Rail Passes
When planning a train trip through Europe, you have two choices - using a rail pass of some kind or getting point-to-point tickets. There are pros and cons to each option.
Point-to-point tickets (also known as city-to-city tickets) are good for traveling shorter distances, such as between two cities or towns within one country. They can also be a good value if you plan to travel only to a few places.
The drawbacks to buying point-to-point tickets as you travel include waiting in ticket lines at train stations, dealing with language barriers as you purchase tickets along the way, and possibly paying higher prices for tickets on same-day travel. You can avoid these issues by getting your city-to-city tickets through ItaliaRail before you leave home, but if you add spontaneous train trips to your itinerary in the middle of your trip you may end up spending more on tickets than you would have on a rail pass.
Learn more about point-to-point tickets
Rail passes tend to be a better value if your itinerary is primarily covering long distances - especially between multiple countries - or on high-speed trains for which tickets are more expensive. They also give travelers the ability to be more spontaneous by not requiring an exact itinerary beforehand.
The drawbacks of rail passes include potentially paying a higher price per train trip than it would have cost you to buy individual tickets (if you knew your exact itinerary in advance), and the need to buy seat reservations or pay a supplemental fee for high-speed trains. Because of the latter, even with a rail pass you may be required to wait in those long ticket lines anyway.
Which is best for my trip to Italy: A Rail Pass or Point-to-Point Tickets?
For most travelers visiting just 2 or 3 major cities (like Rome, Florence, and Venice) on fixed dates, Point-to-Point tickets are almost always cheaper and simpler than a rail pass. A Rail Pass is generally the better value only if you plan to travel extensively, want maximum flexibility to change your schedule, or are taking a long multi-country trip.
Crucial Rule: Seat Reservations
If you choose a Rail Pass (like Eurail or the Trenitalia Pass), you generally cannot just hop on high-speed trains (Frecciarossa, Frecciargento, Frecciabianca). You must purchase a separate seat reservation (usually €10–€13) for every high-speed trip. Point-to-point tickets automatically include this reservation in the price.
Rail Pass vs. Point-to-Point Tickets: At a Glance
| Feature | Rail Pass (Eurail / Trenitalia Pass) | Point-to-Point Tickets |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Wanderers, flexible schedules, long distances, and multi-country trips. | Planners, fixed itineraries, and short "Grand Tour" trips (e.g., Venice to Florence). |
| Flexibility | High. Travel on any day your pass is valid. Change plans easily (though reservations may need re-booking). | Low. Cheapest fares (Super Economy) are tied to a specific train and time and are non-refundable. |
| Cost | Higher upfront cost + €10–€13 extra per high-speed trip. | Often lower if booked in advance. Includes seat reservation. |
| Booking Experience | Requires two steps: Buying the pass, then booking seat reservations for specific trains. | One step: The ticket you buy covers the fare and the specific seat assignment. |
When should I buy Point-to-Point Tickets?
Point-to-point tickets are ideal for travelers who know their exact destination and travel dates prior to departure. If you are visiting the classic "Big Three" (Rome, Florence, Venice), individual tickets purchased in advance are usually the most economical choice.
Benefits of Point-to-Point Tickets:
- Cost Savings: Advance-purchase fares (Economy and Super Economy) on high-speed Frecciarossa trains can be up to 60% cheaper than base fares.
- Simplicity: Your ticket includes your seat reservation. You do not need to pay extra fees or worry about validating a pass.
- Convenience: Electronic tickets (e-tickets) are sent directly to your phone, eliminating the need to wait in lines or validate paper tickets at the station.
Note: The old advice about "waiting in lines" or "dealing with currency" no longer applies if you book online via ItaliaRail, where you can pay in your home currency and skip the station queues entirely.
When is a Rail Pass worth it?
Rail passes (such as the Eurail Italy Pass) provide excellent value if you want the freedom to wake up and decide where to go that morning. They are also cost-effective if you plan to cover very long distances (e.g., Milan to Sicily) or take multiple train trips in a single day.
Benefits of a Rail Pass:
- Unlimited Flexibility: Perfect for spontaneous travelers who don't want to be locked into a specific schedule weeks in advance.
- Regional Access: Hop on and off almost any Regional train (Regionale) in Italy without needing a reservation or a specific ticket.
- Family Perks: Many rail passes allow children to travel for free or at a significantly discounted rate.
However, remember that on Frecciarossa, Frecciargento, and InterCity trains, you must still pay a supplement for a seat assignment.
Eurail and InterRail are both rail passes, and while they are similar there is one critical difference - who can buy them. Eurail Passes are only for non-European citizens or residents. InterRail Passes are only for European citizens or residents.
Eurail Pass features include:
- Unlimited rail travel in one or more specific countries
- 3, 4, 5, 8 or 10 days within a 1- or 2-month period
- Children ages 11 and under travel for FREE (one child travels free with each paying adult)
- Some trains in France and Italy require advance reservations that are not included on a rail pass
- Youth Pass offers discounts on second class travel for passengers under 26 years of age
- Bonuses such as free or reduced transportation on private railroads, national or international ferry crossings and buses, as well as discounts on hotel, automobile rentals, museums and other attractions
InterRail Pass features include:
- Available in 1st and 2nd class
- Pass prices for Adults & Children ages (4-11) and Youth travelers ages (12-21)
- Your pass is not valid in your country of residence. When traveling on a InterRail Pass you will need to acquire train tickets separately for your own country.
- Most high speed and night trains in Italy will require advance seat reservations, this is an additional cost to your ticket.
- Not valid for Italian residents
You need to determine what countries you plan to travel through and how many days you will spend in each country to determine the best pass for your needs. Fill in your trip information on RailPass.com, and you'll get a pass comparison chart on the results page with more detailed information. We'll help you find the best pass for your trip.
Rail passes act as the equivalent of tickets, saving you the trouble of buying each point-to-point ticket you might need. For many trains, however, you will still need a reservation in addition to your rail pass. This is always true on high-speed trains and overnight trains.
There are many types of rail passes in Italy. Choose one that allows a certain number of train travel days within a month in Italy alone, a pass that gives you access to trains in 2-4 neighboring countries, or even a Global Pass that covers all 28 countries in the Eurail system.
Rail passes are available for first or second class travel, and travelers under age 26 are eligible for discounted rail passes. Groups of 2-5 people traveling together can also get a special discounted rail pass. Rail passes come with discounts on other travel-related expenses, such as private trains and ferries.
An arrangement among 28 different national railways in Europe allows Eurail Pass holders to travel through 28 European countries with ease. You have several Eurail Pass options, depending on where and how long you plan to travel:
- Global Pass - As the name implies, a Global Pass covers all 28 Eurail nations.
- One-Country Pass - Again, as the name suggests, a One-Country Pass is limited to travel in one nation.
You can choose a Eurail Pass good for either first class or second class, and there are discounted passes available for travelers age 26 and under or groups of 2-5 people traveling on the same itinerary. Children age 11 and under travel with an adult passenger for free, but will have their own pass.
Not everyone can use a Eurail Pass, however. They are only intended for people who are not residents of Europe, the Russian Federation, or Turkey - residents of those places are eligible for an InterRail Pass instead.
Eurail Pass features include:
- Unlimited rail travel in one or more specific countries
- 3, 4, 5, 8 or 10 days within a 1- or 2-month period
- Children ages 11 and under travel for FREE (one child travels free with each paying adult)
- Some trains in France and Italy require advance reservations that are not included on a rail pass
- Youth Pass offers discounts on second class travel for passengers under 26 years of age
- Bonuses such as free or reduced transportation on private railroads, national or international ferry crossings and buses, as well as discounts on hotel, automobile rentals, museums and other attractions
Learn more about how to decide between a rail pass or point-to-point tickets
The "passholder fare" is not a train ticket - it's just the seat reservation fee for people who already have a rail pass of some kind. A person with a rail pass is, then, a rail passholder.
If you have a rail pass, all you need is a reservation - the rail pass is your ticket. If you do not have a rail pass, you must buy a ticket and (for some trains) a reservation as well.
A consecutive-day pass provides unlimited rail travel for the duration of the pass, once it has been validated. For example, if you buy a one-month pass you can travel on as many trains as you like on any day during that month.
A flexipass gives the pass-holder a two-month period during which to use the number of days specified by pass. For example, if you buy a two-month flexipass with 10 days of travel, you can use each of those ten days at any point during the 60-day validity period.
Validation of Rail Passes
Your rail pass will be validated twice. The pass will arrive with the first validation, printed automatically at our office in the top right corner of the pass. This indicates the start date of the pass, which you must begin to use within 6 months of that date.
You must get the second validation in-country on the first travel day when you're using the pass. This is also called "activating" a pass. Bring the pass to the train station's ticket office for an official validation. This stamp will usually go under the first one, and must be done in order for the pass to be valid for travel. Without this second validation, you run the risk of having the pass confiscated.
Leave plenty of time before your first train journey to take care of this second validation. Lines at ticket offices can be extremely long, and there's no separate area for rail pass validation. In some cases, if all you need is a validation and you don't need a train seat reservation as well, you can visit the customer service window instead of a ticket window.
Once you board the train, the pass will be stamped or punched by a conductor for that day of travel, but this is not the same as the official validation. Conductors cannot validate rail passes. That must be done in the train station before you board.
Using Flexi Passes or Select Passes
After you board the train, you must enter the date - day and month - into the grid at the bottom of the pass. You must use blue or black ink (permanent ink only, nothing erasable), and you must enter the date in the international format with day first and month second. In other words, July 24th is entered as 24/07 on the pass grid. The conductor will check this part of your pass, and if the date is not already written in you risk a penalty.
Anyone accustomed to using the American date format - month first then day - must be careful not to input the date incorrectly in the pass grid.
Note that tampering with the pass in any way, including altering the dates, will result in the pass being confiscated and the pass holder being stuck with fines. He or she may also be denied further use of the rail system.
Using Consecutive Day Passes
Because of the nature of these passes, there is no need to write in each date of travel. The pass becomes valid when you get the official stamp at the train station ticket window before your first train trip, and then on each journey the conductor will simply check the expiration date on the pass.
Boat and ferry travel is often an overlooked benefit of rail passes. Ship travel is a pleasant and scenic enhancement to rail travel. Travel on ferries and shipping lines is either free or at a reduced fare with many passes. Ferry lines make countries that are not physically contiguous count as being adjacent for the Eurail Pass. See specific passes for more details.
Here are some of the shipping lines that can help with travel through Europe:
- DFDS: Denmark - Great Britain
- Color Line A/S: Denmark - Norway
- Silja Line: Finland - Sweden - Estonia
- Irish Ferries: France - Ireland
- Stena Line: Great Britain - The Netherlands
- Blue Star Ferries: Greece - Italy
- Hellenic Mediterranean Lines: Greece - Italy
- Superfast Ferries: Greece - Italy
- Transmeditteranea: Spain, Spain - Morocco
- TT Line: Sweden - Germany
- Scandlines - Sweden to Germany and Denmark - including an overnight train ferry between Sassnitz and Trelleborg
Taking the train through Europe is an excellent way to get around, and having a rail pass makes doing that easy. There are some trips for which point-to-point tickets might be the better option, but for many trips a rail pass is the way to go.
Rail passes are the ideal choice for travelers who don't have a set itinerary and therefore want the ability to flexible with travel plans. They can be money savers for itineraries that cover lots of ground or long distances, especially through multiple countries or on the more expensive high-speed trains. Rail passes save travelers time when no reservations or supplements are required, since you can just hop on board the train with your pass and avoid the long lines at a station's ticket counters.
For some train trips, seat reservations or supplemental fees must be purchased even if you have a rail pass, so it's important to know in advance whether your trip requires either one. Failure to get the correct reservations or supplements can result in a fine.
An arrangement among 28 different national railways in Europe allows Eurail Pass holders to travel through 28 European countries with ease. You have several Eurail Pass options, depending on where and how long you plan to travel:
- Global Pass - As the name implies, a Global Pass covers all 28 Eurail nations.
- One-Country Pass - Again, as the name suggests, a One-Country Pass is limited to travel in one nation.
You can choose a Eurail Pass good for either first class or second class, and there are discounted passes available for travelers age 26 and under or groups of 2-5 people traveling on the same itinerary. Children age 11 and under travel with an adult passenger for free, but will have their own pass.
Not everyone can use a Eurail Pass, however. They are only intended for people who are not residents of Europe, the Russian Federation, or Turkey - residents of those places are eligible for an InterRail Pass instead.
Eurail Pass features include:
- Unlimited rail travel in one or more specific countries
- 3, 4, 5, 8 or 10 days within a 1- or 2-month period
- Children ages 11 and under travel for FREE (one child travels free with each paying adult)
- Some trains in France and Italy require advance reservations that are not included on a rail pass
- Youth Pass offers discounts on second class travel for passengers under 26 years of age
- Bonuses such as free or reduced transportation on private railroads, national or international ferry crossings and buses, as well as discounts on hotel, automobile rentals, museums and other attractions
Learn more about how to decide between a rail pass or point-to-point tickets
When and how do I make a seat reservation on trains in Europe?
Reservations are mandatory for overnight trains, most high-speed services (Eurostar, TGV, TAV, Thalys), and long-distance trains in specific regions like Spain and Scandinavia. You must hold a valid rail pass for the route and can book reservations at the station or directly through the railway carrier.
Mandatory Reservation Requirements
While a rail pass acts as your ticket, many premium European trains require a separate seat reservation. This ensures every passenger has a designated spot. Reservations are strictly required for:
- Sleeping accommodations: Required on all overnight trains.
- High-speed trains: Includes Eurostar, TGV, TAV, and Thalys networks.
- Regional Express Trains: Mandatory for Long Distance and Express trains in Spain, Portugal, Scandinavia, and Eastern Europe.
- High Season Travel: Often required for Long Distance and Express trains during July and August.
Sleeper Car Configurations
Night trains generally offer two types of accommodations: Private Cabins (Sleepers) and Couchettes. Configurations vary by class and country.
| Accommodation Type | 1st Class Layout | 2nd Class Layout | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private Cabins | 1-2 Berths | 2-3 Berths | Higher price point; typical on Hotel trains. |
| Couchettes | 4 Berths (avail. mostly in France) | 6 Berths | Community cabins; generally lower cost. |
Reservation Costs
Reservation fees are additional to your rail pass or ticket cost. Prices fluctuate based on the train type and class of service:
- High-Speed Seats: Approximately $11–14 USD.
- International 1st Class: Can range up to $85 USD.
- Regional Variations: Sleeper prices are often lower in Italy, Scandinavia, and Eastern Europe, but higher on luxury lines between France and Spain.
Strict Penalty Warning
If you board a train requiring reservations without one, you may be fined up to $65 USD per person. Additionally, conductors may confiscate your rail pass, causing you to lose all remaining travel days.
Take advantage of extra pass benefits by contacting the individual company in advance, or show them your pass when you make your booking. Some offers may require an advance reservation, so make sure you check if this applies to that specific offer.
You can see the offers, and their rules, listed on the Benefits page of the Pass Guide you'll receive with your rail pass order.
A travel day is a 24-hour period during which you can travel on trains with your rail pass. It lasts from 12 a.m. (midnight) to 11:59 p.m. on the same calendar day—though, for overnight trains departing after 7 p.m., you need only enter the following day's date on your pass.
Within one travel day, you can take as many trains as you like and still be using only one travel day on the pass.
When you activate your pass, that's when the clock starts on its period of validity. If, for instance, you have a pass valid for five travel days in one month, your month begins when you activate your pass at the first train station.
Please note that you cannot add travel days to a rail pass. If you run out of travel days before the end of your trip, you'll need to either purchase a new pass in Europe (there are select stations at which you can buy certain passes, though they cost more than those purchased beforehand) or buy point-to-point tickets for the remainder of your travels.
A rail pass allows a passholder to travel by train without purchasing a ticket, though you may be required to purchase seat reservations on some trains. Rail passes are valid either for travel throughout a single country or in several countries, and have varying time frames in which they can be used.
First-class seating is more spacious, with fewer seats per compartment, and usually more quiet. There is more room for luggage and it will generally be less crowded as most passengers typically travel in second class. First-class amenities usually include laptop connection plugs, power outlets, complimentary soft drinks, free newspapers, leather seats, and/or meals.
There are benefits on overnight trains as well; first-class passengers are usually allocated a single or double sleeper compartment, while those in second class may be required to occupy couchettes with up to six people per compartment.
NOTE: If you have purchased a First Class Eurail pass you must purchase first-class seat reservations.
You need to determine what countries you plan to travel through and how many days you will spend in each country to determine the best pass for your needs.
Fill in your trip information on RailPass.com, and you'll get a pass comparison chart on the results page with more detailed information. We'll help you find the best pass for your trip.
It's always a good idea to securely carry your passport with you when you travel, but whether you'll need to get it out before boarding a train depends on whether you have a train ticket or a rail pass.
With a rail pass, you'll need your passport to validate the pass before its first use (you must do this at a ticket window before boarding). For any subsequent use of the same pass, you might not need your passport before boarding any other train, although a train conductor might ask you a prove of identity. Do not forget to check if you need to reserve a seat to board a specific train. High-speed trains require seat reservation for boarding/riding a train.
With a train ticket, you won't need to show your passport before getting on the train.
Eurail passes will have promotional offers, typically during the early spring and late fall. Travelers who sign up for our newsletter are notified in advance of upcoming promotions so they can book early when there is greater availability. Otherwise, pricing is standardized for rail passes and all legitimate vendors must sell passes at the official price.
For a complete list of discounts currently on offer, visit our Deals page.
Depending on the mistake that has been made, and if your pass has not yet been activated, we can issue you a new rail pass. You will need to send the incorrect pass back to us via a traceable shipping method and pay a new shipping fee.
Rail pass exchanges must be made via the address listed below. Once your request is received in our office, we will exchange the pass. If there is a rate increase, you will just pay the difference in price plus a $15.00USD exchange fee, and new shipping charges. If the exchange causes a rate decrease, you will be charged a 15% cancellation penalty on the old pass, the cost of the new pass plus a new shipping fee.
All exchange requests where noted above must be sent in a trackable manner to:
ItaliaRail Exchanges
681 Washington St
Suite 17
Norwood, MA 02062
USA
Note: Shipping and handling fees are non-refundable.
A pass is only valid for the person whose name is on it, so you cannot share an individual rail pass.
Many passes allow up to two children (aged 4–11) to travel with each adult in possession of a valid rail pass for no extra charge.
No. You may travel through it only after you purchase a ticket for the origin and destination you are travelling, as your rail pass will not be valid in this country.
A Eurail pass must be activated before it can be used. Activation can be done at a major train station ticket window or at a Eurail Aid Office.
An activated pass will show the first and last day of validity of the pass. Activation must take place within 11 months of the issuing date stamp in the upper right corner of your pass.
Activation on board by the train inspector is allowed only if the passholder is entering the valid country on a train from a country where the pass is not valid. In this case, the passholder must report to the train staff immediately upon boarding the train—do not wait for a conductor to come to you.
Failure to activate your pass will result in a payment of the full-fare ticket and a maximum fine of €200.
There are rail passes for children ages 4-11, which are free of charge with the purchase of an adult rail pass. Each adult pass can have up to two children added for free, though each child will receive his or her own pass.
Children under age four do not need a rail pass, but if you want to be sure of a seat you'll need to reserve one for the child as well as yourself.
Rail passes are shipped via USPS within the United States and internationally using DHL. Please note that we cannot deliver to PO boxes when shipping with DHL.
Delivery time for most standard US orders is 2-3 business days, unless otherwise requested. International orders can take between 3-7 days. A signature is required for delivery of the package. You can place a rush order if you need to. Please email us for assistance, and be sure to include your order number, name, address, and departure date.
Please be sure there is enough time for your order to reach you prior to departure. No orders are shipped on Saturdays, Sundays, or US holidays, so allow an additional 24-to-48 hours for weekend orders. ItaliaRail is not responsible for weather-related delays or situations beyond our control. For questions regarding delivery, include your Order ID number and name in an email to info@italiarail.com.
A rail pass is equivalent to a train ticket. For some trains like Regional Trains, a ticket - or a rail pass - is all you need to ride becsuse Regional Trains do not require seat reservation. For others, you'll also need a reservation for a specific seat. Seat Reservations are not included with rail passes, so if you travel on any trains that require reservations, like all high speed trains in Italy, you'll need to purchase those separately. You will be fined if you are travelling in a high speed train without a seat reservation in conjunctions with your Rail Pass.
Learn more about rail pass options, such as what is included with a rail pass
ItaliaRail can make seat reservations on many but not all trains. You can reserve all seats in Italy in the high speed network. You do not need to reserve seats in regional trains in Italy. For seats on trains outisde of Italy, you will have to wait until you are in Europe and head to the station to make the reservation.
Reservations are required on:
- Sleeping accommodations on all overnight trains
- High-Speed Trains (e.g. Eurostar, TGV, TAV, Thalys)
- Long Distance and Express Trains in Spain, Portugal, Scandinavia and Eastern Europe
- Long Distance and Express Trains during high season (Jul-Aug)
If you already have a rail pass, which means you only need seats reservations and not tickets, be sure to choose the correct "I have a Eurail/Interrail" option from the drop-down menu before you click "Find Tickets."
How to Change a Seat Reservation
Most seat reservations are non-refundable and non-changeable.
It's possible to buy certain rail passes at some train stations in Europe, but you'll pay roughly 15-20% more than if you purchased it online at www.railpass.com before your trip.