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Planning guide

Go from “Where do I start?” to “All aboard!” with our step-by-step Planning guide.

1. Where will you go with Interrail?

The northern lights pictured dancing in the sky

Stories from the rails

Read about our travellers’ experiences on the rails, hidden finds and top curations by our writers in the Interrail Magazine. And start shaping your own story.

A group of friends planning their trip on a train

Ask fellow Interrailers

Curious where others are travelling? Join our Community to browse unforgettable routes and find advice from travellers who’ve been there.

2. Build your route

trip planner tool layout features

 

Visualise your travel plans using our Trip Planner and see where your Interrail Pass can take you:

 

  • Pick your must-visit destinations
  • Map out scenic train routes
  • Find the perfect Pass for your trip
  • Share your plans with your friends
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When travelling to larger cities, consider making them your base for a few days and explore your surroundings like a local. Take day trips by train to destinations that are less-explored but equally fascinating.

Your toolkit to plan the perfect route

  • Timetable: See train schedules across Europe and plan the train journeys you'd like to take.
  • Railway map: Follow different train routes in the Interrail Pass network across 33 European countries. 
  • Trains and Ferries in Europe: Check our comprehensive guide on travelling in Europe to discover trains and ferries included in the Pass.

3. Choose your Interrail Pass

Map of 33 countries included in the Interrail railway network

Global Pass

Travel across 33 countries – from buzzing cities to cosy villages, mountain towns and seaside hideaways. 

A colourful seaside town atop a hill

One Country Pass

Pick one country and really get to know it – explore both the highlights and hidden gems only locals whisper about. 

A train travelling through a picturesque forest landscape

Plus Pass (Beta)

Travel with all the perks of an Interrail Pass, with the cost of seat reservations covered for most trains in Europe.

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Every Interrail Pass has a fixed number of travel days. You can select the number of travel days you need and choose if you want them to be Flexible or Continuous.

4. Reserve your seats

An older couple sitting inside a train

You can hop on most trains in Europe with just your Pass. But some high-speed, international and night trains require purchasing seat reservations in advance at an extra cost in order to board.

 

Check which trains suit your travel plans on our Timetable and see if they need a seat reservation. You can book your seat reservations using our Timetable or through the railway carriers' website.

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Popular routes – such as the Eurostar to/from Paris or London, TGV train from Paris to Barcelona and Eurocity trains from Milan to Zurich – sell out fast, so we suggest booking your seats as soon as your plans take shape.

Want to travel reservation-free?

  • Reservation-free trains: Travel without a reservation by simply checking the “no seat reservation” filter in our Timetable or app Planner.
  • Sold-out seats? If your desired high-speed train is fully booked, check regional alternatives to popular trains to get to your destination. They often offer the best views!

5. Get ready to travel

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.