The Eurail Pass, introduced in 1959 and formerly known as Europass or Eurorail Pass, is a rail pass which permits travel through 33 European countries on nearly all railroads and several shipping lines . The Eurail Group, based in Utrecht , is responsible for the marketing and management of the Eurail and Interrail passes. The company is owned by over 35 European railway and shipping companies. The Eurail Pass is available to non-European residents, and the Interrail Pass (introduced in 1972) is available to European residents. The passes, which provide access to 250,000 kilometres (160,000 mi) of European railway, are used by over 33,000 travellers annually.
35-588: The Eurail pass is available to citizens of non-European countries, including those who are also citizens of European countries. The Interrail Pass is available to citizens and residents of European Union countries and the non-EU countries of Albania, Andorra, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Gibraltar, Iceland, Kosovo, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Norway, Russian Federation, San Marino, Serbia, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom (Great Britain), and Vatican City. To obtain an Interrail pass proof of citizenship must be established with
70-480: A direct overnight train leaving before midnight only uses one travel day (the day of departure). Although Interrail passes are normally valid only on national railway systems, some private rail systems offer free or discounted service (usually 25 to 50 percent) to Interrail pass holders. In 2015, German activists Vincent-Immanuel Herr and Martin Speer approached European Commission vice-president Frans Timmermans with
105-408: A discount was granted on journeys to or from the border. On 1 January 2016, the pass became valid for two free journeys in the traveller's country of residence: one to and one from the border. The limit exists to prevent people from using Interrail for work commuting and business travel. The Interrail Global Pass has the following validity options: The One Country Pass allows unlimited travel on
140-419: A number of articles about their idea, started a change.org petition, and approached more EU politicians. The idea was picked up by a number of EU politicians in 2016, including Rebecca Harms , Karima Delli , Michael Cramer , István Ujhelyi , Manfred Weber , and Alexander Graf Lambsdorff . A 2016 German survey found that 56 percent of respondents were in favor of such a proposal, and Herr promoted
175-448: A one-month period. Although reservations for Eurail Pass holders are not usually required for local or regional trains, they are needed for most high-speed, international, and overnight trains. Surcharges are often required to guarantee seat reservations, meals, drinks, and free Wi-Fi. The fees vary by carrier, agent and route, and travellers can usually avoid paying excess fees by taking regional or local trains. Reservations can be made at
210-581: A paid seat reservation. The Interrail One Country Pass allows unlimited rail travel within one European country. Interrail passes are available to those who "are citizens or official residents from one of the countries of the European economic area or one of the countries listed hereafter": Albania, Andorra, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Gibraltar, Kosovo, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Swiss confederation, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom and Vatican City. (For citizens not in
245-590: A passport or identity card, or proof of residency must be established with government-issued residency documents. Up to two children aged 4 to 11 can travel free of charge when accompanied by a full-fare adult. Eurail Passes are available in four age-based categories: The Global Pass is valid in all 33 participating countries; as of 2020, they were Austria , Belgium , Bosnia and Herzegovina , Bulgaria , Croatia , Czech Republic , Denmark , Estonia , Finland , France , Germany , Greece , Hungary , Ireland , Italy , Latvia , Lithuania , Luxembourg , Montenegro ,
280-456: A proposal to provide all EU youth with a free one-month Interrail Global Pass at age 18. Their effort was documented by Politico Europe 's Brussels Playbook . According to Herr and Speer, their idea would help to overcome stereotypes in Europe and problems with nationalism in several countries by enabling a whole generation (not just a small fraction of it) to explore Europe. They subsequently wrote
315-512: A two-week period in June 2018 through the European Youth Portal. Rail pass A rail pass is a pass that covers the cost of train travel in a certain designated area or areas within a certain period of time. It is contrasted to a point-to-point ticket in that it allows the holder unlimited travel, within the pre-designated area and period, while a point-to-point ticket only permits
350-603: Is a rail pass available to European citizens and residents. Citizens of other countries residing outside Europe may purchase the Eurail Pass instead. Types of Interrail Pass include the Interrail Global Pass and the Interrail One Country Pass. The pass allows unlimited rail travel in (and between) all 33 participating countries for a certain period of time. High-speed trains and night trains often require
385-752: Is available in Austria , Benelux , Bulgaria , Croatia , Czech Republic , Denmark , Estonia , Finland , France , Greece , the Greek islands , Hungary , Ireland (the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland) , Italy , Latvia , Lithuania , North Macedonia , Norway , Poland , Portugal , Romania , Scandinavia , Serbia , Slovakia , Slovenia , Spain , Sweden , and Turkey . Countries without One Country Passes include Bosnia and Herzegovina, Germany, Great Britain, Montenegro, and Switzerland. The passes are available for travel on three, four, five, six or eight travel days in
SECTION 10
#1732869654935420-438: Is different from a season ticket : the former is generally marketed to tourists while the latter is usually marketed to commuters. The terms of use and purchase are set accordingly. Very often, rail passes cannot be used by the local citizens and might not even be available for purchase within their area of use. Another difference is the term of the pass: while it is difficult to find rail pass valid for more than three months, it
455-586: Is valid in Spain and Italy , and would like to take a train from Spain to Italy passing through France, he may need to pay for the French section. Some countries offer concession pass to youth (e.g. age below 26) or elderly. And some other offer group passes, allowing two or more persons to travel together with a lower price (though some may require that all named persons must be travelling together). Concession pass might get more restrictions. For example, one can travel on
490-605: The Netherlands , North Macedonia , Norway , Poland , Portugal , Romania , Serbia , Slovakia , Slovenia , Spain , Switzerland , Sweden , and Turkey . Interrail Global Passes include ferry crossings from Patras and Igoumenitsa (Greece) to Venice , Ancona , and Bari (Italy) operated by Superfast Ferries and Blue Star Ferries ; fuel surcharges, port taxes, high-season supplements, and cabin accommodations are extra. Interrail passes are not valid on railways in Albania and
525-619: The Tze-Chiang Limited Express , the fastest train operated by the Taiwan Railways Administration , with the normal TR Pass but not with the Student Pass. Some passes allow the traveller to travel with both first and second class, but some are restricted to travel in the second-class only, although some might be offered with the option to travel in first-class by paying a supplement. There could be limitation on
560-453: The Tōkaidō , San'yō and Kyūshū Shinkansen lines. In some countries, rail pass holders can travel on sleeper or couchette compartment freely, while some may need to pay some extra fee or are totally restricted from taking sleeper or couchette trains. Some pass allow the holders to make seat reservation on trains freely, while some require the holders to pay a supplement. As tourists are
595-424: The 30-day valid period when using a 30-day pass). As continuous pass might not be useful to all travellers, as many of them do not travel every day, there exists also the flexipass, which allows the holder to only pay for the days they travel. For instance, when a traveller buy a ten-day-in-one-month flexipass, the pass is valid for one month, and he can pick whichever ten days within the valid period to travel with
630-642: The EU or not listed here, Eurail passes are available.) Proof of citizenship or residence may be a passport, identity card, or government-issued residency document. Interrail Passes three age categories and the full fare (adult fare): The Interrail Global Pass is valid in the following European countries: Austria , Belgium , Bosnia-Herzegovina , Bulgaria , Croatia , Czech Republic , Denmark , Estonia , Finland , France , Germany , Greece , Great Britain , Hungary , Republic of Ireland , Northern Ireland , Italy , Latvia , Lithuania , Luxembourg , Montenegro ,
665-531: The European Commission announced initial steps to implement the European Parliament's proposal for a "Free Interrail pass for Europeans turning 18" by adopting a financing decision: "With a budget of EUR 12 million in 2018, this action is expected to give an estimated 20,000-30,000 young people a travel experience that would help foster a European identity, reinforce common European values and promote
700-534: The Netherlands , North Macedonia , Norway , Poland , Portugal , Romania , Serbia , Slovakia , Slovenia , Spain , Sweden , Switzerland , Turkey , and the United Kingdom . A Global Pass fare is dependent on the number of days it is valid in a period of time. Fare categories are: The One Country Pass permits travel on the national rail network of one country, with unlimited trips on each travel day. The pass
735-658: The Netherlands, but there is a Benelux pass. It is also available to residents of Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands, but it is only valid in the two countries other than the country of residence. With an Interrail pass, reservations are usually not required for local and regional trains; however, reservations are needed for most high-speed, international, and night trains. Surcharges are required in many countries to guarantee seat reservations and other benefits, such as meals, drinks, free Wi-Fi, and access to first-class lounges. These reservations can usually be avoided by taking regional or local trains. Reservations can be made at
SECTION 20
#1732869654935770-459: The application process. The initiative aims to give 15,000 young people the opportunity to travel around Europe during the summer to discover the continent's rich cultural heritage, get in touch with other people, learn from other cultures, and discover what unites Europe. Participants can travel up to 30 days and visit one to four foreign destinations. In an application round to select the first 15,000 travelers, those interested needed to apply during
805-641: The countries of Belarus , Moldova , Russia , and Ukraine . There are no railways in Andorra , Cyprus , the Faroe Islands , Gibraltar , Iceland , Malta , or San Marino . Andorre-L'Hospitalet station in France is the closest railway station for Andorra. Rimini station in Italy, is the closest station for San Marino. Until the end of 2015, Interrail passes were not valid in the traveller's country of residence, although
840-401: The designated countries, even crossing the border (e.g. Eurail pass and Interrail ). Some countries offer passes which are valid only within certain areas of the country (e.g. JR West Rail Pass, JR Kyushu Rail Pass, etc.). Sometimes, if the train passes through areas where the pass is not valid, travellers would need to pay for that section of the route. For example, if one gets a pass that
875-402: The discovery of European sites and cultures. This proposal fits well with the EU's ambitions to promote learning mobility, active citizenship, social inclusion and solidarity of all young people." On 3 May 2018, Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport Tibor Navracsics and Manfred Weber MEP announced that the initiative would be called DiscoverEU and outlined the first details on
910-601: The holder to travel from a point to another once. It is different from a season ticket in the sense that, while both of them grant unlimited travel to the holder, season tickets normally target commuting travellers, whereas rail passes usually target tourists. Based on this difference, terms of use are thus normally set differently. The first rail pass was issued as the Eurail pass in March 1959. Owing to its success, many other passes have been issued by various railway companies all around
945-435: The idea at a 2017 TEDx event. In March 2018, a €12 million pilot project to purchase 20,000-30,000 Global Passes for EU youth was confirmed by the European Commission. A press release announcing the decision elaborated on its goal of the scheme: "The action will seek to offer young people, regardless of social or educational background and including people with reduced mobility, a chance to travel abroad." On 1 March 2018,
980-455: The pass. This gives extra flexibility to the holders. Usually the holder would need to fill in the date he travels on the pass before boarding on the train. Some countries offer a country pass to travellers such that they could take most of the trains in the country (e.g. BritRail Pass , Japan Rail Pass , Indrail Pass , Korea Rail Pass , etc.). But some countries offer cross-countries rail pass such that pass holders can travel on trains within
1015-653: The rail network of one country, with unlimited journeys on each travel day. One-country passes are available for three, four, five, six, or eight travel days within one month for each of the following countries: Austria , Benelux , Bulgaria , Croatia , Czech Republic , Denmark , Estonia , Finland , France , Germany , Great Britain , Greece , Greek Islands, Hungary , Ireland (Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland), Italy , Latvia , Lithuania , Norway , Poland , Portugal , Romania , Serbia , Slovakia , Slovenia , Spain , Sweden , Switzerland and Turkey . There are no separate passes for Belgium, Luxembourg, and
1050-702: The station, online on the carrier's website, on the Eurail (or Interrail) site online or via the Rail Planner App, by telephone, or at a travel agency.[17] on the Eurail (or Interrail) site, by telephone, or at a travel agency. Many high-speed trains require a reservation. Examples include: Many overnight trains require reservations, with varying additional costs dependent on preferred sleeping accommodation (including couchettes or sleeping cabins). For Flexi Global Pass holders, overnight trains boarded before midnight are considered as one travel day (the day of departure) if
1085-560: The station, online on the carrier's website, on the Interrail (or Eurail) site online or via the Rail Planner App, by telephone, or at a travel agency. Many high-speed trains require reservation and, sometimes, an extra fee sold as a supplement or pass-holder fare: In addition to high-speed trains, many overnight trains require reservations (at extra cost) for sleeping accommodations such as couchettes or sleeping cars ; some trains have only sleeper cars. With Interrail's Flexi Global Pass,
Eurail - Misplaced Pages Continue
1120-462: The traveller does not change trains after midnight. The pass must be valid for the arrival and departure dates. Although Eurail and Interrail Passes are usually valid only on the national railway system of the participating countries; many countries also have private railway systems; some offer free (or discounted) tickets to Eurail or Interrail Pass holders. The discounts are normally between 25 and 50 per cent. Interrail The Interrail Pass
1155-513: The types of trains that one can ride with the rail pass. For example, high-speed trains are excluded in some countries (e.g. TR Pass ), and in some other, one can travel on them by paying supplement (e.g. France Rail Pass). Passengers with a Japan Rail Pass can ride on the Shinkansen , the high-speed railway in Japan . However, they cannot take Nozomi and Mizuho trains, the fastest train services on
1190-400: The typical target group of rail passes, there may be bonus discounts in certain sightseeing spots, by showing a rail pass within the valid period. In order to enjoy the discount, some flexipasses require the holder to spend a travel day - fill-in that date on the pass - while others do not; some of the passes also cover the cost of travelling by certain buses, ferries or cable cars. A rail pass
1225-491: The world since then. Rail passes are issued according to different terms of use. There are two ways of counting the valid period of a rail pass. A continuous pass counts the days or months continuously. For example, a 15-day pass is valid for 15 continuous calendar days starting from the day of validation and a one-month pass is valid for a calendar month (so if it is used in February, it is valid only for 28/29 days, contrasted to
#934065