โก TL;DR
- Eurail = non-European residents (China, USA, Japan, Australia, etc.)
- Interrail = European residents (including the UK)
- Both cover the same 33 countries and rail networks
- Prices are nearly identical, pass types are exactly the same
- Reservation rules and usage are 100% the same
Key Differences at a Glance
| Feature | Eurail | Interrail |
|---|---|---|
| Eligibility | Non-European residents | European residents (incl. UK) |
| Countries | 33 | 33 |
| Rail network | Identical | Identical |
| Global Pass | โ | โ |
| One Country Pass | โ | โ |
| Home country travel | N/A | Max 2 days |
| Youth discount (12-27) | ~25% | ~25% |
| Senior discount (60+) | 10% | 10% |
| Children (4-11) | Free | Free |
| Reservation-required trains | Same | Same |
| Mobile pass | โ | โ |
| Official website | eurail.com | interrail.eu |
Eligibility: Who Gets What?
The rule is simple: it's based on your country of residence (shown on your passport or ID).
๐ Eurail
- China, Japan, South Korea
- USA, Canada, Mexico
- Australia, New Zealand
- South America, Africa
- Middle East, Southeast Asia
๐ช๐บ Interrail
- All EU country citizens/residents
- UK (still eligible post-Brexit)
- Switzerland, Norway, Iceland
- Turkey, Russia
- Other European countries
2026 Price Comparison (2nd Class, Adult)
Sources: eurail.com, interrail.eu, travelertips.eu (Feb 2026)
| Flexi Pass | Eurail | Interrail |
|---|---|---|
| 4 days / 1 month | โฌ211 | โฌ212 |
| 5 days / 1 month | โฌ249 | โฌ249 |
| 7 days / 1 month | โฌ296 | โฌ286 |
| 10 days / 2 months | โฌ362 | โฌ357 |
| 15 days / 2 months | โฌ434 | โฌ434 |
Continuous: 15 days โฌ357, 22 days โฌ414, 1 month โฌ522, 2 months โฌ620 (Interrail adult prices)
All 33 Countries Covered
Eurail and Interrail cover the exact same countries and rail networks:
Austria, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey
Pass Types Comparison
๐ Global Pass
Unlimited train travel across all 33 countries. Available as Flexi (choose travel days) or Continuous. The most popular option.
๐๏ธ One Country Pass
Unlimited travel within a single country. Lower price, ideal for in-depth exploration of one country.
Reservation Rules (Identical for Both)
Whether you use Eurail or Interrail, reservation rules are exactly the same:
| Country / Train | Reservation? | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| ๐ฉ๐ช Germany (ICE/IC) | Optional | โฌ0โโฌ5 |
| ๐จ๐ญ Switzerland | Not needed | โฌ0 |
| ๐ฆ๐น Austria | Optional | โฌ0โโฌ3 |
| ๐ณ๐ฑ Netherlands | Not needed | โฌ0 |
| ๐ซ๐ท France (TGV) | Required | โฌ10โโฌ20 |
| ๐ฎ๐น Italy (Frecciarossa) | Required | โฌ10โโฌ13 |
| ๐ช๐ธ Spain (AVE) | Required | โฌ10โโฌ35 |
| ๐ Night trains | Required | โฌ20โโฌ50+ |
๐ก Money-saving tip: Focus your itinerary on Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Netherlands, and Belgium โ these countries have no or minimal reservation fees. See full reservation guide โ
Which Should You Buy? Decision Tree
Q1: Do you live in Europe?
โ Yes โ Buy Interrail (at interrail.eu)
โ No โ Buy Eurail (at eurail.com)
Q2: How many countries?
โ 1 country โ Consider One Country Pass (cheaper)
โ 2+ countries โ Global Pass
Q3: How many travel days?
โ Trains every day โ Continuous pass
โ Some days only โ Flexi pass
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๐ Calculate Now โ FreeFrequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between Eurail and Interrail?
Eurail is for non-European residents (Asia, Americas, Oceania, Africa, etc.), while Interrail is for European residents (including the UK). Both cover the same rail networks across 33 countries.
Can I buy both Eurail and Interrail?
No. You can only purchase one based on your residency. Passport/ID verification is required at purchase.
Are Eurail and Interrail the same price?
Nearly identical. Interrail passes may be a few euros cheaper for some options, but the difference is minimal. Both offer the same discount categories (youth, senior).
Can I use an Interrail pass in my country of residence?
Yes, but with limits. The Interrail Global Pass allows up to 2 travel days in your country of residence (one outbound, one inbound journey).
Which pass should UK residents buy?
Interrail. Post-Brexit, UK residents still qualify for Interrail passes.