Eurail Global Pass: The Ultimate Guide on How to Use It

Purchased a Eurail Global Pass but don’t know how to use it? Or curious how the Eurail Global Pass works before you buy it? Here’s the ultimate guide on the Eurail Global Pass and how to use it—with step-by-step instructions!

Before planning your Europe trip, ensure you are up to date with the newest visa for non-European residents: the ETIAS. Don’t get denied at the border!

What is the Eurail Global Pass?

The Eurail Global Pass is a mobile train pass that lets you travel across 33 European countries by train flexibly over a period of time. It is one of two types of Eurail Passes Eurail offers, which you can learn more about here. You can travel with multiple European railway companies such as Eurostar, Thalys, and more. Travelers can purchase a pass up to 11 months in advance.

The Eurail Global Pass is aimed at non-European residents traveling throughout Europe. European residents traveling across Europe should buy an Interrail Pass.

What Countries does the Eurail Global Pass cover?

The Eurail Global Pass covers 33 countries:

• Austria
• Belgium
• Bulgaria
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Czech Republic
• Croatia
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Great Britain
• France
• Finland
• Hungary
• Germany
• Greece
• Ireland
• Italy
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Latvia
• Macedonia
• Montenegro
• Netherlands
• Norway
• Poland
• Portugal
• Romania
• Serbia
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Turkey

How does the Eurail Global Pass work?

The Eurail Global Pass system is straightforward to use. You purchase your pass, activate it on the Eurail Rail Planner App, then select train tickets for your upcoming trip.

However, while most trains in Europe are free to ride with your Eurail Pass, some train companies for an additional seat reservation fee which is not included in the pass. For example, Eurostar’s Paris to London train requires a reservation fee. Reservations are mandatory for most high-speed and night trains in Europe. You will know if you must pay a reservation fee when planning your train routes on the app.

When using your Eurail Pass, you’ll have a set number of travel days depending on the time length you purchase. A travel day is a 24-hour period when you can train travel with your Eurail Pass and lasts from 12:00 AM (midnight) to 11:59 PM CET on the same calendar day. You can access the train networks where your Eurail Pass is valid on each travel day.

How much does a Eurail Global Pass cost?

The range for a Global Pass is $219 USD to $1358 USD. There is no fixed cost for a Eurail Global Pass, as the price depends on 4 factors: age, trip length, flexibility, and class.

When you purchase the pass, the website will ask you for your age. Then it asks you to select 1st or 2nd class for your pass. Travelers ages 12-27 and 60+ get discounted pass prices, while those 4-11 ride free. Additionally, 2nd class passes are cheaper than 1st class passes.

Once you’ve selected your age and class, you’ll get to select the time length of your pass. There are 10 options to choose from:

1. 4 days within 1 month
2. 5 days within 1 month
3. 7 days within 1 month
4. 10 days within 2 months
5. 15 days within 2 months
6. 15 days continuous
7. 22 days continuous
8. 1 month
9. 2 months
10. 3 months

The longer the pass time length, the more expensive it is. For example, the Youth Global 2nd Class Pass for the 4 days within 1 month is $219 USD, the cheapest option. To figure out what the price is for you, please visit the Eurail Global Pass page.

Where do I purchase a Eurail Global Pass?

You can purchase a Eurail Global Pass from the Eurail website, or you can purchase it from a third-party website. However, I prefer purchasing all my passes and tickets straight from the source. That way, if any problems or corrections arise, it is easy to fix.

How to Use a Eurail Global Pass

Travelers purchase a Eurail Pass online through the Eurail website. While purchasing in person is an option, the online method is preferred and more convenient.

Once you’ve purchased your pass, you must activate it on the Eurail Rail Planner app. When activating, the app will ask you for an activation date, which is the first day of travel you will use your pass on. This date can be changed later on as many times as needed before the inputted date.

After activating your pass, you can start planning your trip!

How to Activate Your Pass

Activate your pass in 4 easy steps:

1. Download the Rail Planner App
2. Add your pass to the app
3. Connect your pass to a trip
4. Activate your pass

Setting Up Your Pass

Once you’ve activated your pass, you’re ready to travel! Here’s how to prepare for your first trip.

First, go to the ‘Journey Planner’ section and plan a journey by inputting your departure and arrival destinations.

Note that some trains will need train reservations, which you can pay for on the app with card.

Then, once you’ve found the desired train times, save it to your trip. You can rename your trip in the corresponding ‘My Trip’ section.

Finally, add the saved trains from ‘My Trip’ to your pass.

How to Travel with Your Pass

Before taking any trip, you must tell the app when you use a travel day. If you do not input that you are using a travel day, your pass will not work. Go to ‘My Pass,’ click on the journey numbers, and select ‘Use travel day.’

Input the travel date, then add a journey from your ‘My Trips.’

You can find all your train tickets in ‘My Pass.’ Show this to the inspector when entering the departure train platform area in the station.

Tips for Using Eurail Global Pass

• Be aware of time zones for travel days: Some European countries do not observe CET, so calculate travel days in CET and not always local time. It’s also a good habit to check time differences when traveling late at night so you don’t arrive an hour or two later than expected or miscalculate hotel check-in times.
• Overnight trains: If you travel on a night train that leaves on one day and arrives the next, without changing trains after midnight, you only spend 1 travel day: the departure day. If you change trains after midnight, you must spend 2 travel days, so be careful when planning your trip.
• Print copies of your tickets: In case you lose your phone or your phone runs out of battery, you’ll be able to get onto your train. No ticket, no boarding!

Start Traveling with Eurail Global Pass

Hopefully, this guide helps you understand how to use your Eurail Global Pass! I always appreciate knowing how something works before I try it, especially if it’s my first time doing something. If you’re wondering if the Eurail Global Pass is worth buying, here are some things to consider when deciding if it’s right for you. Happy Travels and smooth train riding!