Many tourists visit Europe but do not experience the train journey that comes with mind boggling scenery. As trivial as this could seem, it is definitely not! Europe is known for its prolific green and white sheets of plants and snow over humongous mountains. Spectating this beauty can be completely utilized only by taking a train ride between countries. But buying train tickets can empty your pockets. How do you cut costs, then? With the Eurail Pass, everything becomes simple and convenient. We will tell you everything that you need to know about the Eurail Pass.
What is a Eurail Pass?
The Eurail Pass is a rail pass provided by thirty three countries in Europe, specially for non-European travelers. This Eurail Pass is a deal breaking travel offer provided for tourists. There are region specific or country specific Eurail passes and Eurail global passes. On top of this, you can also choose between first-class and second-class passes.
The major perk of getting a Eurail pass is that you can travel between various countries at a relatively lower cost. This was introduced to encourage travelers from different regions of the world to explore the beauty of European countries.
Eurail Pass Countries
There are 33 countries that have participated in the Eurail Pass travel product.
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bosnia
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Macedonia
- Montenegro
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Turkey
- The United Kingdom
Eurail Pass Cost
Below is a curated list with the cost of the Eurail global pass. This pass is free for kids below the age of 10.
| Eurail Global Pass | First Class | First Class | Second Class | Second Class |
| Youth | Adult | Youth | Adult | |
| 4 Days 1 Month | 21,646 | 28,890 | 17,119 | 22,717 |
| 5 Days 1 Month | 24,856 | 33,087 | 19,671 | 26,091 |
| 7 Days 1 Month | 29,463 | 39,254 | 23,211 | 31,024 |
| 10 Days 2 Months | 35,311 | 46,999 | 27,817 | 37,039 |
| 15 Days 2 Months | 43,456 | 57,859 | 34,238 | 45,596 |
| 15 Days Continuous | 39,016 | 51,933 | 30,702 | 40,987 |
| 1 Month Continuous | 45,597 | 60,741 | 45,597 | 47,901 |
Note: These are the costs for the Eurail Global Pass. For more information, check out the official Eurail Pass page.
How to get a Eurail Pass
Firstly, make sure you have a rough itinerary in mind so that you can plan your Eurail trip accordingly. Be ready with your travel duration and train travel days while you confirm your itinerary. You can purchase the Eurail mobile pass easily online. A few websites that provide this Eurail pass are listed below.
- Eurail
- Rail Europe
There are few trains that require a reservation fee aside from the pass fee. If you travel to countries that don’t accept passes, the cost may be high, but in countries that do, it might be minimal.
- Countries that don’t accept passes: France, Italy, Sweden, Spain, and Portugal almost always require reservations and payment of a fee, which you can estimate at €10+ per train, in order to travel between cities to, from, or within them.
- Countries that accept passes: On the other hand, in the UK, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Denmark, and central and eastern Europe, seat reservation is usually optional, with nothing more to pay unless you want a reserved seat or a couchette or sleeper.
With the Global Pass, for instance, you can purchase a continuous pass that allows unlimited travel for 15 consecutive days, 22 days, or 1 month, as well as a flexipass that allows travel for 4, 5, or 7 days within a one-month window and 10 or 15 days within a two-month window.
Once you’ve booked and purchased the pass, you must download the Eurail trip planner app and activate the code that you will receive by email in 24 hours. Everything that you require will be stored in this app, thereby making the whole process easier. Also note that Eurail passes are not applicable for travel on metros, cable cars, trolleys, trams, or buses in big cities. There are few travel agencies that provide you with Eurail Pass along with the Europe tour package. You can check that as well.
Benefits of buying a Eurail pass
- Flexibility: The Eurail Pass offers great flexibility, allowing you to travel across multiple European countries without the need to purchase individual tickets for each journey. You can choose the duration of your pass (ranging from a few days to several months) and the number of countries you want to visit.
- Cost-effectiveness: The Eurail Pass may be a cost-effective choice, depending on your travel plans. The pass can be more affordable than purchasing separate tickets for each trip if you have a schedule that includes multiple country visits and multiple train trips. It is especially useful for people who intend to travel widely.
- Unlimited travel: A Eurail Pass entitles you to unrestricted train travel within the named nations and regions that it covers. You have the flexibility to explore various cities and regions at your own pace by getting on and off trains as frequently as you like.
- Convenience: By using a Eurail Pass, you can travel without waiting in line or buying individual tickets. Once you have your pass, all you need to do is board the train and present your pass when asked by the conductor. It offers a hassle-free traveling experience and saves time.
- High-speed trains, regional trains, and some international trains are all included in the expansive train network that the Eurail Pass is valid on. This makes it convenient for travelers who want to explore well-known and off-the-beaten-path locations because it enables you to reach numerous destinations, from well-known cities to charming towns.
- Additional advantages: Holders of an Eurail Pass are entitled to a variety of additional benefits and price breaks, including reduced ferry fares, price breaks on museums, attractions, and city tours, as well as exclusive deals on lodging or other travel-related services in participating locations.
Is a Eurail Pass worth it?
This is a very subjective question. One cannot give straight yes or no answers, as each person’s requirements for a trip are different. If you just travel from one country to another, this pass might not be useful, as the basis for purchasing this pass is when you have 3-4 destinations to travel by train. Especially if you are going for a Honeymoon trip to Europe, you can enjoy the most if you have Eurail pass as a part of your Europe honeymoon tour package.
As a conclusion, the Eurail Pass is definitely not for all types of travelers. Nevertheless, if you are someone who is looking to experience the beauty of the countries through your train journey, there is no better option than purchasing a Eurail pass.
The post First Timers Guide to Eurail Pass appeared first on Pickyourtrail Travel Blog.
