How Rail Passes Work
Types of passes
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| Europe's modern rail network makes travel easy, efficient and environmentally-friendly. |
Consecutive, Flexi, and Saver Passes
Some railpasses allow you to choose between a consecutive-day pass or flexipass. Both types may also have a Saverpass version for two or more people traveling together. Here's a quick rundown on the terms:
Consecutive-day pass: If you plan to travel nearly daily and cover a lot of ground, a consecutive-day pass is the right choice for you. You get unlimited train travel for the duration of the pass. If you have a 15-day pass, you can travel 15 consecutive days, taking trains many times each day. If you have a one-month pass, you can travel, for example, from April 26 through May 25. One-month passes last longer when started in a 31-day month. Eurail Global, BritRail, and Swiss passes offer this choice.
Flexipass: If you like to linger for a few days at various places, a flexipass is the better choice. Most passes are this type. You have a certain number of travel days to use within a longer "window" of time (for example, any 10 days within a two-month period). You can sprinkle these travel days throughout your trip or use them all in a row. You can take as many separate trips as you like within each travel day. A travel day runs from midnight to midnight, but luckily, an overnight train or boat ride uses only one travel day. For details, see Using Your Flexipass.
Saverpass: Designed to save money for groups, a Saverpass is a single ticket printed with all the names of two to five travelers. Members of each pair or group must order the same pass together and all must be present to validate the pass in Europe. Part of the group can use the pass while others stay in town or fly home early, but those sharing a pass cannot split and go different directions by train. If you are a group of four, you can give yourselves more flexibility by ordering a separate pass for each pair. On our website, add a pass for one pair to your shopping cart, then use the "Continue Shopping" button to add more passes to the same order. By fax, simply indicate which people will travel together. (It's OK to split payment for one order onto multiple credit cards.) Some passes offer a "Twin" discount that works the same way, but with only two people listed on each pass.
Reservations: Despite the freedom you have to hop on many trains with a railpass, reservations are required on many other fast, long-distance, or overnight trains. For reservation advice and prices, see Train Reservations.
First Class, Second Class, and Youth Passes
Wrestling with the choice between first and second class? Sometimes the choice is made for you...
If you're considering a Eurail Global or Selectpass: If you're 26 or older, you must buy a first-class railpass. Those under 26 have the choice of buying either a second- or a first-class pass. For two traveling together, a first-class Saverpass for two costs the same as one first-class adult and one second-class youth. Most families choose to keep youths together with them on a first-class Saverpass.
If you're considering a single-country pass: Most single-country and regional passes are available in second-class versions for travelers of any age.
If you're under 26: Some passes are discounted for youth traveling second class. To be eligible, you must be under 26 (according to your passport) the day you validate the pass in Europe. Generally, kids 4–11 get passes for half the cost of the adult first-class pass (kids under 4 travel free in your seat or bed). Ages vary a bit among different country passes.
If you're 60 or older: Even though some passes (Britrail, France) offer first-class-only senior discounts, you'll still save more by traveling in second class.
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| First class cars generally feature bigger seats filled with business commuters — and railpass travelers over age 26. |
Differences between first and second class: Normally, first class is configured with three plush seats per row (whether in compartment or open-style seating) and second class has four skinnier, basic seats in the same space. Remember that nearly every train has both first- and second-class cars, each going at precisely the same speed!
Choosing first class: If you have the extra money, riding first class is less crowded and more comfortable. First-class railpasses can be a good value, too. While individual first-class tickets cost 50% more than second class, first-class railpasses generally bump your price up only 25% to 40%.
Choosing second class: If you're on a tight budget, second class makes lots of sense. In most of Europe, the new second-class cars are as comfortable as the old first-class ones. And Back Door travelers know that the nuns and soldiers are partying in second class. First class is filled with Eurail and Selectpass travelers age 26+ who had no choice, and business travelers who paid 50% extra in hopes that they wouldn't have to sit with the likes of you and me.
Switching classes: Those with first-class passes may travel in second-class compartments (although the conductor may give you a puzzled look). Those with second-class passes can pay the 50% difference in ticket price to upgrade to first (not possible in Britain).
Rail & Drive Passes
Many passes come in "Rail & Drive" versions, offering a certain number of rail days and rental car days. For details, see Rail & Drive Passes. Note: Rick Steves' Europe does not sell Rail & Drive passes. To order, call your travel agent or Rail Europe at 800/438-7245.
Money-saving
strategies
Both consecutive-day and flexi railpasses offer a varying number of travel days. Once you've planned a route for your trip, you should try to figure out how many "travel days" you'll need to cover everything. Pass prices used as examples are approximate and subect to change.
With some thoughtful juggling, a shorter consecutive-day pass can cover a longer trip. For example, you can take a one-month trip with a 21-day Eurailpass (about $200 cheaper than a one-month pass) by...
- Starting and/or ending your trip in a city where you'd like to stay for several days or more. On, say, a Copenhagen-Rome trip, spend a few days in Copenhagen, validate your pass upon departure, and arrive in Rome as your pass expires.
- Starting and/or ending your trip in a country not covered by your pass. For example, a Eurailpass does not cover Britain. On a trip that begins in London and ends in Amsterdam, start with a couple of days in London, take the Eurostar (not covered by any railpass) to Paris, sightsee in Paris for several days, then validate your consecutive-day pass when you leave Paris for wherever. Plan for your pass to expire in Amsterdam, where you can easily spend a few days making short, cheap day trips that don't merit the use of a railpass.
Depending on your itinerary, it can make sense to get a longer consecutive-day pass to cover a shorter trip. One long train ride (for example, $225 first class from Florence to Paris) at the end of a 25-day trip can justify jumping from a 21-day consecutive-day railpass to a one-month pass. Similarly, if you plan to travel for five to seven weeks, consider buying a two-month Eurailpass for about $400 more than a one-month Eurailpass. Priced at just $24 per day, you can afford to drop a few days at the end.
Stretch a flexipass by paying out of pocket for shorter trips. Use your flexipass only for those "travel days" that involve long hauls or several trips. To determine if a trip is a good use of a travel day, divide the cost of your pass by the number of travel days. For example, a 15-day, five-country Select Saverpass for about $900 costs about $60 per travel day. If a particular trip costs significantly less than $60, pay out of pocket (and you'll have saved a flexi travel day for later in your trip).
Flexipasses are cheaper because they cover fewer days. Let's say you're planning a 21-day trip and choosing between a 21-consecutive-day Eurailpass and a cheaper 10-days-in-2-months Eurail Flexipass. For about $75 more, the consecutive-day pass gives you the option to travel for 11 extra days without wondering if a particular trip justifies the use of a travel day. Of course, if you're sure you won't need any extra days, go with the cheaper flexipass.
More travel days on a pass = cheaper cost per day. Compared to shorter passes, longer railpasses are cheaper per travel day. For example, for a 15 consecutive-day Eurailpass at about $750, you're paying $50 a day. With a three-month Eurailpass for about $2100, you're paying only $23 a day. Most one-hour train rides cost more than that!
One pass is usually better than two. To cover a multiple-country trip, it's usually cheaper to buy one Selectpass or Eurailpass with lots of travel days than to buy several single-country passes with a few high-cost travel days per pass. If you decide to travel over a border (e.g., France to Germany) using separate France and Germany railpasses, then you will use up a day of each pass.
Match
a pass to your destination and style
| If you plan to... | Consider... | |||
| Tour most of Europe | Eurail Global Pass | |||
| Tour three, four, or five neighboring countries | Select Pass | |||
| Focus on two neighboring countries | France & Benelux, France & Germany, France & Italy, France & Spain, France & Switzerland, Germany & Austria, Germany & Benelux, Germany & Czech Republic, Germany & Denmark, Germany & Poland, Germany & Switzerland, Greece & Italy, Italy & Spain, Austria & Czech Republic, Austria & Hungary, Sweden & Denmark, Sweden & Norway, Sweden & Finland | |||
| Tour one country or region | Country and Regional Passes:
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| Tour Britain and Europe | BritRail passes plus Eurail Pass or Select Pass. See Eurostar for crossing the Channel. Note: Britain is not covered by any other pass. |
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| Take a few long international trips | Eurail Global Flexipass, Select Pass, Point-to-Point Tickets, or Flights | |||
| Take short trips | Point-to-Point Tickets | |||
| Mix train with a few days of car | Rail & Drive pass | |||
| Drive almost exclusively | Rent or Lease a Car |
Buying your pass
Where: Most railpasses must be purchased in the U.S. and are not available in Europe. There are some exceptions: Eurailpasses are sold at some of Europe's major railway stations for 10% more than the U.S. price. Some local passes (explained in each country's section of this guide) are available only in Europe.
When: Most passes can be purchased anywhere from six months in advance (if you're sure of your plans) to one week ahead (allow five business days for delivery from Rick Steves' Europe). Pass prices may fluctuate during the year based on the dollar-euro exchange rate (and other variables) and are subject to change without notice. Rates can vary between sales agents, too. The $U.S. price you pay will be locked in at the time of payment or ticketing, much like an airline ticket, and this rate remains in computer records of your purchase. Your printed pass, however, may show the price in euros only. After you buy a pass, you have six months to validate it in Europe. Since railpass prices usually go up every January regardless of exchange rates, those traveling in the first half of 2009 will probably save 5% or so by buying in December 2008.
Who: Most railpasses sold in the U.S. cannot be used by residents of Europe. You are not a resident of Europe if you live on an American military base or have only a temporary student visa for Europe. You must provide proof of at least 6 months residence outside Europe (and outside the Russian Federation or Turkey) when validating most railpasses. A passport or green card is the usual proof. These passes require only proof of residence outside the countries covered by the pass: Balkan, BritRail, European East, and Swiss.
Bonuses with Railpasses
The following European boat, bus, and other non-rail rides are either covered or discounted with any pass that covers the appropriate country. Covered bonuses start use of a travel day of a flexipass (same as any train would); discounted bonuses generally do not use a flexipass day, but travel must be within the validity period of any pass. The map that accompanies each pass explains these bonuses (plus many more) and their restrictions in detail.
Covered Bonuses:
- International ferry crossings: Ancona or Bari, Italy to/from Patras, Greece; Sweden to/from Germany (passes must cover both countries of travel)
- KD Line boats on Germany's Rhine & Mosel rivers
- Swiss lake boats
Discounted Bonuses:
- International ferry crossings: Stockholm to/from Helsinki 50% off, Ireland to/from France 30% off; Brindisi, Italy to/from Patras, Greece 25-50% off; Italy to/from Spain 20% off; DFDS Seaways between Scandinavia, Netherlands, & Britain 25% off (passes only need to cover one end of the ferry trip for a discount, but not valid with BritRail passes)
- Swiss Jungfrau private railway 25% off
- German Romantic Road Bus 20% off
- Eurostar Chunnel train - special fare - does not use a flexipass travel day
- Spain's international hotel trains - special sleeper rate - uses a pass travel day
- And many more
You may prefer a cheap flight over a long international boat crossing. See Flying Within Europe to check what's available.
If
something goes wrong...
Insurance: Unless you have railpass insurance, lost or stolen passes are not refundable. If you decide to get pass insurance (a.k.a. Rail Protection Plan), it must be purchased at the same time you buy your pass. This insurance does not replace your pass while in Europe, but allows you to make a claim at home to recover some costs. As railpasses get more expensive, you may want this security. Personally, I keep my pass in my moneybelt and take my chances.
Railpass insurance prices are:
- $12 for each single-person BritRail, France, Germany, Swiss, European East, or Balkan pass
- $14 for each single-person Eurailpass (most passes)
- $17 for each multi-person Saver, Twin, or Party pass (for groups of 2 or more traveling on one document)
If you have insurance and your pass is lost or stolen in Europe, paperwork will include filing a police report within 24 hours of loss, buying a new railpass or rail tickets in Europe to continue your trip, and saving these and other documents to file a claim within 30 days of returning home. Insurance will reimburse you for the unused portion of the pass that was lost or stolen, or the new rail tickets you buy, whichever is less.
If you do not complete your trip, validated or partly used passes are not refundable. Trip interruption/cancellation insurance (purchased separately from a travel agent for approximately 5% of the amount to be covered) may cover financial losses if you must cancel your trip because you or a family member becomes ill. Ask a travel agent for details.
Exchanges: Most unvalidated passes can be exchanged for equal or greater value passes for a small fee. There is a penalty (15% or more) for downgrading from a longer pass to a shorter, cheaper pass.
Refunds: Most unvalidated passes are refundable (minus a penalty of 15% or more) if returned to the place of purchase within six months for BritRail or within one year for most other passes. Railpass insurance, shipping fees, and some special offers are not refundable. Most refunds take two weeks for bank processing.