Top 10 Reasons to Travel with a Eurail Pass

There’s no better way to see Europe than by rail.

I’ve been living in Europe for the past ten months teaching English in Madrid, Spain, and I’ve found train travel to be the most exciting way to explore this continent.

Reasons to Travel with a Eurail Pass

Train stations are usually located centrally, making arriving at a destination simpler than flying into an airport, and taking in the scenery along the way always gives me a sense I am seeing more of a country.

By far the most convenient and cost-efficient way to travel by rail in Europe is with a Eurail pass.

The Eurail pass lets you travel on trains run by national train operators in up to 24 European countries.

There are a wide range of European rail passes that can be customized based on how many countries you want to visit and how many travel days.

Soon I will be hitting the road for a trip to hot spots in Portugal, Spain, Italy, France, and more, and will be doing so with a one-month global pass.

Using Trainline, I can gather routes, prices, and travel times from coach operators in 40 countries, so that I can buy the tickets I need to make my trip through Europe more efficient.

Not sure if a Eurail pass is right for you?

Here are my top ten reasons to travel with a Eurail pass.

Save money
Ok, we all know the most important reason to use a Eurail pass is because it helps you save money.

Saving money using a Eurail pass is not a guarantee. With your pass, some trains will still require a reservation fee.

However, if you use your pass to travel on trains without a reservation fee you will most likely spend way less than if you bought all train tickets piecemeal.
Customizability
No matter how many cities, countries, and days you will be traveling, there is a Eurail pass that will fit your trip. Passes are available for one country up to 24 countries and for three days to three months.
Reduced Hassle
With a rail pass, you don’t have to queue up at every ticket office at every train station you visit. For trains that don’t require reservations, you can just hop right on the train when it arrives at the station.
Flexibility
For most trains, you do not need a reservation when you hold a Eurail pass. This means you don’t have to worry about booking ahead of time.

If you are exploring a city and want to spend more time there, just catch the next train.
Customer Service team
Europe can be overwhelming to navigate, especially for first-time visitors, but the Eurail Customer Service team are experts in helping you decide what pass is right for you and how to fit highlights into your itinerary. They respond to emails within 24 hours or Facebook page posts in 8 hours.
Trip Planning services
Eurail knows that planning your trip to Europe is a big part of the fun. Their website has a number of itinerary ideas to get you started and the Eurail map shows the approximate travel times between popular cities to give you an idea of the amount of time you’ll need.
Extra Pass Benefits
One of the best-kept secrets of purchasing a Eurail pass is that it comes with extra benefits that extend beyond train travel.

Benefits include free travel and discounts on ferries, boats, and buses as well as hotel and hostel discounts.
Offline Rail Planner App
Planning an extensive rail journey can be tough and requires a lot of last-minute changes. The Eurail Rail Planner App includes a trip planner, European timetables, and city maps.

The best part? It works offline so you can use it while traveling without the internet.
Rail Pass Guide
Rail travel in Europe is easy, but if it is your first time there are some oddities that can be confusing.

Station stops are not always announced, station stops are often very brief and trains are sometimes split in the middle of the journey.

With the purchase of a Eurail pass, you also receive a Pass Guide that discusses many of these things, so by the time you hop on board your first train you will be an expert.
See more of Europe
Chances are you aren’t going to book a trip to Europe just to see Slovakia. But if you are saving money by using a rail pass and have extra travel days you can take advantage and visit off-the-beaten-path destinations that might not have been on your original itinerary. I’ve discovered a lot of interesting places this way, Slovakia included.

About the Author

Lauren Salisbury is a travel enthusiast who is currently exploring Europe while based in Spain teaching English in Madrid. She also writes for Something In Her Ramblings, a travel blog aimed at female and solo travelers.

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