The Interrail program was launched in 1972. Thought for young Europeans under 21 years of age, it consists in a unique railway ticket that allows unlimited travel through the European Union countries participating in the scheme. It has then become available to everyone, youths and adults.
What is the Interrail Pass?
The Interrail Pass is a rail pass available to European residents. Residents of countries outside Europe may purchase the Eurail Pass instead. Types of Interrail Pass include the Interrail Global Pass, the Interrail One Country Pass, and the Interrail Premium Pass.
What is Interrailing?
What is interrailing? Technically, when we say interrailing we’re talking about the Interrail Pass: an all-you-can-ride ticket which lets you travel around Europe for a single, fixed price. You’re not tied down to just one city for the whole of your holiday. So if you fancy a few days in Rome and a weekend in Istanbul, it’s up for grabs.
What are the validity options of the Interrail Global Pass?
The Interrail Global Pass has the following validity options: The One Country Pass allows unlimited travel on the rail network of one country, with unlimited journeys on each travel day.
Where can I find information about Interrail?
Interrail.eu, The official Interrail website for all Europeans in English, Dutch, Spanish, German, Italian and French. Interrail Planner, website application for planning Interrail routes and booking accommodation. Seat61, extensive guides to Interrail and European train travel in general. Interrail Pass, Interrail Advice and Interrail Routes.
How many countries does Interrail cover?
Interrail is an all-in-one Pass that lets you explore 33 countries by train. Hop on and off as many trains as you like simply by showing your Interrail Pass on your phone – it's the most flexible way to explore Europe.
Is Interrail free?
Applications are now open for the EU's free Interrail ticket scheme. 60,000 passes are available for young people aged 18-20 years old, with each allowing free train travel across Europe for up to a month.
Can UK citizens still use Interrail?
U.K. citizens are still able to purchase passes but they won't be allowed to use them on U.K. trains outside of Eurostar journeys. Current pass holders are able to travel freely on U.K. trains until the 2020 cutoff date.
What's the difference between Eurail and Interrail?
Eurail and InterRail are both rail passes, and while they are similar there is one critical difference - who can buy them. Eurail Passes are only for non-European citizens or residents. InterRail Passes are only for European citizens or residents.
How many people apply for free Interrail passes?
In 2018-2019, 350,000 candidates applied for a total of 70,000 travel passes available: 66 per cent of candidates travelled for the first time by train out of their country of residence.
Can UK citizens use Interrail 2022?
Interrail Passes can only be used by European citizens and permanent residents of Europe.
Can you sleep on Interrail trains?
Night trains It's also a unique experience to travel across Europe by night train. If you book a bed (sleeper or couchette), a sheet, blanket and pillow are usually provided. Please note: If you cross a border on a night train, you will probably be asked to hand your Interrail Pass and passport to the train conductor.
Is Interrail cheaper than Eurail?
There is no need to be confused, as both are mainly the same thing! If you are from Europe (citizen or you have residency there), you should apply for an Interrail pass. Your pass will also be cheaper because, as a citizen, you pay taxes in Europe. If you are not from Europe, you should buy a Eurail pass.
Does Interrail have an age limit?
Great news, the maximum Interrail Youth age has just been increased from 25 to 27 years old as from 2017. Therefore, if you are aged 12 - 27 inclusive you can benefit from Youth prices on that all-important Interrail trip around Europe you've been planning!
Is Interrailing only for EU citizens?
An Interrail Pass can be used by European citizens. Non-European citizens can use a Eurail Pass instead, available from Eurail.com for the same price as an Interrail Pass. If you're not a European citizen, but a resident of Europe, you can also use an Interrail Pass.
Does Interrail include busses?
Get extra benefits with your Interrail Pass, including free or discounted travel on European buses and ferries. Free benefits: These benefits require the use of a travel day, so make sure you fill in the date on the travel calendar.
Does Interrail include the tube?
Thank you! Interrail is only valid in trains (the train operating companies listed here). In London, this includes London Overground, Southeastern, Tfl Rail (Crossrail) and Thameslink. It does however not include the tube, tram or bus lines.
How much does it cost to go Interrailing for a month?
The Interrail Global Pass for a one-month journey, where you can travel every day, costs from 515 euros. An overview of all Interrail prices can be found here. Buy Interrail ticket!
Is Interrail cheaper than Eurail?
There is no need to be confused, as both are mainly the same thing! If you are from Europe (citizen or you have residency there), you should apply for an Interrail pass. Your pass will also be cheaper because, as a citizen, you pay taxes in Europe. If you are not from Europe, you should buy a Eurail pass.
Do you need a visa for Interrailing?
You don't need a visa if you visit as a tourist and stay for up to 90 days within a 180-day period, and the same counts for Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein. This rule only applies to short trips as a tourist.
Who can use Interrail?
Interrail Passes are available for all ages. Please familiarise yourself with the below age classifications before purchasing your Pass: Youth: The Interrail Youth Pass is for individuals who are under 28 but over 11 years on the first day of validity.
What is Interrail Pass?
The Interrail Pass is a rail pass available to European residents. Residents of countries outside Europe may purchase the Eurail Pass instead. Types of Interrail Pass include the Interrail Global Pass, the Interrail One Country Pass, and the Interrail Premium Pass. The pass allows unlimited rail travel in ...
What is Interrail One Country Pass?
High-speed trains and night trains often require a paid seat reservation. The Interrail One Country Pass allows unlimited rail travel within one European country.
What countries are eligible for interrail passes?
Interrail passes are available to those who "are citizens or official residents from one of the countries of the European Union or one of the countries listed hereafter" ( Eurail is for citizens or official residents of countries "not in the EU or not listed hereafter"): Albania, Andorra, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, North Macedonia, ...
When did the Eurail Group take over?
2001: The Eurail Group is formed, taking over marketing and management of Interrail and Eurail. 2005: Bosnia-Herzegovina joins the IRC. 2007: On April 1, the Eurail Group takes over all Interrail Pass products; zone system replaced with Interrail Global Pass (30 participating countries) and One Country Pass range.
When did Interrail Senior start?
1979: Interrail Senior, for travellers over 65, was introduced.
What trains are available in Spain?
Second-class reservation fees are charged on most other long-distance trains in Spain, such as Arco, Euromed, Alvia, Alaris, and Altaria. ICE train reservations are available. The SJ high-speed train (in Sweden, to Copenhagen) requires a reservation, and booking two months in advance is recommended.
Is Interrail valid in the country of residence?
Country of residence. Until the end of 2015, Interrail passes were not valid in the traveller's country of residence, although a discount was granted on journeys to or from the border. On 1 January 2016, the pass became valid for two free journeys in the traveller's country of residence: one to and one from the border.
Should you just book individual trains?
So, you’re set on taking the train, but is the InterRail or Eurail pass the right way to go? Some people can get by with booking individual trains, rather than a pass to take them anywhere. It all depends on how flexible you can be.
Flexibility or low cost travel?
Ultimately, the InterRail and Eurail passes offer the most flexibility for tourists and world travellers wanting to tour Europe, so if you want the option to change your plans on the day, this will be the best choice. When it comes to price, this comes down to how organised you are and how rigid your schedule is.
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What is interrailing?
Technically, when we say interrailing, we’re talking about the Interrail Pass: an all-you-can-ride ticket that lets you travel around Europe for a single, fixed price.
How many types of interrail passes are there?
There are two main types of Interrail Pass – the Global Pass and the One Country Pass, and these dictate where you can travel. From there, you can then choose how often you want to travel: A continuous pass lets you travel on as many days as your pass is valid for.
Why is interrailing so popular in Europe?
Of course, the reason interrailing around Europe is so great is because the continent is densely packed with so many diverse cultures and landscapes. You can visit the glistening shores of Croatia, the snow-capped mountains of Austria and the tulip fields of Holland without having to step foot on a pricey plane.
Is interrailing a rite of passage?
Interrailing has become a student rite of passage in recent years. If you haven't stumbled your way around Europe with a rucksack too big to carry while staying in some dodgy hostels, have you really travelled at all?
Which countries are included in Eurostar?
That includes Austria, Croatia, Denmark, Greece, Poland, Switzerland and Turkey, just for starters. You also get one inward and outward train journey in your home country (i.e. to get to and from the airport or Eurostar terminal ).
Is Interrail Pass better than Skittles?
The Interrail Pass comes in more varieties than Skittles, and while that’s great for choice, it means we can’t pin down just one fare.
Is Interrail Pass for European citizens?
Interrail by National Rail. As prices can vary, it’s worth checking a couple of different sites and keeping an eye out for sales. The Interrail Pass is for European citizens/residents. If that’s not you, you’ll need a Eurail Pass instead – it works in the same way but can cost a little more.
What is the alternative to Interrail?
An alternative to the official Interrail.eu website is the MyInterrail site.
How old do you have to be to get an Interrail pass?
If you’re already 18 or are turning 18 soon, then you could be in with the chance of getting a 30 day global Interrail pass completely free.
Is Interrail cheaper than Amazon?
April 10, 2021. As an affiliate I may earn a commission on any qualifying purchases, including those from Amazon, at no extra cost to you. Interrail passes can often be cheaper than buying the individual train tickets, especially if you’re travelling for longer periods of time. The passes are already great value, ...
Does Interrail offer free passes?
Interrail often run competitions or prize draws where they offer free passes as prizes.
Is Interrail a student discount?
Interrail has a youth pass that is up to 23% cheaper than an adult pass, this is available to anyone under 28. This is often touted as a student discount, but there is no requirement to be a student in order to get it.
Do you need an interrail pass for a non-European?
Note: Interrail passes are only available to European citizens, if you’re a non-European citizen, you’ll need a Eurail pass which is very similar.
What is Interrail?
Launched in 1972, the Interrail pass enables European citizens to travel around 31 countries - including the UK - by train and ferry. The older Eurail pass lets non-European citizens to do the same.
Who will suffer most from this decision?
Mark Smith, a travel writer and author of train travel blog the Man in Seat 61, said that inbound visitors to the UK would be most affected.
Overview
Timeline
• 1972: Interrail Pass began, limited to travellers age 21 or younger. It covered 21 countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, East Germany, Finland, France, West Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and Yugoslavia. The price in the United Kingdom was £27.50 for one month's travel.
Eligibility
Interrail passes are available to those who "are citizens or official residents from one of the countries of the European Union or one of the countries listed hereafter": Albania, Andorra, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Gibraltar, Iceland, Kosovo, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Norway, Russian Federation, San Marino, Serbia, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom and Vatican City. (For citizens not in the EU or not listed here,
Age categories
Interrail Passes three age categories and the full fare (adult fare):
• Child Pass: For unaccompanied travelers who are younger than 12 years old. Children aged 4 to 11 years old can travel free with a full-fare adult, with a maximum of two children per Adult Pass.
• Youth Pass: For travelers who are 27 or under
Types
The Interrail Global Pass is valid in the following European countries: Austria, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Great Britain, Hungary, Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Montenegro, the Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, and Turkey. Interrail Global Passes includ…
Reservations
With an Interrail pass, reservations are usually not required for local and regional trains; however, reservations are needed for most high-speed, international, and night trains. Surcharges are required in many countries to guarantee seat reservations and other benefits, such as meals, drinks, free Wi-Fi, and access to first-class lounges. These reservations can usually be avoid…
Literature
• Julian Trometer: Europe by Train: Backpacking for Beginners, Berlin 2020, ISBN 979-8695597981.
• Nicky Gardner: Europe By Rail: The Definitive Guide, Berlin 2022, ISBN 978-3945225035.
• Marco Polo: Interrail Map + Guide 1:21000000, Stuttgart 2019, ISBN 978-3829739542.
DiscoverEU
In 2015, German activists Vincent-Immanuel Herr and Martin Speer approached European Commission vice-president Frans Timmermans with a proposal to provide all EU youth with a free one-month Interrail Global Pass at age 18. Their effort was documented by Politico Europe's Brussels Playbook. According to Herr and Speer, their idea would help to overcome stereotypes in Europe and problems with nationalism in several countries by enabling a whole generation (n…