For decades, rail travel has been one of the most evocative ways to experience Europe. Before budget airlines reshaped short-haul travel, trains connected cities from London—home to the world's oldest underground system, the Metropolitan Railway—to the Paris Métro and Berlin's U-Bahn. Today, those same platforms still offer a journey through time as much as across geography.
For travellers looking to explore multiple countries without booking individual tickets, Eurail and Interrail passes simplify the process. These passes, sold by the Dutch company Interrail B.V., grant access to most trains across 33 European nations through partnerships with operators such as Spain's Renfe, France's SNCF, and Switzerland's SBB CFF FFS.
Who Can Buy Which Pass?
The key distinction is residency. Interrail passes are for European citizens and legal residents. Eurail passes are for residents of Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Oceania. Both offer similar products, but the branding differs by market.
The eligible countries span the continent: Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Montenegro, the Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and Türkiye.
Choosing the Right Pass
The most flexible option is the Global Pass, which allows travel on a set number of days within one month or a continuous pass valid for up to three months. Prices start at €212 for both Eurail and Interrail versions. For travellers focused on a single country, the One Country Pass offers between three and 15 travel days within a month. A Greek Islands Pass covering four days in the Aegean costs €97 per person.
However, there are gaps. Interrail's One Country Passes do not include Bosnia and Herzegovina or Montenegro. On the Eurail side, no One Country Passes exist for Great Britain, Switzerland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, or Montenegro.
Neither pass covers seat reservations, which are mandatory on high-speed trains, night trains, and popular routes. These fees vary by operator and route. A new Plus Pass (Beta) includes reservation costs on high-speed and popular routes, currently available as part of the Global Pass and on Italian and German rail routes.
Sample Itineraries and Routes
For a two-week trip, Interrail B.V. suggests a 7-day Global Pass itinerary through Switzerland and Italy. Starting in Zürich, travellers take a 50-minute train to Lucerne, then cross into Italy via Milan and Florence. “Switzerland and Italy are two of Europe’s most visited countries,” the company notes. “They attract around 80 million tourists a year, but this isn't all just down to good marketing. These countries are popular for all the right reasons – impressive cuisine, interesting history, beautiful scenery, and easy accessibility.”
A shorter option is the Amsterdam–Brussels high-speed route, which takes about two hours and 43 minutes. The Benelux Pass, starting at €103 for three travel days within a month, unlocks the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg. Travellers can sightsee in Amsterdam, enjoy waffles in Brussels, and have dinner in Luxembourg City.
For those drawn to Scandinavia, the passes also cover Sweden, Norway, and Finland—think Swedish fika, Norwegian fjords, and Finnish saunas.
As Europe's rail network continues to modernise, with investments in high-speed lines and cross-border connections, passes like Eurail and Interrail remain a practical tool for exploring the continent at a deliberate pace. Whether you are a European resident or a visitor from overseas, the choice of pass depends on your itinerary and budget—but the tracks are ready.
