InterRail Pass Types, Price Bands, Restrictions and Further Information
The InterRail pass is a rail pass, available only to those who have been resident in Europe for a minimum of 6 months. The pass allows unlimited travel for a defined period of time. Certain high-speed trains and overnight trains require payment of additional reservation charges or supplements.
InterRail Global Pass
The Global Pass is valid in all participating European countries: Austria, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, Turkey, the United Kingdom. In addition railways run through Monaco and Liechtenstein being operated by the national railways of France and Austria respectively. In addition, InterRail global passes include ferry crossings from Patras and Igoumenitsa (Greece) to Ancona and Bari (Italy) operated by Superfast Ferries and Blue Star Ferries. Fuel surcharges, port taxes, high season supplements as well as cabin accommodation are extra.
The pass it is not valid in the traveller's own country of residence, and not on railways in Albania, Kosovo, Belarus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Russia and Ukraine. There are no railways in Andorra, Cyprus, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Iceland, Malta or San Marino. L'Hospitalet-Près-l'Andorre in France is the closest train station for Andorra. Rimini in Italy is the closest station for San Marino.
InterRail One-Country Pass
The One-Country Pass is available for each of the following countries, except the traveler's country of residence:
Countries with price level 1: France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Norway, Sweden
Countries with price level 2: Austria, Benelux, Finland, Greece Plus, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey
Countries with price level 3: Croatia, Denmark, Greece, Hungary, Poland, Portugal, Romania
Countries with price level 4: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Macedonia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia
There are no separate passes for Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands, instead there is one for the whole Benelux (price level 2). It is also available for residents in Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands, but for them it is only valid in the two countries which are not the country of residence. The "Greece Plus" ticket includes ferry transfer between Greece and Italy. Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro don't take part in the Inter Rail One-Country Pass offer.
The One-Country Pass has replaced the Eurodomino pass.
Use of InterRail passes on high speed, overnight, and privately operated trains
High speed trains
Many high speed trains require reserving and sometimes payment of an extra fee either sold as a supplement or passholder fare. Examples include:
- Eurostar (London to Paris and Brussels) requires payment of a high passholder fare.
- Thalys (Paris to Brussels, Amsterdam and Cologne)
- TGV (Domestic French). In addition TGVs operate through to Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany and Italy where supplements are payable. Also reservations are payable on Corail Téoz services within France.
- Eurostar Italia 1st or 2nd Class. Also reservations and supplements are payable on other services within Italy
- AVE (Spain) Reservation fees and supplements are payable on most other long distance trains in Spain (e.g. Arco, Euromed, Alvia, Alaris, Altaria)
- Further information on supplements on daytime high speed trains can be obtained from the official InterRail site.
Overnight trains
Many overnight trains in Europe require reservations with extra costs for sleeping accommodation such as couchettes or in sleeping cars. Many night trains nowadays have deluxe sleeping cars with private shower and WC in the compartments.
Reductions on privately owned trains
InterRail is normally only valid on the national railway system of the countries concerned. In many countries there are private railway systems some of which offer a reduction to InterRail Pass holders. Normally the reductions are between 25% and 50%. |
