โก TL;DR
- One country only โ One Country Pass (15-30% cheaper)
- 2+ countries โ Global Pass (covers 33 countries, more flexible)
- Global Pass 4 days/1 month โฌ211; One Country Pass most countries 3 days โฌ130-180
- โ ๏ธ Switzerland has no One Country Pass โ buy the separate Swiss Travel Pass
- If in doubt, go Global โ you won't waste it when plans change
Price Comparison: Global vs One Country Passes
Source: eurail.com (Feb 2026). 2nd class adult prices.
| Pass | 3 days | 4 days | 5 days | 8 days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ๐ Global Pass | N/A | โฌ211 | โฌ249 | โฌ296 (7d) |
| ๐ซ๐ท France | โฌ159 | โฌ186 | โฌ210 | โฌ284 |
| ๐ฉ๐ช Germany | โฌ159 | โฌ186 | โฌ210 | โฌ284 |
| ๐ฎ๐น Italy | โฌ144 | โฌ172 | โฌ196 | โฌ262 |
| ๐ช๐ธ Spain | โฌ159 | โฌ186 | โฌ210 | โฌ284 |
| ๐ฆ๐น Austria | โฌ130 | โฌ155 | โฌ178 | โฌ235 |
| ๐ธ๐ช Scandinavia | โฌ170 | โฌ198 | โฌ226 | โฌ298 |
| ๐ณ๐ฑ Benelux | โฌ120 | โฌ144 | โฌ165 | โฌ218 |
Note: One Country Pass prices vary by country. Above are reference prices; day options differ by country.
Decision Tree: 3 Questions to Pick Your Pass
โ Q1: How many countries?
โ 1 country โ Go to Q2
โ 2+ countries โ ๐ Global Pass โ
โ Q2 (1 country): How many days?
โ 3-5 days โ ๐๏ธ One Country Pass โ (15-30% cheaper)
โ 7+ days โ Go to Q3
โ Q3: Might your plans change?
โ Plans fixed โ ๐๏ธ One Country Pass โ
โ Might visit neighbors โ ๐ Global Pass โ (more flexible)
What Real Travelers Say
From Reddit r/Interrail, r/Europetravel, seat61.com, and travel forums.
๐ seat61.com advice
"If your trip stays in one country, the One Country Pass is cheaper. But the Global Pass price gap is smaller than you'd think โ 4-day Global โฌ211 vs France 4-day โฌ186, just โฌ25 difference for 33-country flexibility."
๐ฌ Common Reddit regret
"Bought Italy One Country Pass, then wanted to visit Geneva and Nice during the trip, had to buy separate tickets. Should've spent โฌ30 more on Global." โ One of the most common regrets on Reddit (r/Interrail, r/Europetravel).
โ ๏ธ Often-missed trap
One Country Pass real cost in France and Spain includes reservation fees (โฌ10-35 each). Five TGV trips add โฌ50-100 extra. Not an issue in Germany and Switzerland where reservations aren't needed.
Country-Specific Recommendations
๐ฉ๐ช Germany
One Country Pass + Deutschlandticket (โฌ58/month for regionals) is excellent. ICE needs no reservations.
๐ฎ๐น Italy
One Country Pass good value โ extensive high-speed network, low reservation fees (โฌ10-13). But if also visiting Switzerland/France, go Global.
๐ซ๐ท France
One Country Pass cheaper, but TGV reservation fees (โฌ10-20) add up fast. For 5+ days, Global may be better (hop into Belgium/Switzerland).
๐ช๐ธ Spain
Highest reservation fees (โฌ10-35). Consider Renfe Spain Pass or direct Avlo budget tickets as alternatives.
๐จ๐ญ Switzerland
No Eurail One Country Pass! Must buy the separate Swiss Travel Pass (4 days from CHF 267). See our Swiss guide.
๐ธ๐ช๐ณ๐ด Scandinavia
Regular tickets are very expensive, One Country Pass great value. But for cross-border trips (StockholmโCopenhagenโOslo), go Global.
Not sure which pass saves more?
Enter your routes, our calculator tells you which pass saves the most.
๐ Calculate Now โ FreeFrequently Asked Questions
Can I use Global Pass and One Country Pass together?
You can but it's usually not needed. If you're mainly in one country but visiting neighbors once or twice, the Global Pass is typically better value. One exception: Switzerland has no One Country Pass โ only the separate Swiss Travel Pass (not part of Eurail).
Which countries have the best One Country Pass value?
Germany (Eurail Germany Pass + Deutschlandticket combo), Italy (extensive high-speed network), and Scandinavia (high regular fares but cheap passes). France and Spain have lower pass value due to high reservation fees.
Which pass for two people traveling together?
Each person buys their own pass. Eurail offers no couple/duo discount (Interrail doesn't either). But children 4-11 travel free with an adult (max 2 per adult).
Can I refund a One Country Pass if plans change?
Unactivated passes can be refunded (minus a fee). Activated passes cannot. This is another Global Pass advantage โ more flexible when plans change, you won't "waste" it on one country.