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| Sometimes paying as-you-go makes more sense than using a rail pass. |
This guide helps you compare whether a rail pass or separate train tickets will be cheaper for your Europe trip. Below and on each regional rail pass page, you'll find maps showing the approximate prices for point-to-point train tickets between popular destinations. Once you have a rough itinerary, use these maps to add up the ticket prices of your journey. Compare the cost of train tickets with the price of the European rail pass that best fits your trip. If the costs are close, it makes sense to buy the rail pass.
These tools help you plan a logical route, estimate travel time and costs, and count how may travel days and countries you'll need on your Eurail or other European rail pass.
Int'l Train Cost & Time
Print the international map, connect the dots, and add up ticket costs.
Regional Train Cost Maps
See ticket prices for shorter trips within single countries.
Helps you get started to find your cheapest option.
Both the international and regional ticket cost maps show train fares in U.S. dollars for one-way travel in second class (for first class, add 50%). For example, if you're taking the train from Paris to Brussels, it'll cost you about $125 in second class or $185 for first class. While travelers age 26 and older who choose Eurail Global or Select passes must buy a first-class pass, there are no age restrictions when buying individual second-class train tickets. The ticket prices used in this guide are based on prices published by each country's own railway website (assuming an exchange rate of €1 = $1.40). These estimates are accurate enough for our comparison purposes. Rates and times shown are for the fastest trains on a given route. Those willing to lock in tickets ahead, shop around in Europe, or avoid the fastest trains will find some cheaper deals.
Probably 10 percent of rail pass travelers would have traveled more cheaply by buying train tickets as they went. While point-to-point tickets are sold by travel agents in the United States, you can keep your options open by buying tickets in Europe as you need them. Train tickets are sold at many travel agencies in Europe, at staffed ticket windows and automated machines in train stations, and on many countries' national railway websites (see our favorites below). In person, bridge any communication gap by writing out your plan: destination city, date, time (if you want a reservation), how many people, first or second class.
More and more point-to-point train tickets now include reservations, making it complicated to change your plans. Tickets for the fastest trains (such as TGV, Eurostar Italia, Thalys, or AVE) include seat reservations and refund or exchange rules vary. The deepest discounted tickets (such as advance purchase deals offered on just a few seats) are also for travel on a specific date and time, and generally not refundable or changeable. Unreserved, one-way tickets within a single country require travel completed in a day but allow stops and connections along the way. Unreserved international tickets (such as may be available in Germany, Austria, and Eastern Europe) allow two months to complete a journey with unlimited stopovers along the most direct route, and you can pay separately for a seat or sleeper reservation when desired. Rail pass travelers can also make unlimited stops during each day of rail pass validity, but pay extra for seat or sleeper reservations before boarding any train that requires them (see Using Your Rail Pass).
Local
Discounts with More RestrictionsEuropean rail fares are based on distance traveled. Each country has its own "euros per kilometer" type of formula. Additional discounts may be available based on the conditions below, but rules vary considerably from country to country and extra restrictions (such as non-refundablity and limited seat availability) will apply. Many of the best local deals are not sold by U.S. travel agents. Since offers are so different, they're most manageable for travelers focused on just one or two countries. Don't limit your options by tying yourself to nonrefundable or complicated tickets if a rail pass would be more convenient. Our regional rail pass pages have more info on the best deals we've found.
Off-peak travel times (such as mid-day or mid-week) can be cheaper in Britain and France.
Advance purchase (at least a week or a month in advance) can save you money in Britain, France, Germany, Spain, and Finland, and on many international trips. Eurostar "Chunnel" trains have no advance purchase deadline, but the best rates sell out early.
Roundtrip travel discounts are available in Britain, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Spain, sometimes in combination with advance purchase.
Kids ages 4-11 get ticket discounts in most of Europe (about 50% off, sometimes free with an adult) and under 4 always travel free on your lap. A few areas (Britain, Switzerland, Germany, Scandinavia) use a different age range. Rail passes offer similar values in each country.
Youths ages 12-25 do not get many point-to-point ticket savings, but a few discount cards exist. Special youth prices for most rail passes are a good deal.
Seniors aged 60 and over can find a few more ticket deals, which may require a discount card purchased in Europe. Senior discounts on rail passes are rare.
| Point-to-Point Rail Ticket Discounts for Youths and Seniors | ||||
| Country | Max. Age for Youths | Min. Age for Seniors | Discount | Card Needed |
| Austria | 25 | 60 F, 65 M | 50% | Vorteilscard Youth (€20) or Senior (€27) with photo |
| Belgium | NA | 65 | Any local train €4 roundtrip, 2nd class, after 9 a.m. Mon-Fri or all day Sat-Sun for seniors (Thalys not included). | No card for seniors. Various card programs for youths. |
| Britain | 25 | 60 | 33% | Youth or Senior Railcard (£24) |
| Finland | NA | 65 | 50% for seniors | No |
| France | 25 | 60 | 25% off non-peak, non-TGV trains without card | No, but Youth (€49) or Senior Cards (€56) give more discounts up to 50% (limited seats). |
| Germany | 25 | 60 | 50% | Youth or Senior Bahn Card €115. |
| Italy | 25 | 60 | 10% for youths, 15% for seniors | Carta Verde for youths (€20) or Carta Argento for seniors (€40) |
| Spain | NA | 60 | 40% Mon-Thurs or 25% Fri-Sun for seniors | Tarjeta Dorada (€5) |
| Norway | NA | 67 | 50% for seniors | No |
| Other restrictions may apply. Get details on each country's rail web site or locally at train stations. | ||||
European railway web sites allow anyone to buy point-to-point train tickets at local European rates. The benefits of ordering online could be a significant advance-purchase discount (most tickets sold up to 60 days ahead) or the certainty of securing a departure you can't afford to miss. These are best for travelers who only need one or two rail tickets. If you're traveling longer, compare the price of a rail pass before deciding. Online tickets are sold for a specific date and time, so don't lock yourself into a schedule before you're ready to commit. Most discount fares are nonrefundable or have refund restrictions and it's hard to contact anyone if you change your mind. Many sites will ask if you have their national loyalty-program or discount card, but since these are priced for residents who use them all year, short-stay visitors probably won't have them.
Most European web sites do not handle reservations with a rail pass. Most sell tickets only within one country, or may offer some major destinations in a neighboring country. Many allow you to print tickets at home and take them straight on the train. Otherwise, you pick up tickets in a train station in that country using your order number and often the same credit card used for the purchase. Some ask you to set up a user account or password. Read the fine print and save all the info you'll need. Rick Steves' Europe cannot trouble-shoot problems on these sites.
These offer big advance discounts and the best rates sell out early. Most trains require reservations and can fill up — another good reason to book ahead.
These have great discounts if you're ready to lock in dates early, but reservations are not otherwise required for most trains.
These offer a few international, last-minute, or web-only deals, but don't have comprehensive advance-discount programs. Trains run frequently and most don't need reservations, so it's easy to buy tickets as you go or consider a rail pass with hop-on convenience.
Some countries' railway web sites don't sell tickets, may not accept US credit cards, or have less information in English, such as:
International Ferry CostsSome boat crossings are covered by rail passes, but if you're comparing tickets versus passes, it helps to get an idea of the costs. Price ranges are listed, because fees vary with the season and for who-knows-what-reason. Research these routes and others at www.aferry.co.uk.
Ancona or Bari, Italy to Patras, Greece: 15-21 hrs, $80-$100, free deck passage with Eurail pass, except for a $10 port tax year round and a peak-season (June–September) surcharge of $15-$30. Reclining seats and berths cost $30-$200 extra. See www.superfast.com.
Scotland or Wales to Ireland: 2-4 hrs, $80 (free if you can talk your way into a car, which is allowed four free passengers), 30% off with Eurail pass (not BritRail) on Stena Line ferries. Cheap SailRail combo fares also sold in Britain and Ireland. See more info and links on our Ireland page.
Ireland to France: 18 hrs, runs most days, crossing only costs $70-110 (30% off with Eurail pass), add $30 and up per person for a cabin. Sails between Rosslare, Ireland and Cherbourg or Roscoff, France. See www.irishferries.com.
Italy to Barcelona: 19 hrs from Civitavecchia or Livorno, $100 for passage, 20% off with Eurail pass, cabins extra. See www.grimaldi-ferries.com.
Newcastle to Amsterdam; Oslo to Copenhagen: 25% discount on overnight ferries, including most cabin types. Book at www.dfdsseaways.com/railpass.
Harwich to Hook of Holland: 7 - 9 hours, $60-$100 for passage, 30% off with Eurail pass, cabins extra. See www.stenaline.com.
Most first trips to Europe are best by train but driving and flying are two options that you should at least consider. Both can save you time and money depending on your travel plans (cities vs. country-side) and group size (family vs. solo).
Renting a car in Europe: Great for groups or getting off the beaten path.
Flying Around Europe: Learn how budget airlines can save you money on long jumps.
Continue to Step 4: Using Your European Rail Pass 
