Are you planning a trip to Europe this summer? Here’s what you need to know about the Eurail Pass and whether or not it’s worth it for travelers.
The Eurail Pass allows you to travel between 33 European countries by train for one price.
There are various passes available based on different durations and how many days you plan to travel by train within a given timeframe.
For example, you can purchase an unlimited one-month Eurail Pass or a cheaper Eurail Pass that allows you to travel for seven days within one month.
So how can you determine if the Eurail Pass is worth it or not?
Here are some important things to know before you buy the Eurail Pass!
How Much Does It Cost?
There are many different passes available. You can see all the prices on the Eurail website, but here’s a sampling of the costs for the most popular Global Passes:
- Fifteen days within two months: $565
- Seven days within one month: $384
- One month unlimited: $767
- Fifteen days unlimited: $507
These passes allow unlimited train travel within 33 European countries.
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However, if you are only traveling to one country in Europe, you can purchase a One Country Pass that covers intercity train travel within that country.
The unlimited pass typically only makes sense if you’ll be traveling every one or two days. Otherwise, the passes that allow for a certain number of travel days within a given timeframe are a better value.
Youth And Senior Discounts Available
The Eurail Pass offers a discount for youth travelers and senior travelers, which can make the pass a really good deal.
For youths aged 27 and under and seniors aged 60 and older, you’ll get a 25% discount on your Eurail Pass.
This means that a Eurail Pass that allows you to travel seven days within one month would only cost $288 for youths and seniors, as opposed to $384 at the regular adult price.
Extra Fees May Apply
The Eurail Pass allows for unlimited train travel within 33 European countries, but it’s important to note that additional reservation fees may apply.
These fees typically only apply to high-speed trains and night trains and can range from around €10 to €20 (approximately $11 to $22 USD.)
If you plan to take lots of high-speed trains and night trains, you’ll want to factor in these extra fees to determine if it still makes financial sense to buy the Eurail Pass.
Consider Your Itinerary
Another important thing to do before buying a Eurail Pass is to consider your itinerary.
Eurail Passes offer the best value and make the most sense for travelers who plan to visit several different countries that are all close to one another.
If you’re planning to hop all over Europe, a Eurail Pass doesn’t make as much sense because you’ll end up spending a lot more time in transit than if you just flew.
Is The Eurail Pass A Good Value?
The Eurail Pass is not necessarily the most budget-friendly option for traveling around Europe.
However, it can be a good value depending on how you use it (for example, if you can avoid paying additional fees for high-speed trains and night trains.)
It can also be a good value in countries where purchasing individual train tickets is extremely expensive, like Switzerland.
If you qualify for the youth or senior discount, it can definitely be worth it.
Additionally, traveling by train in Europe is more scenic, comfortable, and less stressful than flying. So even if it doesn’t save you much money, the convenience and more enjoyable experience may be worth it to you.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
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