2024 when purchased directly from Eurail:

• Four days within one month pass: $311 for second-class and $395 for first-class
• 7 days within one month pass: $419 or $532
• 15 days within two months pass: $608 or $772
• Three-month unlimited pass: $1,052 or $1,335
  

Given that a two-month unlimited pass costs $909 for second class or $1,154 for first class, you're only paying a few hundred extra for an additional month of unlimited travel.

One Country Passes tend to be more budget-friendly and vary by country. For example, adult passes for Italy purchased directly from Eurail range from $182 to $321 for second class and $231 to $408 for first class.

The main limitation of One Country Passes is that the maximum duration is eight days within a single month.

Eurail also offers passes that cover multiple countries, allowing you to explore various regions for the price of one. For example, you can choose the Benelux Pass (which includes Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg) or the Scandinavia Pass (covering Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden). However, keep in mind that Eurail does not provide One Country Passes for some countries included in the Global Pass, such as Switzerland, Montenegro, and Bosnia.

Are Eurail Passes a good investment?

It really depends. If you plan to travel four days within a month, a second-class pass would typically cost adults $311, translating to $77.75 per day. If the train fare exceeds $77.75, or if you’re taking several trains in one day that accumulate to more than that amount, then purchasing the pass makes sense. Conversely, if you only need an inexpensive regional train to travel between cities like Amsterdam and Brussels, it may not be worth it.

While some may argue that taking $50 Ryanair or EasyJet flights for quick city hops is more efficient and economical, remember that when you factor in early airport arrivals for security checks and baggage fees, the savings may diminish. Additionally, train travel offers a much more sustainable and more scenic experience.

Is it necessary to make reservations with a Eurail Pass?

In certain cases, yes. Not all trains require or even provide reserved seating. For instance, TER trains in France typically only offer unreserved seats (except for some routes between Paris and certain Normandy destinations). However, some train types in various countries always mandate a seat reservation. In France, a seat reservation on the TGV INOUI from Paris to Nice costs $13.20 in both first and second class. Similarly, on the AVE train from Barcelona to Madrid, the required seat reservation is $13.20 in second class and $16.50 in first. In popular travel destinations like France, Spain, and Italy—especially during summer—you will definitely need to secure a seat reservation in advance for an additional cost (usually ranging from five to 12 euros), even if the fare is included with your Eurail Pass.

Moreover, all night trains and most international high-speed trains across Europe require a supplemental reservation fee. Certain scenic trains, such as the Bernina Express in Switzerland, also necessitate one. To check whether a reservation is required, look up your desired route on the Eurail Timetable, which will indicate if it's necessary and the associated cost.

Reservation fees differ across countries and train services and must be paid directly to the railway operators; payment can be made at train stations, online via the national railway companies’ websites, by phone, or through Eurail’s Rail Planner app. Eurail advises making train reservations two months in advance during the summer and prior to holidays to secure your seat.

Alternatively, you might choose to travel on regional trains, which don’t require seat reservations. While these trains are slower, if you have time to make stops, you may stumble upon charming villages that you would miss if you took the high-speed trains. To locate trains that don’t require reservations, simply check the “no seat reservations required” option when using the Eurail Timetable page.

Which countries are included with a Eurail Pass?

Currently, there are 33 countries in Europe whose rail operators accept Eurail Passes. In August 2019, Great Britain’s train companies nearly withdrew from the agreement. However, after discussions with the Rail Delivery Group (RDG), representing Britain’s train sector, travelers can continue using their Eurail passes within Great Britain, which includes England, Scotland, and Wales. A One Country Eurail pass for Ireland also covers Northern Ireland.

Here’s the complete list of the 33 countries that Eurail currently serves: Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and Turkey. You can download the train route map.

How early can I purchase a Eurail Pass?

You can acquire a Eurail Pass up to 11 months prior to your journey, provided it is activated at a European train station within that time frame. Additionally, you can preactivate your pass for a designated date during checkout at Eurail.com to skip the lines at the train station.

Access a mobile version of the Eurail Pass through Eurail’s Rail Planner App. This way, you won’t have to wait for the physical document to arrive by mail—or stress about losing it while traveling. You can simply download the app and add your mobile pass as soon as you receive your order confirmation in your email.

Are Eurail Passes exclusively for college students?

You might think that only young backpackers on a budget can take advantage of Eurail Passes, but these passes are actually accessible to travelers of all ages. Those aged 27 and younger can enjoy a discount of up to 25% off the standard adult price, while seniors over 60 receive a 10% discount.
Eurail passes are also ideal for families and very cost-effective. Children aged three and under can travel for free on an adult's lap, and those aged four to 11 qualify for a complimentary Child Pass. Up to two children can accompany one adult for free. For more details on family discounts here, keep in mind that if you want a guaranteed seat for your child aged three or under, you’ll need to purchase a standard Child Pass.

What other advantages do Eurail Pass holders enjoy?

All holders of a Eurail Pass are eligible for discounts on selected museum entries and boat tours across the entire 33-country network. A significant advantage of having an unlimited train ticket that includes night trains is the savings on accommodation. Traveling overnight allows you to move from one destination to another while saving on hotel costs at the same time.

Eurail Passes are not limited to trains; they can also be used on ferries and public transport in various countries. You can view the complete list of participating train, ferry, and public transport companies that accept Eurail Passes. For instance, the Greek Islands Pass provides ferry services to 46 islands, making it an excellent choice for island-hopping.

This article was initially published in 2019 and was last updated on June 11, 2024, with the most current information.