How to Interrail

What is Interrail?

Interrail is a train ticket that allows unlimited travel with the trains of the participating railway companies in 33 European countries.


Who can travel with Interrail?

Interrail is available for citizens of the following countries:
Aland Islands, Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Guernsey, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Isle of Man, Italy, Jersey, Kosovo, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Vatican

Additionally Interrail can also be used by citizens of other countries if they have a current residence in one of the above countries. This residence must be proved by official documents.


Which Interrail passes are available?

Basically there are two different versions of Interrail passes: The Interrail Global passes are valid in all 33 countries and offer a number of travel days within a timeframe between 15 days and three full months.
The Interrail One Country passes are available for single countries and available for a number of travel days within one month.


What is a travel day?

Interrail One Country and Interrail Global Flexi passes offer a certain number of travel days within a timeframe of up to one month. For example the "5 in 1 month" Interrail Global Flexi pass includes five travel days within a period of one month. Within these one month (30 or 31 consecutive days) you can freely choose five days on which you can use all trains of the participating railway companies. You don't have to determine these travel days during the buying process, this can be done during your trip.
A travel day starts at 00:00 and ends at 23:59, during this time you can make unlimited train trips and changes. If you travel with an "Flexi Pass" (example 5 travel-days in one month), you can extend a travel-day by using a night-train.


How to use a night-train? How many travel-days?

If you are on a train (night train) after midnight, you do not need to enter another day of travel in your Interrail ticket. You just stay on the train until you get off. Only the day of departure is therefore a day of travel.
For example: you leave Rome for Venice on 22 August at 11:00 am. You therefore enter 22 August as the day of travel in your Interrail ticket. In the evening you take the night train from Venice to Vienna leaving at 20:00. The night train arrives in Vienna on 23 August at 08:00 am. Although you will arrive in Vienna on 23 August, you do not need to enter another day of travel for this. The 22nd of August, your departure day, is sufficient.
The old 19:00 o'clock regulation for night trains no longer applies.


How long is one month?

Most Interrail passes are valid one full month. The exact number of days depends on the month and can range from 28 to 31 days. For example, if the first day of validity is February 4 (starts at 00:01h), the pass is valid 28 days until March 3 (ends 23:59h). On the other hand, if the first day of validity is July 22, the pass is valid 31 days until August 21.


Is there anything extra to pay for?

While the Interrail pass is your ticket for all trains of the participating railway companies, it does not cover additional costs such as seat reservations or reservations for beds on night trains. These reservations have to be bought separately and are compulsory for travel on certain trains. The fares for these reservations normally range between EUR 1 and EUR 10 in 2nd class but can be more expensive on some high speed trains. However, on most routes you also have alternative connections available which can be used without extra reservations.


Which trains can I use with the Interrail pass?

Interrail is valid in all trains of the state railways of each participating country. Additionally many private railways also accept Interrail or give a discount.


Can I use Interrail in my country of residence?

Interrail is not valid in your country of residence. However, if you have an Interrail Global pass, a trip from your home to the border or an airport and back is included. These trips are only available within the validity period of your pass and the use of a travel day is needed if you have a Flexi pass.


How do I use my Interrail pass?

If you are travelling with an Interrail Global Flexi pass or Interrail One Country pass, you have to fill in each travel day (day and month) in the travel calendar on your pass (pen with blue or black ink) before you board the first train on that day. If you are travelling with an Interrail Global Consecutive pass (valid for 15 or 22 days or a full month) you do not have to fill in travel days as you can travel on each day of validity.

Besides entering travel days in the travel calendar on your pass you also have to fill in the travel report, attached to all Interrail Global passes. In the travel report you have to fill in the date, departure time, departure and arrival station. If you are using two trains to get from city A to city C and change trains in city B you have to make entries in the travel report: from city A to city B as well as from city B to city C.

You have to fill in each travel day before you board the first train on that day. The travel report also has to be filled in before you board each train. During a ticket inspection it is normally sufficient to show your Interrail pass only. However, the conductor can also ask for your passport or ID which you have used for buying the Interrail pass (passport or ID number will be printed on the Interrail pass). If your country of residence differs from your nationality also have your documents proving your residence at hand for inspection.


What can I do if I have used all available lines of the travel report?

There are two additional pages available in the Interrail travel tips booklet you get together with your pass. Also, you can download additional travel report pages here.


Can I use multiple passes?

Of course you can combine several Interrail passes if you intend on travelling longer than one month.


Are there additional discounts available?

In many countries you will get additional discounts not only for transportation (ferries and private train companies) but also for accommodation and tourist attractions.


Do I have to use a travel day for travelling with discounted transportation?

If you are using a train or ferry where you get an Interrail discount you do not have to use a travel day, unless you are going to use other trains that are included in Interrail on that day.


Does the Interrail pass include travel on public transport (metro, tramway, bus)?

Interrail does not cover travelling on public transportation, except suburban trains which are operated by train companies which accept Interrail.


Where can I buy Interrail?

The best option to buy your ticket is our online shop. We are official partner of interrail.eu and can offer the whole range of Interrail tickets at the best rates. By purchasing your ticket through our shop you are supporting our work and enable us to provide all information and support you find on rail.cc for free. Thank you!
If you cannot buy your Interrail pass online it is also possible to buy the ticket at (international) ticket counters at stations in most countries.