Refunds and exchanges
Policy for Passes and reservations bought on this website
Last update: 25 January 2023, V3
Looking to return or exchange your Pass? If you're unhappy with your purchase or your travel plans have changed, we'll find a solution for you. Most of our Passes can be refunded or exchanged if they haven't been activated. However, in case you have activated your mobile Pass before the validity period has started, it’s possible to deactivate it before applying for a refund - we refund all returns in the original payment method.
Do you have an activated Pass for which the validity period has already started? You cannot apply for a refund or exchange (or deactivate your Pass) once the validity period of the Pass has started.
Got a promo Pass? Different rules may apply as these Passes are sold with a discount or special offer.
Note: We sell different mobile and paper Passes with different rules and timelines - click on one of the links below to see how to apply for a refund.
Refunds & exchanges for mobile Passes
Mobile Pass refunds
I'd like a refund
You must submit a refund request no later than six months from the last possible activation date indicated on the mobile Pass.
For example, if you need to activate your Pass by January 1, then you can request a cancellation up to 6 months later, in this case, up to July 1 of the same year.
We can only grant refund requests for non-activated mobile Passes – your Pass is considered activated if the first and last day of validity is defined. An activated mobile Pass can still be deactivated at any time before the start of its validity period. See our FAQ on how to deactivate a mobile Pass.
How much is the standard refund? You'll get an 85% refund – the amount you get is based on the price of your Pass (we charge a 15% cancellation fee).
How much is the refund with Plus? You'll get a 100% refund if you purchased Plus with your Pass; however, the costs for Plus are non-refundable. Please note that Plus is not always for sale for each Pass type.
How to start a refund request
Log into your account. Go to 'Pass details' and then to 'Refunds and exchanges'.
Select the Pass you wish to request a refund for.
Please provide a reason for your refund request.
Click the button for a refund.
Mobile Pass exchanges
I'd like a different mobile Pass
We're happy to exchange your mobile Pass(es) for a small exchange fee of €15 per Pass if you've not started using it and would like to exchange it for a different one.
How to start a Pass exchange
- Buy a new Interrail Pass on Interrail.eu.
- Log into your account. Go to ‘Pass details’ and then ‘Refunds and exchanges'.
- Select the Pass you wish to request a refund for.
- Please provide a reason for your refund request.
- Click the button for a refund.
If you purchased Plus, together with your Pass, you could exchange your Pass for free. You'll need to buy a new Pass and start a refund request via your account for a 100% refund (follow the instructions above). However, costs for Plus are non-refundable.
Refunds and exchanges for paper Passes
Paper Pass refunds
I'd like a refund
We can only grant refund requests for unused paper Passes - your Pass is considered 'used' on or after the first day of validity. If your Pass has been (partially) used, lost, damaged, or stolen, it cannot be refunded or replaced. Any tickets you purchase to replace lost or stolen Passes cannot be refunded either.
Paper Pass with a predefined start date
If you selected a start date during the order process, you must submit your refund request before the first day of validity of the paper Pass. However, in case you decided not to use your Pass and asked a railway official in Europe to certify your Pass as ‘NOT USED’ before the first day of validity, the refund request can be submitted no later than six months from the last day of validity of the paper Pass.
Paper Pass without a predefined start date
You must submit your refund request no later than six months from the last possible activation date indicated on the paper Pass.
In the above cases, you’ll get an 85% refund – the amount you receive is based on the price of your Pass and excludes any shipping and Pass Protection* costs (we charge a 15% cancellation fee).
Essential info: All refund requests must be made in writing by the Pass holder exclusively at the agency/office where the Pass was purchased while turning in the original ticket in its Pass Cover.
Did your Pass arrive later than expected?
Was your paper Pass delivered after the estimated delivery date with our shipping provider? Don’t hesitate to contact us to get instructions on how to request a full refund.
Want to change something on your Pass?
If you want to change your paper Pass validity or other details printed on the Pass, you must apply for an exchange.
Lost or stolen Pass?
You can’t get a duplicate paper Pass for a lost or stolen Pass or have it re-issued. You can’t get a refund for a lost or stolen paper Pass unless you purchased Pass Protection* before the incident.
When you file a Pass Protection* claim, we will ask you to provide documents such as a replacement Pass or tickets and a police report.
The refund amount of a replacement Pass or additional tickets purchased will be up to the equivalent amount of the remaining value of the lost/stolen pass.
*For sale until 3 October 2022.
How to start a refund request
Log into your account. Go to 'Pass details' and then to 'Refunds and exchanges'.
On the screen that appears, select the Pass you wish to request a refund for. Give a reason why you're requesting a refund and click the button ‘Get return number.’
Send your Pass back to us with the free shipping return label provided together with your Paper Pass.
Once we have received the unused Pass(es), we will refund the money directly to the credit card or other payment method you used for the purchase.
Paper Pass exchanges
I'd like a different paper Pass
We're happy to exchange your unused paper Pass(es) for another type of Pass if your travel plans change - your Pass is considered 'used' on or after the first day of validity. You'll need to pay a small exchange fee of €15 per Pass.
Note: Shipping and Pass Protection* costs are non-refundable.
How to start a Pass exchange
- Buy a new Interrail Pass on Interrail.eu.
- Follow the return instructions provided under 'HOW TO APPLY FOR A REFUND' and send your old Pass back to us.
- Contact our customer service by completing the form and make sure you include the old and new Interrail order numbers.
- Once we receive the unused Interrail Pass(es), we will process a 100% refund minus the €15 exchange fee per Interrail Pass. Your refund is based on the value of your Pass only and excludes costs for Shipping and Pass Protection*.
- *For sale until 3 October 2022.
Promo Passes
Promo Passes
Refund and exchange policy
Different rules apply for promo Passes.
Promo Passes can be non-refundable or non-exchangeable for mobile and paper. Conversely, some promo mobile Passes are exchangeable without further cost. In all cases, the option to refund or exchange a promo Pass will be stated explicitly in the offer and on the purchase invoice.
Please note: We can't apply Promo discounts to regular Passes purchased before the Promo starts. If you purchased your Pass before the Promo started, please check your order confirmation email for the refund/exchange conditions.
Spring Sale Promo:
Our standard refunds and exchanges policy applies.
Refunds for reservation tickets
Most reservations are non-refundable. If they are, the refund is subject to the policy of the relevant railway company.
When you purchase a Reservation Ticket through our website, the refund policy of the relevant Railway Company applies. You can find the applicable refund policies on the Railway Company websites and refund policies on exceptional refunds in our detailed overview of Exchange and refund conditions for reservations. Please be aware that most reservation tickets are non-refundable, and no changes can be made after booking.
You can request a refund via the Reservations Overview in your personal Interrail account. You will find the option to request a refund at the bottom of the overview box for the reservation you have selected. Our system will tell you if your train reservation is refundable. After you accept the refund conditions, you can go ahead and cancel the reservation. Make sure to file your request before departure of the train concerned. A cancelled Reservation Ticket can never be reinstated, and becomes invalid.
If you’ve got an electronic reservation ticket, the refund will be automatic once your cancellation is confirmed (you don’t need to send the ticket to our office in the Netherlands).
Want to return a paper reservation ticket? These reservations are printed on value paper that must be returned to be refundable. We’ll send you the return address once your cancellation is confirmed, and then you need to send the ticket back to our office (within one month of the departure date) for us to start processing the refund. You’re responsible for the cost of shipping, and if your paper ticket gets lost in the post - it’s best to use registered shipping.
We will transfer the refundable amount to your original payment method (for paper reservation tickets, you must return the physical ticket(s) first). The refund amount may vary per train type, and booking fees or shipping costs are never refunded.
Exceptional refund requests due to a train cancellation or a strike, can be addressed through this form.
Change of currency
You cannot change the currency once you have a Pass in your cart. Remove the Pass, and then change the currency on the website header.