Thinking of taking the train while you're on the continent? Read this to learn if a railpass is right for your trip.
Eurail Passes
If you plan to tour several countries in Europe, a Eurailpass is the way to go. There are several different types of Eurailpasses available, all of which are good for unlimited rail travel in 17 countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Ireland, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. Eurail passes are not valid on private railroads in Switzerland and Spain, however, several countries also offer other bonuses and discounts to Eurail pass holders.
Eurailpass is the standard pass, which is available for unlimited first class travel for consecutive periods of 15 days, 21 days, 1 month, 2 months or 3 months. There's also a Eurailpass Flexi which allows you fewer travel days within a given period of time for less money. For example, with the Flexipass you can travel any 15 days within a two-month period for less than 70% of the price of the regular two-month Eurailpass. If you're planning on stopping for a few days at each place you visit, this may be a better choice for you. Saver passes are available at a discount for two or more people traveling together.
Travelers under 26 (on the first day of use) have the option of discounted Eurail Youthpasses, which essentially provide the same benefits as the regular Eurailpass, the only difference being that you travel in second class rather than first class. Passes for children 4-11 cost half of the adult Eurail passes and children under 4 travel free. All passes can be purchased online via Frommers.com and Eurail athttps://frommers.raileurope.com/us.
Eurailpass
| Duration | 1st Class |
| 15 Consecutive Days | $588 |
| 21 Consecutive Days | $762 |
| 1 Month | $946 |
| 2 Months | $1338 |
| 3 Months | $1654 |
Children from 4-11 pay half the adult fare; children under 4 are free.
Eurailpass Saver
Two or more adults traveling together can save even more money with Eurail Saverpasses which are good for consecutive rail travel of 15 days, 21 days, 1 month, 2 months and 3 months. These discounted Eurail Saverpasses are pre-validated and require the starting date of your train travel. The following prices are per person, based on two or more people traveling together at all times.
| Duration | 1st Class |
| 15 Consecutive Days | $498 |
| 21 Consecutive Days | $648 |
| 1 Month | $804 |
| 2 Months | $1138 |
| 3 Months | $1408 |
Children 4-11 pay half the adult fare, children under 4 are free.
Eurailpass Youth
This pass is available to travelers who are under 26 on their first date of travel.
| Duration | Second Class |
| 15 Consecutive Days | $414 |
| 21 Consecutive Days | $534 |
| 1 Month | $664 |
| 2 Months | $938 |
| 3 Months | $1160 |
Eurail Flexipass
| Duration | 1st Class |
| 10 Days in 2 Months | $694 |
| 15 Days in 2 Months | $914 |
Children 4-11 pay half the adult fare, children under 4 are free.
Eurail Flexipass Saver
This is another version of the Eurailpass Saver, described above. All prices are per person for two or more people traveling together.
| Duration | First Class |
| 10 Days in 2 Months | $592 |
| 15 Days in 2 Months | $778 |
Children 4-11 pay half the adult fare, children under 4 are free.
Eurail Flexipass Youth
This pass is available to travelers who are under 26 on their first date of travel.
| Duration | 2nd Class |
| Any 10 Days in 2 Months | $473 |
| Any 15 Days in 2 Months | $622 |
Eurail Selectpasses
The Eurail Selectpass is a very flexible "designer" pass which can be tailored to suit your needs, replacing the "Europass" option. With the Eurail Selectpass you are allowed to choose the number of rail travel days you want and the countries in which you'll be traveling, providing they border one another. If you are only traveling in a few countries the Europass may offer considerable savings over the traditional Eurail passes. The main pass covers travel in up to five most frequently visited countries of Europe: France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Switzerland.
Eurail Selectpass
| Duration | |
| Any 5 Days in 2 Months | $356-$438 |
| Any 6 Days in 2 Months | $394-$476 |
| Any 8 Days in 2 Months | $470-$552 |
| Any 10 Days in 2 Months | $542-$624 |
| Any 15 Days in 2 Months | $794 |
Eurail Selectpass Saver
Like the Eurail pass, the Eurail Selectpass has a "Saverpass" version for two or more people traveling together at all times.
| Duration | |
| Any 5 Days in 2 Months | $304-$374 |
| Any 6 Days in 2 Months | $336-$406 |
| Any 8 Days in 2 Months | $400-$470 |
| Any 10 Days in 2 Months | $460-$530 |
| Any 15 Days in 2 Months | $674 |
Eurail Selectpass Youth
| Duration | |
| Any 5 Days in 2 Months | $249-$307 |
| Any 6 Days in 2 Months | $276-$334 |
| Any 8 Days in 2 Months | $329-$387 |
| Any 10 Days in 2 Months | $379-$437 |
| Any 15 Days in 2 Months | $556 |
This pass is available to travelers who are under 26 on their first date of travel.
This article appears courtesy of Independent Traveler. Independent Traveler (www.IndependentTraveler.com) includes a comprehensive travel planning guide featuring worldwide travel bargains (airfare, hotel, car rental, cruise, family vacations) within their Bargain Box (www.BargainBox.com)- as well as travel resources, travel tips, reader's reviews and message boards. The Independent Traveler also publishes Cruise Critic (www.CruiseCritic.com).