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What is a Eurail/ Interrail Pass?

The Eurail and Interrail Pass is a single train pass that lets you travel as much as you want on participating European train networks for a set amount of travel days. There are different validities you can choose from, ranging from just 4 travel days up to a maximum of 3 months.

 

You can travel with a Eurail Global Pass / Interrail Global Pass, which is valid in 33 European countries, or pick one of the Eurail One Country Passes / Interrail One Country Passes.

 

The majority of our Passes, including the Eurail Global Pass, are now also available as a mobile Pass

 

Eurail Passes can only be used by non-European citizens or non-European residents. European citizens can use an Interrail Pass instead.

 

Do I need a Eurail or Interrail Pass? 

A Eurail Pass can only be used by non-European citizens or non-European residents. European citizens can use an Interrail Pass instead, available from Interrail.eu for the same price as a Eurail Pass.

 

If you are not a European citizen, but you are an official resident of Europe, you can also choose to use an Interrail Pass. We ask for your country of residence when you order, so you will need to bring an official European residency card or document along with you that matches the country of residence written on your Interrail Pass. Check our  booking conditions to see if your country of residence is eligible for an Interrail Pass.

 

If you have more than one passport or permanent residency (dual citizenship), the Pass you use will be based on where you live:

1. If you have 2 European passports, use the passport/ID of the country you live in to order your Interrail Pass.

 

Which Pass should I choose? 

Which Pass you should choose depends first and foremost on where you want to go. If you're planning to visit a single country, you can choose the One Country Pass for that country. If you want to visit multiple countries, the Global Pass (valid in 33 European countries) is your best bet. 

 

Secondly, you should choose a Pass that matches the number of days you plan to use the European train network. These so-called travel days are offered in a wide range, starting at just 4 days and up to a maximum of 3 months.

 

Finally, if you're looking for a little more comfort and luxury, a 1st class Pass is the way to go. If you're watching your budget or don't care much for luxury, 2nd class is the more affordable option to see all of the places on your list.

 

Finally, you can choose to travel with a mobile Pass or a paper Pass. A mobile Pass offers you paper-free travel, and you don't have to wait for delivery; we'll send you everything by e-mail. This makes it a great option if you want to start travelling right away. If you want to travel with a paper Pass, select 'paper Pass' in the checkout. Delivery times vary per country for the paper Pass, so be sure to check the estimated delivery time at checkout.

 

Can I buy a Pass for last- minute travel? 

Yes, but it does depend on how last minute you plan to travel. If you're buying very last minute, your best option is to order a mobile Pass, which you'll instantly receive in your inbox after purchase.

If you don't plan on using trains that require seat reservations, you only need to order a few days before your trip. Need to make some reservations? It's best to book the Pass and seat reservations in advance to guarantee your seats. 

Want to travel with a paper Pass? Based on where you are in the world, shipping times can vary. Look for the delivery date for the country where you want to have the Pass sent in the checkout. Note: you can always have your Pass delivered to your first destination in Europe if someone, like a hotel receptionist, knows to expect it and is available to sign for the packet.

 

Difference between 1st and 2nd class? 

The difference between 1st and 2nd class rail travel is the level of comfort and the facilities provided. A 1st class Eurail Pass is more expensive than a 2nd class Eurail Pass, but it also gives you access to seats with more space and extras that can even include food and beverages.

Check out our complete overview of differences between 1st and 2nd class to find out everything you need to know.
 

Which trains are included in the Pass?

You can use your Pass to travel on the national railways and some private railways in the countries where your Pass is valid. In some cases, these train networks reach airports as well. Check the full list here. The Pass even includes certain buses and ferries to make sure everything is within reach.

 

Some popular trains like the Eurostar, TGV, and AVE are included in the Eurail Pass, but require that you purchase a seat reservation.

 

Check out the handy "Pass network only" feature in our Rail Planner App to see the trains that are included in the Pass.

 

Is the Eurostar included in my Pass?

Yes! If you have a Eurail Global Pass, you can travel on the Eurostar high-speed train connecting London with France, Belgium, and the Netherlands.

A seat reservation is mandatory for this train and can be made up to 6 months in advance.

 

What is a travel day? 

A travel day is a 24-hour period in which you can travel on trains with your Eurail Pass. It lasts from 12:00 AM (midnight) to 11:59 PM on the same calendar day. On each travel day, you have access to the train networks where your Eurail Pass is valid.

 

On average, it won't take you more than 1 travel day to go from one European city to the next. For instance, you can travel from Berlin to Amsterdam in 1 day, and travel from Amsterdam to Paris on the next.

 

For mobile Passes a travel day lasts from 00:00 (midnight) to 23:59 Central European Time (CET). Please note that some European countries do not observe CET. Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Bulgaria and Greece are all one hour ahead (CET+1). This means there can be a difference in the start and end time of a travel day when compared to your local time while travelling.

 

With a Continuous Pass, like the 1 Month Continuous Pass, every day in the validity period is a travel day, so you can travel by train every day, if you like! With a Flexi Pass, like the 5 days in 1 Month Pass, you pick and choose on the go which days you want to travel up to the number specified.

 

Night trains

When traveling on a night train that leaves on one day and arrives the next, without changing trains after midnight, you only have to spend 1 travel day: the day of departure. If you do change trains after midnight, you have to spend 2 travel days. Note: you cannot use your Eurail Pass to take a night train on your last travel day as the validity period will expire at 23.59. 

 

Night ferries

When traveling on an overnight ferry covered by your Pass, you only have to use 1 travel day: the day of departure (note: the ferry's departure and arrival day need to fall within the validity of the Pass). If you're traveling on a discounted ferry route, you do not need to use a travel day. 

 

How do I use my Pass?

Eurail Paper Pass and Interrail Paper Pass guide
Eurail Mobile Pass and Interrail Mobile Pass guide

 

How long is my Pass valid? 

That depends on your Pass. If you already have your Pass, your end date is written on the top of your Pass. That is the last day your Pass is valid – you can use it up until midnight.

 

Haven’t got your Pass yet? You can easily work out how long your Pass will be valid for depending on which Pass you’re looking at:

 

For Passes valid for a number of travel days within 1 or 2 months, your Pass is valid for either 1 or 2 months after your start date. You can use your travel days any time within that 1 or 2 month period.

 

So if your start date is 10 January and you have a 7 days in 1 month Pass, your Pass is valid for 1 month from 10 January – so up to and including 9 February. It will expire on 10 February. 

 

For Passes valid for 1, 2 or 3 months continuously, your Pass is valid for 1, 2 or 3 months after your start date. You can use your Pass to travel every day within that period.

 

So if your start date is 4 July and you have a 3 months Pass, your Pass is valid for 3 months from 4 July – so up to and including 3 October. It will expire on 4 October.

 

For Passes valid for 15 or 22 days, your Pass is valid for the stated number of days from your start date. You can use your Pass to travel every day within that period.

 

So if your start date is 1 November and you have a 15-day Pass, your Pass is valid from 1 November up to and including 15 November. It will expire on 16 November.

 

Do you offer any discounts? 

Yes, we offer the following discounts on Eurail Passes all year-round:

  • Youth Pass - Travelers aged 12 to 27 can order a Youth Pass, saving 23% off standard Adult Pass prices.
  • Family Pass - Up to two children (aged 0 to 11) can travel for free with a single adult.
  • Senior Pass - Adults 60 and older get 10% off standard Adult Pass prices (German Rail Pass not included).

 

Check out our Deals page for more exclusive Eurail travel deals. To stay updated on our promotions, like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.

 

Why can't I find trains in the timetable? 

Our timetable covers most popular routes in Europe, but is not 100% accurate as not all European railways choose to share their timetable data. There are a few things you can do if you can't find your journey:

Planning in advance? Check back closer to the time
If you get no results for your chosen journey, check back in a few weeks. We update the timetable every month with the latest data from the railway companies.

Can’t find your station? Try another spelling
Try searching again with the city or station's local spelling. If you still see no results, you can check missing train times by country below.

Our timetable covers most popular routes in Europe, but is not 100% accurate as not all European railways choose to share their timetable data. There are a few things you can do if you can't find your journey:

 

Planning in advance? Check back closer to the time

If you get no results for your chosen journey, check back in a few weeks. We update the timetable every week with the latest data from the railway companies.

 

Can’t find your station? Try another spelling

Try searching again with the city or station's local spelling. If you still see no results, you can check missing train times by country below.

 

Can't find your train? Check direct with the railway company

Not all railway companies share their timetable data with us, so unfortunately results for the countries below might be missing or incomplete. Choose a country to check timetables on the national railway company's website:

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Northern Ireland

Latvia

Turkey

 

For general information on routes and seat reservations in each country, check our information on trains by country.

 

What should I do if my Pass is lost of stolen? 

Can I get a new Eurail Pass if it's lost, stolen or damaged? 

Mobile Pass

Yes! If your device gets lost, stolen or damaged with your Pass on it, you can opt to move your Pass to another device. Open the Rail Planner app on your new device and go to My Pass to add your Pass using your last name and Pass number from your order confirmation email. When asked, tap 'Move Pass' and follow the steps to have your Pass moved to the new device.

 

Paper Pass

No! If your Eurail Pass is lost or stolen it can't be replaced, meaning you can't get a new copy with the same Pass number. You will either have to buy a new Pass or replacement train tickets to continue traveling. Note: Tickets purchased to replace lost, stolen or damaged Passes cannot be refunded.

 

Can I get compensation for train delays?

You can apply for financial compensation for train delays if you have experienced 1 or more delays of over 60 minutes each (in EU-member states). To request this compensation, please download the compensation request form.

Delay Compensation Policy

You must submit your compensation request to Eurail within 3 months after the last day your Eurail/ Interrail Pass was valid. In the compensation request form, you can find the address to send your request to. Compensation is possible only for holders of a Eurail/ Interrail Global or One Country Pass.

 

Is it possible to extend my Eurail/ Interrail Pass?

No, we can't extend or upgrade your existing Eurail/ Interrail Pass with extra travel days or the country validity. If your travel plans have changed before you started traveling, you can exchange your Eurail PassInterrail Pass for a different pass. It only costs €15 to exchange your Pass.

If you're already travelling and want to add more travel days to your trip, you can order an additional Pass to continue your journey. In this case it's fastest to order a mobile Pass, which you'll receive in your e-mail inbox right away. 

It's also possible to order a paper Pass. We ship our paper Passes within a few days to destinations all over Europe, also to hotel and hostel addresses. You can find an estimated delivery date in the checkout.

 

When will my Eurail/ Interrail paper Pass arrive? 

You can check the status of your order in your Eurail.com/ Interrail.eu account. We'll also keep you up to date about the status via e-mail. Once your order is shipped, you can follow your Eurail/ Interrail Pass with the Track and Trace code. With Premium Shipping you'll receive the package within 1 week. If you chose Economy Shipping it will take approximately 2 weeks for the package to arrive.

If your order should have already arrived, please check your order status in your Eurail.com/ Interrail.eu account and the Track and Trace code of your order. If something appears to be wrong with your order, please contact the shipper directly.
 

What should I do if there is incorrect information on my Pass?

Sometimes you notice an error in the spelling of your name. Or your travel companions have changed after you've placed your order. If this is the case, you need to exchange your Eurail Pass / Interrail Pass for another one with the correct name(s) on it.
 

Mobile Pass:

If the details on your mobile Pass are incorrect or outdated and you can’t change it yourself, please get in touch with Eurail customer service. If your Pass has not been activated yet, we will be able to change the information for you.

 

We can help with:

  • Adjusting your name (in case of typos or name changes due to marriage and other legal name changes)
  • Adjusting your ID/passport information (in case of typos or ID/passport renewal)
  • Adjusting your date of birth

 

Paper Pass:

If your Pass hasn't been printed yet (you will have received an e-mail from us if it's printed), you might still be able to change the name on your Pass. You can do this in your Interrail account.


To exchange your unused pass, please follow the steps below:

  1. Order a new Eurail Pass through Eurail.com.

  2. Follow the return instructions provided in your Eurail account and send your old pass back to us.

  3. Please contact our order support team by email, and make sure to include your old and new Eurail order numbers. You can find the contact details for your region in your order confirmation email or invoice.

  4. When we receive the unused Eurail Pass(es) back, we will process a 100% refund minus the 15 euros exchange fee per exchanged Eurail Pass.

 


For more details, please have a look at our Refund and Exchange Policy.

 

Can I return my Pass for a refund? 

When you've purchased your Pass on this website, there are usually two instances in which you're eligible for a refund:

 Mobile Pass:

1. Refunds can be granted if they are requested (via your Interrail account on our website). However, you must submit a refund request no later than six months from the last possible activation date indicated on the mobile Pass. 

 

Paper Pass:

2. You return your Pass to us unused and not yet activated, before the first day of validity. You'll get an 85% refund on your Pass, while 15% is retained as cancellation charges.

 

Promo Pass

When you've purchased your Promo Pass on this website, different rules apply. However, please note that we can't apply Promo discounts to regular Passes purchased before the Promo started. If you purchased your Pass before the Promo started please check your order confirmation email for the refund/exchange conditions.

 

It usually takes up to 4 weeks to process a refund. The exact date depends on the bank and/or credit card company involved. You can check the status of your refund in your Eurail.com account. You can only request a refund if you purchased your Pass at Eurail, and your order number starts with EU.

 

How do I activate my Eurail Pass? 

You need to activate your Eurail/ Interrail Pass before you can start using it. It must be activated within 11 months of the purchase date.

You can get your pass activated at a European train station, or when you place your order at Eurail.com/ Interrail.eu. This service is always free of charge.


1. Activate your Eurail Pass for free at a European train station.
To do this, simply go to the ticket office of any large train station in one of the participating Eurail countries. A railway official will then activate your Eurail Pass by filling in the start and end date of your Pass, as well as your passport number. They will also stamp the Pass in order to validate it.

2. Get your Eurail/ Interrail Pass activated for free when you place your order at Eurail.com/ Interrail.com.
We can activate your Eurail/ Interrail Pass before you receive it. If you use this service your Eurail/ Interrail Pass will arrive pre-activated. This option is useful if you already know the exact dates you're going to travel. Simply select the 'activate my pass' option, and pick the starting date of your trip.

You can only activate your pass online at the time of booking. Please note that we'll ask you to fill in your passport number. If you're not yet in possession of the passport you'll be traveling to Europe with, you can't make use of pre-activation.

 

How can I know the price and availability of seat reservations before I buy my pass?

The flexibility of the passes are a good thing. But I can not buy a pass if each seat reservation costs about the same as a normal ticket. However, there is no way of knowing what the price of seat reservations will be because all vendors in my area require an active pass to even see the availability and cost of seat reservations.

Swedish Rail (SJ): “I can not see what the would be if one were to book with Interrail without an Interrail pass number.
Me: Why should I buy an Interrail pass if I do not know if it is profitable?
SJ: That is not what I am saying. You will yourself be the best to evaluate what is the best solution for you. But I have no way of knowing what the price eof a reservation] will be without a pass number to book to, as such I cannot tell you what tthe reservation] would cost.
Me: And I cannot buy an Interrail pass before I know if that is profitable even if I have to buy seat reservations.
SJ: This is understandable and if I could see the price, I would really like to tell you what it is but I cannot see that price so I cannot tell you what it is.
Me: This is called a catch 22.

SJ: Yes exactly. Do you have any other questions?
Me: Why I do not fly.
Me: Have a good day.


Prices for SJ are fixed. SJ doesn't have quota but IIRC you can't book in "2nd class calm”, so you could see from the normal availability whether you can book.

The easiest workaround is to invent a paper pass cover number that works.

What SJ however should do is ask for the pass (cover) number only when you want to book, just like B-Europe and Rail Europe.


SJ was only used as a very real example. This is and would be the issue for all providers in my area. I’m just surprised it is not included in the FAQ, yet I see as it has no real solution (only workarounds), that would be difficult.


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