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Eurail vs. Interrail Pass - Which pass to choose?
A rail pass is easily a great asset to keep handy if you plan to travel extensively. Eurail and Interrail are such rail passes that let you navigate Europe with ease. Bypass long ticket queues and head straight for the train with a Eurail or an Interrail Pass offering unlimited train rides in 33 European countries. But how are they different? Which pass should you choose? Find your answers and get your passes here to make your next European venture hassle-free.
Eurail Vs. Interrail Pass - Which one should you choose?
Eurail and Interrail Pass vary only in one crucial aspect - the Pass holder. Everything about Eurail and Interrail is the same except for who can buy the pass and here, the user’s country of residence matters.
- Eurail Pass: For the sole use of non-European residents
- Interrail Pass: For the use of European residents
If you live in a non-European country, get yourself a Eurail Pass and embark on limitless European adventures.
If you are a citizen or resident of any European country, get yourself an Interrail Pass and explore the continent to your heart’s content.
European countries that qualify for an Interrail Pass include any of the following: European Union Member states or Albania, Andorra, Belarus, Bosnia Herzegovina, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Iceland, Isle of Man, Kosovo, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom or Vatican City.
What if you have dual citizenship or two passports?
The rule of thumb is that your country of residence determines the pass choice and you need a residency document or passport to prove it. Make sure the country mentioned on the pass matches that of the residence card.
The above holds for the following situations:
- If you have more than one passport or dual citizenship. Your pass purchase must be based on the country where you currently reside.
- If you have 2 European passports, use the passport or national identity card of the country you live in and order an Interrail Pass.
- If you have a European passport and a non-European passport, use the passport or national identity card of the country you currently live in. If you live outside of Europe, order a Eurail Pass. If you live in Europe, order an Interrail Pass.
- If you have a European passport and a non-European passport but live in a different European country, you can travel with a passport or national identity card. Your country of residence is the country you live in, so order an Interrail Pass and bring an official residency card with you along with your passport or national identity card.
- If you are a non-European citizen, but a European resident, choose an Interrail Pass.
Which Interrail or Eurail Pass should you choose?
Once you have found out if Eurail or Interrail is right for you, you will be confronted with further choices, which will depend on your travel destination, budget, duration, and comfort. Essentially, you will tailor your Interrail or Eurail Pass to fit your individual needs. Choosing the right kind of rail pass is critical to extracting the most value from your pass.
Global Pass vs. One Country Pass
Global Pass
- Best suited for: Tourists planning a multi-country journey
- Travel seamlessly between 33 European countries
One-Country Pass
- Best suited for: Travelers exploring a single country
- Embark on quick train transfers for in-depth exploration of a single European nation
Continuous Pass vs. Flexi Pass
Continuous Pass
- Best suited for: Explorer constantly on the move
- Every day is a travel day until the end of the pass's validity
Flexi Pass
- Best suited for: Leisurely travel with halts between train rides
- Choose the days to travel within a certain period of time
First-class vs. Second-class
First-class
- Best suited for: Travelers seeking privacy & comfort
- Peaceful compartments with better amenities
Second-class
- Best suited for: Budget-conscious travelers
- Comfortable yet affordable journeys
More choices
- For Flexi Passes, you can choose 4/5/7-day passes for shorter trips and 10/15-day passes for longer ones.
- For Continuous Passes, you have the choice to travel continuously for 15/22 days or 1/2/3 months as per your travel duration
- As per the age of the traveler, you can choose an Adult Pass (27-60), Senior Pass (60 and above), and Youth Pass (below 27)
Plan your rail pass adventure with Europe Train Planner
Book your Eurail and Interrail Passes
Good to know
- Nature of the Pass: Your Eurail or Interrail Pass is strictly personal, and non-transferable. It is valid only when activated.
- Documents: Carry the activated Eurail/Interrail Pass, Passport, Visa, Residency Card, and Reservation tickets (whenever required).
- Proofs: Citizenship can be proven by a valid passport or legal equivalent. Residency can be proven by government-issued official residence documents. Be sure to carry hard copies of the relevant proof documents as E-residency documents are not accepted as valid proof of residency.
- Pass choice: If the country you live in - your official country of residence - is different than the nationality in your passport or legal equivalent, the country where you live should decide your pass choice between Eurail or Interrail and should be indicated when ordering the Pass.
- Seat reservation: Some trains require mandatory seat reservation which is not included in the Pass and needs to be purchased separately at an additional cost. Do check your train’s reservation policy before getting on it with the Pass.
Frequently asked questions
Is Interrail only for EU residents?
Interrail Pass is for all European residents. This includes EU nations and other European countries.
Is Interrail cheaper than Eurail?
Eurail and Interrail are exactly the same except for the user. While Eurail is for non-European residents, Interrail is for European residents. There is no difference in the pass prices.
Who is eligible for a Eurail Pass?
All non-European residents are eligible for a Eurail Pass.
Which are the countries where a Eurail/Interrail Pass is applicable?
You can access train travel in 33 European countries with a Eurail/Interrail Pass. These countries are Austria, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Scotland, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and Wales.
What does a Eurail/Interrail Pass not cover?
Eurail or Interrail Passes do not cover seat reservation charges that are mandatory in some trains. They need to be purchased separately at extra cost and should be produced with the pass upon inspection.
Do British people use Interrail or Eurail?
If you are a resident of the UK, you can purchase an Interrail Pass. Brexit doesn’t affect pass purchases.
Is first class worth it on Eurail?
If you are looking for quieter environments to work, read, or relax and want privacy with more amenities and comfort, a first-class pass is worth it.
Are trains free with Eurail and Interrail?
You can board most European trains with just the Eurail or Interrail Pass. However, some trains mandate seat reservations, which need to be purchased at an extra charge.
Is it cheaper to fly or Interrail?
Trains are fast, comfortable, and more sustainable than cheap flights in Europe, especially if you're visiting multiple destinations. If you travel extensively, an Interrail or Eurail Pass will cost you less than flights. Train travel also has other perks like fewer procedures and waiting times, unlike airports where you have complicated procedures and early arrival rules. Train travel in Europe is also rich with picturesque views that make exploring even more fun.
Is Interrail and Eurail good for families?
Yes, various age-appropriate passes with discounts applied for children, youth, and seniors make Eurail and Interrail extremely valuable for families.