The difference between Eurail and Interrail comes down to where you live.
- Eurail Pass: for people who live outside Europe. Covers 33 countries with no restriction on travel in your home country.
- Interrail Pass: for European residents. Covers the same 33 countries, but limits travel in your home country to one outbound and one inbound journey.
Price, pass types, the Rail Planner app, and reservation rules are the same for both.
Quick comparison
| Feature | Eurail Pass | Interrail Pass |
|---|---|---|
| For | Non-European residents | European residents |
| Countries covered | 33 | 33 |
| Home country travel | No restriction | 1 outbound + 1 inbound journey |
| Youth discount | 27 or younger | 27 or younger |
| Children | Under 4 free (no pass needed); ages 4 to 11 free with Child Pass | Under 4 free (no pass needed); ages 4 to 11 free with Child Pass |
| Pass types | Global, One Country, Plus (Beta) | Global, One Country, Plus (Beta) |
| Price | Same for equivalent pass types | Same for equivalent pass types |
Eurail and Interrail differ mainly by residency
Residency determines your pass
The Eurail Pass is for people who live outside Europe. If you live in the United States, Australia, Japan, or anywhere else outside Europe, that is your pass. If you live in a European country, you use Interrail.
The decision comes down to residency, not citizenship. A European passport holder who lives in Canada buys a Eurail Pass. A Canadian living in Germany buys an Interrail Pass. UK residents use Interrail. The UK is one of the 33 participating countries, and UK residents are eligible for Interrail despite the UK being outside the EU.
If you hold dual citizenship, buy the pass that matches where you actually live. Bring an official residency document alongside your passport or national identity card if your nationality and your country of residence do not match. A driving licence is not accepted.
Countries covered by both passes
Both passes cover 33 countries.
That list includes France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Austria, and the Netherlands, as well as smaller countries such as Luxembourg and Slovenia.
The difference is home-country travel. With Eurail, the pass works the same in all 33 countries. With Interrail, you get one outbound journey and one inbound journey in your home country, each using a travel day. That covers your departure and return legs. You cannot use the Interrail Pass for any other train travel within your home country.
One thing to know about the UK: domestic UK trains are largely not covered by either pass. Eurostar services to and from London are covered, but you need a reservation. For other UK rail journeys, you will need a separate ticket.
Pass types you can choose from
Both Eurail and Interrail offer two main pass types.
The Global Pass covers all 33 countries and comes in flexible formats. You choose a set number of travel days to use within a longer window, such as 7 days within 1 month or 10 days within 2 months. This is the pass for multi-country travel.
The One Country Pass gives you unlimited train travel within a single country for a set number of days. It suits a focused trip where you are staying in one place and moving around regularly within it. For a single visit to Germany, Switzerland, or Italy, it often works out cheaper than a Global Pass.
Both Eurail and Interrail also offer a Plus Pass (Beta), which covers the cost of seat reservations on most trains. It is worth comparing if you plan to take a lot of high-speed trains where reservations are required.
The Eurail Select Pass and Regional Pass are no longer available.
Choosing the right pass starts with eligibility
Eligibility comes first
This is not a choice between two competing products. Your residency determines which pass you can buy. If you live in Europe, it is Interrail. If you live anywhere else, it is Eurail. Once that is settled, the remaining decisions are about pass type and duration.
Global Pass or One Country Pass
Go with a Global Pass if you are visiting more than one country or if your plans are flexible. The flexible day format suits most multi-destination rail trips.
Choose a One Country Pass if you are spending the whole trip in one country and expect to travel regularly within it.
The Plus Pass is worth looking at if high-speed reservation fees would otherwise add up across your itinerary. Compare the Plus Pass price against a standard pass plus the expected reservation fees for the trains you plan to take.
Pass versus point-to-point tickets
A rail pass is not always cheaper.
For a short trip with a fixed itinerary, advance tickets bought separately for each leg are often less expensive.
A pass tends to offer better value when you are travelling on many days across multiple countries, or when your plans are flexible and you want to change trains without rebooking. It also helps when most of your travel will be on slower regional trains that do not require reservations.
To compare the two, price up the advance tickets for your planned routes. Then add the pass price plus the reservation fee for every high-speed or night train you expect to take. Domestic high-speed reservations average around €10, international high-speed around €15, and night trains around €20. These are averages. The exact fee depends on the operator and the route. If the pass total is lower, or if flexibility matters, the pass makes sense. If the point-to-point total is lower and your dates are fixed, book the individual tickets.
Age discounts on both passes
Travellers aged 27 or younger on their first day of travel qualify for the Youth Pass. Travellers aged 60 or older qualify for the Senior Pass. Children aged 4 to 11 travel free, but need a Child Pass added to the order before payment. You cannot add a Child Pass after purchase. Children under 4 travel free without any pass.
Up to two children can travel with one adult.
Using your pass day to day
A pass gets you onto most trains, but high-speed and night services still need reservations.
Seat reservations on busy trains
A rail pass gets you onto most regional and slower trains in Europe without any additional booking. On high-speed trains, night trains, and some busy international routes, you need a separate seat reservation as well.
Reservations are a separate fee per train. Domestic high-speed trains average around €10, international high-speed trains around €15, and night trains around €20. Exact fees vary by operator, route, and the type of accommodation you book on night trains.
Book through the Rail Planner app, the relevant train operator’s website, or at a station. For popular routes and night trains in summer, book as soon as your travel dates are confirmed. Couchettes and sleeper berths fill up faster than seats, sometimes weeks or months before departure.
One thing to check before booking Italian trains: Italo does not accept Interrail or Eurail pass holders. If you plan to travel on Italo services, you need a separate ticket booked directly with Italo. Trenitalia does accept passes.
Eurostar between London and Paris or Brussels is covered by both passes, but a reservation is required.
The Rail Planner app
Both passes use the free Rail Planner app to store your pass, check timetables, and look up which trains require reservations. Some reservations can be made through the app. Others require the train operator’s own website or a station ticket office.
Pass perks and discounts
Both passes include discounts through partner organisations across Europe. Ferry crossings and attraction entry fees are among the most consistently available perks. Accommodation and local transport discounts vary by partner and change over time. Check the benefits portal on the Eurail or Interrail website before you travel.
Which pass is right for you
If you live outside Europe, you need a Eurail Pass. If you live in Europe, you need an Interrail Pass. That is decided before you get to the booking page.
Once you know your pass, the format question has a clear answer. Going to more than one country: Global Pass. Staying in one country: One Country Pass. Planning a lot of high-speed trains: compare the Plus Pass against the standard pass plus reservation fees.
Eurail and Interrail cost the same for equivalent pass types and durations. Price is not what separates them. Only residency eligibility and the home-country rule differ.
Frequently asked questions
Is an Interrail pass cheaper than Eurail?
No. Both passes cost the same for equivalent pass types and durations. You pay the same price whether you buy a Eurail Global Pass or an Interrail Global Pass for the same number of travel days. The only differences between the two passes are eligibility and the home-country travel rule.
Do I need to make seat reservations with a Eurail or Interrail pass?
Most regional and slower trains do not require a reservation. High-speed trains, night trains, and some busy international routes do require a separate seat reservation at an extra cost. Domestic high-speed reservations average around €10, international high-speed around €15, and night trains around €20. Exact fees depend on the operator and route. For night trains and popular summer routes, book as soon as your dates are confirmed, as couchettes and sleeper berths fill up well before departure.
What age qualifies for the youth discount?
Both passes offer a Youth Pass for travellers aged 27 or younger on the first day of travel. Travellers aged 60 or older qualify for the Senior Pass. Children aged 4 to 11 travel free with a Child Pass, which must be added before payment. Children under 4 travel free without any pass.
Can I use my pass for ferries or other transport?
Both passes include discounts with partner organisations. Ferry crossings and attraction entry fees are among the most consistently available perks. Other discounts vary by partner and change over time. Check the benefits portal on the Eurail or Interrail website before you travel.
Can I use my pass to travel within my home country?
It depends on which pass you hold. With a Eurail Pass, the pass works the same in all 33 participating countries, including your home country. With an Interrail Pass, you are limited to one outbound journey and one inbound journey in your home country, each using a travel day. You cannot use the Interrail Pass for any other train travel within your home country.
