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Question

So confused

  • July 31, 2026
  • 3 replies
  • 42 views

Bought the euro rail global pass 10 days within two months. Not sure about activation. I have read and researched so much I think I’ve completely confused myself. Flying into Germany and taking a train to Amsterdam so  that is when I will activate my pass. Will I need to do anything else? Since it is not a continuous pass, will I have to activate it every day I plan to use it? when I bought it. My trip was only 12 days but now I’ve changed my mind and I’m staying 25 days. now I’m thinking I am going to run out of days. The countries I’m visiting, Germany, Netherlands, France, Austria, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Switzerland. I figure Switzerland is the most expensive country I’ll be visiting.  I know the euro pass gives me discounts on the ferries, cogwheel trains, aerial gondolas, etc. but  if I don’t use any days in Switzerland, will I still be able to use the Euro pass benefits for these things. I will be staying in the Lucerne area last 3 nights (flying home from Zürich) would I be better off getting the Lucerne travel pass and not have to worry about saving days for Switzerland? Out of all the other countries I’m visiting, which 2 are the least expensive for train travel? Any insight into this dilemma will be greatly appreciated

 

3 replies

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  • Railmaster
  • July 31, 2026

Start with this general introduction:

https://www.seat61.com/how-to-use-a-eurail-pass.htm

You can already add your pass in the Rail Planner app, but only activate it on the first day of your trip.

For reservations, use this page:

https://www.seat61.com/interrail-and-eurail-reservations.htm

Where and how to use your travel days is up to you. Nobody can do the math for you. Use bahn.com (sbb.ch in Switzerland) to make a travel plan, so you can see where you need travel days and where you might buy a regular ticket, e.g. for short journeys or for pass benefits where you only get a discount.


Marvin Heer
Engin-ius
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  • Engin-ius
  • July 31, 2026

The Discount benefits do not require an active travel day, they just have to be during the validity period of your pass.  (In the 2months after you activated your pass)

If you dont have enough travel days you have 2 options. Just get normal tickets for your cheapest journeys or exchange it for a Pass with more travel days. (if the conditions of your Pass allow it. It also comes with a fee. Only makes sense if you are short by like 5 days)

The price depends on how far you travel in those countries, but romania and hungary might be on the cheaper end.

But just look up the prices of your shorter journey on the train operators website. 

 

 


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  • Railly clever
  • August 2, 2026

Please note than the price you see first when looking on the SBB website or in the SBB app, normally is the price for customers with a 1/2 price card. You must check the price for a full price ticket to get the correct price in Switzerland.