Interrail Pass (formerly Eurail Pass) guide 2026: European train pass info for tourists
Both the Eurail Pass and Interrail passes have been among the best ways to explore Europe by train since the Eurail Pass launched in 1959 for non-European residents and Interrail was introduced in 1972. The passes allow you to book ferry and rail journeys across multiple European countries. Now, both European and non-European residents can buy the same Interrail pass and travel through 33 European countries by train. In this article, we’ll go through the benefits of the Interrail Pass, its limitations, and whether we recommend buying the pass for your next trip to Europe.
In short, the Interrail Pass is a multi-use ticket for ferries and trains in 33 European countries. With the pass, you can hop on high-speed trains, domestic day trains, overnight trains, and international trains in countries whose national train operators are part of the Interrail network without having to purchase separate tickets for each leg of your journey.
For example, in Spain, the Interrail Pass covers train journeys by Renfe, the state-owned rail company, and Iryo, which is a private rail operator. However, Interrail Passes are not valid on train routes operated by OUIGO España, which is a Spanish subsidiary of SNCF Voyageurs, the French state-owned rail operator.
The Interrail Pass offers three ticket types: the Global Pass, the One Country Pass, and the Interrail Plus Pass, which is currently in the beta development phase. Both the Global Pass and the One Country Pass share the same benefits, but as the name suggests, the One Country Pass, while cheaper, is for trains within a single country only. The Interrail Plus Pass includes all of the Global Pass’ benefits with the addition of seat reservation credits on most trains, which otherwise have to be paid for when buying tickets with the regular Global Pass.
Eurail and Interrail are now Interrail: What changed?
Before the Eurail Pass and the Interrail Pass brands were officially merged on September 9, 2026, the two passes were meant for different customers. Non-European residents could only buy the Eurail Pass, while Europeans had to buy an Interrail Pass. The two passes’ benefits were identical.
Now, the benefits remain the same but are now under the Interrail Pass brand. Interrail confirmed that any Eurail Passes bought before September 10, 2026, will remain valid according to the terms and conditions disclosed at the time of purchase.
How does an Interrail Pass work?
An Interrail Pass works just like any train ticket would. The only difference is that you’re either purchasing a multi-day ticket to travel on select days per month, or you can take the train every day for a specific period.
Say you’re a traveler from the United States who arrives in Portugal for your European holiday, and you’re also looking to visit Spain, France, and Italy over two weeks. You don’t want to pay for flights or rent a car, so you opt to travel by trains. You could buy single tickets for each trip, or you could get a single pass that enables you to board multiple trains during those two weeks.
If you know on which days you’ll be traveling to each country, the best option is to buy the Interrail Global Pass Flexi Pass. The Flexi Pass will enable you to travel for four, five, seven, 10, or 15 days per month on your specific days. With the Continuous Pass, you can travel for 15 days or 22 days, or one, two, or three months in a row. For somebody who likes to book last-minute trips with an ever-changing holiday itinerary, the Continuous Pass is a great option, albeit more expensive than a Flexi Pass.
Remember that for each trip, you’ll have to have a ticket on the Interrail app that you’ll show to an inspector on a train, which means you’ll need to be connected to the internet. Without a mobile plan that covers EU roaming, your best option to stay connected while you’re on the road is a travel eSIM like Saily. The Saily eSIM app offers a wide variety of single-country and European eSIM plans, ensuring you have internet while traveling.
Interrail’s passes are primarily multi-trip train tickets, but by buying one of the passes, you also get some additional benefits. Some things aren’t included in an Interrail Pass, like accommodation, so plan accordingly.
When you buy an Interrail Pass, you get:
Journeys on trains across 33 European countries.
An in-app trip planner.
Access to other benefits and discounts with over 50 of Interrail’s European partners. Perks include first-class lounge access at select train stations, discounts on GetYourGuide tours, and special offers for accommodation at specific brands’ hotels and hostels.
Flexible exchange and return policies.
What’s not included in an Interrail Pass
Interrail Passes do not include the following:
Seat reservation fees on high-speed and night trains, or trains on the busiest routes.
Free tickets on other forms of public transportation.
Accommodation.
Extensive travel in your country of residence — you get one journey to leave and one to return each.
Types of Interrail Pass (formerly Eurail Pass)
Interrail offers three distinct passes, namely the Global Pass, the One Country Interrail Pass, and the Interrail Plus Pass.
Global Pass
Interrail’s Global Pass is the pass to get when your travel plan includes train stations across multiple countries. You can either get the Flexi Pass, which allows you to pick four, five, seven, 10, or 15 days of travel within a month, or the Continuous Pass. With the Continuous Pass, you can take non-stop train trips for 15 or 22 days or one, two, or three months in a row.
One Country Pass
The aptly named One Country Pass will cover travel within a single country. The only regional One Country Passes that Interrail sells are for travel in the Benelux countries — Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg — and the Nordics — Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden.
Only Flexi Passes are available when you’re looking at One Country Passes. In Italy, for example, Interrail offers three-, four-, five-, six-, or eight-day passes for travel. The pass will not allow you to book international journeys from or to Italy.
Interrail Plus Pass (Beta)
The Interrail Plus Pass, currently in the beta stage of its development, is an improved plan compared with the Global Pass and the One Country Pass. The Plus Pass is currently limited in scope, and, at the time of writing, only available as a Global Pass or as single-country passes in Germany and Italy.
The Interrail Plus Pass’ selling point is that seat reservations are free on most trains. The Global Plus Pass has an additional three reservation credits for high-demand trains. The Plus Pass’s major drawback is its price, with the pass being more expensive compared to the Global Pass or the One Country Pass. In addition, the Plus Pass is only available as a Flexi Pass. The Global Plus Pass allows either five or seven days of travel per month, while the Germany and Italy plans are only available for four days per month, making it unattractive for those who will be traveling in Europe for several weeks at a time.
How much do Interrail Passes cost for an adult?
So, how much will you have to pay for any of the Interrail Passes as an adult? The table below breaks down the passes’ pricing as of October 20, 2026:
Pass
1st class Flexi Pass price*
1st class Continuous Pass price*
2nd class Flexi Pass price*
2nd class Continuous Pass price*
Interrail Global Pass
€367 (US$411.39) for 4 days
€618 (US$692.83) for 4 days
€283 (US$317.30) for 4 days
€476 (US$533.70) for 15 days
Interrail One Country Pass**
€250 (US$280.24) for 3 days
n/a
€193 (US$216.34) for 3 days
n/a
Interrail Global Plus Pass
€512 (US$574.04) for 5 days
n/a
€417 (US$467.54) for 5 days
n/a
Interrail Italy Plus Pass
€302 (US$338.61) for 4 days
n/a
€244 (US$273.58) for 4 days
n/a
Interrail Germany Plus Pass
€378 (US$423.74) for 4 days
n/a
€293 (US$328.46) for 4 days
n/a
* Cheapest option. More expensive and lengthier passes are available.
** Example country is Spain. Prices vary by country.
Interrail Passes’ prices differ significantly when comparing first-class and second-class tickets. First-class passes have the added benefit that you can secure seats in both first and second class, and if you do end up traveling on night trains, first class will be more comfortable with complimentary food and drinks. At the same time, first-class passes are more expensive, and if you’re trying to be frugal on your trip, second class is the more economical choice.
It’s important to note that unless you buy one of the Plus Passes, you will have to pay to reserve a seat on most overnight trains.
European train pass discounts for children, students, and seniors over 60
Interrail doesn’t apply separate discount codes for children, youth, or seniors. Instead, passes for youth and seniors have a lower starting price. Children under four years old can travel for free without a pass, while kids between four and 11 must have a free Interrail pass with them. That doesn’t apply when you’re traveling with an Interrail Plus Pass, which will cost extra for children between four and 11. The prices of Global Plus Passes for children are:
Pass
1st class Child (from 4 years old to 11 years old) price
2nd class Child (from 4 years old to 11 years old) price
Interrail Global Plus Pass
€99 (US$111.13)
€99 (US$111.13)
Interrail Italy Plus Pass
€48 (US$53.90)
€48 (US$53.90)
Interrail Germany Plus Pass
€39 (US$43.79)
€39 (US$43.79)
When traveling with a Global Pass or a One Country Pass, one adult over the age of 18 can accompany up to two children. Two traveling adults over 18 can bring along up to four kids, but remember — children aged four to 11 also need to have an Interrail Pass, even if it’ll be free for them.
The prices of youth (ages 12 to 27) and senior (over 60) passes are broken down below:
1st class pass
1st class Youth Flexi Pass price*
1st class Senior Flexi Pass price*
1st class Youth Continuous Pass price*
1st class Senior Continuous Pass price*
Interrail Global Pass
€275 (US$308.34) for 4 days
€330 (US$370.37) for 4 days
€556 (US$624.02) for 4 days
€302 (US$457.50) for 4 days
Interrail One Country Pass**
€187 (US$209.67) for 3 days
€225 (US$252.41) for 4 days
n/a
n/a
Interrail Global Plus Pass
€408 (US$457.71) for 5 days
€470 (US$527.26) for 5 days
n/a
n/a
Interrail Italy Plus Pass
€238 (US$266.99) for 4 days
€276 (US$309.62) for 4 days
n/a
n/a
Interrail Germany Plus Pass
€293 (US$328.59) for 4 days
n/a
n/a
n/a
2nd class pass
2nd class Youth Flexi Pass price*
2nd class Senior Flexi Pass price*
2nd class Youth Continuous Pass price*
2nd class Senior Continuous Pass price*
Interrail Global Pass
€212 (US$237.70) for 4 days
€255 (US$286.14) for 4 days
€357 (US$400.28) for 15 days
€428 (US$480.36) for 4 days
Interrail One Country Pass**
€145 (US$162.58) for 3 days
€174 (US$195.25) for 4 days
n/a
n/a
Interrail Global Plus Pass
€338 (US$379) for 5 days
€385 (US$431.78) for 5 days
n/a
n/a
Interrail Italy Plus Pass
€195 (US$218.72) for 4 days
€225 (US$252.37) for 4 days
n/a
n/a
Interrail Germany Plus Pass
€230 (US$257.90) for 4 days
n/a
n/a
n/a
* Cheapest option. More expensive and lengthier passes are available.
** Example country is Spain. Prices vary by country.
How to buy an Interrail Pass
Since the Eurail Pass and Interrail Pass were merged in September 2026, buying an Interrail Pass has become slightly less confusing. Follow these steps to buy an Interrail Pass:
Register or log in to your account on Interrail’s app or website. You can use either your email address or third-party services like Apple, Facebook, or Google.
Pick out the pass and cabin class you’d like and add it to your cart. First-class passengers get complimentary food and beverages, and the seats are more comfortable for leisure or work than in second-class carriages, but first-class tickets are more expensive.
Choose whether you want a digital pass or a paper pass. The delivery fee for a paper pass starts from €17 (US$19.08), and to get it delivered to New York, for example, the delivery fee is €18 (US$20.20). Because the delivery of a physical pass can take several weeks, order it well in advance of your departure.
Begin the checkout process. At this point, you’ll have to fill out your personal and your travel buddies’ details, including names, dates of birth, and countries of residence. The information must match passengers’ passport, ID, or residence permit. In addition, select the date from which your pass will become valid, since the passes are time limited.
Pay. You’ll receive your pass immediately if you’ve chosen a digital pass. If you’ve opted for the paper pass, you’ll have to wait for its delivery.
How to use an Interrail Pass
To use a digital Interrail Pass, follow these steps:
Download and open the Interrail Rail Planner app.
Go to “My pass.”
Tap “Add your pass.”
Enter your surname and the pass number. You can find the pass number in the confirmation email that Interrail sent to you.
Once you’ve activated the pass, you’ll have to connect your trip since every pass you buy must be connected to one. Continue with the activation process by doing the following:
Go to “My trip.”
Create a new trip and give it a name or choose a trip you’ve already created.
Tap “Connect this trip.”
The “My trip” section on the app is like a hub for your journey and includes all of the information related to your Interrail Pass, including its expiration date and how many travel days you have remaining.
Before you board your train, you first have to book the journey through the Interrail app:
Open the Interrail Planner app.
Go to “Planner.”
Select the city you’re traveling from and your destination.
Choose the time of departure that suits your plans and tap on the specific itinerary.
Tap “Save journey.”
Pick the trip your currently active Interrail Pass is on and tap “Save to trips.”
Go to “My trip” and add the journey to your Interrail Pass by swiping the ticket icon.
To show your ticket to a train conductor, go to “My pass” and tap “Show ticket,” which will produce a QR code for a conductor to scan.
Some trains will require you to reserve your seat. Usually, seat reservations are mandatory on high-speed, luxury, or night trains and will cost you extra unless you have the Interrail Plus Pass. The app will indicate which trains will require seat reservations when you book your journey. When you’re looking for route options, train itineraries will have “Seat reservations required” next to them. To make a seat reservation with an Interrail Pass:
Open the Interrail Planner App.
Tap “More.”
Tap “Seat reservations.”
Pick the country you’re traveling in or from and select whether you have a digital (“I have a mobile pass”) or a paper (“I have a paper pass”) Interrail Pass.
Tap “Book seats.”
Pick out the train itinerary you’d like to travel on and tap the seat reservation sum, such as €34.
Tap “Add to cart” and proceed to the checkout process.
Seat reservation prices differ, but according to Interrail, the average seat reservation fee for a domestic train is €10 (US$11.22), for an international train it’s €15 (US$16.83), and for a night train, it’s €20 (US$22.45).
To reserve your seat online when you’re already traveling, you’ll have to be connected to the internet, which is why arriving at your destination with an eSIM like Saily will come in handy.
Is an Interrail Pass worth it?
Whether an Interrail Pass is worth it depends on many factors. But if you’re a senior over 60 or a young adult up to 27 years old, an Interrail pass is no doubt one of the best ways to explore multiple cities in Europe.
For adults, the equation differs a bit, considering the higher Interrail Pass price. Your travel itinerary must include at least four, perhaps five, train rides to justify the higher price for adults, since the per-ticket cost will be lower than buying trips several months in advance.
So whether an Interrail Pass is worth it will depend on your travel plans. When those plans include only two or three train journeys, you’re better off buying tickets in advance. If those plans consist of four to dozens of train journeys, including spontaneous trips, you will save money with an Interrail Pass.
Comparing regular train tickets vs. Interrail Passes
The main difference between a regular train ticket and an Interrail Pass is that the pass will allow you to travel several times without having to worry about buying tickets from different operators at prices that change constantly, especially the closer you are to the departure date.
Again, if your travel plans include a single or two train journeys, we recommend buying individual tickets weeks in advance. One of the best travel apps for Europe is Omio, where you can compare prices and buy train tickets between different operators to discover the cheapest travel options.
How to choose the best train travel option in Europe
If you’ve settled on traveling throughout Europe by train and are looking at buying an Interrail Pass, we have a handy guide to follow:
If you’re going to travel by train two or three times, buy individual tickets in advance and skip the Interrail Pass.
If you’re going to hop on a train four, five, or six times during your European trip, buy anInterrail Flexi Pass for a single country or the continent.
If you’re a spontaneous traveler who plans on taking dozens of trains during a multi-week holiday in Europe, get the Interrail Global Continuous Pass.
If you’re only traveling throughout a single country, buy the Interrail One Country Pass.
Other tips for a smooth European trip
Before you set off for your next European trip, consider:
Summers are hot and destinations are crowded. While the warmer months of the year are the best time to visit Europe, it will be crowded. Consider traveling to Europe in late spring or early fall, when the weather is still good and attractions aren’t as congested.
Book plans in advance. Booking accommodation, flights, tours, and train tickets well before your departure date will save you time and money during the peak travel season, and you won’t have to adjust your plans at the last minute because tickets have sold out.
Monitor workers’ strikes. In France, Spain, and Italy, in particular, workers’ strikes can happen every few months or even weeks. The work stoppages can especially affect rail systems, which can disrupt your travel plans. Follow the local news, book your stays with free cancellation, and above all else, get travel insurance.
Take care of your connectivity before you leave. Before you leave for your trip through Europe, make sure you stay connected to the internet. While data roaming or renting a pocket Wi-Fi device in Europe is an option, they’re either expensive or inconvenient. Buying an eSIM data plan from Saily is a quick and easy solution, and you won’t have to fiddle around with physical SIM cards once you land, which is one of the main benefits of an eSIM. In addition, you’ll know exactly how much you’ll be spending on mobile data since you’ll be buying plans with a specific number of gigabytes. Don’t know which plan to go with? Use Saily’s data usage calculator to estimate how much data you use
European train pass info: A summary
An Interrail Pass is a great way to discover several European cities by taking the train and not having to worry about buying tickets from different operators on separate rail networks. With the pass, you can travel on select days, take train journeys for several continuous days, and even enjoy scenic train routes such as the Bernina Express in Switzerland or the Arlberg Line in Austria.
Remember, if you want to avoid excessive roaming fees while traveling, buy a travel eSIM plan from Saily, which will also enable you to buy or plan train tickets on the go. Most importantly, enjoy the ride and visits to the continent’s various train stations.
We do our best to keep everything accurate and up to date, but service provider prices, plans, and features can change quickly. If you spot something that seems outdated or incorrect, feel free to get in touch with us at [email protected] — we’d really appreciate the heads-up!
FAQ
Interrail, the company behind Eurail and Interrail, merged the two passes in September 2026. Before the merger, the difference was that Eurail Passes were for non-European nationals, while European residents had to buy an Interrail Pass.
Interrail Passes are valid in 33 countries in Europe, where you can travel with ferries, public transportation, and trains. However, Interrail Pass’ main selling point is multiple train operators’ tickets combined into a single pass.
For seniors, the price depends on the length of the pass and whether they’re traveling in first or second class, but a four-day Flexi Pass is €255 (US$285.56), while a 15-day Continuous Pass is €428 (US$479.37).
The main and best train pass to travel through Europe is the Interrail Pass, including the Global Pass, which covers train journeys in 33 European countries.
An Interrail Pass will be cheaper than buying individual tickets for a handful of trips. However, if you’re only interested in a single journey, getting a point-to-point ticket will be cheaper.
An Interrail Pass does not include seat reservation fees, accommodation, or travel in your country of residence.
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