Make Your Vacation to Europe Easy with a Eurail Pass

Hero Image: Train passing through Filisur, Switzerland; photo by tawatchaiprakobkit/iStock.com

Traveling Europe by train is one of the most economical, sustainable, and picturesque ways to get from one destination to another. Often the trains lead you directly into a city center, making transfers to hotels, restaurants, or other points of interest very efficient. Eurail passes—only available to non-EU residents and citizens—can make the process even easier. In this article, we’ll compare the Eurail Global Pass and One Country Pass to help you determine which is right for you.

Eurail Global Pass (Continuous and Flexible)

Should your trip span more than one European country, consider the Eurail Global Pass. It covers both regional and high-speed trains, is valid in 33 European countries, and enables visits to more than 30,000 highly sought-after destinations throughout the continent. Choose the specific type of Global Pass you need based on how you want to travel.

Continuous Pass

This pass is perfect for a fast-paced, flexible trip where you plan to visit 12+ destinations but don’t plan to stay anywhere very long. You get unlimited travel for a specific, consecutive period of time: 15 days; 22 days; or 1, 2, or 3 months. Seat reservations aren’t included, but they can be easily purchased and are based on your preferred comfort level.

Flexible Pass

Choose this pass if your trip is smaller in focus and you’re inclined to travel more slowly, as it doesn’t require you to travel on consecutive days. It allows for 4, 5, 7, 10, or 15 days of unlimited train travel any time within 1 – 2 months of your start date. Seat reservations can be purchased online for your preferred class.

One country pass

If your Europe vacation will be 8 days or less and limited to a single country, consider a Eurail One Country Pass. With this pass, you can really get to know a country and enjoy the convenience of easy movement to many sites or just a few. In addition, some destinations that are frequently visited together are grouped as a single ticket offering—like Scandinavia, Belgium, The Netherlands, or Luxembourg.

You can purchase Eurail passes at any time for travel up to 11 months later. We recommend you book tickets and seats as far in advance as possible—especially on night trains, sleeper trains, specific scenic trains, high-speed trains, and during peak summer travel. Most can be booked up to 3 months in advance.

Seat reservations on Eurostar and International TVG trains are mandatory. Regional trains do not require seat reservations. Most passes allow for a partial or full refund if your travel plans change, or if you cancel your trip. Passes are also great for obtaining discounts on other things, including hotels, ferries, boat tours, museums, and city sightseeing cards. Those over age 60 and under age 27 are eligible for discounts, and the family discount allows up to 2 children aged 11 or younger to travel free with a paying adult, so your budget goes even further.