eurail map with travel times

Eurail map: Efficient travel planning tool for Eurail passholders

A Eurail map is an extremely handy tool for planning your European adventure. At a glance, you can discover the popular train routes and the extensive coverage offered by the Eurail Global Pass to non-European residents. Chart your travel course effectively using the map, and subsequently choose the kind of Eurail Pass you require to enjoy flexibility and cost-efficiency on your next train-hopping holiday in the continent. 

All the major city train connections in Europe covered by the Eurail Pass are captured in the Eurail map. However, note that Eurail Pass coverage is not limited to this, and so many more regional train connections are also covered, making the pass ideal not just for city-to-city travel but also within cities and suburban areas. The map also displays the average travel time between the cities, thereby letting you plan your itinerary more efficiently. 

Practical tip: Use the map to decide the number of connections you will make. Then check the price for individual tickets, and compare it with the Eurail Pass price to see if it is a budget fit. However, note that the pass also grants great freedom to your plans, unlike point-to-point tickets that tie you to a particular train.

Understanding the Eurail map

• The Eurail map provides an overview of the larger European cities and the train connections between them. It is essential to note that the Eurail Pass coverage is not limited to these train journeys.
• The interactive map above allows you to click on the train icons to see the city names
• Click on the lines connecting the cities to find the average train travel time between them

Frequently asked questions

Numerous cities spanning over 33 European countries can be visited with a Eurail Pass. Some of these cities are Frankfurt, Brussels, London, Paris, Lyon, Madrid and more. Check out the Eurail countries page to find out more about the cities you can visit with the pass.

Europe is known for its scenic railway routes and much of it is covered by the Eurail Pass. Some routes and trains included in the pass are the Black Forest Railway, Cinque Terre, Glacier Express , Arlbergline Scenic Train, Centovalli Railway, Flam Railway, and many more. Check out European scenic routes covered by train passes to traverse Europe's most beautiful trails.

Yes, you can connect from Paris to London with a Eurail Global Pass . The Eurostar high-speed train (reservation required) is the popular train connecting London to Paris.

Paris to Barcelona, Rome to Venice, Amsterdam to Berlin, Vienna to Budapest, and Paris to Amsterdam are a few of the popular train routes included in the Eurail Pass.

Non-European residents can visit 33 European countries with the Eurail Pass. Some of them are France, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Germany, Greece and Spain. Check out Eurail countries to find out more about the nations you can visit with the Eurail Pass.

All train details including train timings can be found on the Rail Planner app which you will have to download for the effective use of the Eurail Pass. 

Use the map and Rail Planner app resources to decide your routes, make seat reservations (if required) in advance as tickets tend to sell out, and be sure you have all the relevant documents like your passport and visa before travel. Check out the Europe Trip Planner page for effective European holiday planning with train passes.

A major factor that distinguishes the Eurail Pass from point-to-point tickets is that while the latter is just for a specific train at a given time, the Eurail Pass can be used on any train. It is flexible; meaning you can make a spontaneous plan and hop on any train by simply adding that journey onto your pass (given seat reservations are not mandatory). 

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Ready to plan in a bit more detail? Check train times across Europe in our timetable . See departure and arrival times, service information, and more about seat reservations.

What are seat reservations?

On most trains, you can simply jump aboard with your Pass. But on some high-speed trains and night trains, you'll need to pay extra for a  seat reservation . These trains are marked in the timetable. 

Not in a hurry? You can usually avoid extra seat reservation costs by taking a slightly slower route.

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Effective Europe train travel planning with Eurail & Interrail map

Europe Train Passes Eurail & Interrail Map

If you are pondering over getting a Eurail or Interrail Pass for your next European adventure, you owe it to yourself to make sure that the pass is just the right fit for you. The first step to getting the maximum value out of your pass includes a bit of planning. And trust us, planning is half the fun of any trip. And that’s where a Eurail & Interrail map comes handy. As much as we would love to play detective, bring out our magnifying glasses and survey a big sheet of map, we’ve got something better for you - an interactive Eurail and Interrail map that is easy to understand and use.

Plan your journey with Eurail & Interrail map

This Eurail & Interrail map has all the big city train connections in Europe. Play around with the map and figure out the routes you intend to take and learn about the average travel time. Make a rough cost estimation of point-to-point tickets and compare it to the Eurail or Interrail Pass price, to identify if the pass is ideal for you.

However, do keep in mind that it's not just cost-savings that make the Eurail & Interrail Pass so popular but also the immense flexibility it lends to your travel plans. As opposed to the rigidity of point-to-point tickets, with the Eurail or Interrail Pass, you can simply turn up at the station and decide to take the next train that comes along. Additionally, planning the routes beforehand will also help you choose the most apt Eurail or Interrail Pass. Dive deep and find your primary travel routes below.

How to read the Eurail & Interrail Map?

• All the bigger European cities and train connections between them are mapped above. Keep in mind that Eurail or Interrail Pass is not limited to these train journeys.
• Click on the station icons to see the city name.
• Click on the lines connecting the cities to find the average train travel time between them

Frequently asked questions

Can i use the eurail or interrail pass in all european countries.

Eurail and Interrail Pass can be used in 33 European countries . To explore a single country, choose a single country pass and if you plan to go country-hopping, choose a Eurail or Interrail Global Pass.

What is the difference between Eurail and Interrail Pass?

The only difference between Eurail and Interrail Pass is the kind of travelers it targets. Eurail Pass can be used only by non-European residents, whereas Interrail Pass is for the specific use of European residents.

Can I customize my route based on my preferred destinations with Eurail or Interrail Pass?

The best thing about Eurail & Interrail Pass is that it is totally customizable. Decide the routes you intend to take using our interactive Eurail & Interrail map and simply add those journeys to your pass and get going!

How do I check train schedules and plan my itinerary accordingly?

You can find the train schedules on the Rail Planner App and select journeys as per your requirement. If you want to know the average duration of the journeys connecting main European cities, click on the lines connecting the two cities on the Eurail & Interrail map.

What are some tips for maximizing the use of my Eurail or Interrail Pass?

Planning ahead and choosing the right pass is the first step to maximizing the value of your Eurail or Interrail Pass. The main premise of the Eurail or Interrail Pass is that the more train travel you embark on, the more value you make of it. 

Are there any scenic Eurail or Interrail routes that I should consider?

Europe teems with scenic train routes and many people often embark on train journeys just for the view. Bernina Express, Glacier Express and the Golden Pass Scenic Train in Switzerland, Rhine Valley Line in Germany, Flam Railway in Norway are just a few of our recommendations.

What are some popular Eurail or Interrail routes?

Rome to Florence, Paris to Rome, Madrid to Barcelona, Vienna to Budapest are a few popular routes covered by a Eurail or Interrail Pass.

Maria Philip

Every friend's gang has that one friend who plans the trip, finds cute little spots to explore great views and food, and keeps cool trivia handy. I am that friend. I like to know before I go, keep things under budget, and help others do the same through my writing. Someone once said, ‘Traveling makes you a storyteller’ and it stuck with me to do more traveling and telling. You will find me the happiest in quiet spots under thick green canopies, over a delicious spread of my comfort foods, or while loudly singing my favorite tunes, or engaging in silly banter with friends and family, or on the window seat of a moving bus or train with music plugged in. The list is longer, but you get the gist!

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The Ultimate Guide to Eurail: How to Explore Europe by Train

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Patrycja Zielińska | Live the World

August 5, 2023

Traveling by Eurail offers an exhilarating and convenient way to explore Europe's diverse landscapes, cultures, and iconic cities, all while enjoying the comfort and ease of a seamless rail journey.

Convenience reigns supreme when it comes to traveling through European countries with Eurail. Connections are efficient and the check-in procedures are minimal, making it a hassle-free experience. Flexibility is another major advantage, as travelers can curate their own itineraries and change plans on the go. Eurail passes also prove to be cost-effective compared to purchasing individual train tickets for each journey, especially for those looking to explore multiple destinations.

And let's not forget the scenic views! The breathtaking snow-capped mountains and rolling countryside are a feast for the eyes. Finally, train travel allows for cultural immersion, providing opportunities to interact with locals and experience the diverse cultures and traditions of each destination.

1 . What is Eurail?

Ready to embark on an unforgettable journey through Europe by train? Eurail is a convenient and flexible way to explore Europe, offering the freedom to travel at your own pace. With a Eurail pass in hand, you'll have access to a vast network of train routes that span multiple countries, including popular destinations like France, Germany, Italy, and Spain.

But the benefits of Eurail extend beyond just convenience. Train travel allows you to immerse yourself in the breathtaking landscapes of Europe, from the rolling hills of Tuscany to the snow-capped peaks of the Swiss Alps. Plus, it's an opportunity to experience the local culture firsthand as you hop off to different cities and towns along the way.

Planning your Eurail journey is key to making the most of your adventure. From choosing the right pass and route to navigating train stations and booking tickets, there are a few things to keep in mind. As you travel, don't forget to explore both the must-see destinations and hidden gems that await you along the Eurail route. From the charming canals of Amsterdam to the ancient ruins of Rome, there's something for every traveller. Get ready to hop on board and start your Eurail adventure – the train ride of a lifetime awaits!

2 . The Eurail Pass

Finding the perfect Eurail pass tailored to your needs is the key to unlocking a seamless journey through Europe's captivating destinations. To start, go to Eurail Website and familiarise yourself with the various types of passes available and their extensive coverage across multiple countries and cities. Consider the duration of your trip and the number of places you wish to explore when selecting the appropriate pass.

Do you crave the freedom of unlimited travel or prefer a set number of days? Additionally, weigh the cost-effectiveness of individual tickets versus the convenience of a Eurail pass. Don't forget to research any additional perks like discounts on museum entry. And of course, take advantage of fellow travellers' reviews and recommendations to make an informed decision.

Types of Passes

First up, we have the Global Pass , which offers unlimited travel in multiple countries for a set number of days. If you have specific countries in mind, the Select Pass allows you to travel within a specific number of countries for a set number of days.

For those looking to explore just one country, the One Country Pass provides unlimited travel within that single country for a set number of days. If you want to explore a particular region or group of countries, the Regional Pass is perfect for you. And if flexibility is what you need, the Flexi Pass offers a certain number of travel days within a given period. With these options in mind, you can choose the right Eurail pass that suits your travel plans and makes your journey even more convenient and enjoyable.

Which Pass to Choose

Considering your travel itinerary and the number of countries you plan to visit, determining the duration of your trip and frequency of train usage is crucial. Compare different Eurail pass options like Global Pass, Select Pass , and One Country Pass . Calculate their cost-effectiveness based on train fares for your intended destinations.

To purchase a digital mobile Eurail pass, visit the official Eurail website or download the Eurail app. Choose the pass type and duration that aligns with your travel plans. Provide your personal details and any required documentation, then make a secure online payment to receive your digital pass. To purchase a paper Eurail pass, visit the official Eurail website or authorised travel agents. Choose the pass type based on your travel needs, fill in the required details, and make the payment. Your pass will be shipped to your address, ready to be activated on your first day of travel.

Activating Your Pass

To activate your Eurail Pass, simply fill in the start date before boarding your first train. Once activated, you can enjoy unlimited travel within the designated countries and time periods.

Remember to enter the date of travel on your pass before boarding each train. Don't forget to carry your passport for ticket checks.

Seat Reservations

First things first, it's essential to understand the reservation requirements for your specific Eurail pass. Different countries and train routes may have varying reservation policies, so make sure you're familiar with the rules before you embark on your adventure. Once you know the requirements, you can determine whether a reservation is necessary for your desired train route and time. To avoid any last-minute availability issues, it's generally recommended to make seat reservations in advance. This way, you can secure your preferred seats and travel with peace of mind. Fortunately, there are multiple reservation methods available to suit your convenience. You can make reservations online, at train stations, or even through Eurail's reservation service.

While making seat reservations, it's important to be aware of any additional fees or charges associated with them. Some high-speed or long-distance trains may require a reservation fee on top of your Eurail pass. So make sure to factor these costs into your travel budget accordingly.

Finally, when making seat reservations, consider the flexibility of your travel plans. If you prefer spontaneity and don't want to be tied down to specific train times, you may opt for open seating options or regional trains that don't require reservations. It all comes down to your personal preferences and itinerary.

Making the Most out of Eurail Pass

It’s important to consider the duration of your trip and the number of countries you plan to visit. If you're travelling for an extended period of time and will be visiting multiple countries, a Eurail Pass can be a cost-effective option compared to individual train tickets. However, if you're only planning to visit one or two countries or have a shorter itinerary, it may be worth researching the prices of individual train tickets to see if they would be more cost-effective. Once you've determined that a Eurail Pass is the right choice for you, plan your itinerary strategically. Take advantage of the pass's unlimited travel benefits and explore as many destinations as possible. Visit iconic cities like Paris, Rome, and Amsterdam, and don't forget to include some hidden gems along the way.

In addition to unlimited travel, your Eurail Pass also offers additional perks. You can enjoy discounted ferry rides to explore islands like the Greek Islands or visit museums and attractions for free in certain countries. Be sure to check for any special offers or discounts available with your pass. Lastly, evaluate your travel style and preferences. Eurail Passes offer flexibility, allowing you to travel spontaneously and make last-minute changes to your itinerary. If you prefer a more structured travel experience with fixed dates and trains, individual train tickets may be a better fit for you.

3 . The Pricing System

Once you've selected the right pass, it's important to calculate the cost-effectiveness of a Eurail pass versus individual tickets. It's all about finding the sweet spot between convenience and value. Speaking of convenience, navigating the Eurail reservation system can be a breeze with a little know-how. Don't forget to consider those hidden fees and additional costs that can sneak up on you.

To truly make the most of your Eurail pass, strategic planning is key. Craft an itinerary that takes you from the bustling streets of London to the picturesque canals of Amsterdam, or from the historical wonders of Rome to the vibrant nightlife of Barcelona. The possibilities are endless, and with a bit of careful planning, you'll unlock the full potential of your Eurail pass.

Understanding Eurail Pass Prices

Eurail pass prices can vary depending on a few key factors. These include the duration of your travel, the countries you plan to visit, and the class of service you prefer. It's important to note that discounts are available for certain groups such as youth, seniors, and families travelling together.

Flexibility in your travel dates and destinations can also impact the price of a Eurail pass. If you're looking to upgrade to a higher class of service, keep in mind that there may be an additional cost involved. Before purchasing a pass, it's crucial to compare different options and consider your specific travel needs.

First-Class and Second-Class Passes

When it comes to exploring Europe by train, travellers have the option to choose between first-class and second-class rail passes. First-class passes offer a more luxurious experience with spacious seating and additional amenities. They are ideal for longer journeys and those seeking a higher level of comfort. On the other hand, second-class passes provide a more budget-friendly option while still ensuring comfortable travel. These passes are suitable for travellers who prioritise cost savings and are comfortable with standard amenities.

Ultimately, the choice between first-class and second-class passes depends on personal preferences and travel priorities. Whether you want to indulge in a luxurious journey or save some money without compromising on comfort, both options have their advantages. So when planning your Eurail adventure, make sure to consider your own needs and preferences to select the pass that best suits you.

Eurail Pass and Single Tickets

When it comes to exploring Europe by train, it's essential to consider the cost-effectiveness of using a Eurail Pass versus purchasing single tickets. While the Eurail Pass offers convenience for extensive travel, it may not always be the most cost-effective option for shorter, point-to-point trips. On the other hand, single tickets are more suitable for travellers with a fixed itinerary and specific destinations in mind.

The Eurail Pass provides the flexibility to explore multiple countries, making it ideal for those who prefer spontaneous travel. However, if you have a limited number of destinations or a shorter travel duration, purchasing single tickets can often be cheaper. Evaluating your travel plans and comparing costs can help determine whether a Eurail Pass or single ticket is more cost-effective for your journey.

Yes, Eurail offers various discounts and additional benefits to travellers! These include youth, senior, and family discounts. Pass holders can also enjoy free or discounted ferry rides, museum entry, and city tours.

Check the Eurail website or contact customer service for the latest information on available discounts and benefits.

4 . High-Speed Trains and Seat Reservations

With different types of Eurail passes and ticket options available, it's important to know which one suits your travel needs. Making seat reservations and navigating train schedules can sometimes be confusing, but with a little bit of planning, it becomes much easier. When travelling by train, you have the advantage of maximising your time and sightseeing opportunities.

Plus, the benefits of train travel in Europe are plenty - scenic routes, convenient access to various destinations, and the opportunity to experience different cultures. To make the most of your journey, organising your itinerary using the Eurail system is crucial. So hop on board and get ready for an unforgettable adventure through the captivating landscapes of Europe!

Reservation Requirements by Countries

When planning your Eurail trip, it's essential to be aware of the reservation requirements by country. In countries like France and Spain, seat reservations are mandatory on high-speed trains. Italy has a similar policy but with some exceptions, as not all high-speed trains require seat reservations.

On the other hand, Germany and Austria have a mix of trains that may or may not require seat reservations. In the Netherlands and Belgium, seat reservations are generally not required. To ensure a smooth journey, it's crucial to check the reservation requirements for each country you plan to visit. By doing so, you can avoid any surprises and make the most out of your train travel experience throughout Europe.

Making a Seat Reservation

To make a seat reservation, you can use the official Eurail website or app. Seat reservations are recommended for high-speed and overnight trains.

You can also make reservations at train stations or through travel agencies. During peak travel seasons, it's advisable to secure your preferred seats by making reservations in advance.

5 . How to Plan Your Trip with Eurail?

Embarking on a Eurorail adventure opens up a world of possibilities for travelers. Understanding the system and its benefits is key to making the most of your journey. Start by planning your itinerary and selecting the right Eurorail pass that suits your trip. With a range of options available, you can tailor your pass to fit your travel needs. When it comes to booking train tickets and making seat reservations, it's important to be prepared.

Familiarise yourself with the train routes, and consider using the Rail Planner app for easy access to information. As you hop from country to country, explore popular European destinations and attractions by train. From the scenic beauty of Switzerland to the cultural delights of France and the historic charm of Italy, there's something for everyone. Don't forget to make use of the high-speed trains that connect major cities and save you valuable travel time.

6 . Tips and Tricks for a Smooth Eurail Experience

Ready to embark on your Eurail adventure? Here are some tips to ensure you make the most of your journey through Europe. First things first, plan your itinerary in advance. This will help you maximize your time and visit the destinations that interest you the most. Do some research on different types of Eurail passes and choose the one that best fits your travel plans. With the flexibility of train travel, you can explore multiple cities and countries in one trip. Another tip: You only need to input the arrival date in the travel calendar if you take a train (or multiple trains) that leaves after 19:00 (7 p.m.) and arrives at its last stop after 04:00 (4 a.m.), even if you get off the train before that time. You earn 5 hours of travel free this way!

To stay informed and organized, make use of online resources and travel apps. These will keep you up-to-date with train schedules, delays, and seat reservations. And speaking of reservations, don't forget to pack light and bring essential items for a comfortable train journey. Snacks, entertainment, and necessary travel documents should be at the top of your list. Finally, take advantage of the scenic routes and stopovers along the way. This is your chance to fully immerse yourself in the European experience. Soak in the breathtaking views as you travel through Switzerland, Germany, France, and other captivating European countries.

Traveling by Seasons

Eurail is an all-year option for travel enthusiasts. The prices of the passes don’t usually change with seasons, however, there are sales around Christmas and sometimes in other seasons as well, and you have 11 months to activate your pass after you buy it, which means you can buy the ticket on Christmas sale, even if you want to travel the next summer.

These sales normally exclude summer travel and offer discounts of 10% to 15%. The 2022 Black Friday sale offered 10% off Eurail Global Passes to be used between 1 January 2023 and 31 May 2023, This is just an example of the kind of deals you can expect. This way you’ll get a lower price even if your schedule isn’t fixed yet! The highest season is from May to September, so make sure to book tickets for these months as early as possible.

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The Ultimate Guide to European Train Travel With a Eurail Pass

Here’s how every type of traveler—not just backpackers—can benefit from this all-in-one train ticket..

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The Eurail Pass includes rides on many popular scenic routes, including Switzerland’s Bernina Express.

Photo by Jacques Bopp/Unsplash

If you’re planning a multi-city tour of the European continent this summer and will rely on trains to get around, you may want to consider purchasing a Eurail Pass . Haven’t thought about buying a Eurail Pass since your backpacking days? You’re not alone. The last time I traveled with one was in 2007 as a college student. After forking over about $500 (from my part-time job as a barista) for the multi-use train ticket, I rode at least a dozen trains from Amsterdam to Paris and on to Madrid over the course of a month that summer. I saved not only money but also time waiting to buy tickets because I could walk onto most trains and have the conductor punch my pass on board. For beginners to European train travel, the Eurail Pass is a single document that allows non-European citizens to travel by train multiple times across a network of 33 European countries. The travel must occur over a specified period of time, and the pass forgoes the need to buy individual point-to-point tickets. The Eurail Pass, which is celebrating its 65th anniversary this year, can be used for riding local trains, high-speed trains, and even night trains . In addition to the flexibility and time-saving benefits it affords, traveling with one can also save you money, depending on your travel plans.

Here’s everything you need to know about Eurail Passes before you buy one.

Eurail vs. Interrail

Eurail is not cheaper than Interrail. Their prices are exactly the same, but Eurail is for non-EU residents and citizens.

How do Eurail Passes work?

You can choose from either a One Country Pass , which covers train travel in a single country, or a Eurail Global Pass , which offers unlimited train travel across 33 countries in Europe, using their national railroads. Within each pass type, there are even more options. There are ones for children (ages 4 to 11), youth (12 to 27), adults (28+), and seniors (60+). They come in first- and second-class options across all age categories. The passes also cover different trip lengths for both One Country and Global Passes. The flexible, four-days-in-one-month pass is for you if you’re going on a shorter getaway and won’t be taking trains regularly. The pass with three months of unlimited travel is best used for fast-paced trips where you plan to cover a lot of ground over an extended time.

The validities for flexible passes include:

• Four travel days within one month
• Five travel days within one month
• Seven travel days within one month
• 10 travel days within two months
• 15 travel days within two months

There are also passes available for unlimited travel days during set periods of time. Those continuous train passes include durations of:

• Two travel months
• Three travel months

The pass is sold by the number of travel days during which you plan on using it. Each travel day covers as many trains as you’d like to take in a 24-hour time window from 12:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. on the same calendar day.

Keep in mind that there are exceptions to be made if you’re taking a night train. For example, if you book a train that leaves on Monday night and arrives on Tuesday morning, you will only need to use one travel day (the day of your departure) to cover that trip. However, if you choose to board another train on Tuesday, you’ll have to use another travel day on your pass. To find the ideal pass for your particular trip, Eurail built an online tool that lets you fill in your travel plans, including which countries you plan to visit, how many days you intend to travel by train, and the length of your entire trip. At the end of the short survey, it recommends the pass that best suits your needs.

Within France, your Eurail Pass will get you access to the TGV high-speed train network.

Photo by Hans Engbers / Shutterstock

Where can you buy a Eurail Pass?

You can buy any type of Eurail Pass online from Eurail.com , but several other sites sell them, too. RailPass and Rail Europe are both authorized vendors that sell Eurail Passes for around the same price as Eurail.com with slight variations to insurance and service fees.

Some offer free shipping (if you want a paper pass) and others special discounts and promo codes on tickets, so it’s best to check all your options before purchasing your pass to make sure you’re getting the best deal.

You can also purchase Eurail Passes at train stations in Europe , but that’s more expensive than ordering them online in advance.

How much does a Eurail Pass cost?

These are some 2024 starting prices of a Eurail Global Pass for adults purchased directly through Eurail:

• Four days in one month pass : $311 for second-class and $395 for first-class
• 7 days within one month pass: $419 or $532
• 15 days within two months pass: $608 or $772
• Three-month unlimited pass: $1,052 or $1,335

Considering that a two-month unlimited pass costs $909 in second class or $1,154 in first, you’re only a few hundred more for an entire extra month of unlimited train travel.

One Country Passes are slightly more affordable and vary by each country. For example, adult passes for Italy bought directly from Eurail range from $182 to $321 for second class and $231 to $408 for first class.

The big caveat with One Country Passes is that the longest pass is eight days within one month.

Eurail also groups certain regions, so you can get multiple countries for the price of one with its Benelux Pass (Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg) and Scandinavia Pass (Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden). Note that Eurail does not offer One Country Passes for certain countries that are included in the Global Pass, such as Switzerland, Montenegro, and Bosnia.

In 2020, Eurail launched its first-ever mobile version of the Eurail Pass via its Rail Planner App.

Courtesy of Eurail

Are Eurail Passes worth it?

It depends. If you know you’ll have four travel days over a one-month period, a second-class pass would cost most adults $311—or $77.75 per day. If the train you need to take costs more than $77.75, or if you’ll be taking multiple trains in one day that add up to more than that, it’s worth buying that pass. If you only need a less costly regional train to get between cities like Amsterdam and Brussels , however, then it’s probably not worth it.

For those who would argue that buying $50 Ryanair or EasyJet flights to jump from city to city is faster and cheaper, keep in mind that once you add on arriving early to the airport for security and all the bag fees you’d pay to check a bag, you might end up breaking even. Plus, train travel is far more sustainable and more scenic .

Do you need reservations with a Eurail Pass?

In some instances, yes. Not every train requires or even offers reserved seating. TER trains in France , for example, only have unreserved seats (except between Paris and some destinations in Normandy). Some types of trains in certain countries always require a seat reservation. In France, a required seat reservation on the TGV INOUI between Paris and Nice is $13.20 in both first and second class. A required seat reservation on the AVE train between Barcelona and Madrid is $13.20 in second class and $16.50 in first. In popular countries like France, Spain, and Italy—especially in the summer—you will certainly need to make an advance seat reservation at an additional cost (generally from five to 12 euros), even if the fare is included with your Eurail Pass.

In addition to those popular destinations, all night trains and most international high-speed trains throughout Europe require a supplemental reservation fee . Some scenic trains, like the Bernina Express in Switzerland, also require one. To find out if you need to make a reservation, search for your desired route on the Eurail Timetable , and the results will show whether or not one is necessary and the price.

Reservation fees vary between different countries and train services and must be paid directly to the railway carriers; payment can be made at the train station, online through the websites of the national railway companies, by phone, or through Eurail’s Rail Planner app. Eurail recommends making train reservations two months in advance during the summer and ahead of holidays to guarantee yourself a seat.

Alternatively, you can opt to ride on regional trains, which don’t require seat reservations. Even though they’re slower, if you have the time to stop along the way, you’re likely to discover a few appealing villages you never would have happened upon by taking the high-speed route. To find trains that don’t require reservations, check the “no seat reservations required” box when searching on the Eurail Timetable page.

What countries are included in a Eurail Pass cover?

There are currently 33 countries in Europe with rail carriers that accept Eurail Passes. Great Britain’s train operators nearly pulled out of the agreement in August 2019 . After negotiations with the Rail Delivery Group (RDG), which represents Britain’s train industry, travelers will continue to be able to use their Eurail passes within Great Britain—that’s England, Scotland, and Wales only. A One Country Eurail pass for Ireland also covers Northern Ireland.

Here’s the full list of the 33 countries currently serviced by Eurail: Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and Turkey. Download the train route map .

Eurail covers train routes in 33 countries.

How far in advance can I book a Eurail Pass?

You can buy a Eurail Pass up to 11 months before your trip, as long as it is activated at a European train station within that 11-month period. You can also preactivate your pass for a specific date when you check out at Eurail.com to avoid waiting in line at the train station to do so.

Get a mobile version of the Eurail Pass via Eurail’s Rail Planner App . Instead of waiting for the physical document to be delivered in the mail—or constantly worrying about losing it during your trip—you can download the app and load your mobile pass onto it as soon as your order confirmation lands in your inbox.

Are Eurail Passes just for college students?

You may have been under the impression that only budget backpackers in their 20s can benefit from Eurail Passes, but the passes are actually available to all age groups. Those 27 and under can get up to 25 percent off the standard adult price; the discount for people over age 60 is 10 percent. Eurail passes are also great for families and really cost-effective. Kids ages three or younger don’t need a pass at all (to travel on an adult’s lap) and children ages four to 11 are eligible for a free Child Pass. Up to two children are allowed to travel for free with one adult. Find out more about family discounts here . Note that if you want a guaranteed seat for your child aged three or under, you’ll need to book a regular Child Pass.

What are other benefits to having a Eurail Pass?

All Eurail Pass–holders are eligible for discounts on select museum tickets and boat tours throughout the entire 33-country network. But one of the major perks of having an unlimited train ticket that includes night trains is the hotel savings. By sleeping on a train, you’ll get from point A to point B and save money on hotels at the same time.

Eurail Passes aren’t only for use on trains either—they can be used on ferries and public transportation in some countries, too. See the full list of participating train, ferry, and public transport companies that accept Eurail Passes on board. The Greek Islands Pass , for example, offers ferry service to 46 islands, making it a viable option for island-hopping .

This article was originally published in 2019 and was updated most recently on June 11, 2024 with current information.

Train Travel in Europe: Ultimate Eurail Pass Guide

Europe has many amazing countries that have iconic cities all connected by a great rail system, in fact, one of the best in the world, and a fantastic Eurail Pass system to get you moving around smoothly. Train travel in Europe is a classic experience that you shouldn’t miss despite the budget friendly European airline carriers.  

By using the train, you can easily jump from one major city to the next without having to arrive early at an airport and spend time commuting from outside the city.

In our opinion, the biggest perk to using trains in Europe is that you tend to leave and arrive to the center of the city, saving hours of commute time, waiting in lines and waiting for luggage. Having a Eurail pass allowed us to discover the Europe many only dream about.

This Eurail pass guide is jam packed with useful information that I wish we had known before using our Eurail passes for two months in Europe.

This is one of the only Eurail guides on the Web that has been written by travelers who have use the Eurail pass for more then just a one week trip. Our goal is to give you hints, tricks and tips to make using your Eurail pass simple and easy.

Don’t leave home without: Lonely Planet Discover Europe (Travel Guide)

Ultimate Guide to Train Travel in Europe with Eurail Pass

Table of Contents

How We Used the Eurail Pass

First things first, we used Eurail Global Passes that were valid for 15 travel days over 2 consecutive months.  

Being a Global Pass, we had access to the entire Eurail network that spans 28 countries enabling us to see a whole lot of Europe with very little hassle. Looking to get your Europe adventure started? Find the best Eurail Pass for your trip here.

Our Europe train travel took us to 10 countries including travel to and within Hungary, Austria, Germany, Poland, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Luxembourg, Belgium and the Netherlands.

We used a variety of trains including high speed and regional. Our pass was valid in First class and we enjoyed being able to use this quieter section of the train.

Some of the routes we used did require reservations, so we paid the extra fees for that and found the process of obtaining reservations, for the most part, easy.

We did it both ways, online and in person at the station. We also used our pass plenty of times on routes that didn’t require reservations meaning we just showed up at the station and hopped on the train we wanted to use.

What are Eurail Passes

The Eurail pass is a train pass that allows you to explore all of Europe with one train ticket. You don’t need to stand in line at every train station to buy a ticket and you do not need to get off and go through customs.

There’s no need to buy single tickets, you just hop on to any train, show your Eurail pass to the conductor and you’re on your way. Yes, it’s that easy to use.

The Eurail passes are designed for that traveler who is visiting multiple locations on one trip or holiday. Having a Eurail pass is the best way to experience train travel in Europe because it can save you time and money.

The pass makes exploring all those little European villages super easy without having to buy another train ticket. The Eurail pass also allows you to access ferries, making travel to Scandinavia possible and easy.

Single Tickets vs. Eurail Pass

Let’s compare single ticket vs. the Eurail Pass. A single ticket is simply a ticket from one point to the next. You could say from point A to point B.

You only get one usage with a single ticket. Sometimes it’s better to buy a single ticket instead of using a Eurail pass. There are lots of factors that go into that and you should always check before buying a Eurail pass for your trip.

Single tickets are priced based on distance traveled, time of day you’re traveling and how far away your travel day will be.

With a Eurail Pass, you pay a single price for as long as your ticket is good for. This means you can get on as many trains as you want throughout your validated ticket dates.

There’s no waiting in lines to get a new ticket each time, you just simply show up and walk onto the train you want to travel on. Eurail passes are the best for traveler’s hitting multiple cities.

The best way to estimate the value of a rail pass is to divide the cost by the number of rides the pass offers. This will tell you if you should go with a Eurail pass or if you should buy a single ticket.

Also, be sure to check our routes and see if reservations are required, these usually cost money so be sure to add that into your Eurail Pass cost as well. Purchase your Single Eurail Ticket or  Eurail Pass today. 

Plan Your Itinerary

The Eurail pass gives you a high degree of freedom and convenience but you still need to have some sort of a plan to get your money’s worth.

I know what you’re thinking I want the Eurail pass because of the freedom of not making a game plan, we get it but trust us. Having a simple plan with a little wiggle room will save you in the long run and it will allow you to get the most out of your Eurail pass.

Decide where you want to go and in what order. Then ask yourself these questions, do these cities connect easily? Do they connect directly or are there stops? How long is the journey? We used these questions to plan our routes so we were not spending whole days riding the train.

While we had quite a few days in Europe, we still consider transfer days a loss if it’s more than a half day to travel between places. Good advice from us is to take those early trains.

By doing this, you’re likely to arrive in your new destination with plenty of time to explore on your arrival day.

We found getting up early and then sleeping on the train en route to be a great way of utilizing travel days.

The other piece of the puzzle that made this work well for us was making sure our itinerary kept places in a close order to minimize long travel days. We were able to cover 10 countries and never spent more than 6 hours on a train during a travel day.

Trying to figure out what time of year to plan your Eurail adventure? Check out our story about the Best Time to Visit Europe to jump-start your planning!

How to Buy A Eurail Pass

You can buy a Eurail pass online or at any train station in Europe. However, you will pay more if you buy your ticket over the counter versus online.

The online process is simple. You can order your Eurail pass up to 11 months in advance of your trip. Eurail does not have any hidden fees or extra ordering fees. You cannot print your Eurail pass as an e-ticket, I don’t know why this is not an option but it’s not possible to print the pass yourself.

This leaves you with three delivery options once you have ordered your Eurail pass. They offer free economy shipping to the United States and if you don’t live in the USA you would need to check the shipping calculator to see what the cost is and when the expected delivery date would be.

Make sure you order you’re ticket with enough time for delivery before your trip. We got ours in three days, however, that will vary on your location.

Another option is to have the pass shipped to a hotel or hostel in Europe. This is a great option if you’re short on time. They don’t allow Eurail passes to be shipped to a train station or P.O. Box.

You can ship your Eurail pass to an APO address, but this option can take up to a month. Anyone can sign for your Eurail Passes upon delivery so you don’t have to be at the location upon delivery.

The options for paying for your Eurail Passes online are with a credit card or PayPal. Over the counter, you can pay with cash or credit card.

You cannot split the cost between multiple credit cards or in installments you must pay in full. Make sure you fill out all of the information correctly. Once you have ordered your Eurail pass you cannot change your information.

If you do mess up you will need to exchange the pass for a new one and this can be a hard process.

Once you’ve placed you order you will receive three confirmation emails- one order confirmation, one payment receipt and one with shipping info. Keep these emails until you receive your pass.

How to Read the Eurail Pass

So you have your Eurail Pass in hand, now it’s time to understand how to read it. Reading the pass is pretty simple as they keep it nice and basic.

Across the top center, you will find your CIV No. You could say this is your ID number or order number. Below that is your pass type- this will tell you what kind of pass you have purchased. (Eurail select pass for 4 countries for example.)

Below that are the countries they are valid in. (Benelux-France-Germany-Italy for example.) Next to that, you will see how long the ticket is valid for (8 days within 2 months for example.)

Below that is the first day your pass is activated and the last day your pass is activated.

Everything must be filled in with ink by you. Below that are the different boxes called the travel calendar.

When you have a flex pass with a specific number of travel days or a Global Pass you will need to fill out the date you are traveling in this section. This must be done before boarding the first train, bus or ferry of each day.

On the top, far right, shows when the pass was printed and below that is the Class you paid for (1 st class for example.)

Below that is where the Activated stamp goes. On the bottom, far right, is what you paid for the pass and on the far left is a bar-code they scan. Like I said before they keep it pretty simple to read.

You will also have to fill out a travel diary. The travel diary is the section of your pass where you need to enter your contact info and ticket details, as well as the journey details of each train, ferry or bus you take while using your Eurail Pass.

You must fill this out before you board, they do not take it kindly if it is not filled out when they come around checking tickets.

The train staff will check for all details, if you skip this process you could be fined. If you run out of space on your Eurail diary it is your responsibility to print out a new diary.

Traveling in Europe as a solo female? Read   25 Tips for Solo Female Travel in Europe

How to Validate or Activate Your Pass

Eurail has also made activating your pass simple. You must activate your Eurail pass before you can start using it. This is a must so don’t get on a train until you have activated your pass.

It must be activated within 11 months of the issuing date. You can get your pass activated for free at any European train station or when you place your order at Eurail.com .

We got our pass validated in person when we left Budapest at the train station. We had already made reservations for the train we wanted to take and wrote down the information in the pass.

After that, we just approached a ticket window and asked them to validate and activate the Eurail Pass for us. There were no problems and it went smoothly.

The 7PM Rule

This is something you need to know if you are using a Eurail Pass. The 7 PM rule can save you precious travel days.

This rule is in place so that you only need to use 1 travel day when you travel on a direct night train that departs after 7 P.M. (19:00) and arrives at its final stop after 4 A.M. (04:00), even if you leave the train before 4 A.M.

Personally, I think this is a brilliant feature that not only allows you to save a nights accommodation by traveling at night, it allows you to maximize your day hours in the cities you visit and only takes one day of travel away from you. Keep this in mind if you have a long commute to a new city.

How Long is a 1-Month Pass Valid

1-month continuous is valid for train travel on each day during 1 month. The number of travel days you have depends on the length of the month that you started using your train pass.

So if your month has 29 days you only have 29 days, if the month has 31 then you have 31 travel days. It’s that simple.

Do I Need to Make a Reservation to Use My Eurail Pass

This is a split answer because not all trains require reservations. However, trains that do require reservations are all European night trains and most of the high-speed trains.

You may also have to make reservations in popular countries like France, Spain, and Italy. Some scenic trains have the option to travel in those special panoramic coaches that will give you epic views of your train ride, but those seats require reservations.

Something worth noting, reservations are not free and are an added cost to your Eurail Pass.

While there have been many success stories of people traveling all over Europe on a Eurail pass using trains that do not require reservations, you will definitely need time on your side to achieve this.

If your days are limited and you need to take high speed trains, make sure to budget reservation fees into your spending for your trip.

Also, if you are someone who just wants to make sure you have a seat without issues feel free to make a reservation. If you’re traveling with a group of friends and want to enjoy your adventure seated together then it is a good idea to make a reservation as well.

How To Make A Reservation With My Pass

Eurail has made it simple to make reservations if you need to. The best way really depends on of the train you are taking and the amount of time you have before your trip.

Popular trains book up quickly, so we would recommend booking your seats 2 months in advance. You can make reservations even if your Eurail pass is not activated.

The options for making reservations are: The old fashion way at the train station, E-tickets, by phone or on the web. Once you have planned out your Eurail adventure I would make your reservations.

You can make reservations between 3 months and 7 business days before your train’s departure and there’s no limit on how many trains you can reserve seats on.

Understanding Train Travel Days on Your Pass

Train travel days can be stressful and long, depending on your route and distance of your arrival city. A travel day on a Eurail pass has 24-hour period that lasts from 12:00 A.M. to 11:59 P.M. on the same calendar day.

If you’re using your Eurail pass for the first time allow for some time to get your pass activated. Otherwise, if your pass is activated you can pretty much walk up and get on a train.

No need to wait in lines but we do recommend arriving at the train station at least 30 minutes prior to your departure time so you can find the correct platform and make sure there were no changes to the schedule.

Definitely bring snacks, yes some of the trains have snack carts but it is better to be safe than sorry. The trains don’t have issues if you bring food on board.

For the most part, European trains run like clockwork and they will get to the city on time. This means they also leave on time, with or without you, so as I mentioned before arrive slightly early to ensure you are organized when it arrives. Chances are, unless there is an unlikely major train delay, you will arrive in your new city exactly on time.

Some trains will have WIFI access onboard, while others will not. Regardless, you’re likely to use your phone or tablet for entertainment so be sure to bring a power hub, just in case there are no outlets at your seat.

Handling Transfers at Connecting Stations

Transferring at connecting stations can get stressful at times. You may only have a few minutes to run from one platform to the next, not really knowing if your heading to the right platform or the right train.

We found this hard at times. Most stations have monitors listing the departing trains, times and platforms but not always where you arrive.

On every platform, there are large monitors that state the time and what train is on the platform. You must follow the pathways to the platform. You cannot cross over the tracks.

At all platforms you can find a railway employee that can point you on your way. However, it does not mean they know English.

Just keep this in mind. Trains in Europe do have lots of connecting passengers and may hold their doors knowing that the connection just rolled into town. We only had one issue in all our summer travels with a bad connection.

We were taking the train from Warsaw to Berlin and it required a connection at the border between Germany and Poland. We were not told that the train tracks were undergoing maintenance on the Germany side, so there was no train for us to take.

When that happened, they put us on another train that got us close to the city we were going then they put us on a transfer bus to the main bus station. In the end, it worked out fine.

Crossing Borders with a Eurail Pass

Passing borders with the Eurail pass was surprisingly easy. While you may have security checks or a connection, you will have no hassles at the borders. 

Rail passengers no longer have their identity checked by border guards when crossing borders of the Schengen countries.

Random security checks still occur, we went into this while taking the train from Budapest to Munich Germany. It was simple and quick.

Train Types Available with your Pass

Europe is all about the trains. Trains are everywhere in Europe. Some trains travel at high speeds across Europe, while others move around more leisurely, either by day or night.

It’s helpful to know in advance what kind of train you are using and what the provided facilities are for a clear idea of what to expect with your Eurail pass.

Regional Trains

Regional trains will take you anywhere in Europe from the largest cities to the smallest villages. These trains usually don’t need a reservation and are a great way to explore every little corner of Europe.

They are not the most luxurious or fastest trains on Europe’s rails, however they are still very comfortable for rail adventures.

They have okay toilets and sometimes also have snack trolleys. Some trains even have Wi-Fi depending on the train and what country you are traveling in.

Using Regional trains allows you to get off the beaten track and visit little towns and villages that most tourists miss. Besides hitting those charming villages, regional trains offer a flexible way to travel.

If you miss your train just simply board the next one, since regional trains have frequent services and reservations aren’t usually required.

We enjoyed getting around Luxembourg on a Regional Train, it allowed us to hike from one city to the next, and then jump back on to our original city.

High-Speed Trains

High speed trains are the fastest way to get around Europe. You can cover long distances in a short time while enjoying a bit of luxury.

Relax in a comfortable chair while enjoying a bite to eat in the dining car. They offer Wi-Fi, power outlets and tables so you can get whatever work you may have done during the commute.

Seat reservations are often mandatory on High-speed trains. A reservation guarantees you a seat even during the busy travel times.

High-speed trains don’t always stop at the smaller towns, so you will have to make sure the High-speed train stops where you need to end up.

We used a few high-speed trains while traveling in Europe for the summer on our Eurail pass. The ICE train was nice and comfortable.

Night Trains

These trains are also a great way to get around Europe. If you are short on days, save travel time by moving between cities while you sleep. This also allows saving on accommodation.

Night trains offer plenty of room for travelers to enjoy their adventure. Many have reclining seats or private sleeping cabins making travel options available to every budget.

Most European night trains are included in the Eurail passes and you’ll just need to reserve and pay for your preferred sleeping accommodation type in addition to your pass. Night trains always require a reservation in advance.

Scenic Trains

Scenic trains on a Eurail pass are a great way to see Europe’s landscapes. You will be able to see large mountains, clear lakes and amazing countryside from your train’s window.

Just sit back and enjoy the beautiful views. Some scenic trains require a reservation in advance. Please check before planning your adventure.

A number of scenic trains offer special panoramic car views that require a special reservation and some do not take your Eurail pass.

Luggage Rules for Pass Travel

Trains throughout Europe have either overhead storage racks throughout the side of the car, storage space behind the back of your seat or luggage areas at the end of the car.

We experienced it all throughout our two months of using our Eurail passes. The overhead bins were small and my large backpack would not fit above.

Behind the seat storage was nice, we only ran into this once. It was on a high-speed train. Our two bags fit well behind our seat and they were in reaching distance to grab anything out of them.

The large storage at the end of the train cars was nice but they can get filled up pretty quickly so you need to be the first few passengers onto the train to take advantage of this option.

Of all the options it is the most risky because your bag will not be next to you and you will not be able to keep an eye on your luggage. People do walk off with other people’s bags, so keep an eye on your luggage at all times.

We also experienced people just stacking their luggage in other seats. This works out well if no one has that seat ticket but when someone does you will have to move it.

Rail rules on luggage are passengers can take a maximum of three items of luggage. These items must be easy to handle and compatible with the space provided on the trains. The greatest dimension of each item must be less than 85cm.

We use Pacsafe bags since they are 100% pickpocket-proof. Never get pickpocket again! For ladies, we love the Citysafe CS100 anti-theft travel handbag . This bag is versatile and functional for any travel or city inspired occasion. Durable with superb organization, this classic handbag is loaded with anti-theft features to help provide peace of mind while out and about.

As far as luggage goes, we really like the  Pacsafe Venturesafe Adventure Backpack and Pacsafe Toursafe Wheeled Carry-On.

The adventure backpack is strong, lightweight and has hard-to-cut webbing and straps with Dyneema that attach to wallets, cameras and other mobile devices to help prevent thieves from running off with your equipment.

The Pacsafe Toursafe Wheeled Carry-On is also l ightweight, features hidden eXomesh Slashguard stainless steel wire mesh embedded into the fabric which helps protect against slash-and-run theft.  Puncture-resistant ToughZip helps prevent against forced entry from a sharp object as well. 

Transporting a Bike

After biking from Namur to Dinant in Belgium, we found out first hand what it was like to transport a bike on a train in Europe. It was surprisingly easy however not all trains allow bikes on-board.

It depends on the type of train, many high-speed trains will not carry bikes but most local trains will accept them. Before boarding the train with a bike make sure you go to the ticket window first to see if the train you want to catch accepts bikes and also to purchase a ticket for your bike.

The cost of the bike ticket is not covered by your Eurail Pass. When it comes time to board the train, remember that you will have to bring your bike onto a designated train car, so be sure to ask the platform guy where to go. Once onboard, place the bike in the designated bike area.

Traveling With Pets on a Eurail Pass

One thing I love about Europe is that it’s mostly dog friendly. In most countries, a small lap dog travels for free or at a small fee. Large dogs travel at half 2 nd fare (even when traveling with the passenger in 1 st class).

Often, dogs are required to be in a traveling crate or must wear a muzzle and a leash. However, in some countries dogs are not allowed on trains. Special provisions may be applicable to guide dogs for the blind and handicapped.

Eurail Pass versus Swiss Rail Pass

This is a question a lot of travelers are asking, is the Swiss rail pass better than the Eurail pass? Well, they are not apples to apples.

If your only visiting Switzerland I wouldn’t bother buying a Eurail pass. However, if you’re visiting more then Switzerland then the Eurail pass is the ticket for you.

The Swiss pass stops in more towns in Switzerland then the Eurail pass but once again that only benefits you if you’re traveling to many places in Switzerland.

The Swiss rail pass offers better discounts in Switzerland then the Eurail pass does. The Eurail pass offers better discounts in other countries. What we suggest is plan your itinerary and check your different options between Eurail and Swiss Rail.

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Pass Extras & How to Use the Discounts

Your Eurail pass will get you all kinds of discounts as you make your way around Europe. Discounts are per country and include hotel discounts, ferry discounts, iconic landmark ticket discounts, museum discounts, additional transport discounts and much more.

I know what your thinking, 5 to 10% discounts aren’t much but if you’re spending time in Europe and want to sightsee it adds up quickly and can be a considerable saving for you.

In countries like Switzerland, your Eurail pass can also get you free or cheap boat trips.

Before you set off on your trip, make a list of the countries you plan to visit and then have a look at the discounts they have on offer for these countries. Eurail does a good job of listing out the information by country, discover the Eurail extra pass benefits .

One popular discount that many travelers take advantage of is the ferry between Greece and Italy. It makes a stop at the stunning island of Corfu and with your Eurail pass this ferry is FREE.

How do you take advantage of the discounts?  It’s easy, just show your Eurail pass at any discount partner and receive the discount. All that is required of you is that you show your present Eurail pass. It needs to be present and up to date to take advantage of Eurail discounts.

Security and Safety of Train Travel in Europe

With the state of the world lately, security is always on a travelers’ mind. Terrorists have targeted some train stations in Europe but the incidents are isolated.

On our trip thro ughout Europe safety was not something we worried about. There are armed guards or military at train stations doing basic security sweeps and watching out for us travelers.

There were times on our trains that we had armed officials, some unmarked and some dressed in military clothing. One thing that surprised me though was that no bags were scanned throughout our two months of using our Eurail passes.

Overall, train travel is one of the safest modes of transportation in the world and I would not be scared to take the train anywhere. We use Pacsafe bags since they are 100% pickpocket-proof.

Train Travel vs Air Travel in Europe

This is always a debate between travelers; do I take a train or do I take an airplane in Europe? I never understood this question before visiting Europe.

I always thought plane travel was the best and that’s it. Well, train travel is the only way to go in Europe. You can jump on a train and be in a new city within hours where if you took an airplane it would take up your whole day. 2 hours before your flight, your flight, then 1 hour to your hotel.

Most train stations are right in the middle of your destination city so there’s no need to wait in line for a transfer to the major tourist part of the city. It saves you time and allows you to see the countryside of the countries you are visiting. You won’t get that view from an airplane.

This is why train travel is so popular in Europe, with the Eurail pass you just walk on board and find your seat. We do agree that both have their pro’s and cons, so it really depends on what your travel goals are. Train travel tends to be cheaper overall and give you a much richer experience.

However, it is best used for short-haul trips so you don’t spend any of your precious vacation days on the train. This is where having a well-planned itinerary will truly benefit your time in Europe.

If you do have to make a long haul, you can always book a cheap flight for that portion and then resume your train travel to the new destination.

To Do and Not To Do With a Eurail pass

From our two months of travel on Eurail passes we have seen the gamut of pass users. Knowing in advance how things work and the proper etiquette for using a pass like this will save you some headache and possible embarrassment along the way.  

Some are standard tips, hints and tricks for train travel and some are just basic words of advice to make your Eurail adventure easier with fewer issues.

Eurail Pass Do’s

Do pack smart while traveling on a train  .

There’s nothing fun about lugging heavy bags between hotels and railway stations. So pack with the necessities, leave the rest at home and you will be so much happier for not having the extra weight on your shoulders.

A good option is a roller bag. Since its Europe and all places are pedestrian-friendly, they will have sidewalks for you to roll your bags down.

Also, on a Eurail travel day try to pack a day-pack with everything you may need to make your train trip better and definitely keep all your valuables in a small bag that you can keep with you. I love snacks and my computer, don’t forget the power cord because some of the trains have power outlets.

Do research your trip before your Eurail adventure

 You’re ready for a Europe adventure, adrenaline is building and you can’t stop talking about it with your friends and family members, however, you don’t know a thing about the places you are going to.

You should not just wing it. Just a little research will give you an idea of what neighborhoods and districts will suit your adventure.

It will also save you money and avoid the disappointment of missing something because you didn’t know about it or it was sold out on the dates you visited.

Do buy the right Eurail pass ticket

You would not believe the amount of people who buy the wrong ticket. Make sure you buy the correct ticket to get you to all of the places you want to visit.

I know what you’re thinking, do I really need to be warned about this? Well, yes you do. It might seem easy but we’ve known people to buy the wrong pass in an attempt to save money and realize it doesn’t work for the countries they want to visit. Evaluate all passes and be sure the check what countries you can use them in.

Do pay for a sleeper carriage

I can’t stress this enough. So many travelers don’t take advantage of this. If you don’t mind missing the views and paying a little extra for a ticket, booking into a sleeper car is a good way to go for long trips and overnights.

For less than the cost of a hotel or hostel you can get to your next destination overnight without losing a valuable day. This will also allow you to show up at your location ready to explore instead of showing up and killing most of the day in a sleep-deprived state.

Do plan a budget while traveling on Eurail

Europe is jam-packed with great restaurants, cocktail bars, football matches, galleries, museums and iconic sites. While you want to experience as much as possible, you can’t see and experience everything.

Plan what you can and can’t afford to do and you won’t run out of money and have to go home early or miss things you wanted to do.

Do use the Eurail discounts

Eurail has some great discounts on many of the top iconic landmarks in Europe along with great hotel discounts. So why not take advantage of the Eurail discounts that your train pass holds?

The Eurail pass also offers discounts on many ferry routes within Europe along with family and youth discounts.

Eurail Pass Don’ts

Don’t cheat on the Eurail Pass

First and foremost, ticket checkers are not stupid. They have seen it all. You cannot try to pass anything over their eyes and even broken English will not save you.

There are instructions on the pass, which point to how you must write in pen and must fill it in before boarding. They will make you do it or they will make you get off the train.

We saw this happen so many times to travelers. I know some travelers using the Eurail passes are backpackers, students or are just plan cheapskates but they will find out you cheated on the Eurail pass and you will not get away with it.

Don’t be afraid to socialize

Most people are friendly on the trains. Don’t be scared to say hi if you’re traveling solo or have questions about the area.

We have had some of the best travel information given to us because we were friendly instead of being stuck up travelers.

Don’t assume you can board any train

Don’t think you can get on any train in Europe and go because you have a Eurail pass. While most trains in Europe fall under the Eurail Pass, remember that some require reservations.

If you don’t have a reservation, you may not be able to take that train. You will be paying lots of extra dollars if you make this mistake.

There is not the reason to pay more for trains so chose carefully and make sure you’re on the right train. Also, don’t think you can use your ticket for something other than what is on your ticket.

Some travelers have been fined over 100 euros because they thought they could just upgrade their tickets while on the train.

Don’t treat trains like mobile bars

Yes, it is ok to have one or two on the train but keep in mind you’re on a train. Fellow passengers may not appreciate it and train workers will not put up with it. If you drink too much they have been known to kick people off with a large fine.

Don’t be afraid to travel alone

You would not believe the solo travelers we saw while using our Eurail passes in Europe. They were of all ages, races and sexes.

It’s 100% safe to travel alone and the most you will get as a solo traveler is the guy trying to pick you up, the old man who wants to talk about everything under the sun or the drunk passenger who wants to use a light from you.

Don’t lose your valuables

You would not believe the travel professionals that lose their valuables on trains. I’ve seen it on Facebook many times from our fellow travel bloggers. “I’ve visited 80 countries and today I just had my camera bag stolen”.

It just takes one minute and then it’s gone. It happens in a snap and it can happen to all travelers, experienced, non-experienced, young and old.

Trains are a great place for bag snatchers. They can grab a bag then jump off the train dispersing into the large groups of travelers. So watch your stuff or someone will walk off with it.

Don’t expect everyone to speak your language

Even though most people in Europe speak English as a first or second language don’t just think everyone can speak it.

We ran into ticket takers and train workers who could not speak to us and answer our questions because they did not speak English. It happens so don’t assume.

Don’t try to visit too many places

I know what you’re thinking, I only have two weeks. Lots of travelers plan too many stops and don’t really give themselves time to explore the cities they travel to. We saw this throughout our travels in Germany.

Travelers would only stay one day in the city then move on. We stayed and saw things that those travelers never saw. I love getting those messages and a comment saying they missed it or they did not know it was in that city. Travel is also about exploration and taking the time know a place, don’t miss out on that.

Don’t be stingy in the wrong places

Europe is expensive, the popular cities, iconic landmarks and hotels can add up quickly. However, do not miss out on things just because it’s expensive.

Don’t skip climbing the Eiffel tower because when you arrived you found the entry too expensive and the lines too long.  

The next time you will be there it will be more expensive and you’ll probably be paying for a family pass, so don’t skip things.

Don’t be rude  

No matter how your day is going. It is crazy how rude some people are to the workers on the train. We watched a couple that sat in first class and did not have a ticket for first-class get into an argument with the conductor.

They were so rude to her despite how calm she remained and the fact that they were in the wrong. They were removed from the cabin for their behavior.

On another train, a solo traveler was approached for being in the wrong class and she was apologetic. She was told not to worry about it this time. It pays to be nice. This also goes towards other passengers; treat everyone how you want to be treated.

Thinking about travel insurance? Allianz Travel Insurance offers policies available for US and International travelers.

Top Itineraries on Eurail

Eurail is your ticket to visiting some of the best and most iconic countries in Europe. You can visit as many as 28 countries in Europe while using a Eurail Global Pass.

There is literally nothing stopping you from having a Eurail adventure. We have put together some of the best trips to take on Eurail.

Eurail European Highlights Itinerary

This is one of Eurail’s top itineraries and there is no wonder why. This Eurail Itinerary takes 13 travel days and is great on the Eurail Global Pass.

Cities along this itinerary: Paris, Versailles, Amsterdam, Berlin, Prague, Salzburg, Fussen, Venezia, Firenze, Rome, Vatican City, Monte Carlo and Barcelona. With all of those iconic cities, there is no wonder why it’s a Eurail top trip.  Shop for your Eurail Pass for this Itinerary .

The Best of the West (Western Europe Eurail itinerary)

Discover the best cities in Western Europe and many of the most iconic cities and attractions in a single vacation.

This itinerary hits: Paris, Geneva, Interlaken, Innsbruck, Salzburg, Munich, Berlin, Amsterdam, Brugge. Shop for your Eurail Pass for this Itinerary.

Eastern Europe Itinerary

The Eastern Europe Eurail visits iconic cities like: Prague, Budapest, Brasov, Blejsko Jexero, Vienna. Shop for your Eurail Pass for this Itinerary.

Tour Of Italy Itinerary

Take to the Italian rails with the Eurail Italy Pass and be in for a real treat. Take a memorable gondola ride along Venice’s Grand Canal, set out on a shopping extravaganza in Milan, and take a tour of Rome’s magnificent monuments and museums.

This itinerary hits the most iconic cities in Italy. Cities included in the tour of Italy Eurail itinerary: Milan, Venice, Florence, Rome, and Naples. Shop for your Eurail Pass for this Itinerary.

Read Modern Orient Express – train from Netherlands to Istanbul Turkey .

Eurail Train Travel Terms You Should Know

We have put together some of the most common terms you should know before heading off on your Eurail adventure.

These are terms we used throughout our summer using our Eurail passes. Knowing them will help you enjoy your Eurail train experience.

• Rail Pass – A ticket that is good for a specific amount of time or destinations.
• Timetable – The schedule of arriving and departing trains.
• Departure – When the train leaves, this can include departure time and departure city.
• Platform – Where you enter the train.
• Board – The door or location you enter the train.
• Train Car – The passages & cargo unit of the train is called a car; each unit can be used for a different fiction such as sleeping, dining and cargo. Off of that, the cars are divided into classes, 1 st class, 2 nd class and 3rd class.
• Conductor – The person that checks the tickets and also can give you useful information.
• Coach – The cheapest option and simplest way to travel by train.
• First Class – The most expensive options with lots of perks and is the most exclusive train cars
• Sleeper Car – This is where you can lay down and have a sleep.
• Dinning Car – This is a train car that is a restaurant.
• Compartment – A little room on the train that can be converted for sleeping.
• Auto Train – A train that has an option to transport your car & you on the same train.
• Connection – When you have to change on trains to get to your destination.
• Express Train – (Sometimes called the Fast Train) a train that stops only at main stations skipping little towns and villages.
• Local Train – A train that stops at every station.
• Luggage Rack – the place the holds bags, suitcases and other items passengers may bring onto the train.
• Checked Luggage – When you put luggage in the storage department of the train during travel.
• Kiosk – Snack Bar Car – A car in the train that sells snacks, hot & cold drinks, sometimes it’s a mobile cart that moves though out the whole train.

More on Europe:

• Best Photo Spots in Berlin
• Best Photo Spots in Copenhagen
• 2 Days in Nuremberg
• 3 Days in Hamburg
• 3 Days in Rome
• 3 Days in Lisbon – Things to Do in Lisbon, Portugal
• 3 Days in Florence
• 3 Days in Barcelona Itinerary
• Ultimate 3 Days in Madrid Itinerary

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Travel planning resources, about david stock.

I have always been an outdoorsman so becoming an adventure traveler was just the next natural step. I love nature, I love to get off the beaten path and I like to explore. I enjoy scuba diving and cars. And yes, Lina and I have a naked dog.

18 thoughts on “Train Travel in Europe: Ultimate Eurail Pass Guide”

This is a fantastic article! My partner and I are off around Europe using the Eurail Global Pass 15 days in 2 months, and this has answered all of my questions. All I am nervous about is filling out the travel diary correctly, I am probably stressing over nothing! We are catching an over night train from Budapest to Venice. We leave at 6:55pm catch a connecting train at Vienna around 9/10pm and then we head to Venice from there. This being the case is this 2 days of travel? and if it is do I have to write both trains into my travel diary or only 1 considering its one trip?

Glad you found it helpful! Our aim was to provide answers to all of the questions we had when using the pass through Europe! For this particular routing, if the ticket is booked Budapest to Venice, then I would record it as such. Regardless, it looks like your connection happens on the departure day, so no matter what, still 1 travel day. Have fun! We’re returning to Venice this year too. 🙂

Thank you so much for this article!! Great clarification. Just three questions. You mentioned using our pass for buses and ferries. Will the pass work on the ferry at Lake Como between Varenna and Bellagio, and city bus in Rome? Also, we are using the train from Florence to La Spezia. Is the pass good for the train throughout Cinque Terre? If so, do I need to write all of those uses onto the pass itinerary? Thanks!

I would recommend clarifying the ferry and bus use directly with Eurail, as the guidelines are different for each pass. If you are taking a route that requires a bus or ferry for point to point travel, then generally it is covered. For within the city or for touring, it is not. Every time you use the pass to take a route, you have to write it in the itinerary. Cheers and enjoy your Euro trip!

Great article and very helpful thank you. We head off for 6 weeks in Europe at the end of April, we (2 in their mid 60’s) have never used train travel before so are quite nervous, although very excited. Connections are my main concern at the moment, lugging luggage quickly between platforms and trains but I am sure that when the situation arises all will be fine. I think we have planned well but only time will tell. Much appreciate the time and experience you have put into helping fellow travellers out.

Love to hear this and thank you for your kind words! Train travel in Europe is easy and comfortable, you guys are going to have a blast.

HI! i thoroughly enjoyed reading your article, it had a lot of useful information. But I’m stressing about my reservation order and have emailed, fb msged and live chatted with eurail and they still have not come back to me. I made online reservations on eurail.com and after submitting my reservation order, some of the itineraries says “submitted” and a few said “waiting for payment”. I can’t find anywhere on the site to make payment…so did you have to wait for them to process the order and then make the payment? Or am i missing something? Thank you.

I would recommend that you call their support number to sort out your bookings. We made our reservations by phone or via the app.

Hello from Canada! I enjoyed your information. I cannot seem to find an answer to a question I have. When we take a train from Cannes France to La Specia Italy, do we use one day of our Eurail pass ? I thought I read somewhere that it is 2 because you change countries. What if we are not getting on another train that day? If so It seems a waste for a short distance in the second country. Should we get off at the border and pay cash the rest of the way? I would love it if you could clarify this. It will also happen when we travel a few hours from Milan to Bern Switzerland. Thank you for your help!

Hi Colleen! It doesn’t matter if you change countries – you will only be deducted 1 day on your pass. We did 3 countries in one day with our pass and it counted as 1 pass day. Of course, this could be different if you are using a different pass then we used (multiple country, 20 day pass). If you have any doubts, I would recommend contacting Eurail directly to clarify. They have fantastic customer service. Cheers!

Thank you for this great information! How do you get from the train station to an air b and b?

Hi Kathleen! Depending on the location of the AirBNB you can either walk, take a taxi or use Uber/Lyft to get from the train station to your rental. 🙂

Thanks for the great info. Exactly what I needed to read before planning a trip to germany, france and Austria for their christmas markets in 2018. I promised my wife this summer to take her and we have been reading and planning about it ever since. We plan on getting eurauil passes to get around. Again, thanks for all the useful info.

You are most welcome! So glad to hear you found the information helpful. Europe for Christmas markets is magical, you won’t be disappointed. Happy planning and be sure to check out our in-depth city guides for Paris, Munich, Nuremberg, Hamburg and Berlin. 🙂

This article saved my life… thank you so much!

That is great to hear! Enjoy your train adventure in Europe. 🙂

Hi! I want to make a trip trough Viena and Zurich with my friends, and we have questions about the reservations. We will take all high-speed and night trains that have compulsory reservation, but we don’t know how to make a reservation. Can you please explain me how did you make it and how much did it cost per person? Thank you!

Hi Milena, the cost of the reservation will vary depending on the route- so I can’t quote you exact on those routes. As far as making reservations, you can make them online prior to travel but remember that you have to pay for them and then they will be sent to you in the mail. They do not have electronic tickets!! If you don’t have time to wait for the paper tickets, I recommend waiting until you get to Europe then head right to the station and book all your reservations on the first day. They will make them, take your payment and then give the tickets to you. Enjoy!

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The Ultimate Guide to the Eurail Pass [Tickets, Reservations, Routes & More]

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Table of Contents

Why travel europe by train, what is a eurail pass, the different types of eurail passes, how to buy a eurail pass, eurail pass versus point-to-point tickets, how does a eurail pass work, reservations, sleepers, couchettes, and cozy overnights, sample eurail itineraries, the 10 best scenic train routes in europe, eurail and europe travel tips, eurail pass alternatives, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our  Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

Thinking of exploring Europe?

The Eurail pass allows you to travel between over 40,000 destinations, across 31 different countries, all on just 1 single ticket. It is a flexible and affordable way to take in the varying sights, climates, and cultures of Europe at your own pace.

There are several benefits to traveling Europe by train over other forms of transport.

Great Networks

There are several high-speed rail networks that crisscross the continent, making it incredibly easy to navigate from place to place virtually anywhere in Europe. They link with almost every major town and city and are a super fast and reliable means of getting around, while also giving you the chance to take in the stunning scenery and mix with the locals.

Unlike sweaty subways or jam-packed bus rides, a long-distance train journey also gives you the opportunity to relax and unwind along the way. Eat, drink, and even sleep your way from 1 destination to another.

Fast and Convenient

Trains travel all across Europe quickly and easily, and there are no 2-hour check-in times, no hanging around for hours on end in strange airports, and major stations tend to be close to other amenities like city centers . This all helps to cut down your travel time and reduce your travel costs.

Avoid Rush Hour

You never have to worry about traffic as most cities suffer from constant traffic jams, a lack of parking spaces, and extortionate parking rates . This is especially true in Europe’s overcrowded city centers, and even the more extensive motorway networks can suffer from a heavy build of traffic that can severely delay your journey.

If you are hiring a car, you should also know that not all rental companies will allow you to drive from 1 country to another, meaning you will need to rejig your plans every time you cross a border.

Better Than Buses

The final reason why trains are the best way to travel in Europe is — let’s face it — buses are basic. Long-distance bus travel is considered the poor relation of the railways . They can be cramped and uncomfortable, you are at the mercy of traffic conditions, and you can’t eat, drink or wander around on a bus like you can on the train. A bus also has a higher environmental impact than a nice modern train does.

The Eurail pass allows you to visit thousands of destinations across Europe using a single ticket. You can travel on a network of high-speed trains that effortlessly cross borders and can deliver you directly to some of the most famous destinations in the world.

Anyone who lives outside of Europe is eligible for a Eurail pass — for example, residents of the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, or Africa. You must purchase your pass before you get there, and if you are already resident in Europe you’ll need an Interrail Pass instead.

The Eurail is not a one-size-fits-all solution for the modern traveler. In fact, there are 2 different Eurail passes you can buy to best suit your own individual travel plans:

The Global Eurail Pass

This is the ultimate rail pass that gives you the freedom to explore a wealth of European destinations across 31 countries for as long as you want to.

You can choose to travel for as little as 3 days in 1 month to a whole 3 months’ worth of travel, taking in some of the most iconic sights and cities in the world as you go. The duration of your pass starts when you validate it at your first station.

Hot Tip: There are discounts available for travelers aged 28 and younger and those who are 60 or older.

Eurail One Country Pass

If you are planning on visiting just 1 country, this ticket offers an affordable and flexible way to travel at your leisure. You can choose from 3 days travel in 1 month, right up to 8 days travel in 1 month, giving you plenty of time to really explore the towns and cities on your itinerary.

Who is Traveling?

Not just young people and students chose to explore Europe by rail — there are tickets available to suit all ages.

Adult tickets are for those over 18 at the time of travel.

Senior tickets are for those who are over 60 years old from the first day that the pass is valid. Seniors save 10% on the price of an adult ticket.

Youth tickets are for anyone aged under 28 on the first day that the pass is valid and you could save as much as 35% on the full adult fare price.

Children’s tickets are for travelers under the age of 12. Children aged between 4 and 11 years get a free Eurail pass when traveling with an adult, but may still need to pay for any reservation fees where necessary.

Infant tickets are free for little people under 4 years old.

Things to be aware of:

• It is important to note that with both passes, you may still need to reserve and pay for your seats on many of the high-speed services and night trains.
• You can choose from a 1st class pass or 2nd class pass depending on your own preference, but prices will vary.
• You will need to activate your Eurail pass within 11 months of the issue date.
• Travel beyond trains as your ticket will also be valid for transit with ferry companies in some countries. See the terms and conditions of the Eurail pass for further details.
• Different countries have different age limits for free child travel — check before you leave.

The easiest way to purchase your Eurail ticket is directly from their website. There are options available to suit the age of the passenger and how many people are traveling, as well as options for the type of pass you wish to buy and the duration of travel.

You can find everything you need at eurail.com to see a range of tickets including both types of Eurail passes. Rail Europe also offers country-specific websites across a range of territories. Remember to also look out for any delivery costs, too.

While Eurail passes do offer exceptional value for money, they are not the only way to travel around Europe by train, and in some cases may not be the cheapest.

When is a Point-to-Point Ticket a Better Option?

There are no hard or fast rules on this, and every journey will be different, but there are some scenarios where simply booking a ticket to get from A to B may be the best way forward. For example, if you are only using the train for a couple of straightforward, short-distance train rides, point-to-point tickets may be cheaper.

The same can be said with some longer journeys where you may need to pay reservation fees before boarding. You may also find that you are able to source cheaper fares on expensive rail networks by booking in advance or traveling out of season.

The key to knowing exactly when to buy point-to-point is knowing how set in stone your travel plans are. If you need to be at a particular destination on a set date, and you know about it well enough in advance, it may be cheaper and more practical to simply book direct with the rail network or agent in advance.

Bottom Line: To put it in perspective, a 3-day Global Pass can cost you as much as $82 per day, with an additional reservation fee. The chances are that you will absolutely be able to find a single point-to-point ticket for a lower price if you book far enough in advance and know exactly where you are going.

When is a Eurail Pass a Better Option?

The truth is, there are lots of instances where an all-in-one ticket option will offer you much more flexibility and better savings in the long run.

If you are planning on visiting lots of different European destinations, and you want to be able to travel as, and when you fancy, the Eurail pass offers unprecedented ease of use and value for money . It is also a much better way to commute if you are unable to buy flexible fares in advance, as purchasing tickets on the day of travel can be an extortionate amount of money.

The Eurail pass also works on your time frame, though you can’t just swan around when you feel like it. It is much more helpful when it comes to considerations that you can’t control . Canceled services, bad weather, or other disruptions could lose you the use of a point-to-point ticket, but your Eurail pass will still be valid when you need it.

There are also better discounts available for certain Eurail passengers that you wouldn’t find with normal point-to-point tickets.

For example, Youth Eurail tickets are designed to entice student travelers and those on a budget, often making them even cheaper than the very best advance fare booking. Children under the age of 11 also travel free on Eurail passes, so if you are adventuring as a family, that could definitely sway you.

Bottom Line: Of course, you can choose to use your Eurail for certain parts of your journey and point-to-point tickets at other times. While the pass on paper may not always be the cheapest option, it does afford you the flexibility that rigid point-to-point tickets simply cannot compete with. Your journey, your decision.

So, we know by now that Eurail passes offer a ton of flexibility to avid adventurers and can save you money on your train fares, but how exactly does this golden ticket to travel actually work?

First off, it is important to remember that you do not need to set specific dates to use your Eurail pass, but you must validate your pass within 11 months from the purchase date . You can easily validate it at any station before you jump on board.

Once you are up and running, the key to good Eurailing is marking off how many travel days you have left by simply ticking the boxes. Each pass will have empty boxes to represent the number of days of unlimited travel you have paid for; simply enter your travel dates as and when you complete them . You can take as many trains as you want from midnight to midnight on your chosen travel days.

Your pass also comes in a cover that has a handy travel diary printed onto it. You use this to record the date, departure station, and destination of each journey you take.

Hot Tip: These details are important, and if you fail to fill them in the conductor could issue a fine, so never forget to complete your travel diary on each journey.

Some high-speed or overnight sleeper trains will require you to make a reservation before you travel. There may even be additional fees involved, so always do your research before you head on out to take the train.

When to Make Reservations

Different countries and rail networks have different requirements, but as a rough guide to reservations, consider the following.

Some countries require reservations before you travel. In France, Italy, Sweden, Spain, and Portugal you must make a reservation and pay an additional fee for inter-city journeys which can range from between €10-25 ($11-28) depending on the route and service.

Certain lines including the popular Paris-Brussels-Amsterdam route on the Thalys service, as well as the Paris-Turin-Milan TGVs and Paris-Barcelona TGVs only offer a limited number of pass holder seats which can sell out during busy times of the year.

Other countries, like Ireland , The Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Denmark, and most of the central and eastern European countries do not require you to reserve your seat to travel, but you can still do so if you want to.

There are no limits to the number of pass holder seats available and a journey on Germany’s famous ICE or Austria’s railjet trains is definitely worth a go if you really appreciate high-speed railways.

Hot Tip: There are some exceptions to the rules, however, and Thalys high-speed trains between Brussels and Amsterdam and between Brussels and Cologne have compulsory reservations and additional fees for rail pass holders. The Glacier Express and The Bernina Express also require reservations for a small fee.

Overnight Sleeper Trains

Traveling through the night is an excellent way to save money on hotel or hostels, and buys you back more daytime sightseeing hours. You will always need to make a reservation for a sleeper or couchette, across all countries and all services.

Most operators will charge around €35 (~$39) for a couchette in a shared compartment, and you could be looking at as much as €95 (~$105) for a more private 2-bed sleeper. These rates may be slightly cheaper across some of the Eastern European countries, but you will still need to pay to sleep.

Hot Tip: Some of the most popular routes like the Paris-Milan/Venice Thello sleeper train, for example, do not accept Eurail passes so you will need to buy a stand-alone ticket or explore other ways to complete this leg of your journey.

How to Make Reservations

There are various ways to make reservations, depending on where you are going and your own personal preference.

At the Station

If you want to practice the local lingo, you can speak to a member of staff at most major rail station ticket offices to reserve your seat. This can usually be done in advance or on the day of departure, in some cases right up until the time the train leaves the station. Some countries also offer self-service ticket machines for less human-based interaction.

On the Internet

If you would rather make your pass holder reservations online, there are plenty of websites available to help you do so. There is no “one-site-fits-all” solution, though, and you will need to Google which operators cover your journey and ensure that they will actually cover pass holder reservations and not just regular ticket options.

Not sure where to start looking? The Eurail reservations page lists major trains services in each country and will tell you how to book online if you can.

Using The Railplanner App

This timetable app covers the whole of Europe and works offline so you can check your train times while on the move. You can make pass holder reservations for Eurostar, Thalys, and Trenitalia high-speed trains and have your tickets delivered straight to your phone.

Sleepers and Couchettes on Overnight Trains

If you are planning on traveling overnight, is that a 1-day ticket or 2? This is an important question, especially if you have limited travel days left. Overnight travel is a great way to get from 1 destination to another without wasting any of your all-important exploration time.

You will no doubt be delighted to know then, that as of 2019, you only need to use 1 day on a Flexi pass to travel on an overnight service. The rule is simple: if you board a train before midnight, but do not change trains after midnight, you are technically on the same day service . This means no matter what time you arrive on day 2, you only need to make a note of your departure date in your travel pass diary.

There is a real sense of romance and nostalgia about taking a night train through Europe. As you whiz through silent towns and peaceful countryside, the motion of the train will gently rock you to sleep, to wake up refreshed and ready to explore your next destination.

There are different ways to hit the hay on the train, all available at differing prices.

If you like your privacy, you can book a 2, 3, or even 4-berth cabin that offers bunk-style accommodation and usually has its own sink and carpeted floor and comes with freshly laundered linens and super comfortable mattresses. If you want to upgrade even further, some operators offer deluxe compartments with private showers and toilets, towels, toiletries, and other luxury touches.

If you are traveling on your own, you can still share a birth with strangers, usually grouped by gender. Sleepers also offer decent-sized luggage racks with enough room to accommodate the number of guests sharing, as well as lockable doors and even room service.

Power sockets are also often available, and you will have stewards on board who will check your passes and tickets, and that will come to convert the seating area in your compartment into beds at a pre-determined time.

Bottom Line: Sleepers come with a premium price tag, but if you can stretch to it, a night in a sleeper is a wonderful way to travel. A single sleeper could cost you as much as €115 (~$127) on some lines, but a 3 person sleeper can be booked for a more affordable €50 (~$55).

If you don’t mind sharing, these dorm-style rooms are compact but affordable. By day they offer ordinary seating, and at night they are converted to padded ledges with a folded sheet pillow and blanket for you and your fellow travelers to bed down with.

Couchette compartments are usually mixed-sex, but you can ask for a ladies-only compartment if you would feel more comfortable. Couchettes have luggage space both below the beds and in the overhead compartments, and there are usually attendants on hand to keep watch over your compartment as you sleep.

Bottom Line: Prices vary depending on the route and number of people sharing a couchette, but you may find you only pay a small premium for a 4-person couchette vs. a 6-person alternative, giving you more space to spread out for a just a few euros more.

The possibilities are endless when it comes to planning the route for your next European adventure, but to get you started, here are 4 of the very best:

The Best for Culture

• Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• Berlin, Germany
• Prague, Czechia
• Vienna, Austria
• Budapest, Hungary
• Zagreb, Croatia
• Lake Bled, Bled, Radovljica, Slovenia

If you want to take in the stunning architecture of some of the oldest cities in the world and learn more about the rich history and culture that made them the most sought after tourist spots in Europe, this is the perfect itinerary for you.

Starting in the “Venice of the North,” in Amsterdam, you can take in the canals, cafes and crazy nightlife of this vibrant city before heading off to Berlin to experience the modern city with a dark past.

The next stop on your journey would be the beautiful city of Prague with its stunning gothic architecture before taking in the famous opera and quaint market squares in Vienna and the classical music of Budapest.

Finally, your journey will take you to the ancient, Adriatic jewel of Zagreb, before ending this leg of your journey at the breathtaking Lake Bled.

The Best for Beaches

• Faro, Portugal
• Lisbon, Portugal
• San Sebastian, Spain
• Milan, Italy
• Rome, Italy
• Naples, Italy
• Athens, Greece

This 8-stop trip is perfect for sun worshippers looking to surf, swim, and soak up the sun at some of the best coastal resorts Europe has to offer.

Starting off in Faro, you can explore the beautiful beaches of the Algarve and the cobbled streets and Moorish architecture of the ancient city. From here you can take a short 4-hour train journey to spend time in the coastal capital of Lisbon, with its Atlantic beaches, ornate architecture, and rich colonialist history.

Cross the border into Spain and take in the coastal resort of San Sabastian, with its picturesque beaches and tranquil waters, before hitting the high life in Monaco. This micro-state on the French border offers beautiful beaches, upscale living, and some of the best nightclubs in the world.

Carry on living the dream in the fashion capital of Milan where you’ll eat, drink and dress like an Italian before chilling out on the beaches on Lake Como. From fashion to the Forum and the Colosseum as you explore the ancient history of Rome , before taking in the Mount Vesuvius and Pompeii on the way to Naples in the South.

Your final stop on this tour is Athens, where you can explore more ancient history including the Acropolis and the Parthenon, before enjoying the beaches of Attica on the Athenian Riviera.

The Best of the West

• Madrid, Spain
• Barcelona, Spain
• Lyon, France
• Paris, France
• Bruges, Belgium
• Amsterdam, Netherlands

Starting in the Portuguese coastal capital of Lisbon, you can explore the famous São Jorge Castle, the photogenic pastel-colored buildings, and the amazing suspension bridges that connect the city to the municipality of Almada.

From here you can head to Madrid to take in the fabulous tapas bars, beautiful Baroque architecture, and repositories of modern European art and museums .

Continue to the beachside city of Barcelona with its famous Gothic alleyways, pedestrian walkways, modernist artwork, and electric nightlife, before crossing the border into France. Lyon is famous for its great food, great wine, and Roman-era architecture.

From mid-France head north to the cosmopolitan hub that is Paris. See the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Champs-Elysées and a host of other iconic sights and landmarks in this global center for art, food, fashion, and culture.

After living the high-life in Paris, pop on over to beautiful Bruges to find a more genteel way of life that is nestled away in the canals, cobbled streets, and medieval buildings of the city. Enjoy some of the best chocolate in the world before heading on over to Amsterdam to explore the city’s historic waterways and artistic heritage, then finishing off your adventure at some of the best cafes, bars, and nightclubs in the world.

The Best on a Budget

• Kraków, Poland
• Bratislava, Slovakia
• Bucharest, Romania
• Sofia, Bulgaria
• Belgrade, Serbia
• Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Dubrovnik, Croatia

If you want to make your travel money stretch as far as possible, Eastern Europe offers some of the most affordable cities, packed full of ancient history and fascinating culture.

Starting off in Kraków, you can explore the famous medieval architecture and the Jewish quarter, while enjoying hearty Polish fare and awesome beer. From here you can take a 12-hour train journey to Bratislava to discover an 18th-century old town that is famous for its lively bars and cafes.

From Slovakia, you can cross into Hungary and to the capital city of Budapest with its 13th-century churches, world-famous Opera Hall, and the ancient baths. From Budapest it is on to Bucharest — similar-sounding cities but both with a very different story to tell. The Romanian city is packed full of communist-era heritage and as well as some beautiful 15th-century architecture. It is also known for its thriving nightlife scene.

If you need a break after the nightclubs of Bucharest, the Balkan city of Sofia has a 2,000-year-old history with deep roots in its Greek, Roman, Ottoman, and Soviet occupation, and offer easy access to some of the best Black Sea beaches. From Sofia head on to Serbia to discover Belgrade, a fort city that has been of great importance to the Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman, Serbian, and Austrian empires.

Finally, take the train to Sarajevo to explore this thriving city that offers great food, craft beer, and lots of nightlife. Finish off this tour with a stop in Dubrovnik with its distinctive old town, before relaxing on the beautiful Adriatic coastline and islands beyond.

There is a multitude of different routes and train lines you can take to capture the real essence of Europe, but when it comes to the scenery, some journeys are just hands down much better than others. Here are 10 of the very best.

The Golden Pass, Switzerland

With picture-perfect mountains views, pristine vineyards, tranquil lakes, and pretty little villages, there is nowhere more beautifully recognizable than Switzerland for a real taste of Europe. The Golden Pass starts in Lucerne and ends in Montreux, and you can take a regular train or choose the Golden Pass Classic or Golden Pass Panoramic train services.

The Golden Pass is not serviced by a direct train. You will need to switch trains in Interlaken and Zweisimmen, where you can breathe in the fresh mountain air and enjoy the magical era of the mountain railway.

Both Golden Pass services are covered by the Eurail pass, and you will need to make a reservation to ride.

The Semmering Line, Austria

This is a short but incredibly dramatic ride is so gorgeous that it has earned UNESCO World Heritage Site status. As the trains speeds across stone bridges, through long dark tunnels, and over dramatic-looking viaducts you will take in mile upon mile of spectacular mountain landscapes.

Considered to be one of the greatest feats of civil engineering and railway building ever known, The Semmering Line is part of the Südbahn railway that runs between Vienna and Graz before continuing on to Trieste.

Eurail pass holders do not need to make reservations on this line and there are no additional fees.

The Mariazell Railway, Eastern Austria

Running from St. Pölten through to the pilgrimage destination of Mariazell, Austria’s longest narrow-gauge railway passes through 21 tunnels and crosses 19 viaducts, taking in breathtaking scenery along the way.

The first-class panoramic carriages are available on a seasonal basis and offer panoramic windows and onboard catering service — a must-see if you are visiting the region.

You can use your Eurail passes to travel on the Mariazell Railway and you only need to make a reservation if you wish to upgrade to the first-class carriages.

The Montenegro Express, Montenegro and Serbia

Take the train from Belgrade to Bar to witness some of the most spectacular scenery Europe has to offer. Traveling over 435 bridges and through 254 tunnels, this route is also a feat of engineering and a testament to the golden age of the railway.

As you head down towards the Adriatic, you can remain on the train or take a break for an overnight stop in the capital city of Podgorica with its historic old town and captivating modern architecture.

This route is covered by the Eurail pass, but you will need to make a reservation before you travel.

The Rauma Line, Norway

If you are heading north, the Rauma Line that runs from Åndalsnes to Dombås, taking in 78 miles (114 km) of world-class Scandinavian scenery is a must-do. Running through the Romsdalen Valley, the train quietly passes by some of the most spectacular mountain formations in Norway as well as the tallest vertical rock face in Europe, the Trollveggen wall.

From the train, you can also see the Kylling Bridge and take in the natural wilderness of the Reinheimen National Park.

The Rauma Line is fully included in your Eurail pass, and you do not need to make a reservation to ride.

The Rhine Valley Line, Germany

This gentle railway route takes a scenic meander along the Rhine for 115 miles (185 km) starting in Cologne and traveling via Bonn, Koblenz, and Bingen to end in the town of Mainz. Running through the heart of the German wine country, you can enjoy mile upon mile of riverside vineyards, castles, and picturesque villages from the comfort of your carriage.

A Eurail Pass that is valid for Germany can also be used for travel on the Rhine Valley lines. Reservations are not necessary. Your Eurail Pass also offers a discount on boats operated by Köln-Düsseldorfer Rheinschiffahrt AG (KD Rhine line). Keep this in mind when traveling to and from the Rhine Valley railway.

Gotthard Panorama Express, Switzerland

Combine the best of both worlds with this train and boat journey across the Swiss Alps. The 5-hour trip offers a diverse range of scenery and the famous Gotthard line is a testament to some of the most impressive pieces of railway engineering, loops, bridges, and tunnels in the world.

Travel from Lucerne in central Switzerland to Lugano in the south, watching the scenery change from snow-capped mountains to palm trees and lakeside beaches.

A journey on the Gotthard Panorama Express is not included in your Eurail pass, and you will need to pay a surcharge to travel on this train. You will, however, get a 50% discount on the fare for your boat trip across Lake Lucerne.

The Inlandsbanan, Sweden

Travel up as far as the Arctic Circle on this amazing railway route that takes you through magnificent forests and past towering peaks. Running from Kristinehamn in central Sweden to the depths of Swedish Lapland at Gällivare, this slow ride across the Land of the Midnight Sun takes in snow-capped peaks, tranquil lakes, herds of reindeer, and perpetual daylight in one of Europe’s most original, untouched landscapes.

Unlike some of the other scenic routes, the Inlandsbanan train is a simple, local affair that stops for breaks along the away to allow passengers to experience traditional Swedish food and meet the locals.

The Inlandsbanan is fully included in your Eurail pass, but you should book your seats in advance to avoid disappointment.

The Centovalli Line, Switzerland and Italy

Running between Locarno, Switzerland and Domodossola, Italy, the Centovalli line takes you through the ‘Hundred Valleys,” affording first-class views of some of the most beautiful mountain ranges in Europe.

The train ride is only 2 hours long, making it easily accessible for all, and during its 32 mile (52 km) duration it climbs the slopes to Trontano at about 1640 feet (500 meters), and further up to Santa Maria Maggiore before slowly descending past the beautiful scenery of the Valle Vigezzo and on to Locarno on the shores of Lake Maggiore.

A journey on The Centovalli Railway is fully included in your Eurail pass.

The Glacier Express, Switzerland

As perhaps one of the most famous railway lines in the world, the Glacier Express runs some 186 miles (300 km) across the Swiss Alps, taking in the stunning scenery between Zermatt and St. Moritz.

This railway line offers a relaxing service with the 8-hour journey being taken on the world’s slowest express train. It offers a comfortable way to see 3 cantons of Valais, Uri, and Graubünden, as well as breathtaking views of the Matterhorn and The Rhine Gorge, the “Grand Canyon” of Switzerland.

This panoramic journey through the heartland of Switzerland is a truly memorable way to see this part of Europe.

The Glacier Express is fully included in your Eurail Pass, but you should reserve your seats in advance to avoid disappointment.

Traveling around Europe by train is easy to do, but there are some tricks that can make your adventure even more successful.

Apply for ETIAS

U.S. passport holders will need an ETIAS. ETIAS stands for the European Travel Information and Authorization System and you will be required to complete an online form and receive authorization prior to travel. The fee will be €7 which is just under $8.

Be Flexible

Make your plans, but be prepared to be flexible when necessary. There are literally millions of amazing places to visit across the continent, and you will never find the time to see them all.

So, put a rough plan in place by all means. Jot down the places you really want to see how you intend to get there, and how long you want to stay, then go right ahead and go with the flow . Your Eurail pass will give the flexibility to jump on most trains as and when you want to, meaning that poor weather in 1 city or a delay in another won’t derail your plans completely.

Know Your Money

Europe is, for the most part, an affordable place to visit due to the sheer number of cheap transport options and budget-friendly accommodations. That said, big cities and major tourist areas will be just as pricey as anywhere in the U.S. or the rest of the world. Knowing how to make your money go further is vital for a successful trip.

Backpackers, youth hostels, Airbnb, and basic budget B&Bs can be found all over the place, so skip the brochures and find an affordable place to stay.

Another great way to make sure you always spend your money wisely is to educate yourself on the exchange rates . While the currency of many European countries is the euro, there are still those outside of the eurozone that use their own currency. These are:

• Bulgaria: Bulgarian lev (BGN)
• Croatia: Croatian kuna (HRK)
• Czech Republic: Czech koruna (CZK)
• Denmark: Danish kroner (DKK)
• Hungary: Hungarian forint (HUF)
• Macedonia: Macedonian denar (MKD)
• Norway: Norwegian krone (NOK)
• Poland: Polish zloty (PLN)
• Romania: Romania leu (RON)
• Serbia: Serbian dinar (RSD)
• Sweden: Swedish krona (SEK)
• Switzerland: Swiss franc (CHF)
• Turkey: Turkish lira (TRL)
• United Kingdom: The Great Britain pound (GBP)

Hot Tip: In general, Eastern European countries offer the very best value for money, while Scandinavian countries can be some of the most expensive places to visit if you don’t dig deep for money-saving opportunities.

Research Festivals and Holidays

Europeans love a good festival, and with so many countries to choose from you are never far from a fun-filled celebration. Whether you choose to run with the bulls or throw squishy tomatoes in Spain, watch yacht races in Croatia or drink beer at Oktoberfest, there are always plenty of unusual occasions to join in with.

Do your research before you depart, as many of these festivals attract visitors from all over the world, meaning you should book tickets and accommodation well in advance.

Knowing what’s going on at your chosen destination works well in reverse, too. If you are looking for a quiet, romantic break, for example, you would be better to avoid some of the bigger, rowdier festivals as they may not be quite what you are looking for.

Know Where to Stay

Whatever kind of accommodation you are looking for, you can be sure to find it in Europe. From cabins in the woods to tents in a field, 5-star hotels to youth hostels, luxury house rentals to flat-shares in the city — Europe has no shortage of excellent accommodation to suit every budget.

You can use hotel booking sites , websites for backpackers and budget-wary travelers, travel agents, internet forums, and even social media sites like Facebook to find accommodation all over Europe.

There are always ways to save money on your stay, even if you can’t bag accommodation as cheaply as you would like to. For example, European cities can be very expensive, and sometimes staying a few miles outside of the center can save you valuable euros.

Hot Tip: Your Eurail pass can also save you money on overnight stays. If you are traveling a long distance, why not book a couchette on the sleeper train — a cheap, fun, and excellent experience on your European adventure.

Know the Culture

One of the very best reasons to travel the world is to get to know, understand, and appreciate other customs and cultures different from your own . In Europe, it is the norm to greet each other with a single kiss on the cheek in some countries, and a kiss on both cheeks in others.

Some countries operate on different timescales to others, often dependent on the climate and location. In Spain and Italy, for example, it is not unusual for shops and businesses to close during the heat of the afternoon, only to open again later into the evening. In France, it is normal to enjoy your evening meal quite late into the evening, and these family affairs often include children joining the adults to eat, too.

Bottom Line: While it is fun and interesting to see how customs and cultures change from 1 country to another, be sure that you know when shops are open, if you are expected to tip, or even local holidays, so as not to impact your travel plans in any way.

Learn Key Phrases in the Language of Each Country You Visit

There are 24 different official languages spoken across Europe, with even more regional variations thrown into the mix still. You would have to be super clever to be conversationally fluent in all of them, but you could still get to know some of the key phrases for the individual countries you intend to visit before you leave.

Knowing how to say “please,” “thank you,” “how much,” and “can I have” are all incredibly helpful anywhere in the world. Not only will you gradually start to learn the local lingo as you listen to replies, but you will also be showing respect for your host nation by trying to speak to them in their own language.

Bottom Line: Whether you read a book, download an app or even go to night school, there are plenty of ways to learn any European language available to you before you set off, or even while you are traveling.

Europe is mostly a very safe place to visit, but as with everywhere in the world, some neighborhoods in large towns or cities can be risky for tourists after dark. Here are a few basic tips to remember:

• Keep your wits about you and watch out for pickpockets in big cities.
• Keep belongings close by at all times.
• Don’t flaunt cash or expensive equipment.
• Be aware of the good old distraction technique when exploring on your own.

There is no reason to feel unsafe, even if you are traveling alone — just use your street smarts and read up on no-go areas or general safety tips for each destination you are planning to visit.

Finally, Enjoy Your Trip!

Traveling in Europe is an exciting adventure. With so much to see and do, places to visit, and people to meet, a Eurail pass will allow you to move quickly and easily from 1 city or country to another, in the most stress-free and enjoyable way possible.

Take in the sights, meet new people, and make time to make new memories that will last you a lifetime.

If the Eurail doesn’t feel right for you, or if indeed you aren’t planning on traveling extensively through Europe but rather staying in 1 single country, there are lots of other travel passes that can also save you money and offer you more flexibility than regular point-to-point tickets. Here are a few that are worth knowing about:

The Swiss Travel Pass

Switzerland is a great country to explore by train, and unlike some other European countries, there are virtually no extra supplements or reservation fees to worry about. You can hop-on and hop-off as often as you like, and take in some of the most beautiful mountain scenery right outside your window.

You can choose between a Swiss Travel Pass that offers continuous free travel, or a Swiss Travel Pass Flex that offers a fixed number of days travel in any 1 month period. Passes start from €220 (~$243), with discounts available for travelers between 16 and 26 years of age. Children under 16 travel free with a paying adult.

You can use the Swiss Travel Pass on a variety of trains, buses, and boats throughout the country.

Paris Visite Card

The Paris Visite Card offers unlimited travel on the Paris Metro, tramway, bus, RER, and SNCF Transilien networks. You can use the pass between zones 1-3 which covers all of central Paris and 84% of all Paris attractions are included free in the Paris Pass.

If you want to travel further out to zone 4 and 5 (to visit the Palace of Versailles for example or travel to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport) there are small supplements you will need to pay.

Your Eurail card will cover you for wider use of the SNCF network, but if you are planning on spending time in Paris, these passes start from as little as €12 (~$13) depending on the zones covered and the number of days you intend to use it for.

The Benelux Tourrail Pass

Covering The Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg, this pass offers you the freedom to take multiple train journeys on a daily basis and offers discounted rates for travelers under 28 years of age and over 60. You can also choose between a first or second class pass for the duration of your stay. Full price adult passes start from €179 (~$198) for a 3 day travel period over 1 month using a Benelux Saver Pass.

Portuguese Rail Pass

Discover the beaches of the Algarve and the medieval cities of Lisbon and Faro using this handy travel pass, designed to offer reduced fare train travel throughout the country. This pass offers you unlimited travel for 3 or 7 days in a month, and prices start from just €73 (~$81) for an adult 3-day ticket.

You can use your pass on Alfa Pendular, Intercidades, Regional/InterRegional, and Urban trains including the Lisbon Urban Line’s very own Viva Viagem service.

German Rail Pass

The German railway network is one of the most efficient and advanced in the world, and the German Travel Pass gives you access to lots of different services without having to pay supplements or reservation fees.

There are lots of different options available, including discounts for younger and older travelers, and you can choose from flexible or consecutive travel days depending on your preference.

With typical German efficiency, your pass will offer you unlimited travel throughout Germany, even on the high-speed ICE trains, and you can even travel on selected routes outside of Germany, too.

Renfe offers its very own Spain Pass that includes a discounted set number of journeys on 1 ticket. It does not, however, offer unlimited travel. You can pay for between 4 and 12 journeys in any 1 month period, and there are no hidden reservation fees to worry about. The pass is valid on all AVE Long Distance and Medium Distance trains, but you will need to reserve your seat before your travel.

The Balkan Flexipass

While this pass does offer unlimited first class travel on the national rail networks of Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Montenegro, Republic of Macedonia, Serbia, The Serbian Entity of Bosnia Herzegovina, and Turkey, rail travel in the Balkans is already pretty cheap, to begin with.

If you aren’t planning on taking a ton of train trips during your visit, it would probably be cheaper just to book each journey direct. If you do want to go ahead and purchase a pass, you can also travel on certain Attica group ferries, but you will need to reserve your seat in advance.

Prices start from as little as €91 (~$101) for a 3-day pass within a 2 month period.

BritRail Pass

Travelers to the U.K. can hop on and off trains without reservations or extra fees, either with or without a dedicated rail pass. The public transport system in the U.K. is incredibly easy to use, and while inter-city train tickets can be expensive if purchased on the day of, there are lots of deals to be had if you book in advance.

The BritRail Pass offers travel throughout England, Scotland, and Wales. If you are planning on staying exclusively in London for a longer period of time, you can purchase a visitor travel card for discounted travel across zones 1-6 of the London Underground.

The Eastern Europe Pass

This pass covers Austria, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia. It is even valid on all direct trains through Germany between Kufstein and Salzburg if the passenger does not change or leave the train. This pass has some neat little discounts attached to it, too, including money off Danube River trips and lots of deals on entrance tickets to well-known tourist attractions.

You won’t have to pay any supplements, but reserving your seats in advance is recommended for long-distance journeys. Prices start from €190 (~$210) for 5 days travel in 1 month.

Heading out to explore Europe has been a right of passage for generations of students, backpackers, and budget travelers since the 1950s. The extensive rail networks that crisscross the continent make it super easy to move around freely, taking in some of the most iconic cities, breathtaking scenery, and historical points of interest in the world.

If you are considering heading over to Europe in the near future, a Eurail pass offers you maximum flexibility for an affordable price, meaning you can make plans, change plans, and go ahead and enjoy Europe by rail as much as you want to.

Frequently Asked Questions

There are 2 types of Eurail passes: a 1 Country Pass or the Eurail Global Pass that allows travel in 31 countries. You can choose to travel for as little as 3 days in 1 month to a whole 3 months worth of travel.

Is a Eurail Pass worth it?

Eurail passes are worth purchasing if you want the flexibility of changing your destination and days of travel. If you have fixed dates and destinations, and can book in advance, this may well be cheaper. It is also worth noting that Eurail passes have discounts for those under the age of 28 or over 60.

Can you use a Eurail Pass on Eurostar?

You can use a Eurail pass on Eurostar provided you book in advance and pay a seat reservation fee. You must also have either a Eurail Global Pass or a Eurail pass that is valid in the destination you are traveling to on Eurostar (i.e. France, Belgium or The Netherlands).

What countries are included in a Eurail Pass?

There are 31 countries that are included with an Eurail Global Pass. You can view a full list of countries here .

How much is a Eurail Pass?

For a Eurail Global Pass, a standard second class adult pass for 3 days in 1 month is $247 (€224) rising to $1023 (€926) for a full 3 months of travel.

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About Amar Hussain

Amar is an avid traveler and tester of products. He has spent the last 13 years traveling all 7 continents and has put the products to the test on each of them. He has contributed to publications including Forbes, the Huffington Post, and more.

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This Train Pass Is the Secret to City-hopping Through Europe on the Cheap (Video)

For many travelers, exploring Europe is a must — a rite of passage, even. And for travelers looking to plan the perfect Eurotrip, snagging a Eurail pass is vital.

Since its debut in 1959, Eurail has helped travelers squeeze the most out of their time abroad. The pass has long been a favorite among backpackers, study-abroad students, wandering nomads, and those with limited vacation days, but a strong desire to see the world. If you're out to cover a lot of ground in a short amount of time, or you just want some freedom from the hassle of travel planning, investing in a Eurail pass is a no-brainer.

Below, we've put together a complete guide to the Eurail pass, covering everything you need to know to use the pass and optimize your time in Europe.

Who Should Buy a Eurail Pass and Why

Eurail is a single rail pass that grants access to 40,000 destinations across 33 different countries in Europe. In other words, it's the most flexible and convenient way for visitors to explore the continent with ease. Unlike a traditional train ticket, a Eurail pass gives travelers the ability to utilize existing infrastructure — Europe's thousands of railways — to travel between destinations for a set amount of days.

If you're heading to Europe and planning on visiting more than one location — as in, multiple countries or even multiple cities within the same country — then you're going to want to equip your journey with a Eurail pass. The pass essentially provides all-inclusive access to Europe's well-connected train system, meaning you don't have to book tickets for each individual leg.

Eurail passes are available to anyone — college-age backpackers, couples, families, and travelers looking to make the most of their time in Europe on a budget — but special discounts are provided to certain age groups.

The catch? Eurail passes are not available to Europeans; they're solely for non-European residents. However, European citizens do have the option of purchasing an Interrail Pass, which is similar to a Eurail pass, but for Europeans only.

How to Buy and Use a Eurail Pass

Currently, Eurail offers two different pass types: the Global Pass and the One Country Pass. A Global Pass is essentially the all-inclusive option: It gives travelers the ability to take a train between any of Eurail's 33 participating countries. Meanwhile, the One Country Pass works only within a single country (there are 29 countries currently available on this pass).

Travelers select either a Flexi Pass, which includes a predetermined amount of train travel days (such as four travel days within one month), or a Continuous Pass, which includes unlimited train travel days during a predetermined trip length (such as 15 days or three months).

Eurail also groups certain regions, so that you can score multiple countries for the price of one. For example, the Benelux Pass includes Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg, while the Scandinavia Pass includes Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden.

Once you've chosen the pass that best fits your needs, you can order it through Eurail's website . Eurail ships the physical pass booklet to you worldwide, including an address in Europe, if you're already there. It's best to order your pass at least four weeks before your trip to ensure it ships in time and you can secure any necessary reservations. However, you can plan as far as 11 months in advance. You can also purchase a pass at European train stations.

Before you can use the pass, you'll need to activate it. Validating the pass can be done online using Eurail's free pre-activation service at checkout, or at a European train station once you arrive. You must activate the pass within 11 months of its issue date.

Once your pass is validated, you're ready to go. Simply choose a train and then present your pass upon boarding. Make sure to fill out the required information in your pass booklet for each ride, as the conductor will come by to verify and stamp it.

Eurail's easy-to-navigate Rail Planner App lets you search train timetables, plan your route, and make reservations where needed. The My Trip section of the mobile app makes it simple to save your journey and see your route broken down as a day-by-day itinerary.

Note that some trains in Europe require a seat reservation. In these cases, railway carriers charge a reservation fee that is not included in the price of your Eurail pass. However, seat reservation prices are typically nominal (around $10 to $25, even for overnight trains).

Most reservations can be booked through Eurail's Self-Service option. Alternatively, you can book in person at the station, over the phone, online, or through the Rail Planner App.

Eurail Pass Cost and Discounts

In 2019, Eurail retired its two- to four-country Select Passes, focusing instead on the Global and One Country Passes. These changes enabled Eurail to roll out significantly discounted prices, add a second-class option on all adult Global Passes, and even introduce a Senior category, encouraging an older generation to travel as well.

The cost of a Eurail pass varies widely depending on the type of pass you purchase. For example, a Global Pass with five travel days in one month is usually between $319 and $425, while a 15-day unlimited pass falls between $501 and $667. A three-month unlimited pass usually costs between $1,019 and $1,358, and a One Country Pass for Italy is usually $144 to $271, while France is typically $87.

There are various age-group discounts available: Travelers aged 12 to 27 can purchase Youth tickets and receive a 25 percent discount (up from 23 percent in 2019), while seniors aged 60 or older receive a 10 percent discount. Children under 11 travel for free.

If you're not eligible for an age-based discount, keep an eye out for special promotions — Eurail regularly runs deals, especially for booking far in advance.

Where to Go With a Eurail Pass

Eurail's network includes 33 of the 44 countries in Europe, so your options are plentiful, and you can travel to a new country every day, if that's what strikes your fancy.

Plus, Eurail regularly adds new countries and routes to their portfolio — as of Jan. 1, 2020, Estonia and Latvia are the most recent additions. Popular destinations like France, Italy, Germany, Ireland, Switzerland, Spain, and Poland have long been included.

Eurail also recently added a Greek Islands Pass , which covers ferry trips between 53 Greek islands aboard partner carriers Superfast and Blue Star Ferries. The Greek Islands Pass is available for $102 (five trips within one month) or $199 (six trips within one month). The pass is also available at Eurail's discounted Youth rate of $77 or $175 for the five- and six-trip option, respectively.

Benefits of Having a Eurail Pass in Europe

The main perk of exploring Europe with a Eurail pass is the fact that it enables you to hit multiple stops with minimal hassle. For one affordable price, you can board trains across the continent and hop between destinations with ease, freeing you from the logistical nightmare of planning and arranging tickets for each individual leg of your journey.

A Eurail pass allows travelers to be as flexible or organized as they choose to be on a trip to Europe. During one short visit, you can check off bucket-list spots like Italy, France, Great Britain, Spain, Germany, and more. Or, you can explore just one country in-depth, without having to arrange tickets every time you want to head somewhere new.

Eurail also partners with hostels, tour operators, and restaurants across Europe, so there are some added pass benefits such as discounts at Generator Hostels, free or discounted ferry and bus trips, and cards that grant access to a city's top attractions.

To maximize your pass, figure out the optimal pass type for your needs and then fully explore the benefits that come with your purchase. You'll be posing in front of the Eiffel Tower and snacking on pizza in front of the Colosseum in no time.

Recommended Eurail Pass Routes

If you've never been to Europe, you'll likely want to use your Eurail pass to hit highlights like London, Paris, Rome, Barcelona, and Berlin, but don't pass up the opportunity to get off the beaten path a bit, too. With a Eurail pass, you're free to get creative.

If you've always wanted to visit Luxembourg and Lithuania, but have no interest in Spain or Portugal, that's not a problem: Depending on the pass type you purchase, your travel plans are entirely up to you. Just make sure to consult a map and plot a route that makes sense geographically.

Are you more into nature's wonders than mankind's? Book a Scandinavia Pass and wander through Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland in pursuit of the northern lights. Or, experience the beauty of Switzerland, a favorite among families — Switzerland's Glacier Express from St. Moritz to Zermatt, included in a Eurail pass, traverses 91 tunnels, crosses the Oberalp Pass, and winds through the stunning Swiss Alps. The Golden Pass route, also included, skirts Lake Geneva and passes through some of the most picturesque mountain towns in Europe, including Gstaad and Interlaken.

Another idea is to add a theme to your itinerary: With the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics around the corner, why not take an Olympic tour of Europe? You can start at the site of the first-ever Winter Olympics in 1924 — Chamonix, France — and then head to Paris, home of the second-ever Summer Olympics in 1900. From there, hop to Antwerp, Belgium — home to the first Olympic games after the turmoil of World War I — and then take the high-speed Eurostar under the English Channel to London, England, the site of the 2012 Summer Olympics.

Exploring lesser-visited Eastern Europe is also made easier by Eurail. With 2020's inclusion of Estonia and Latvia, the pass now covers rail travel across all of the Baltic countries for the first time in its history. Plus, with the pass, you can take the ferry between Riga and Stockholm or Germany, or from Tallinn to Stockholm or Helsinki, all for up to 50 percent less than you'd pay for these same international ferry connections without the pass.

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Welcome to the Eurail paper Pass Information Center. Here, you'll find all things paper Pass-related to ensure a smooth trip from start to finish.

How to use the paper Pass

Traveling with a paper Pass is a bit different than traveling with our mobile Pass. Make sure you record every train you take in the My Trip section on the Pass Cover. 

The Eurail Map shows the main train network in Europe, as well as all discounted ferries you can take. On the back of the map you'll find additional information, including approximate travel times between Europe’s major cities. 

Download the Eurail Map below, so you can bring it with you when you're traveling.

Need more space to record trips? 

Depending on how many trains you take during your Eurail trip, it's possible you'll run out of space in your My Trip section (this is called the Travel Diary on Pass covers from 2020). 

When this happens and you're still exploring Europe by train, simply download and print extra lines so you can continue your trip.

Pass Guides

We've created a Pass guide with information about how to use your Eurail Pass. You can download the Pass Guide in any of the following languages:

• Portuguese  

Please note:

The Eurail Map and Pass Guide are published once a year. Since some of the information can change throughout the year, you should always check our website for the most up-to-date information.

Download the Rail Planner App

Europe is at your fingertips with the Rail Planner app. Download the app and look up train times offline, plan your trip, and find out whether or not you need a reservation. 

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The use of the Eurail Pass is governed by the conditions of the Railway Companies and the Conditions of Use issued by Eurail BV. Click on the button below to view the most up-to-date Conditions of Use (PDF download).

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Planning Your Trip

• Transportation
• Accommodations
• Food & Drinks
• Sightseeing & Activities
• More Money-Saving Tips

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• The Bottom Line
• Budgeting & Savings

How To Travel on a Budget

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Travel often feels like a luxury reserved for the wealthy. But what if we told you incredible adventures are achievable, even on an average budget? By embracing smart planning and a focus on local experiences, you can still explore new places without straining your wallet.

Here are practical, achievable strategies to save money while traveling on a budget. 

Key Takeaways

• Planning early and choosing budget-friendly destinations can help make travel more affordable.
• Using public transportation and alternative transportation options can save money on transportation expenses.
• Staying in budget accommodations and utilizing sharing economy platforms offer affordable lodging options.
• Eating like a local and cooking meals can help save money on food and drinks.
• Taking advantage of free and low-cost attractions, discounts, and deals can help save money on sightseeing and activities.

Start Planning Early 

The magic of budget travel starts with a little foresight. By giving yourself ample time, you can research and compare destinations, flights, accommodations, and activities, build a budget, and save for the trip.

Airline prices fluctuate constantly, so planning early gives you time to track and compare prices. Tourism sites like Booking.com, Airbnb, Turo, and others offer early bird discounts for booking a certain number of days in advance. You’ll almost always save by booking train or bus tickets in advance, starting as much as 12 weeks before the travel date.

Choose Budget-Friendly Destinations

A trip to Disneyland is notoriously expensive. The same goes for Hawaii. The first rule of traveling on a budget is choosing an affordable location—and luckily, the world is full of worthwhile destinations that won't drain your wallet. Regions like Southeast Asia, South America, Central America, and Eastern Europe are all culturally rich and known to offer a bang for your buck. 

Use a currency exchange tool to check how far your money will go. 

As of May 31, 2024:

• $1 USD = 36.81 Thai Baht
• $1 USD = 893.71 Argentine Pesos
• $1 USD = 7.77 Guatemalan Quetzales
• $1 USD = 359.07 Hungarian Forints

In the U.S., consider trading a pricey NYC or Vegas vacation for a trip to the South or Midwest. Destinations like the Great Smoky Mountains, the Great Lakes, the Gulf Coast, or the coastal Carolinas are likely to be cheaper and less overrun with tourists.

Set a Travel Budget

To enjoy your trip without going into debt to pay for it, create a travel budget. There are many ways to create a budget. For example, you can either set an amount you are allowed to spend for the entire trip and then divide by the number of travel days. Or, add up a list of all expenses and figure out how much you need to save or set aside.

To get a realistic idea of how much your trip will cost, make a list of all travel expenses, including: 

• Transportation to and from your destination and while you’re there (such as flights, rental cars, ride shares, train tickets, and public transportation)
• Accommodations for the entire trip
• Visas, permits, vaccinations, or medications, if applicable 
• Food, including meals in a restaurant, groceries, snacks, and drinks
• Entertainment like museums, tours, shows, and excursions
• Checked baggage fees, if any 
• Phone and internet such as roaming charges, purchasing a local SIM card, or eSIM.
• Souvenirs, toiletries, and sundries
• Gratuities for drivers, housekeepers, and tour guides 
• Travel insurance

Allocate a small buffer for unexpected costs or minor emergencies.

Use a site like Numbeo to calculate and compare the cost of living in your destination. The site shows average costs by country and city for things like a loaf of bread, milk, and beer in a grocery store, as well as for meals in restaurants, transportation, sports and leisure activities, utilities, clothing, and shoes.  

Personal finance and travel expert Danielle Desir Corbett says you can "Create a realistic travel budget by searching for vacation cost breakdowns by travel creators who share how much it actually costs to visit a destination.”

Corbett also notes that “Other websites like budgetyourtrip.com share real travel prices for hundreds of countries,” and reminds travelers to “Be mindful of the differences between shoestring, mid-range, and luxury travel budgets and the impact of inflation over time.” 

If you want to get really detailed, make a shareable spreadsheet of activities you want to do and then prioritize by cost, need, desire, etc. Or, use a travel budgeting app like Pocketguard, Tripcoin, or TravelSpend to plan and track expenses.   

Saving Money on Transportation

Find cheap flights.

Track airfare prices with tools like Google Flights, Skyscanner, or Kayak. Set price alerts to be notified of drops and get an idea of low, average, and high prices for a trip. Be flexible with travel dates. If you can, travel on a weekday for better rates. Use the calendar or date grid feature to see which days have the best prices. 

If you’re flexible with the destination, sign up for Going.com. You pick your home airport. Then the site scours the internet and notifies you by email about economy flight deals in the US (free tier) and international flight deals (paid tier).

Use Public Transportation

Taxis and rental cars will eat up your travel budget, fast. Consider using public transportation (like trams, buses, subways, light rails, cable cars, and ferries) to save money and get around the city efficiently. Public transportation around the world is well-documented and easy to plan via Google Maps. 

Consider Alternative Transportation Options

Going from Madrid to Barcelona, or from Paris to Lyon? For intercity travel, FlixBus runs over 400,000 cheap and reliable bus routes in over 40 countries across Europe, North America, South America, and Asia. Or, book a ride with BlaBlaCar. The ride-sharing app is available in 21 countries and lets you catch a ride with local drivers who have extra space in their cars.

For European travel by train, you can’t beat the Eurail pass. These multi-trip tickets let you book flexible travel (within a specified timeframe) for 33 European countries. At $315 USD for seven travel days within one month or $369 for 10 travel days within one month, Eurail’s Global Passes cost a fraction of booking individual tickets.   

Accommodation on a Budget

Stay in budget accommodations.

Hostels are known for their low-cost, dormitory-style fittings attracting the backpacker crowd. Many young and solo travelers love hostels for their social atmosphere. And, of course, the chance to save some coins. 

Like all travel experiences, hostel experiences vary widely. Some may have 20 to 30 rooms, each housing eight to 12 bunk beds, and a large cafeteria hall that pumps out cheap breakfasts. Others are small and cozy, with a family-run vibe and fewer beds to a room. Many hostels now include in-room lockers for each guest and a privacy curtain that you can close around your bunk. 

While hostels may not be a good fit if you need absolute privacy, some also offer private rooms with ensuite bathrooms. These book up fast, so plan ahead. To compare prices and amenities, read reviews, and see pictures before booking, check out HostelWorld or Hostelz.

More expensive than a hostel and slightly cheaper than a hotel, guesthouses are another great option for traveling on a budget. You can forget the pool, fancy restaurants, or gym access of a larger hotel–but in exchange, you’ll get a more personal touch at an affordable price. 

With guesthouses, you can count on having your own room and bathroom, and possibly a homemade breakfast included in the price. Here, you’ll be more likely to get local tips from the owners or staff.    

Use Sharing Economy Platforms

Airbnb is not really a budget option anymore, but the chance to stay in a private home often means the space is situated away from tourist hot spots. So, the restaurants, bars, and attractions near your stay will likely be cheaper and more local. Plus, you can save money by cooking meals at “home.” 

One Airbnb trick is that rather than booking an entire home or apartment, you can book a single room in an apartment where the host is also living. In some countries, hosts will rent out multiple rooms in a home or apartment to separate travelers, which functions like a more upscale and semi-private hostel. Bonus, if no one else has booked the other rooms while you’re there, you end up with your own place. 

Many budget travelers swear by the site Couchsurfing to find cheap accommodation on the road. For a subscription fee of just a few dollars a month, members gain access to a network of locals offering free short-term homestays (usually a couch or spare room) to other travelers.

Couchsurfing users should check profiles and reviews carefully to avoid negative experiences. 

For an annual fee, sites like TrustedHousesitters, MindMyHouse, and House Sitters America will match you with people offering free accommodation in exchange for pet and house-sitting services. You have to create a profile including references, and getting picked for a stay can be somewhat competitive. But they’re a great way to save money and stay comfortably in cities around the world. 

Consider Alternative Accommodations

If you’re looking for adventure or traveling long-term, there are plenty of budget-friendly alternatives to your typical hotel, guest house, or vacation rental.    

Most major national parks in the U.S. offer developed camping facilities. Some parks are free, while others charge up to $35 per vehicle, which gives you up to seven days of in-and-out park usage. If you plan to visit at least three parks, the America the Beautiful pass is your best bet, at $80 for annual access to all parks. You’ll need to check each park individually for information on campsite amenities and costs. 

Getting a job or volunteering overseas is a great way to fund your travel while guaranteeing a more local experience. 

Workaway is an informal cultural exchange and homestay program. Volunteers or "Workawayers," contribute a pre-agreed upon time frame (often four to six hours per day) in exchange for lodging and food. Workaway opportunities range from organic farms, wineries, and hostels to families seeking help with childcare and English teaching.

Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms , known as WWOOF or WWOOFing, is another volunteer exchange and education program with opportunities in 130 countries.

For paid jobs, try being an au pair, bartending, teaching English or yoga, or working in a ski resort. Over 45 countries now offer digital nomad visas for remote workers over the age of 18 who can provide proof of a specific monthly income (varies per country).

If Australia is on your bucket list, their working holiday visa could be a dream come true. The program lets people 18 to 30 years old (or 35 years old for some countries) stay and work in the country for up to 12 months. At $635 AUD, the visa itself is not cheap, but the ability to work helps fund your trip.

Saving Money on Food and Drinks

Cook your own meals.

To eat cheap while traveling, skip the restaurants altogether. Buying food at the supermarket or cooking meals will almost always be cheaper than eating out. Most hostels will have a kitchen with a fridge where you can store food, and a stove and/or oven for cooking. Airbnbs or vacation homes will too, just make sure to check the amenities carefully so you’re not disappointed.

Practically any foreign country you visit will have a local food market at least a few days per week. The food there is often cheaper and fresher than in supermarkets. Plus, you’ll experience the sights, sounds, and smells of a country. Ask your hostel or host when and where to find it.

Eat Like a Local

Cities like Mexico City, Bangkok, Rio de Janeiro, and Istanbul are known for having some of the best street food in the world. Even traditionally expensive cities like Tokyo or Paris will have street carts or stands offering delicious eats for much cheaper than in cafes or restaurants.

In the U.S., check out food trucks for relatively cheap options. Modern, food court-style eateries are popping up in the U.S. and abroad as well. Trendier than your average shopping mall food court, these upgraded spots offer a surprising variety of counter-service options at budget-friendly prices.

Often, simply venturing a few blocks away from main tourist attractions leads to cheaper and more authentic options.

Research Affordable Dining Options

In heavily-touristed areas, plopping down at the first place you see is a good way to overpay for an underwhelming meal. Instead, do some research beforehand to find budget-friendly options. 

Google, Trip Advisor, Yelp, and Open Table all use dollar symbols (such as from $ to $$$$) to indicate how pricey a restaurant is and then compare against reviews. Or, instead of using sites like these, travel blogger Kendyl Grynder suggests “searching for ‘[destination] cheap eats blog’ to help find better options from travelers who have experienced the location.”

When in doubt, ask a local what their favorite restaurants are. 

Sightseeing and Activities on a Budget

Visit free and low-cost attractions.

Churches, castles, and ruins are often free or cheap to visit, and some museums or galleries have certain admission-free days or hours. For example, catch Picasso's legendary Guernica at Madrid's Museo Reina Sofía for free on Monday or Wednesday through Saturday (7-9 p.m.) & Sundays (12:30-2:30 p.m.).

Run by local guides and available in over 120 countries, free walking tours teach you more than just walking around by yourself. The tours are free, but they generally ask for a tip at the end.

Meetup.com can be another cheap way to find unique events, connect with locals, and learn about new places. Finally, Couchsurfing isn’t just for accommodation—it also facilitates organizing hangouts or exploring with locals.

Explore Nature and Outdoor Activities

Want to relax and soak up the city vibe without spending a dime? Head to a park, plaza, or square for some prime people-watching and a dose of public art. Public bicycle-sharing stations are now in many cities, so you can explore on two wheels at a low cost. Fresh air is always free—consider exploring natural attractions like rivers, waterfalls, or hiking trails. 

Use Discounts and Deals

Especially in Europe, attractions like museums, art galleries, and historical sites may offer student or senior discounts, with ID for verification. A city tourism card may also help stretch your budget. From Dubai to Venice to Copenhagen, these all-in-one passes give you free or discounted entry to popular attractions, and sometimes public transportation access.

Websites and apps like Groupon, Travelzoo, and GetYourGuide also aggregate deals and discounts on tours, activities, and attractions in various cities.

Money-Saving Travel Tips and Hacks

Travel during the off-peak season.

Skip the crowds and embrace the charm (and savings) of off-peak travel. In the Northern Hemisphere, the off-season generally falls between November to March, excluding major holidays. For the Southern Hemisphere, the off-season is typically from June to August.

Don’t forget to consider local festivals or events, since a destination might be bustling during that time, even if it's technically the off-season. And in many Southeast Asian countries, the off-season may overlap with the monsoon season. Research using tourism sites, travel blogs, and forums to find out the best time to visit your destination.

Use Travel Rewards and Loyalty Programs

Travel sites like Booking.com and Expedia have loyalty programs with tiered statuses that let you rack up rewards. Booking.com’s Genius program includes perks like free breakfast, free cancellation, and 10-20% discounts on bookings. With Expedia One Key, you save 10-30% on hotels and earn cash back on bookings across Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo.  

So-called “travel hackers” use credit card points and airline miles to book free flights—sometimes business or first-class ones—and accommodations. Travel hacking takes planning to truly maximize, but the basic idea is that travel credit cards offer a sign-on bonus of anywhere from 20,000 to 120,000 points for spending a certain amount (usually between $1,000 and $4,000) in the first three months. After that, you can earn points (sometimes double or triple) on everyday purchases. 

According to Grynder, using partner airlines can also help with getting good flight deals.  “If you have a bank travel card, such as Capital One or American Express, you can transfer your points to partner airlines and get better deals. I just flew from New York City to Madrid for just 17,000 miles and less than $100 Iberia Avios, which is a steal.” If you're new to using transfer partners, Grynder notes, “The easiest way to find these awards is with a program like Point.Me or Roame.” 

Packing light saves you money on checked baggage fees and time at the airport and eliminates the chance of your luggage getting lost. A few tips that experienced travelers swear by:

• Use packing cubes to compress and organize your stuff. 
• Pack neutrals that you can mix and match to build multiple outfits.
• Do laundry while you’re there, either by hand washing in your accommodation or using a laundry service.

Which Country Is the Cheapest To Visit?

The key factors that determine whether a country is affordable to visit are the currency’s value compared to the U.S. dollar, low costs for food, accommodation, and local transportation compared to Western standards. Keep in mind that the flights to some of these countries might be expensive. Once you arrive, though, the daily costs of living and activities are relatively low. 

Based on these factors, some of the cheapest countries for Americans to travel to are:

• Indonesia, excluding Bali
• El Salvador

Should I Exchange Money Before I Travel?

Many major U.S. banks and credit unions offer foreign currency to members for a fair exchange rate and without additional fees. Depending on your bank, you may be able to order currency online or by phone to avoid waiting in line at the branch.

With ATMs readily available to give you cash in local currency, you may not need to exchange money before you travel. Most ATMs offer competitive exchange rates and you can save on fees by withdrawing more cash at once instead of making multiple smaller withdrawals. Check ahead for any ATM fees your bank may charge, or opt for a card from a bank that reimburses ATM fees, like the Schwab Bank Investor Checking account.

Where Should I Exchange Currency While Traveling?

Airport and train station exchange kiosks tend to have higher commission fees and lower exchange rates compared to other options. You can buy foreign currency at your bank before leaving the country, withdraw cash from an ATM in your destination country (possibly for a fee), or pay with a credit card. If you plan to use your credit card to pay for purchases, check to make sure your card doesn’t charge a foreign transaction fee. 

Should I Avoid Travel Insurance To Save Money?

While tempting if you’re traveling on a budget, it’s not advisable to avoid travel insurance solely to save money. Travel insurance can protect your nonrefundable trip costs, health, and luggage in case of unexpected events like trip cancellations, medical emergencies, lost luggage, or other unforeseen events. 

While you may not need comprehensive coverage, at the very least, you should have a medical policy to cover expenses that your regular health insurance may not, in case you get sick or have an accident while traveling abroad.

The Bottom Line 

With a little planning, some flexibility, and these budget-friendly strategies, you can have unforgettable adventures without sacrificing your financial well-being.

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