The Interrail pass lets you travel by train in 33 European countries on a single ticket: you choose a number of travel days within a set period (Flexi pass) or consecutive days (continuous pass), then take the trains you like, reserving your seat when the train requires it.
This guide explains how the Interrail pass works, which pass to choose, what is not included (reservations, city transport), the rules by age and for children, and how to tell whether the pass beats single tickets. Information and prices taken from the official interrail.com site on 14 October 2026; pass conditions rechecked on interrail.eu on 12 November 2026.
The Interrail pass at a glance
- Network 33 countries, trains and some ferries of the participating companies.
- Two formats Flexi (4 to 15 travel days within 1 or 2 months) and continuous (15 days to 3 months in a row).
- Country of residence if you live in a country of the network, the pass covers only one outbound and one inbound journey there.
- Reservations compulsory and paid on most high-speed, international and night trains.
- Ages Youth 12-27, Adult 28-59, Senior 60 and over; children aged 4 to 11 travel free with a Child Pass (maximum 2 per adult).
- Price from €212 for the Global Flexi 4-day pass (Youth fare, 2nd class, as shown on 14 October 2026).
How does the Interrail pass work?
The pass gives access to the trains and some ferries of the network’s companies. There is no fixed itinerary: you can plan everything in advance or decide along the way. For most trains, you just add the journey in the official app (Rail Planner) and show the pass to the conductor. The Rail Planner app is only one tool among others: our selection of travel apps also covers maps, translation and budgeting.
A travel day ends at 11:59 pm local time: during that day, you can take as many trains as you like. The Global pass covers several countries; the One Country pass lets you explore a single country in depth.
Which Interrail pass should you choose?
| Pass | Duration | Price from (Youth, 2nd class) | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Global Flexi 4 days | 4 travel days within 1 month | €212 | Short trip, 2 or 3 countries |
| Global Flexi 5 days | 5 days within 1 month | €239 | One capital per travel day |
| Global Flexi 7 days | 7 days within 1 month | €286 | The most common format, according to Interrail |
| Global Flexi 10 days | 10 days within 2 months | €335 | Long trip with long stages |
| Global Flexi 15 days | 15 days within 2 months | €415 | Grand tour of Europe |
| Global continuous 15 days | 15 consecutive days | €357 | Changing city almost every day |
| Global continuous 22 days / 1 month | 22 days / 1 month in a row | €440 / €522 | Intensive trip |
| Global continuous 2 / 3 months | 2 / 3 months in a row | €620 / €717 | Very long stay |
| One Country pass | Depends on the country | from €63 | Exploring a single country |
Interrail also sells a Global Plus pass, which has the benefits of the Global pass and covers seat reservation fees on most trains: compare its price with the cost of the reservations you plan.
What the pass does not include
- Seat reservations: needed, at an extra charge, on most high-speed trains (the French TGV, for example), international trains and night trains. Popular trains fill up fast: book early.
- City transport: trams, buses and metros need a separate ticket.
- Accommodation, to be booked separately (Interrail mentions discounts with partners).
- Journeys in your country of residence beyond one outbound and one inbound journey.
So if you live in a country of the network, the pass allows one journey there to reach a border or a starting point, and one journey to come home; other journeys in your country of residence are paid separately. Regional and local trains, for their part, can generally be used without a reservation.
Ages, children and classes
| Traveler | Rule (interrail.com) |
|---|---|
| Child under 4 | Free, no pass needed; a free Child Pass lets you reserve a seat for them |
| Child aged 4 to 11 | Free with a Child Pass, accompanied by a pass holder aged at least 18; maximum 2 children per adult |
| Youth 12-27 | Youth Pass (age on the date the trip starts) |
| Adult 28-59 | Adult Pass |
| Senior 60 and over | Senior Pass |
| 1st or 2nd class | A 1st class pass gives access to both classes; a 2nd class pass only to 2nd class |
Children under 12 travel in the same class as the adult accompanying them. Remember to add the Child Passes to your order at the same time as the adult’s pass: Interrail says they cannot be added after payment.
Standard passes are refundable and exchangeable if returned unused; some promotional passes are not. Check the conditions on your payment confirmation.
Is the Interrail pass worth it?
The pass is worth it if you chain several long journeys, if you want flexibility (deciding the day before) or if you travel in countries where single tickets bought late are expensive. It is less so for two or three journeys booked long in advance, when discounted tickets are available. The surest method:
- List your journeys and spot those that require a reservation (high-speed, night, international).
- Add up the price of single tickets on your planned dates.
- Compare with the price of the pass plus the total of the compulsory reservations.
- Factor in the value of flexibility: a pass lets you change your plans without buying a new ticket.
Planning your Interrail trip in 6 steps
- Map out the route and count the days you will take the train: that number determines the right Flexi pass.
- Choose the pass (Global or One Country, Flexi or continuous) according to your age on the start date and the class you want.
- Buy the pass on the official site interrail.com and install the Rail Planner app, which you use to add your journeys and show the pass.
- Identify the trains with compulsory reservations (high-speed, night, international) and book them early, especially in summer.
- Add each journey in the app before boarding and show the pass to the conductor.
- Plan the extras: accommodation, city transport, and the currency of any non-euro countries you cross (see our currency converter).
Train itinerary ideas
A few classic combinations to adapt: Central Europe with Prague, Vienna and Budapest; Northern capitals with Amsterdam, Berlin and Denmark; an Alpine crossing through Switzerland to Italy and Rome; or an Iberian loop between Spain and Portugal. The Scandinavian lines, in Norway and Sweden, also suit the pass. Our section on cheap train travel and our guide to the multi-stop trip give further ideas; to go solo, see traveling solo.
Frequently asked questions
How many countries does the Interrail pass cover?
33 European countries, according to the official interrail.com site.
How much does an Interrail pass cost?
The Global Flexi 4 days within 1 month pass starts at €212 (Youth fare, 2nd class, as shown on 14 October 2026). Prices rise with the number of days, the age band and the class.
Do you need to reserve trains with an Interrail pass?
For most regional trains, no. For most high-speed, international and night trains, yes, at an extra charge.
Can you use the Interrail pass in the country where you live?
Only for one outbound and one inbound journey from and to your home, during your travel days.
Is Interrail only for young people?
No: there are Youth (12-27), Adult (28-59) and Senior (60 and over) passes, and children aged 4 to 11 travel free with a Child Pass.
Is the Interrail pass refundable?
Standard passes are refundable and exchangeable if returned unused; some promotional passes are not (see the payment confirmation).
What is the difference between a Flexi pass and a continuous pass?
Flexi gives a number of travel days to use within a period (1 or 2 months); continuous lets you travel every day for a fixed length of time.
Our sources
- Interrail.com (Eurail B.V.), pages « What is Interrail? » and « Global Pass » (prices, general conditions, age conditions), consulted on 14 October 2026; Global Pass conditions rechecked at interrail.eu on 12 November 2026.
Updated November 2026.