❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Use our free calculator — enter your routes and we instantly compare pass cost vs individual tickets. Generally, passes save money on 3+ long-distance trips within their validity period.

Eurail is for non-European residents, Interrail is for European residents. They cover the same routes and trains but have different prices. You must prove residency when purchasing.

It depends on the train. High-speed trains (TGV, Frecciarossa, AVE) require mandatory reservations (€5-35). Regional and most intercity trains don't. Our route pages show which trains need reservations.

For a round trip only, the JR Pass (¥50,000) costs more than two Hikari tickets (¥13,320 × 2 = ¥26,640). But if you add Kyoto-Osaka, Nara day trip, and Tokyo JR lines, the pass quickly pays for itself.

Since 2024, yes — but you need to pay a surcharge (¥4,960 per ride for Tokyo-Kyoto). Most travelers take the Hikari instead, which is free with the JR Pass and only 25 minutes slower.

Buy online at japanrailpass.net or JR official sites before your trip. Activate at any JR ticket office (Midori no Madoguchi) at major stations — Tokyo, Narita Airport, Kansai Airport, etc.

A travel day runs from midnight to midnight. Activate it on your app before boarding your first train that day. Flexi passes let you choose which days to use (e.g., 4 days within 1 month).

33 countries including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Netherlands, Austria, Belgium, and more. Notable exclusions: UK (use BritRail), and some private railways in Switzerland require supplements.

3-4 months for the cheapest advance fares (Prem's, Super Economy). 1-2 weeks ahead still offers decent prices. Day-of tickets are full price. High-speed trains (TGV, Frecciarossa) have the biggest advance discounts.

We use real fare data from official railway operators updated regularly. Prices shown are standard fares — advance booking can save 30-50%. Always check the official operator site for final pricing before purchase.