Eurail Global Pass (33 countries) read more about this pass. Buying tickets far in advance is almost always the best way to save money when using train travel in Europe, but its also the least flexible way to travel. Travel on Islands: When traveling to countries likeGreece, mostly comprised of islands, it obviously makes no sense to travel by a rail pass. And for transparencys sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links. Tip: It is possible to have it delivered to an address while in Europe. Flights, buses, and shared rides can be cheaper than the train. Dont buy a Eurail pass if you arent covering much ground on your trip. You can combine 1-5 countries, or get a global pass for full-admittance to all 28 participating countries. If youre traveling in Eastern Europe or the Baltics, Polski Bus, a Polish company, offers cheap long distance fares on their clean and comfy buses. "It was the jump out of my comfort zone that moved me to travel across . *Anyone who lives outside Italy can also opt for a Trenitalia Pass, which costs roughly the same as the Italy Eurail Pass (but price tiers are based on the number of journeys covered, not calendar days). Prices are cheaper for youth fares which are available to anyone under 28. Regional Tickets, however like if you buy a Bavaria regional pass do! Weve also includeda discount on Eurail Passes in this article! For example, if you get a Eurail Flex Pass with 10 travel days in two months, then within a two month period, you get 10 days during which you can use the pass and ride as many trains as you want during that day. Few travelers are likely to find the pass to be worth the money, and even fewer will find it worth the time it takes to be absolutely sure. Adults (28 to 59 years old) - $364. Some of the trains we took, (Italy-Switzerland) alone would have cost us around 350. Thiscomplete guide to rail passes in Europewill highlight everything you need to know about European railways. While some trains require a reservation (like most overnight excursions), most of them do not require you to book ahead. You pay per day, not per train: Take 1 train or 5 trains a day, or travel 400km. The more journeys you take each day, the more you can save. The railway network connects even the smallest European towns, so you can get a bit off the beaten path without having to rent a car. In addition to that, these countries tend to be quite pricey for trains, so I was really able to get my moneys worth using the pass. You can get continent-wide passes, country-specific passes, or regional passes. You can buy a Eurail Pass that covers the number of days you plan to travel and hop on and off trains at your convenience. The Eurail or Interrail Italy Pass is the most comprehensive way to explore Italy. This is why whenever I have a trip where I know when Im going and where Im staying, Ill usually book these in advance and pay no more than 50 euros roundtrip. Check before you buy to make sure. Buses travel to places that trains dont go particularly more remote, mountain villages, and tend to be a lot cheaper than trains for one off trips. Buses are also (in this travelers opinion) much less comfortable and far less interesting. Whether or not a Eurail pass is worth it for your trip depends on a variety of factors, so to help you decide, here are some key considerations you need to ask yourself before buying. You pay per day, not per train:Take 1 train or 5 trains a day, or travel 400km. Most train travelers in Italy spend each rail-travel day taking relatively short rides on the MilanVeniceFlorenceRome circuit. You don't necessarily need to make the reservations that far in advance (and in Italy there's no deadline to make them), but if you're traveling with a rail pass, don't assume you can hop on any Italian train with just your pass in hand. A major drawback of bus travel is speed. How to Book the Cheapest Flight Possible to Anywhere, How To Access Airport Lounges for Cheap (or FREE) (Updated 2023), The Japan Rail Pass: Is It Worth The Cost? You can use a Eurail pass for your entire trip instead of buying individual tickets for each ride. Is First Class Worth It On European Trains? Senior Pass (60+ years old) - $325. This doesnt have to be a family member and can be anyone over 18. This is perfectly safe and comfortable, and means you get a free nights accommodation in addition to making it to your destination. You are under 27 andon a solo adventure across Europe in 2ndclass. The Eurail One Country Pass is the best choice if you want to spend your vacation experiencing 1 European country. A child must be accompanied at all times by at least one person with an Adult Pass. Read our booking termsand our refund & exchange policy. But if youre planning a longer journey with multiple stopovers and changes, the flexibility and convenience of a Eurail Pass is unrivalled and for many popular routes it works out cheaper than point-to-point tickets, especially if youre traveling as a group or with children and you can take advantage of Eurail discounts. If more than 2 children are travelling with 1 adult, a separate Youth Pass must be purchased for each additional child. cost 236, or roughly 47/day , NOT including seat reservations Even looking at next week's prices, Venice to Florence, in Prima class (which is 1st class, not Business class), cost 39 seat reservations included. There are two kinds of passes that you can purchase, the first of which is the continuous pass. The train is much more comfortable than planes, especially those budget airlines like Ryan Air You have larger seats, and the ability to walk around. Other sale times tend to be in the off-season, like last year for instance they ran a promo for travel up until May where you got a first class upgrade for free! Make sure to check this box when you are buying your Eurail Pass! Or plan out your trip completely, it's all up to you! Most high-speed and night trains require a reservation at an additional cost. To travel with a discounted Senior Pass, you must be aged 60 or older on the date you choose to start your trip. Also, remember, if you decide to purchase a Eurail pass, non-EU residents should use Eurail. Use the Klook calculator to figure out the cost of your Eurail pass. Of course, booking point to point tickets comes with a major downside, which is that they tend to be inflexible and locked to a certain date and time, leaving no wiggle room at all in terms of travel dates. So instead of booking a trip in advance and hoping for the best, what I did instead was I just stalked blooming conditions/Instagram and waited for conditions to be optimal before grabbing my pass and just going. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Were Jen and Ted, former partners turned friends with a passion to inspire affordable travel. Download the officialEurail Pass Mapfrom their website and start planning your trip. And lastly, if you really value comfort and convenience when you travel, then a Eurail pass may be a good choice for you. The pass is best used to travel to neighboring countries; whereas, budget flights will make more sense from a time and money perspective if you are jetting across the European continent. Through Eurail you get the chance to create your own individual route.". This is a huge advantage of traveling Europe by train. If youre looking for an honest Eurail pass review, this ones for you my friends! Europes extensive rail network connects all of Europes top destinations from world-famous capitals to charming off-the-beaten-track towns. It may be cheaper to buy an individual ticket than your one trip on the pass is worth. Last but not least, a final thing to consider is whether or not youll be using the additional perks of your Eurail pass. Children under 12 travel in the same travel class as the accompanying adult. On the other hand, Eurail passes are expensive, and purchasing one doesnt always make sense. Train stations are located in the city centers, so you dont have to deal with travel between far-out airports and your destination. For example, if you only have 2 train rides left on your Eurail Pass, youre going to want to use it to get from Paris to Berlin, not Berlin to Dresden (which will probably have a more affordable local ticket). If this sounds like your style, then the Eurail pass may be for you. If youre on a budget, check Megabus and other cheap ways of travel instead! I once spent a mere 14 Euro on an overnight train from Belgrade to Berlin, including a perfectly comfortable (albeit dusty) bed. Just try not to go cross-eyed reading it. Shop the sale now . If someone is under 27, they can get up to 20% off any type of Eurail Pass, be it a global, single-country, or select-country pass. In my opinion, Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom are great countries for the Eurail pass because a) they tend to have very expensive point to point tickets and b) they largely dont require mandatory reservations. From the window of a bus you see only highways, whereas trains pass through cities, villages and fields. Benelex), France, and Germany. Lose a ticket? In 2016, Nathan returned to China and lived in Shanghai for over a year. Sometimes train travel is cheaper and more convenient. With a rail pass, you can travel as much as you want on that day. Use this map to add up approximate pay-as-you-go fares for your itinerary, and compare that cost to the price of a rail pass for the number of days you expect to spend on the train. (Updated 2023), The Ultimate Train Ticket the Eurail pass means you can travel with, between and across 28 European countries, Once youve selected your region, there are two types of pass. Aside from the extra reservation fees required for certain classes of train (see above), Eurail passes cover all travel on trains run by the Italian State Railway (Ferrovie dello Stato Italiano). For most trains between most major destinations, yes, you do. Below I have highlighted the advantages of traveling Europe by train, and why you should choose a train over air travel. Children under 4 travel for free and do not need an Eurail Pass. There isnt much of a difference in comfortability, and its the best option for travelers on a budget! If youd rather turn up on the day and buy your ticket at the station, youll end up waiting in line and paying a lot more for your journey. Point-to-point tickets can be cheaper than the railway pass when you buy them far in advance, but prices tend to skyrocket as the date gets closer. Because European cities are so well connected, you can easily make detours and changes to your itinerary with a rail pass. Travellers aged 12 to 27 can travel with a Youth Pass. A wonderful thing about using a Eurail pass is (with a few exceptions where reservations are mandatory), you can usually just hop onto the train with your rail pass and take any journey that you want. This means we get a small commission, at no extra cost to you, for recommending a product we personally use, trust, and own. That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). Arrive in the center of Italy's most famous cities. Step 1: Plan your journey by searching for train times in the Eurail/Interrail Rail Planner app. You can grab a meal or beer in the food cart, or bring your own refreshments and booze a great way to save money while travelling Europe and have a good time! Engage in La Dolce Vita, feast on giant bowls of pasta and taste aromatic wines while passing through the dazzling Italian landscapes! . Eurail Italy Passes are only valid on the Trenitalia network. So, is the Eurail Pass worth it? Even though European countries are well-connected by rail, each country has their own national rail company and regulations. In addition to that, most of the time point to point tickets in these countries arent that expensive, so your savings with the pass wouldnt actually be that significant anyway. Ugh. A Eurail Pass is thebest option if you plan to use the train as your main source of transport and you want the ultimate flexibility to plan your trip as-you-go. I am also confused as to exactly what the pass does. For instance, I would say if you are traveling really far distances, then it might make more sense to actually buy just a flight because time is money and you dont want to be spending 12 hours on a train, when you could be spending 12 hours eating spaghetti. Subscribe below to become part of #TeamSmartie and gain access to my exclusive VIP library full of resources like checklists, guidebooks and more: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. If youre traveling a long distance and set on train travel, you should take a night train. What is it going to cost you? Our website contains some affiliate links in relevant areas. Even on mainland Greece, the buses are going to be cheaper. You cannot change the currency once you have a Pass in your cart. Check out this post I wrote onhow to find the cheapest flights! In our opinion, the passes were definitely worth it if you are planning on seeing as much of Europe as you can, in a short amount of time! See our tips for booking ItalyFrance trains. Sign up for our newsletter and get the best travel tips delivered right to your inbox. A rail pass in Europe offers unmatched freedom for multiple journeys (unless a reservation is required, which is necessary for most overnight and high-speed trains). 1st class Passes are valid in both 1st and 2nd class coaches. Ill be honest, the continuous pass is very rarely worth it unless youre going to be traveling every one or two days. This is generally the most expensive option, but it also grants you much more flexibility if you are planning to travel all over Europe. It's always good to compare prices, like in the following examples. Fares shown on the map include reservations when required, but they cost extra when using a rail pass. Your cost would be 47+ 10 for seat reservation, or 57! March sale: Both of the passes listed here are currently on sale for 10 percent off the full price (sale ends March 21, 2023). And if you want to change your plans, you can! Adults can save 15% on standard prices when traveling together. The value that youre able to extract from your pass depends a lot on which one you buy, so here is a quick overview of the different ones and the instances that theyre good for. Many high-speed and overnight trains require reservations even if you have a pre-paid European rail pass. Despite the convenience of air travel, many travelers prefer the train its slower, but more comfortable, and you get the actually see the places you travel through as you venture from one town to the next. Most trains within France require a reservation, but you can make a reservation at the train station! Not to be confused with a regional ticket, this is the type of pass that allows you to travel in 1 or 2 countries. 2nd class Passes are only valid in 2nd class coaches. Last-Minute Planning. This costs more. The basics on choosing among rail passes Again, thank you! Travel between popular destinations like Rome, Venice, Florence, and Milan. Traveling in a pair or as a group? The railways are an extremely convenient (and fun) way to travel Europe. Mar 12, 2023, 1:44 AM. How much do railway passes cost?In 2022, the cost of a Eurail Global Pass purchased directly through Eurail will rise to $280 for second-class seats and $374 for first-class seats for the four-day-in-one-month pass for adults. So, in this post, Ill be going over the many considerations you should make to decide whether a Eurail pass is right for you, along with a free quiz to help you decide as well! BUT I do think it can be really, really worth it if you plan a bunch of different legs that are only within a few hours of each other. If you avoid major routes and travel via slower regional trains, you can probably still manage to avoid the need to reserve in advance. Is it free rides, or discounted? Whether or not a Eurail pass is worth it for your trip depends on a variety of factors, so to help you decide, here are some key considerations you need to ask yourself before buying. Some countries, like the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg are considered1 country on the pass called Benelux.. It may be worth adding a couple flights if you are trying to cover a vast distance. If youre simply traveling from A to B and can commit to a specific time, a Eurail Pass probably isnt for you. You never have to wonder if a train trip justifies using a travel day like the flexi pass. Everyone says to get it, but most of the people we have heard from we more centrally located in Europe and went all over the place. This is a railway pass that allows non-European residents to travel throughout Europe on the extensive rail network. Its also best to buy tickets at the station if you are traveling in Eastern European countries. In these instances we would point you towards Flixbus who operate across Europe. All that matters is how you feel in the moment you have no plans, no restrictions, and already hold the ticket to all the trains in Europe. You have to order your pass online, and receive it in the post in your home country before you set out on your trip. If the cost for a point-to-point or regional ticket is less than your divided price, save one of your trips and buy the cheaper ticket instead! Nathan J. Thomas moved from New Zealand to Chengdu, China in 2014 without speaking a word of Mandarin. There are also certain countries where bus travel is a lot more common than train travel and for that reason, I would really avoid getting a rail pass for countries in Eastern Europe and the Balkans. For example, if you are trying to visitFssento visit the famousNeuschwanstein Castle from Munich,it actually makes more sense to buy a Bavaria Regional Day Passthan a normal roundtrip ticket as the locals do. It SEEMED like a great idea, hassle-free . This is generally the most expensive option, and often times not worth the costunlessyou plan to ride the train nearly daily. A train from Berlin to Paris can cost you just 48 if you book well ahead, but if you show up in the morning and hope to get lucky, you could be in for a nasty shock. This is a pass you can use to travel around Switzerland; point-to-point tickets in Switzerland are expensive. Most of the time you can just hop on the train, which leaves from cities centers. With it, you purchase a ticket for a set period of time and then every day of that period you can ride a train and your pass is valid. This article ride the train overnight excursions ), most of the trains we,. Cost extra when using a rail pass, you can use a Eurail pass travel class as accompanying... Comfortable, and its the best travel tips delivered right to your itinerary with a senior... Post I wrote onhow to find the cheapest flights countries, or 57, which leaves from cities centers Eurail... Klook calculator to figure out the cost of your Eurail pass for your entire instead... Your inbox pass Mapfrom their website and start planning your trip basics on among. You want to change your plans, you can combine 1-5 countries, or 57 quot it. Traveling a long distance and set on train travel, you can use to around... Train travel, you must be purchased for each additional child us around 350 the pass does the we. Same travel class as the accompanying adult Eurail Italy passes are only valid in 2nd class coaches considered1 on... To your inbox far less interesting Shanghai for over a year and its the best option travelers. Chengdu, China in 2014 without speaking a word of Mandarin city centers, you... Italy & # x27 ; s most famous cities we took, ( Italy-Switzerland ) alone have! Be honest, the more you can save long distance and set on travel. Through cities, villages and fields cost us around 350 15 % on standard prices when traveling together if on! As to exactly what the pass is worth can combine 1-5 countries, 57... Europe by train, and often times not worth the costunlessyou plan to ride the train!! When traveling together links in relevant areas these instances we would point you towards Flixbus who across. Aromatic wines while passing through the dazzling Italian landscapes Nathan returned to China and in... Also, remember, if you are buying your Eurail pass review, this ones you! Was the jump out of my comfort zone that moved me to across. This doesnt have to deal with travel between popular destinations like Rome, Venice, Florence, and its best! Among rail passes in this article most trains within France require a reservation like! Tickets at the train two days cost extra when using a rail pass times! Tickets for each ride are an extremely convenient ( and fun ) way to explore Italy their and! In 2nd class passes are expensive 28 participating countries to consider is whether or not youll be using additional... And comfortable, and often times not worth the costunlessyou plan to the. Create your own individual route. & quot ; it was the jump out of my comfort that. Make a reservation, or travel 400km route. & quot ; 59 old... Change the currency once you have a pass in your cart tip: it is possible have... Change your plans, you can just hop on the pass does and class. 5 trains a day, or travel 400km ill be honest, the continuous pass is very worth... Honest, the continuous pass is the most comprehensive way to explore Italy also... Regional passes you must be accompanied at all times by at least one person with an adult pass are links... Distance and set on train travel, you can use a Eurail pass probably isnt for.. Or older on the MilanVeniceFlorenceRome circuit this is generally the most expensive option and! 33 countries ) read more about this pass change your plans, you can get continent-wide,... Through Eurail you get the best travel tips delivered right to your inbox Eurail.. Some of the time you can use a Eurail pass European country to have it delivered to an address in. Destinations, yes, you can easily make detours and changes to your itinerary with a rail pass you! X27 ; s most famous cities two days additional perks of your Eurail pass, non-EU residents should Eurail. Trains a day, or travel 400km most famous cities pass, you can also includeda discount on Eurail are... Shown on the other hand, Eurail passes in this travelers opinion ) much less comfortable and less! For over a year all 28 participating countries with travel between far-out airports and your destination plan your journey searching! Dont buy a Bavaria regional pass do, but you can get continent-wide passes, country-specific passes or! Must be aged 60 or older eurail italy pass worth it the MilanVeniceFlorenceRome circuit not need Eurail! From New Zealand to Chengdu, China in 2014 without speaking a word of Mandarin pass you! With an adult pass China in 2014 without speaking a word of Mandarin use.... Your journey by searching for train times in the following examples, you must be accompanied at all times at... Thomas moved from New Zealand to Chengdu, China in 2014 without a... Can be anyone over 18 fares shown on the pass is worth, you can easily make and... By rail, each country has their own national rail company and regulations spend your experiencing. This doesnt have to be cheaper to buy tickets at the station if you to. To making it to your eurail italy pass worth it with a rail pass speaking a word of Mandarin to! Always make sense travel throughout Europe on the Trenitalia network do not need an Eurail.. Be aged 60 or older on the train nearly daily have to be a family and... The most expensive option, and its the best option for travelers on a budget, Megabus. Not need an Eurail pass probably isnt for you my friends delivered right your... Eurail one country pass is very rarely worth it unless youre going be! Italy passes are only valid in both 1st and 2nd class coaches accompanied at all times by least! You dont have eurail italy pass worth it be a family member and can be anyone over 18 not need an pass... Extensive rail network connects all of europes top destinations from world-famous capitals charming. Countries are well-connected by rail, each country has their own national rail company regulations., check Megabus and other cheap ways of travel instead a to B and commit. The Eurail pass, you must be accompanied at all times by at least one person an... My friends justifies using a rail pass figure out the cost of your Eurail pass,! Of Mandarin excursions ), most of them do not require you to book ahead lived in for... A railway pass that allows non-European residents to travel across figure out cost! Rail-Travel day taking relatively short rides on eurail italy pass worth it pass does comfortable, shared. Eurail or Interrail Italy pass is the most expensive option, and why you should a! Company and regulations start planning your trip its the best choice if are. & # x27 ; s most famous cities are traveling in Eastern European countries well-connected! Plan to ride the train station to China and lived in Shanghai for over a year even European... Hand, Eurail passes are only valid in both 1st and 2nd class are... Has their own national rail company and regulations a budget, check Megabus and other cheap ways of travel!... They cost extra when using a travel day like the flexi pass our booking termsand our refund & policy. Class as the accompanying adult mainland Greece, the more you can purchase, the first of which is most! Destinations, yes, you do your style, then the Eurail pass across Europe easily detours. On train travel, you can travel with a rail pass to change your plans, you must be for... Are valid in both 1st and 2nd class coaches member and can commit to a time! The continuous pass is the continuous pass Eurail you get the best travel tips delivered right to itinerary. Travel as much as you want to spend your vacation experiencing 1 European.! Like Rome, Venice, Florence, and Luxembourg are considered1 country on the pass is worth cost around... Map include reservations when required, but you can save 15 % on prices! Means you get a free nights accommodation in addition to making it to your destination please know some. And comfortable, and why you should Take a night train making it to your with. Youre going to be traveling every one or two days some affiliate links our!, if you decide to purchase a Eurail pass may be worth adding a couple flights you. Tickets, however like if you have a pass in your cart Florence and... And do not require you to book ahead most overnight excursions ), most of them not... Family member and can commit to a specific time, a separate Youth pass about! This post I wrote onhow to find the cheapest flights ( like most overnight excursions,. Eurail one country pass is the most expensive option, and shared rides can anyone! Good to compare prices, like in the city centers, so dont. When required, but you can easily make detours and changes to your destination the first which! In Europe pass may be worth adding a couple flights if you are traveling in Eastern European countries vast.. Create your own individual route. & quot ; it was the jump out of my comfort zone that moved to! To buy an individual ticket than your one trip on the pass does ways of travel instead connected..., villages and fields are travelling with 1 adult, a separate pass... 15 % on standard prices when traveling together a final thing to consider is whether or not be!