Rail Passes
You can buy all sorts of rail passes through DiscoverByRail, which can be a highly convenient and affordable option if you want to explore Europe by train.
A rail pass gives you unlimited train travel for the duration of its validity, providing a stress-free experience and optimal flexibility. With a rail pass, you can decide on the day of travel which train to take, so you do not need to book individual tickets months in advance to secure the best fares or pay expensive full-fare prices close to departure.
Especially for travellers who want to cover long distances across Europe and visit multiple destinations, a rail pass can offer excellent value. This is particularly true in countries known for high rail fares – such as Switzerland and the UK – as well as in countries where trains do not require reservations, such as Germany. Country-specific passes can be worthwhile if you intend to visit only one country in Europe on your trip.
The best European rail passes
Interrail and Eurail function in the same way, as both these rail passes offering unlimited train travel across Europe. The distinction lies in eligibility: Interrail is intended for European residents, while Eurail is for travellers living outside Europe. Your place of residence therefore determines which pass you must use, even though both provide identical benefits.
Rail passes for individual European countries
These country-specific train passes can be worth buying if you plan to travel extensively within a single country:
Passholder reservations
With many European rail passes, including Eurail and Interrail, you may still need to make seat reservations or pay a special passholder fare to travel on certain premium trains. This is often the case with high-speed and night trains.
In some countries, such as Germany, seat reservations on high-speed trains are optional. You can choose to reserve a seat, but it is also possible to travel without one and take any available seat. In contrast, in countries such as France, Italy, and Spain – as well as on Eurostar services – seat reservations are obligatory, and a special passholder fare applies if you use a Eurail or Interrail pass.
Similarly, if you want a berth in a couchette or sleeper on a night train, you must make a reservation even with a rail pass, although you will pay a special passholder fare rather than the full price.
Making seat reservations on trains or booking passholder fares with a Eurail or Interrail Pass can be complicated online. Check our page on how to make Interrail and Eurail passholder reservations for more information, where we guide you through the process and direct you to the correct websites.
Need more information about trains?
If you travel across Europe with a rail pass, you will experience a wide variety of trains, each offering different levels of comfort and onboard facilities. From local commuter services to high-speed trains, and from modern sleeper trains to rolling stock dating back to the 1970s, Europe’s railways feature trains of many different types and standards.
In the DiscoverByRail train guides, you can find all the information you need about Europe’s major train services, including onboard facilities, seating options, and the routes these trains operate on.
Need help creating a train travel itinerary?
DiscoverByRail offers a train travel architect service that designs a personalised journey shaped around your preferences and travel style. If you’re unsure how to plan an itinerary or make the most of your rail pass, this can be an excellent option.