Rail Passes
Rail passes are widely used by travellers looking to experience as much as they can when visiting Europe. By knowing the advantages of a rail pass you will also understand how it works.
Benefits
One or more countries: You can choose to buy a rail pass covering one country, two neighbouring countries or multiple countries. You can even visit 28 countries with the Eurail Global Pass!
Unlimited travel: Take 1 train or 5 trains a day or travel 50km or 400km. With a rail pass, you can travel as much as you want.
Flexibility: Travel whenever you want, wherever you want. No need to plan ahead! A rail pass offers unmatched freedom to make multiple journeys.
Seat reservation at a nominal price: A rail pass offers a special passholder fare to travel on board all trains which require a seat reservation. This means that you will only pay a small fee to travel on board premium trains like the TGV, Eurostar, Thalys, TGV Lyria and more.
Rail pass activation
Rail passes must be activated within 11 months of the issuing date at a railway station in Europe.
Make sure to bring along your travel documents as a railway official will fill in your passport number before stamping your rail pass to validate it.
Before boarding it is mandatory to write down the date of travel on your rail pass as well as recording your trip in the Travel Report on the rail pass cover.
Train ticket vs Rail pass
A train ticket is cheaper if you book in advance and plan on doing only 2 or 3 trips.
A rail pass is better if you want the freedom to travel extensively in one or more countries.
Finding out what is the best product for you, will save you money and time.
Answer these three short questions to know whether a train ticket or a rail pass is best for you:
1. Will I be taking a train three or more during my trip? If the answer is no, then just buy tickets for rail travel as you need them.
2. If the answer is yes, answer the question, do I have set places, dates and times already planned?
3. If the answer is yes, look and see if the places you plan to visit are all within a single counrtry. If they are, we recommend you purchase a Eurail One Country Pass for that country. If they are not, but are all with a ceratin region, eg. Eastern Europe, we recommend you purchase a Eurail Regional Pass if you plan to visit two countries by train, or a Eurail Select Pass if you are visiting four bordering countries to visit by train.
Eurail Select Pass
With a Eurail Select Pass, you can pick 4 bordering countries to visit by train. Remember, when travelling on board local or regional trains, you often do not require a seat reservation. Take your valid rail pass, hop on board the train, sit back and relax.
Eurail Regional Pass
This is the best rail pass to visit two countries by train. There are more than 20 combinations to choose from. The Eurail Regional Pass is best when you are planning to travel in a specific region in Europe.
Eurail One Country Pass
Get your Eurail One Country pass to visit a country freely by train. Choose your destination from a list of over 25 countries and start planning which city and landmarks you want to visit. Just remember that while high speed trains require a seat reservation which is not included in your rail pass, local trains do not.
Travel in muliple coutries across Europe
If you intend to travel to three or more countries, then a Eurail Global Pass is your best option. The Eurail Global Pass is the most complete rail pass to visit Europe. With your Global Pass you can visit up to 24 countries, which are:
Austria; Belgium; Bulgaria; Bosnia and Herzegovina; Czech Republic; Croatia; Denmark; France; Finland; Hungary; Germany; Greece; Ireland; Italy; Luxembourg; Montenegro; Netherlands; Norway; Poland; Portugal; Romania; Serbia; Slovakia; Slovenia; Spain; Sweden; Switzerland
Travel where you please whenever you want! Take as many trains as you like, there is no limit on the distance you can travel in a day. The Eurail Global Pass, to put it simply, offers unlimited travel at a fixed price! The Eurail Global Pass is certainly the most convenient solution to travel extensively on board trains in Europe. The Eurail Global Pass will offer you unlimited rail travel in more than 25 European countries, giving you the opportunity to visit main cities such as Paris, Rome, Berlin, Munich, Barcelona or Amsterdam.
Hop on hop off trains to visit any place you want. The Eurail Global Pass gives you access to all trains, but remember that premium trains require a seat reservation. The Things to know section explains everything you need to know about seat reservations. Enjoy the bonuses which are included in the Eurail Global Pass. You will get discounted fares for selected hotels, reduced museum fares, free ferry trips and more. You will also receive a free Eurail travel pack (Travel map and user guide). The Eurail Global Pass is the key to have a hassle-free trip in Europe.
Taking local and regional trains allows you to explore at will. Simply board with your rail pass and choose any open seat. Reservations are required on most high speed, overnight, scenic, and international trains. We recommend always checking your desired journey for any specific seat reservation requirements.
Who can buy a rail pass?
Any person living in a non-European country can use the Eurail Global Pass. Please note that residents of Russia and Turkey are not eligible.
Do I Need to Reserve My Seats?
On normal regional trains, seat reservation is not necessary, though some trains do offer the ability to reserve a seat so you are guaranteed travel on a particular train. Making a reservation allows the traveller to have priority over other travellers and to have a guaranteed seat. Whether or not you need to reserve a seat is something you need to decide in the planning stages. If you will be travelling during the peak tourist season to or within a popular tourist hot spot, then a reservation is recommended. If you have no reservation, you are permitted to board a train using your rail pass and sit in a seat that has not been reserved. If you cannot find an unreserved seat, you will have to leave the train and try again on the next train. Reserved seats are marked with a tag or have have the name of the traveller in a lit panel above each seat.
To reserve a seat in a train where seat reservation is not necessary or is optional, a small booking fee apples. Reservations can be made any time from when you first receive your pass, right up to the time the train arrives at the station on the day of travel. If you wish to reserve a seat on the day of travel, reservations can be made at the ticket office at the station of departure. A seat reservation doesn’t cost much. Compared to the price of a full fare ticket, it represents only a fraction.
Seat reservations are compulsory for high speed, international and night trains. However, as you will be travelling with a rail pass, you will only have to pay for a small reservation fee, as opposed to the usual standard fare. Seats are generally available for reservation up to 90 days prior to departure and are limited. Book early to secure your seat!
Trains that require a mandatory seat reservation
Eurostar (International train operating between Paris, London and Brussels)
Thalys (International train operating between Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam)
TGV Lyria (International train operating between France and Switzerland)
TGV France-Italy (International train operating between France and Italy)
France-Spain high speed (International train operating between France and Spain)
ICE international trains (International train operating between German and neighbouring countries)
TGV international trains (International train operating between France and neighbouring countries)
Intercite trains (domestic trains operating in France)
Intercite de nuit (domestic night French night trains)
What is a Saver Pass?
A Saver Pass is a single pass listing the names of all people travelling together. It is offered to families or groups of 2 to 5 people.
Adults usually get a 15% discount with a Saver Pass.
Remember, children can travel for free with an adult. Special conditions may apply.
Child concessions
Children under 4 travel for free. Do not include them in your booking as they don’t need a rail pass. However if you want them to have a guaranteed seat on board high speed trains or a bed on board night trains, you must make a reservation before travelling.
Children from 4 to 11 travel for free. As a rail pass will still be issued for them, please make sure you include them in your booking. For guaranteed seats on board high speed and night trains, please remember to book a seat for you and your children.
Additional Benefits
Most rail passes include discounts and bonuses. Save money and make the most of your trip with your rail pass. When available you will get hotel discounts, free entrance to museums, discounted boat trips and more.
