Consecutive or flexi travel? One country or a whole bunch? Saver passes? Rail ‘n Drive? Overwhelmed with trying to pick the right European rail pass? Possibilities can be daunting… but choosing the perfect pass can save you time and money. A rail pass lets you bypass long ticket lines at the train station. You won’t have to wrestle with an unfamiliar language just to buy a ticket. Best of all, you’ll save cash — providing you choose the right pass.
European rail pass types vary to suit a range of routes and whims. Best known is the original Eurail Global Pass which lets you meander back and forth among 18 countries. Eurail Select Pass — formerly Europass — lets pass holders crisscross three, four or five bordering countries. Multi-country passes are for exploring selected regions and some adjoining countries. There are also a wide range of single-country passes available.
European rail passes are available in two formats. Consecutive passes, valid from two weeks to three months, permit non-stop travel for the duration of the pass (ie: a 15-day pass is valid for 15 consecutive days of travel). Flexi passes are designed for...