Having travelled across lengths of India on trains, I have loved train travel from the times I didn’t properly know the meaning of the word travel. Since its invention in 1804, railways have exemplified journeys in the most affluent ways. Synonymous with elegance, comfort, and ease of travel, railway journeys are packed with views that sometimes exceed the destination itself!
Long before flights and other modes of luxury road transport got hyped, train journeys represented luxury travel, allowing people faster, elegant and more efficient travel options. The rail journeys, packed with extravagant facilities on-board, offered travellers the closed-compartment privacy of an airline’s first class.
Summer will be upon us soon, so days will get longer, brighter and magical. Europe prepares for another packed summer holiday, and it’s about time I told you about the Eurail Pass – the single key to unlocking the most effective travel on your European trip.
Europe – An exotic tourist destination
A treasure trove of art, architecture and diverse landscapes blending into vivid cultures and centuries-old traditions, the European holiday is a symphony for the senses. To top it off, the brilliant infrastructure and seamless connectivity make the ease of travelling in Europe a memorable experience.
Efficient infrastructure, an array of sustainable travel alternatives and state-of-the-art technology make travelling in Europe an absolute delight. From sparsely populated Northern Europe to the far-fetched lands in the Adriatic region, the European railways have made it to the most challenging places.
You could be travelling for business, on a sightseeing trip, on a laid-back European holiday, or travelling as part of the EU Erasmus free mobility program; the European Union delivers a satisfying travel experience riding high on its cutting-edge technology. The local transport network in the EU, be it road, rail, air, or water, is widespread, and the options are unlimited.
If you’re on a long-planned holiday in Europe and fancy exploring countries one by one, in-depth, this blog is for you!
Eurail network in European travel
Whether you’re a slow traveller trotting your way through the European member countries or someone who isn’t a fan of air travel and emission impact, denting our environment, a rail journey is the way to go. But it’s just the tip of the iceberg. The European Union is a supranational political and economic union of 27 member states located primarily in Europe. Besides handling millions of tourist arrivals per year, the EU also caters to an estimated total population of over 448 million. That’s where the efficiency of the immense rail network in Europe takes centre stage.
Eurail Global Pass Guide – All you need to know
Find your ideal Eurail Global Pass and pick from one of 33 European countries to tour from top to bottom. Your all-in-one pass allows unlimited train travel covering over 40,000 destinations across 33 European countries.
Depending on your travel plans, you can choose the pass, either in the country of your choice with a Eurail single-country pass or a Eurail global mobile pass covering 33 countries in Europe.
Just hop on most trains in Europe by keeping your pass handy. In some cases, a reservation for a particular train is required before boarding.
The pass allows you the flexibility to use it at your own pace. A ticket to travel on the national rail networks of 33 European countries – 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, the Eurail pass takes you to the remotest corners of popular tourist attractions in Europe, making you feel like a local in no time.
Type of Eurail Global Pass
The two major types of Eurail Global Pass are – Consecutive and Flexible Pass. Both of these passes are available for 1st and 2nd class train journeys. Moreover, Eurail also offers a youth pass for travellers under 28 years of age.
Consecutive Pass is valid on the selected 15 days, 22 days of a month or 1, 2 & 3 months. With this pass, the passengers can choose to travel on consecutive days depending on the number of days the pass covers.
Flexible Pass comes with more relaxed travel options and is valid on 4 days in a month, 5 days in a month, 7 days in a month, 10 days in 2 months and 15 days in 2 months.
In addition to delivering the same range of benefits as the consecutive pass, the Flexible Pass allows greater flexibility with an option to utilise the chosen number of days within one month or two months.
Find your suitable Eurail Global Pass here.
Travelling in the EU comes with a great deal of perks. The best part of the rail journey is that you can travel straight through the centre of cities and villages and end up on a seacoast or high mountains.
Therefore, it’s crucial to mention the scenic train journeys in Europe that exceed the destination itself. Underlining the fact that it’s not just about travelling in a relaxed, comfortable and safe way, but embracing the European way of life itself.
Summer in Europe is the peak travel season. Be informed about the busiest train journeys in Europe. Choosing your most suited route and planning in advance can save you a lot of trouble.
Eurail Pass in a nutshell
Pass types and flexibility
- Eurail Mobile Pass is of two types – Continuous and Flexi. Offering options ranging from 4 days travel within a month to 3 3-month consecutive pass.
- The Eurail pass includes free travel on IC buses across Europe.
Discounts, reservations, and youth passes
- With a Eurail Pass, several other discounts are available on services like bike rentals, selected hostels and sightseeing bus tours.
- For children from 4 to 11 years, the Eurail Pass allows them to travel free when accompanied by an adult, except where a reservation fee is mandatory.
- At most, two children can travel with an adult, which means two travelling adults can take four children with them.
- A separate Youth Pass is applicable for the additional child when an adult is accompanied by more than two children.
- A child accompanying someone with a Senior Pass or a Youth Pass is not eligible to travel for free. They must purchase a Child Pass.
- Always carry valid documents where discounts are applicable.
- Travellers between 12 and 28 years have a special discounted fare by purchasing a youth pass.
Seat reservations and how to use an overnight train pass
- An extra fee is applicable per bed on the pass if the traveller wants to use a couchette or sleeper.
- For those holding a flexible-type pass, an overnight train only uses one day on your pass. It is the day of departure.
- Seat reservation ensures you a place on a particular train. Reservations are necessary for most high-speed trains and night trains.
Here’s all you need to know about seat reservations when travelling with a Eurail Pass.
Difference between Eurail and Interrail Pass
The Eurail Pass is for everyone who is not a citizen or legal resident of a European country. An Interrail Pass is applicable for European citizens, which is the perfect substitute for a Eurail Pass. The Interrail Pass is available for the same price as the Eurail Pass. Find more details available on Eurail.com.
Install the free Eurail trip planner and timetable app available for Android and iPhone, and have Europe at your fingertips. Get the Rail Planner app here!
Come summer, don’t forget to check out the Eurail Pass options when you sit down to finalise your itinerary for the much-awaited trip to Europe.
If you need recommendations for a budget Europe trip or want to hire me as your guide, contact me via contact forms or at my email – whistlinghound@gmail.com
Thank you for your time! Please share your thoughts in the comments below.
Blog image courtesy: Eurail Image Library
