Beginner's Guide to European Rail Passes 2023
Traveling across Europe by train? This blog post will cover the best national rail passes in Italy, Germany, and Spain. So, if your train trip is coming up in 2023, check out for details on these national rail passes.
By Kamilė
Published: February 14, 2023
National passes are worth considering if you're only visiting one country in Europe.
Interrail provides "multi-country passes." Passengers on this ticket can plan 3, 4, 6, or 8 days of travel around their preferred country.
On the other hand, national rail companies have their own passes that can save you money on the expensive seat-reservation costs (up to €20) that train companies occasionally charge Interrail ticket users.
Unfortunately, there is no whole-country pass equivalent to the Interrail pass in France. However, some big European locations do, so keep reading for more information.
National rail passes | Italy
Dreaming about a glass of wine in the Mediterranean sun?
The "Trenitalia pass" is offered by Italy's national train service to anybody outside Italy. It exclusively includes Trenitalia high-speed, Intercity, and sleeper trains, as opposed to Interrail. Regional trains are not included, although expensive seat reservation costs are waived.
Passengers purchase a fixed number of travels (3, 4, 7, or 10 excursions) during a specified time. Prices begin at €129.
Senior and kid passes are available, and up to two children under 12 can be added for free to an adult pass.
National rail passes | Germany
With a German rail pass, you can go from partying in Berlin to hiking in the Bavarian mountains.
Non-German residents can purchase multiple consecutive or any-day passes that allow unrestricted travel on Deutsche Bahn trains for specified times throughout the month. Seat reservation fees are not required on most German trains.
Prices range from €182 to €470, with 3, 4, 5, 7, 10, and 15-day passes available.
National rail passes | Spain
The Renfe Spain pass is available to non-Spanish residents. Passengers can purchase 4, 6, 8, or 10 individual one-way train rides of any duration in a month. These journeys are valid on all long-distance and medium-distance Renfe trains. The pass price includes all booking costs.
Unlike the Interrail pass, it does not provide unlimited travel during the day; changing trains counts as two rides. If you arrange a day of travel on the interrail pass, you can ride as many trains as you like.
The cost of a Renfe pass ranges from €180 to €210.
What is a Swiss Travel pass?
Tourists visiting Switzerland can purchase a Swiss Travel pass. This allows unrestricted travel on the Swiss train network for a continuous period of 3 days, 4 days, 8 days, or 15 days.
A Swiss Flexi pass provides unrestricted travel over the Swiss rail system for 3, 4, 8, or 15 travel days over a month.
A second-class ticket costs between €232 and €439.
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February 14, 2023