Complete Guide to the Eurail Pass

      If you are planning on traveling to Europe and/or throughout Europe, I’m sure you’ve realized by now the best way to get around is by train. If you’ve come to that conclusion, then you’ve most likely seen way too much information about the Eurail Pass. Obtaining and navigating the pass has actually turned my brain into mush. We first used the Eurail Pass (the paper version) in 2018, and again (the mobile version) in 2023. I can now say that I have it figured out! Took me long enough. So let me save your brain and break it down for you!

Is the Eurail Pass Worth It?

     In my honest opinion, YES! Yes it is worth it. The mobile app is easy to navigate, and makes it a breeze to plan multiple trips. Plus when you compare ticket prices through the app versus buying point to point tickets, the savings can be tremendous. 

It all depends on how you will be traveling though. If you are only planning on hopping on the train a few times and going a short distance, then no, the Eurail Pass would not benefit you. But if you are traveling to multiple cities and countries, then you totally need it. The price tag on these passes was the biggest shocker to me. But when you look at the prices for tickets without the pass (especially on long distance trains or overnight trains) then it all makes sense. Also, if you have plans to be somewhere, but you have to wait to buy your ticket in the train station, you risk having that train being sold out or missing the train all together. Personally, having the Eurail Pass made our train travel experience so much easier.

 

What is the Eurail Pass?

The Eurail pass is a train pass only for non-European citizens, that gives you access to train travel across most of Europe. It allows you to travel as much as you want on participating European train networks for a set amount of time, and gives you the ability to hop on and off most trains, as long as your pass is valid in that country. The pass is valid in 33 different countries! You can choose from a Global pass (multiple countries), to a One Country Pass (the country of your choice). You can also choose your class (1st or 2nd), and an option for a continuous pass or a flexi pass. Let me break that one down for you:

Continuous Pass: Allows you to travel as often as you want during the entire validity period. You choose from 15 days, 22 days, 1, 2, or 3 months.

Flexi Pass: Allows you to travel for a maximum number of days within your travel period. You choose from 4, 5, or 7 days within 1 month, OR 10 or 15 days within 2 months. 

 

The Difference Between 1st and 2nd Class

The first time we purchased the Eurail Pass, we opted for 2nd class to save ourselves a little bit of money. The seats in second class were comfortable, usually had tray tables in the seat in front of you, and sometimes there were outlets for charging. Pretty comparable, if not a tad more spacious than economy class on most airlines. We had access to the dining car where we would sit, eat, and enjoy the views. 

The second time around we opted for 1st class. Here the seats are a lot more cushy, much more leg room, outlets or usb charging at every seat, different configurations of seating (there were more “4 tops” with a table in the middle), and some seat reservations come with complimentary drinks! And sometimes food. (Not all 1st class trains have this available). 

 

There is honestly not a huge difference between 1st and 2nd class. If you want to feel extra bougie when traveling, then obviously get 1st class. But if you plan on trying to catch up on a good book, or napping the whole ride, then save some money and opt for 2nd class!

 

How to Get Your Eurail Pass

Now that you’ve decided you need the Eurail Pass in your life, here is how you can get it! 

-Visit the Eurail website, or another authorized vendor such as RailPass or Rail Europe.

-Choose either the Global Pass or the One Country Pass.

-Pick which class you would like (1st or 2nd)

-Choose from a Paper Ticket, or the Mobile Ticket

-If choosing the paper ticket, allow extra time since it is a physical document that needs to be delivered to the address of your choice. It can be mailed to address worldwide, including Europe. They will deliver to hotels, hostels, PO Boxes, or military APO boxes. Since it is sent through registered mail, you will need someone available to sign for it. If staying at a hotel or hostel, inform the front desk of your package.

Here is all of the information you will need when purchasing your Eurail Pass:

• Name
• Date of Birth
• Country of Residence
• Passport Number
• Address for Delivery (email or physical address)
• Payment Method

*You can purchase your Eurail Pass up to 11 months before your trip, and activate it any time up until your first travel day. It must be activated before your first trip!

 

**IMPORTANT!!**

• Please keep in mind the time zone differences when filling out your information. We input all of our birthdays (while in the US), and when we received our confirmation email, it put all of our birthdays for the following day. I believe it was the time of day we were filling out the information. If your birthday does not match your passport, you will be denied use of the Eurail pass. 

 

To Activate your Eurail Pass:

Mobile Pass: Available on Android 6.0 or later, and IPhone 14.0 and later (as of February 2024).

-To activate, you will receive a confirmation email with a Pass number. Add the pass number into the app, add your passport information, and voila! It’s activated.

Paper Pass: Go to the ticket office of any large train station in one of the participating Eurail countries, and a railway official will activate your pass by stamping it and filling in the start and end date.

 

Paper Vs. Mobile Pass

     We have used both the paper and the mobile pass. When we first traveled through Europe the mobile version wasn’t available yet! It was only 2018, but way to make me feel ancient Eurail. Trust me when I say that the mobile version is SO MUCH BETTER. I get some people like it old school, but keep in mind, if you lose your paper pass, it CANNOT BE REPLACED! As in, you have to buy a whole new one. When we used the paper pass, we went on so many trains that by the end of the trip it was literally in shreds. You cannot laminate it or alter it at all, or else it is considered void. So, let me list all the pros and cons of each:

Paper Pass

Pros: 

• You can use it anytime and anywhere without any technical difficulties. You do not need to depend on the battery life of your phone, internet connection, or device capability.
• You can keep it as a souvenir.

Cons:

• It cannot be refunded or replaced if lost.
• It needs to be delivered, which adds extra time and costs.
• You must use a non erasable pen. Whatever you write down is final. No changing the plan last minute.

 

Mobile Pass

Pros:

• You do not need to wait for the pass to be delivered to you. As soon as you purchase it online, it is yours to use.
• You can activate the pass whenever you want, within 11 months from the purchase date. Which gives you more flexibility with your travel schedule.
• You can use the app to search for train schedules, save journeys, and plan your trip, all without access to the internet.
• You can get a free replacement pass if your phone gets lost or stolen.

Cons:

• You need a smartphone with enough battery and storage space for the app.
• You could experience errors or glitches with the app.
• Some stations may require paper tickets.

 

In conclusion, save yourself, and your mind, and GET THE MOBILE PASS.  

How Much Does it Cost?

These prices are current, but I’m sure they go up every year. 

Here is all the pricing information you may need:

 

–Global Pass (allows you to travel to any/all of the 33 participating countries)

• • Flexi Pass (choose between 4,5,7,10, or 15 travel days between 1 and 2 months)
    • 1st Class– prices range from $351 for 4 days in 1 month to $798 for 15 days in 2 months

• 2nd Class– prices range from $276 for 4 days in 1 month to $631 for 15 days in 2 months

• Continuous Pass (choose between 15, 22 days or 1, 2, or 3 months of unlimited travel)

• 1st Class– prices range from $931 for 15 days to $2,566 for 3 months

• 2nd Class– prices range from $734 for 15 days to $2,031 for 3 months

 

-One Country Pass (allows you to travel to ONE of the participating countries)

 

*You can choose from 3,4,5,6, or 8 travel days within one month, and the price will vary depending on what country, and class, you are traveling in.

 

• First Class– prices vary from $85 for 3 days in North Macedonia (currently the cheapest) to $424 for 8 days in France.

• Second Class– prices vary from $64 for 3 days in North Macedonia to $318 for 8 days in France.

 

*Please visit the official Eurail website for more pricing on the different countries.

 

Fun Fact:  Even though you have purchased the Eurail pass and paid allllll of that money, you may be required to fork over more money when a seat reservation is required. When you start searching for your trip, the app will tell you if a seat reservation is required. It is usually not that much extra (on average between $5-$15), but overnight or long distance trains are a bit more.

How to Get the Most Out of Your Eurail Pass

Now that you spent half of your travel budget on a train pass, here are a few tips to get the most out of it!

• Pay for cheap train rides out of pocket. 

Save your Eurail Pass for the more expensive rides. Yes this takes a little bit more time due to research, but you’ll get more “bang for your buck”. Try RailEurope or Omio

• Plan ahead but stay flexible.

It’s good to have a plan. Knowing where you want to go and how long you want to stay is ideal, for me, when traveling. But leave some room for spontaneity. You might discover a new place you want to visit. 

• Avoid unnecessary costs.

Some trains require a seat reservation at an additional cost. You can avoid these by choosing local or regional trains, traveling during off peak hours 

or days, booking your reservations in advance, or choosing a different 

route.

• Make the most of your travel days.

Your travel day starts when you board your first train and ends at 23:59 CET. During that period (day) you can take as many trains as you can.

• Use the perks of your pass.

Your pass will include extra benefits and discounts. You get access to long distance ferries, short boat rides, buses, and metro. You will also get discounts on hotels, other accommodations, museums, and other attractions.

Countries that participate in Eurail Pass:

There are a total of 33 countries that currently acknowledge the Eurail Pass:

• Austria
• Belgium
• Bosnia- Herzegovina
• Bulgaria
• Croatia
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• England
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Italy
• Ireland
• Latvia
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Macedonia
• Montenegro
• Netherlands
• Norway
• Poland
• Portugal
• Romania
• Scotland
• Serbia
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Turkey
• Wales
  

 

 

Traveling With Children

Children can travel on the Eurail, and our daughter absolutely LOVES being on the train. The gentle rocking also helps her nap. Thank you trains! 

Here is some important information for traveling with kids:

Children UNDER 4 years old travel for free WITHOUT a Eurail pass! As long as they do not need their own seat. If your child won’t sit in your lap or insists on having their own seat or bed, they will need a child pass or a reservation.

Children 4 – 11 years old can travel for free but NEED a child pass, and obviously be accompanied by an adult with a valid Eurail pass. Up to 2 children can travel for free with 1 adult. If there are more than two children per adult, they will need a youth pass.

Children 12 – 27 years old can travel with a youth pass, which gives a discount of up to 25% standard adult prices.

 

*When ordering your Eurail Adult Pass, add the number of Child Passes you need to your cart from the pass tables. IF YOU FORGET, you will need to purchase a new pass (with the child pass added) and request an exchange for your previous pass.*

 

More Valuable Information

 

Can I still purchase train tickets without the Eurail pass?

-Yes! Yes you can. And in some instances, it is actually cheaper this way. You can use websites like Omio or Trainline to check the prices of individual train tickets. You will have to set up an account with the specific train in order to purchase tickets online, or you could go straight to the train station and wait in line.

 

Eurail vs. Interrail

– The Eurail is only for Non-European citizens.

– The Interrail is for European citizens or residents. Your pass will also be cheaper because, as a citizen, you pay taxes in Europe

 

How long before my trip do I need to purchase the pass?

• You can purchase your pass 11 months prior to your trip, or you can purchase it the same day you decide to start traveling!

 

Do overnight trains count as 2 travel days?

• 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