IS THE EURAIL PASS best FOR YOU?
Posted: 05/18/19 | may 18th, 2019
Every summer, backpackers from all around the world flock to Europe. Gap-year travelers, students on summer breaks, the recently retired — they’re all there to take in the continent’s sights, history, food, and beauty.
And while there are plenty of cheap ways to travel Europe, one of the most popular and renowned is through train, using a Eurail Pass.
The Eurail Pass is a train ticket that allows you to travel Europe on your own terms, in and through up to 31 countries. Eurail was first launched back in the 1950s as a consortium of a few dozen railway and shipping companies, as a way to increase (and simplify) train travel around the continent.
It’s changed a lot because those early days (there are far much more guidelines today, and it comes with this huge instruction manual when it’s mailed to you!), and understanding the ins and outs of the various passes and what they do — and don’t — cover can often be confusing for first-time pass holders.
If you’re thinking about getting a Eurail Pass, this short article will answer some of the most frequently asked questions I get about it.
Sisällysluettelo
How Does the Eurail Pass Work?
What’s the difference between the Passes?
How much is a Eurail Pass?
Do prices Fluctuate?
How far in advancement Can a Eurail Pass Be Bought?
Can I purchase a Eurail Pass in Person?
Where Can I purchase a Eurail Pass?
What countries Does Eurail Go Through?
Does the Eurail Pass work on local Trains?
Does the Eurail Pass Cover High-Speed Trains?
Can I use Eurail pass on Eurostar?
Will I need to Pre-Book Tickets?
Is the Eurail Pass worth It?
1. how Does the Eurail Pass Work?
First, you’ll need to purchase your pass before you visit Europe (see below for details). It cannot be purchased while you are on the continent (unless you’re European, but then you’d purchase the Interrail Pass, not the Eurail Pass). It’s a paper ticket that should be mailed to you.
When your pass arrives, you’ll get a book that outlines the particular reservation guidelines for each country the pass covers. (It’s a great reference tool, so make sure to review it while planning your trip.) The pass will become valid the first time you use it.
2. What’s the difference between the Passes?
There are two major types of passes: country and global. country passes work for individual countries, while the global pass will give you access to all 31 countries that take part in the Eurail program (listed below).
Once you know how long you’ll be traveling for (and where you are traveling to), you’ll be able to purchase the pass that best suits your needs.
3. how much is a Eurail Pass? how long Do They Last?
The price will depend on which pass you purchase. There are several options, based on how long you’ll be traveling for. There are passes for as much as three months of travel, as well as passes for just a few days.
Here is a chart with all the passes and the prices, so you can compare, or visit Eurail.com:
KULKEA
CLASS
EURAIL
RAIL EUROPE
Aikuinen
Youth
Aikuinen
Youth
1 month continuous
1st
$1,112
$893
$1,189
$953
2nd
$893
$727
$953
$776
Aikuinen
Youth
Aikuinen
Youth
2 month continuous
1st
$1,566
$1,256
$1,674
$1,341
2nd
$1,256
$1,022
$1,341
$1,092
Aikuinen
Youth
Aikuinen
Youth
3 month continuous
1st
$1,930
$1,546
$2,063
$1,652
2nd
$1,546
$1,258
$1,652
$1,345
Aikuinen
Youth
Aikuinen
Youth
22 days continuous
1st
$907
$727
$969
$777
2nd
$727
$593
$777
$633
Aikuinen
Youth
Aikuinen
Youth
15 days continuous
1st
$705
$567
$753
$605
2nd
$567
$462
$605
$493
Aikuinen
Youth
Aikuinen
Youth
15 days in 2 months
1st
$1,085
$870
$1,159
$930
2nd
$870
$708
$930
$757
Aikuinen
Youth
Aikuinen
Youth
10 days in 2 months
1st
$829
$665
$885
$710
2nd
$665
$542
$710
$579
Aikuinen
Youth
Aikuinen
Youth
7 days in 1 month
1st
$673
$541
$719
$578
2nd
$541
$442
$578
$471
Aikuinen
Youth
Aikuinen
Youth
5 days in 1 month
1st
$553
$444
$590
$474
2nd
$444
$363
$474
$387
Aikuinen
Youth
Aikuinen
Youth
3 days in 1 month
1st
$343
$264
$334
$257
2nd
$257
$199
$250
$193
4. Do prices Fluctuate?
While there are occasionally sales, the price for the Eurail pass is typically the same all year around.
5. how far in advancement Can a Eurail Pass be Bought?
Passes can be purchased online up to 11 months in advance.
6. Can I purchase a Eurail Pass in Person?
No, Eurail Passes need to be purchased online before you visit Europe, as the pass will be mailed to you. You cannot purchase the pass in person in Europe.
7. Where Can I purchase a Eurail Pass?
There are three places where you can purchase your pass:
Eurail.com
RailEurope.com (an official reseller of the tickets and passes that Eurail creates, occasionally at a discount)
Interrail (only for Europeans)
8. What countries Does Eurail Go Through?
As of 2019, there are 31 countries that participate in the pass:
Austria, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, great Britain (England, Wales, and Scotland), Greece, Hungary, Ireland (including northern Ireland), Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and Turkey (as well as Liechtenstein and Monaco).
While there is no country pass for Switzerland, all of the global pass options will work there.
9. Does the Eurail Pass work on local Trains?
The Eurail Passes only work on intercity train lines and not local trains such as subways or trams.
10. Does the Eurail Pass Cover High-Speed Trains?
The Eurail Pass does cover high-speed trains (as well as overnight trains). However, you’ll practically always have to make advancement reservations for these, as they limit the number of Eurail pass holders on each train. (I know, it sucks.)
11.Can I use Eurail pass on Eurostar?
Yep, but you’ll need to make a reservation in advance. (Eurostar is a high-speed train connecting London with destinations in France, Belgium, and the Netherlands.)
12. will I need to Pre-Book Tickets?
Depending on the route, you may be able to just show up at the train, present the conductor with your pass, and continue your journey — or you might need to book a seat ahead of time. Some countries require this, and reservations are often required on many high-speed and overnight trains.
If your train requires you to book a reservation, you can do so the day of or day before you want to get on that train. You don’t need to book far in advancement (that’s why the pass is so convenient!).
On the Eurail iphone app, you can filter for “trains without compulsory reservation.” This will help you avoid seat reservation fees.
13. Is the Eurail Pass worth It?
Se riippuu! At the end of the day, rail passes are all about money.
A Eurail Pass is only worth getting if it saves you money. Unfortunately, that implies you’ll have to do some math to figure out if a pass is best or not. It can be a time-consuming process, but it is certainly worth calculating if you’re on a budget.
To figure out if the rail pass will be economical, you’ll need to plan a route for yourself. After you have a general idea as to where you want to review what period of time, visit the national railway sites and work out two sets of prices: one for tomorrow (i.e., a last-minute fare) and one for two months from now (i.e., an early-bird fare).
Next, add up the prices in each category to get an approximate total. Then, compare these prices with the Eurail price. That’s how you’ll be able to tell which option is the most budget-friendly.
See this long blog post, which goes into depth about the pros and cons of the pass.
***
The Eurail Pass won’t be suitable for every type of trip, but it’s one of the most convenient ways to explore the continent. Not only is it better for the environment than flying from city to city but it gives you flexible and cost effective options for both short-term and long-term travel.
Whether you’re just going to for a couple of weeks or have a few months to spend exploring, you’ll be able to find a pass that suits your needs — all without breaking the bank!
If you want to learn much more or have additional questions, be sure to check out my extensive guide to Eurail Passes and my experience using them.
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Book Your trip to Europe: Logistical suggestions and Tricks
Book Your Flight
Use Skyscanner or Momondo to find a cheap flight. They are my two favorite search engines because they search sites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned. start with Skyscanner first though because they have the most significant reach!
Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the most significant inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the most affordable rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels.
Don’t forget travel Insurance
Travel insurance will safeguard you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s extensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it numerous times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
Safety Wing (for everyone below 70)
Insure My trip (for those over 70)
Medjet (for additional repatriation coverage)
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