FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions

Railpass.com offers European rail passes.  We provide an excellent option for travelers looking to explore European countries without having to commit to your tickets in advance.   We believe Rail passes are an excellent value if you want flexibility, if you plan to travel extensively throughout one or several countries, or if you plan to cover long distances during your travels. Passes provide access to most rail routes and allow you hassle-free travel, since you won’t have to wait in lines at the train station to get tickets. However, in some cases, you will still have to make seat reservations or pay supplements, but many routes allow for unlimited pass use without any extra fees.

City-to-city tickets are good for short distance travel, such as travel from one point to another within a country (like between Rome and Florence) or if you only plan to visit only one or two places (like Paris and Amsterdam). The drawbacks to city-to-city tickets are having to wait in ticket lines, dealing with local currencies and languages, and higher prices. Purchasing individual train tickets, however, is an ideal option for those who plan on limited travel and who already know their exact destinations prior to departure. There are a number of options for individual train tickets, depending on the destination and type of train you choose.

With thousands of different pass and ticket combinations from which to chose, purchasing a ticket or pass can be confusing. Railpass.com uses state-of-the-art technology that connects directly to European rail reservations systems.

To determine which option is best for you, it helps to define your travel plans. Which and how many countries do you plan to visit? Are you planning to travel in a single country?  Knowing which countries you want to visit will help you determine whether a single-country or global pass is best for you.

How many days of train travel do you need? A rail pass is based on days of travel, not the number of train rides, so you will need to know the number of calendar days you will be travelling by train in order to purchase the correct number of travel days. How long do you need the pass to be valid? The number of days you need the pass to be valid is equivalent to the length of your entire trip, not how many days you will be on the train. So if you’re going to Germany for a month, but only plan on using the train for, say, 3 days at the beginning of your trip and 2 days at the end of your trip, you will need the pass to be valid for 30 days. Will you be taking trains frequently (in which case an unlimited, consecutive-day pass might be best) or just a few long trips here and there (in which case you might do better with a flexipass, which is good for a certain number of travel days within a set time frame)?

How many people are traveling, and what are their ages? Most passes offer adult, youth, and senior fares. Generally, the adult passes are in 1st class, while the youth pass is available as either a 1st and 2nd class pass. Up to two children aged 4–11 will be issued a pass for free when traveling with an adult passholder.

You must be in possession of a valid rail pass that covers the routing of the train in order to make a reservation. It is helpful to research the train schedules before making a request.

Reservations are required for: Sleeping accommodations on all overnight trains; most high-speed trains (e.g. Eurostar, TGV, TAV, Thalys, ICN); Long Distance and Express Trains in Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Scandinavia and Eastern Europe; and Long Distance and Express Trains during high season (July and August). You can make a reservation at the station or by contacting the participating railway company directly.    

You can make reservations for most trains through the Railplanner app. Exceptions are the Baltic countries, Bosnia Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Greece, Ireland, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Portugal, Serbia, Spain, Turkey, and the UK (except the Eurostar trains).  To make a reservation for most trains the Railplanner App will link to the railway company to purchase and log this trip within your Railplanner.   You can also purchase seats at the train station or by contacting the railway directly.  

Once you have decided which countries you wish to visit and how many travel days you will need for each destination, you can order the pass online at Railpass.com

Rail passes are issued electronically through an email activation code we send to you.  In order to process your order we need a minimum of 2 days to process your order.   Passholders need to have a mobile device in order to use the pass and travel services.    

If you are traveling on a high-speed train or overnight train (especially in France and Italy) a seat reservation is mandatory. Same goes for most international trains. Each train reservation will incur a fee. Fees for seat reservations start at €3 and can go up to €15 for a seat and can range upward, depending on the type of train or whether your traveling in overnight train accommodations. If your plans include a ferry crossing, such as between Italy and Greece, reservations are required; these fares are discounted for Eurail passholders. If your routing takes you through a country that is not included on your pass, you will be required to purchase a ticket covering that portion of the trip.

For Rail Pass Orders: We process through an online system and send an email confirmation. We ask for 48 hours to process your order before you can start using the railpass.   No orders are processed on Saturdays, Sundays, or U.S. holidays. For questions regarding delivery, include your Order ID number and name in an email to info@railpass.com. Please review our Mobile Delivery Information page for more information.

It maybe possible to change the name on a pass so long as the pass has not been activate or used. This requires you to contact the issuing office (where it was purchased) in order to have the pass re-issued with the new name(s). Please send an email with your Order ID number and the correct information for all persons named on the pass.

No, unfortunately you can not extend the validity of your pass. You may purchase a new pass to cover additional days.

 You can receive a refund if the pass is not used or activated before the first day of validity. This can be done either by railway staff or by sending the pass back to the issuing agency.  Cancellations are subject to a 10% fee.  

Purchasing travel insurance is a good idea. It can include coverage if you are injured or sick and have to cancel your trip. It can also cover your lost or stolen rail pass or other important travel documents. It is best to check with your travel insurance provider for a list of what is covered.

With Traveler Insurance.

 You can email us at info@railpass.com.  Most orders are processed within 48 hours from payment excluding weekends and holidays.  

A mobile pass is a paperless ticket that can be added instantly to your phone. With everything on one app from planning your trip to boarding the train, you can explore the European countries with ease and enjoy more freedom than ever before.

Why we only issue mobile Pass?

You can buy now, and start traveling immediately.  Your pass can be activated and used for up to 11 months later

There is no need to choose a start date until the moment you’re ready to travel and then you activate your pass

Its free & fast delivery – you'll add the pass directly into the railplanner app and start your travel planning

You'll get a free replacement pass if you lose your phone

Need more reasons: 

Everything on one app 

Plan your journey, keep track of your trips and show mobile tickets straight from your device with a mobile pass on the Rail Planner app. No need to wait for delivery – you can load your mobile pass into the app as soon as you get your order confirmation email.

Paper-free, always in your pocket

Your Eurail pass is precious, but you don’t need to worry about losing or damaging your mobile pass. It's always on your phone, so you can set off on spontaneous day trip  or save money with our pass discounts and benefits, wherever you are.

Quick and easy ticket inspection

Your mobile pass makes ticket inspection easier than ever. Instead of filling in your paper travel diary, simply add journeys from the app’s planner to your mobile pass before you board, then show your mobile ticket to the inspector in just a few taps.

For More Information: Please contact us

 We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover credit cards using the Adyen Payment Gateways. Personal and account information is secure on this site. We employ the latest 128-bit encryption SSL technology in all parts of our site that require any personal information, and we do not keep or hold confidential card information. It is all under the control of the card payment processors. We will bill the credit card and then process the pass order.  We reserve the right to request additional identification by email or telephone.