What is a Eurail Pass?
The Eurail Pass, also known simply as Eurail, is a rail pass available to non-European residents, providing them with flexible access to most trains across Europe. It is a convenient and cost-effective way for travelers to explore multiple destinations on the European rail network.
Eurail Passes come in various types, offering different durations and country combinations to suit the needs of different travelers. For example, there are Eurail Global Passes that allow travel across up to 33 participating countries, as well as Eurail One Country Passes for unlimited travel within a single country.
Who Can Buy the Eurail Pass?
It's important to note that the Eurail Pass is only available to non-European residents. European residents can use a similar pass called the Interrail Pass, which offers comparable benefits for train travel within Europe.3 Types of Eurail Pass Discount
Eurail Passes offer a convenient way to travel by train across Europe, and there are 3 types of Eurail Pass discounts available to help make this travel option more affordable.Types of Eurail Pass Discount | Age Range | Eurail Pass Discount | Eurail Pass Discount Detail |
Youth discount | Aged 12-27 | up to 25% off | Available for both 1st and 2nd class |
Family discount | Aged under 4 | Free (Do not need a Eurail Pass) | On crowded trains, parents may be requested to put the child on their lap |
Aged 4-11 | Free (Eurail Child Pass is needed) | A maximum of 2 children can travel for free with 1 adult. Can be any adult over the age of 18 at the time of travel. |
Senior discount | Aged 60 or over | 10% off | Available for either 1st class or 2nd class |
What is a Eurail Global Pass?
The Eurail Global Pass is a rail pass that allows travelers to explore Europe by train with a single ticket. It is designed for non-European residents or citizens who want to discover multiple European countries without the hassle of purchasing individual train tickets for each journey.Key Features of Eurail Global Pass |
Countries Covered | 33 European countries |
Flexibility | Continuous Pass for a set number of days (e.g., 15 days, 1 month) Flexible Pass for several travel days within a longer period (e.g., 5/7 days within 1 month) |
Train Types | Valid on a variety of trains, including regional, intercity, and high-speed services. |
Validality | You need to activate your Eurail Pass within 11 months of the issue date. |
Additional Benefits | Discounts on ferries, buses, and hotels, as well as reduced admission to attractions and museums in some cases. |
Mobile Pass Option | Allows travelers to use a digital pass on their smartphone instead of carrying a physical pass. |
Eurail Global Pass Applicable Countries
Source: from eurail.com
The Eurail Global Pass is valid on the national and international rail networks of the following 33 countries:Eurail Global Pass Applicable Countries |
Western Europe | France, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Ireland |
Southern Europe | Italy, Spain, Greece, Portugal, Montenegro, Croatia, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Slovenia, Turkey |
Central Europe | Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary |
Eastern Europe | North Macedonia, Lithuania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Latvia, Estonia |
Northern Europe | Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden |
Other | United Kingdom |
How to Activate&Deactive the Eurail Pass
Methods to Activate the Eurail Pass
Step 1: Open the Rail Planner app, go to My Pass, and tap "Add your Pass" to get started. Enter your Last name and the Pass number sent by Trip.com to add a new pass.Step 2: Create a new trip or select the trip already created in the app and link the trip to the pass.Step 3: Enter your Passport/ID card number, select the start date of your trip, and activate the pass.Source: from eurail.com
✨Special Note✨
- You can add as many Passes to your device as you like. Just remember that you can't move your Pass onto another device once it's activated for travel.
- If you're traveling as a group with multiple Passes on one device, you'll all need to travel together on all journeys.
- Each Child Pass should be added to the same device as at least one Adult Pass, as Child Passes aren’t valid without an Adult Pass.
- Each Pass needs its own trip, so if you've got a few Passes on your device, you’ll need a separate trip for each Pass.
- Remember that you can't board your first train unless your Pass has been activated, and you need to be online to activate your Pass.
- You can activate your Pass up to 11 months after your purchase date.
Methods to Deactivate the Eurail Pass
Ensure you deactivate the pass prior to the designated start date, which is by 00:00 CET of the same day. To do this, open the Rail Planner App, click on "My Pass", tap on the three dots at the top right corner, and select "Deactivate Pass". You can also reactivate the pass, modify it to fit your travel plans, and apply for a complete refund if needed.How to Check Whether Seat Reservation is Required
Please install the Eurail Rail Planner app and look up your preferred itinerary as showed in the app:
- "No reservation needed" indicates that reserving a seat is not necessary and the trip is stored within the app, allowing you to show it for access when traveling.
- "Seat reservations required" signifies that booking a seat is mandatory.
- "Not in Pass network" means that the route is not covered by the pass.
How to Make Seat Reservation with Eurail Pass
Eurail Pass holders may need to pay additional seat reservation fees for certain trains in Europe. The Eurail Pass itself allows you unlimited travel on most trains, but it does not cover reservation fees for all train types. Trains that ask for reservations normally save you time and have lots of extra features, like wifi and power sockets or sleeping facilities.Seat Reservation Fees
Types of Trains | Average Price | Benefits |
High-speed trains | €10 | Extra speed and comfort |
International high-speed trains | €15 | Extra speed and comfort |
Night trains | €20 | Book a seat, bunk or couchette |
Step-to-Step Guide for Seat Reservation
Before making a seat reservation, you need to buy your Eurail Pass first to start your journey to Europe!
Step 1: Plan your trip. Choose the destination of your journey and check whether you need to reserve a seat.Step 2: Save your journey. Click on "Save Journey".Step 3: Add Journey to "Your Trip" to start the trip.Step 4: Go to "My Pass" and tap "Show ticket" to show your Eurail pass QR Code when boarding.Trending One Country Eurail Passes
If you preferred to visit one country, check out the following table for unlimited travel experience!
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Popular Routes of Eurail Pass Discount
Source: from eurail.com
- 50% discount on ticket prices for Mount Rigi, Mount Pilatus, and Schilthorn.
- It is applicable to popular routes such as London to Paris, Paris to Zurich, Paris to Brussels, Barcelona to Paris, and Paris to Rome.
- You can enjoy a 25% discount on the Kleine Scheidegg train to Jungfraujoch in Switzerland.
- Every time you visit a country, you might as well feel the charm of major stations, such as Paris Gare du Nord, Paris Train Tickets Lyon, London St. Pancras Station, Brussels South Station, etc.
- Major Train Tickets operators in Europe include Eurostar, Deutsche Bahn, Trenitalia, French National Railways SNCF, etc.
Tips for Using Eurail Pass Discount
- 1. Reservation Requirements: While the Eurail Pass gives you access to most trains, some high-speed trains, international trains, and night trains require reservations and additional fees. Make sure to book these in advance, especially during peak travel seasons.
- 2. Use the Eurail App: The Eurail app can be a great resource for planning your train journeys, checking train times, and managing reservations. It also works offline, which can be handy when you don't have internet access.
- 3. Activate Your Pass: Remember to activate your Eurail Pass within 11 months of the issue date. This can be done at a European train station or online, depending on the options available at the time of your purchase.
- 4. Travel Days: Understand how travel days work. On a flexi pass, each travel day allows you to take as many trains as you like from midnight to midnight. Plan long journeys or multiple short trips within a single day to maximize the value.
- 5. First vs. Second Class: Decide whether you need a first-class or second-class pass. 1st class Passes are valid in both 1st and 2nd class coaches. 2nd class Passes are only valid in 2nd class coaches.
- 6. Suitable Group: Only non-European residents can travel with a Eurail Pass. If you’re a European resident you can travel with an Interrail Pass.
- 7. Refund Policy: All standard Eurail Passes are refundable or exchangeable if they are returned unused. However, promotional Eurail Passes may be non-refundable and non-exchangeable.