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{{for|the Australian railway operator|Interail}}
{{Refimprove|date=May 2008}}
]
The '''InterRail''' pass is a railway ticket (]), available to ].
Residents of countries outside Europe can purchase the ] pass.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.seat61.com/Railpass-and-Eurail-pass-guide.htm |title=A beginner's guide to Eurail & European rail passes &#124; Buy a Eurail pass online |publisher=Seat61.com |date=2012-01-01 |accessdate=2012-06-13}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://en.rail.cc/interrail-first-time |title=First time Interrail |publisher=rail.cc |date=2015-02-10 |accessdate=2015-02-10}}</ref>

The traditional InterRail Pass is now called the ]. It allows unlimited rail travel in and between all participating countries for a certain period of time. Main exceptions are that the country of residence is excluded, and that high-speed trains and night trains often require a paid booking.

The ] allows unlimited rail travel in a specific country.

==Global Pass==

===Validity===
]
The '''Global Pass''' is valid in all participating European countries: ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], the ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], the ]. In addition railways run through ] and ] being operated by the national railways of France and Austria respectively. In addition, InterRail global passes include ferry crossings from ] and ] (Greece) to ] and ] (Italy) operated by ] and ] (fuel surcharges, port taxes, high season supplements as well as cabin accommodation are extra).

The InterRail passes are not valid on railways in ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and ]. There are no railways in ], ], ], ], ], ] or ]. L'Hospitalet-Près-l'Andorre in France is the closest railway ] for Andorra. ] in Italy is the closest station for San Marino.

===Decreasing attractivity===
Originally with the Global Pass one could hop on most trains in most countries without the need of any additional ticketing. In recent years numerous rail operators have started making exceptions - taken as a whole these conditions<ref name="seat1">{{cite web|url=http://www.seat61.com/InterRail-pass-guide.htm#Country%20by%20country%20InterRail%20pass%20guide |title=A beginner's guide to InterRail passes &#124; How InterRail passes work, InterRail train reservations & supplements |publisher=Seat61.com |date= |accessdate=2012-06-13}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.interrail.eu/planning/train-seat-reservations/reservation-fees#domestic |title=Reservation Fees - Domestic trains |publisher=Interrailnet.com |date= |accessdate=2013-01-08}}</ref><ref name="interrailnet1">{{cite web|url=http://www.interrail.eu/planning/train-seat-reservations/reservation-fees#international|title=Reservation Fees - International trains |publisher=Interrailnet.com |date= |accessdate=2013-01-08}}</ref><ref name="railcc1">{{cite web|url=https://en.rail.cc/interrail-reservation-and-supplement |title=InterRail - Reservation and supplement. [EN&#93; |publisher=railcc |date= |accessdate=2015-02-10}}</ref> somewhat compromise the original idea of ease of spur-of-the-moment travel across Europe.

For example in Italy only local and regional trains are without supplement, InterCity trains require a supplement of 3 euros per journey and seat reservations have become compulsory. For Eurostar Italia & Eurostar City trains a supplement 10-20 euros per journey must be paid.<ref name="seat1"/> On most routes there are usually slower, but free connections available.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://en.rail.cc/italy/interrail-train-connections/it |title=InterRail - Italy - Train connections. [EN&#93; |publisher=rail.cc |date= |accessdate=2015-02-10}}</ref>

Taken together with the daily price of the Interrail Global Pass, these supplements can often make travel more expensive than simply buying local tickets - especially in countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea and Eastern Europe.

In France, ] not only charge a supplement for InterCity trains, but in addition have a limited quota of inexpensive seats for InterRail Pass holders. If this quota is full, you can only buy a last-minute reservation for three times the price.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.interrailnet.com/planning/train-seat-reservations/reservation-fees |title=Reservation fees |publisher=Interrailnet.com |deadurl=no |accessdate=2012-08-18}}</ref>

In Belgium, boarding of the Thalys train from Brussels to Amsterdam, to Paris or to Cologne requires a 30 to 39 Euro supplement in 2nd Class.<ref name="interrailnet1"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://en.rail.cc/interrail-reservation-and-supplement/thalys/thalys-thy/41 |title=THY - THALYS - InterRail. Reservation and supplement: Belgium. [EN&#93; |publisher=rail.cc |accessdate=2015-02-10}}</ref>

A contrast to this is Germany where virtually all of the fast InterCity and InterCityExpress trains can still be boarded without the hassle of queueing for additional tickets or supplements of any kind.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.interrailnet.com/countries/germany/germany-train-travel |title=Trains in Germany |publisher=Interrailnet.com |date= |accessdate=2012-06-13}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://en.rail.cc/germany/interrail-train-connections/de |title=InterRail - Germany - Train connections. [EN&#93; |publisher=rail.cc |date= |accessdate=2015-02-10}}</ref>

===Discounted fare in own country===
The pass is not valid in the traveller's own country of residence. That rule exists to avoid people buying InterRail for work commuting and business travel, for which there may be passes at prices several times that of InterRail. However, travel to one's own border is often available at a discount - depending on one's country of residence.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.interrailnet.com/interrail-passes/find-the-best-pass/conditions-use/using-interrail-in-your-own-country |title=Get a Discounted Train Fare in Your Own Country |publisher=Interrailnet.com |date= |accessdate=2012-06-13}}</ref>

===Prices - Youth - Under 26<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.interrailnet.com/interrail-passes/interrail-global-pass#youth |title=InterRail Global Pass - Unlimited Train Travel in Europe |publisher=Interrailnet.com |date= |accessdate=2012-06-13}}</ref>===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Validity !! 2nd Class !! Price per day !! Comment
|-
| 5 days in 10 || €192 || - || -
|-
| 10 days in 22 || €281 || - || -
|-
| 15 days || €325 || €21.66 || -
|-
| 22 days || €360 || €16.36 || -
|-
| 1 month || €461 || €15-16 || depends of no. of days in month 28-31
|}

===Prices - Adult - Over 26<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.interrailnet.com/interrail-passes/interrail-global-pass#adult |title=InterRail Global Pass - Unlimited Train Travel in Europe |publisher=Interrailnet.com |date= |accessdate=2012-06-13}}</ref>===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Validity !! 2nd Class !! Price per day !! Comment
|-
| 5 days in 10 || €264 || €26-52 || price calculated for 10 and 5 days
|-
| 10 days in 22 || €374 || €17-37 || price calculated for 22 and 10 days
|-
| 15 days || €414 || €27 || -
|-
| 22 days || €484 || €22 || -
|-
| 1 month || €626 || €20-22 || depends of no. of days in month 28-31
|}

==One Country Pass==
The '''One Country Pass''' is available for each of the following countries, except the traveler's country of residence:

Countries with price level 1 (highest):
* France, Germany, United Kingdom
Countries with price level 2:
* Austria, Norway, Spain, Sweden
Countries with price level 3:
* Benelux, Denmark, Finland, Greece Plus, Italy, Ireland, Switzerland
Countries with price level 4:
* Czech Republic, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Poland, Portugal, Romania
Countries with price level 5:
* Bulgaria, Macedonia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Turkey
There are no separate passes for Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands, instead there is one for the whole ] (price level 3). It is also available to residents in Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands, but for them it is only valid in the two countries which are not the country of residence.
The "Greece Plus" ticket includes ferry transfer between Greece and Italy.
Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro don't take part in the Inter Rail One-Country Pass offer.

==Durations and prices==
There is a discount for people under 26, and a supplement for first class.

{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Valid!!Within!!Price in Euro!!Price per Valid Day!!Price per "Within" Day!!Area
|-
|<span style="display:none">0</span>3 days||<span style="display:none">31</span>1 month||€118||<span style="display:none">&</span>40||<span style="display:none">&0</span>4||country with price level 3
|-
|<span style="display:none">0</span>4 days||<span style="display:none">31</span>1 month||€149||<span style="display:none">&</span>38||<span style="display:none">&0</span>5||country with price level 3
|-
|<span style="display:none">0</span>6 days||<span style="display:none">31</span>1 month||€199||<span style="display:none">&</span>34||<span style="display:none">&0</span>6 or 7||country with price level 3
|-
|<span style="display:none">0</span>8 days||<span style="display:none">31</span>1 month||€239||<span style="display:none">&</span>30||<span style="display:none">&0</span>8||country with price level 3
|-
|<span style="display:none">0</span>3 days||<span style="display:none">31</span>1 month||€203||<span style="display:none">&</span>68||<span style="display:none">&0</span>7||country with price level 1 (highest)
|-
|<span style="display:none">0</span>4 days||<span style="display:none">31</span>1 month||€223||<span style="display:none">&</span>57||<span style="display:none">&0</span>7 or 8||country with price level 1 (highest)
|-
|<span style="display:none">0</span>6 days||<span style="display:none">31</span>1 month||€283||<span style="display:none">&</span>48||<span style="display:none">&0</span>9 or 10||country with price level 1 (highest)
|-
|<span style="display:none">0</span>8 days||<span style="display:none">31</span>1 month||€313||<span style="display:none">&</span>40||<span style="display:none">&</span>10||country with price level 1 (highest)
|-
|<span style="display:none">0</span>5 days||10 days||€264 ||<span style="display:none">&</span>53||<span style="display:none">&</span>27||all countries
|-
|10 days||22 days||€374||<span style="display:none">&</span>38||<span style="display:none">&</span>17||all countries
|-
|15 days||15 days||€414||<span style="display:none">&</span>28||<span style="display:none">&</span>28||all countries
|-
|22 days||22 days||€484||<span style="display:none">&</span>22||<span style="display:none">&</span>22||all countries
|-
|<span style="display:none">31</span>1 month||<span style="display:none">31</span>1 month||€626||<span style="display:none">&</span>21||<span style="display:none">&</span>21||all countries
|}

While usually a day is from 0:01 to 23:59, validity for a day is extended to include a night train from 19:00 on the day before, except on the evening before the first day of the "within" period.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://en.rail.cc/interrail-night-train |title=Interrail night trains |publisher=rail.cc |date=2015-02-10 |accessdate=2015-02-10}}</ref>

==Use of InterRail passes on high speed, overnight, and privately operated trains==

===High speed trains===
Many high speed trains require reserving and sometimes payment of an extra fee either sold as a supplement or passholder fare.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://en.rail.cc/interrail-reservation-and-supplement |title=Interrail Reservations |publisher=rail.cc |date=2015-02-10 |accessdate=2015-02-10}}</ref><ref></ref> Examples include:
* ] (] to ] and ]) requires payment of a high passholder fare of £58/€75 each way in Standard Class.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://en.rail.cc/interrail-reservation-and-supplement/eurostar/est-est/78 |title=Eurostar and Interrail |publisher=rail.cc |date=2015-02-10 |accessdate=2015-02-10}}</ref>
* ] (Paris to Brussels, ] and ]) 2nd Class = €26 to €37, 1st Class = €41 to €60 <ref>{{cite web|url=https://en.rail.cc/interrail-reservation-and-supplement/thalys/thalys-thy/41 |title=Interrail and Thalys |publisher=rail.cc |date=2015-02-10 |accessdate=2015-02-10}}</ref>
* ] (Domestic French) 1st or 2nd Class €9 (off peak) €18 (peak).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://en.rail.cc/interrail-reservation-and-supplement/train-%C3%A0-grande-vitesse/sncf-tgv/42 |title=TGV and Interrail |publisher=rail.cc |date=2015-02-10 |accessdate=2015-02-10}}</ref> In addition TGVs operate through to Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany and Italy where supplements are payable. Also reservations are payable on ] services within France.
* ] 1st or 2nd Class €10. Also a reservations is recommended but not mandatory for IC<ref>{{cite web|url=https://en.rail.cc/interrail-reservation-and-supplement/intercity/trenitalia-ic/47 |title=Intercity Italia and Interrail |publisher=rail.cc |date=2015-02-10 |accessdate=2015-02-10}}</ref> services within Italy: €3.
* ] (Spain) 2nd Class €10, 1st Class €23.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://en.rail.cc/interrail-reservation-and-supplement/alta-velocidad-espa%C3%B1ola/renfe-ave/23 |title=AVE Spain and Interrail |publisher=rail.cc |date=2015-02-10 |accessdate=2015-02-10}}</ref> Reservation fees (€6.50) are payable on most other long distance trains in Spain (e.g. ], ], ], ], ])
* ] (Germany) trains do not require reservation,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://en.rail.cc/interrail-reservation-and-supplement/intercityexpress/db-ice/11 |title=ICE Germany and Interrail |publisher=rail.cc |date=2015-02-10 |accessdate=2015-02-10}}</ref> however its voluntarily available at €4.50. Only the very rare ] have a compulsory reservation (2nd class €11.50).
* ] (in Sweden and reaching Copenhagen) SEK 65 (2nd class) / SEK 150 (1st class) <ref>{{cite web|url=https://en.rail.cc/interrail-reservation-and-supplement/snabbt%C3%A5g/sj-s/39 |title=X2000 and Interrail |publisher=rail.cc |date=2015-02-10 |accessdate=2015-02-10}}</ref> for a compulsory 2nd class seat reservation<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sj.se/sj/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=108&a=144429&l=en&intcmp=1144425 |title=Travel By Train - A Good Environmental Choice -Buy ticket |publisher=SJ.se |date=2010-05-26 |accessdate=2012-06-13}}</ref>
Further information on supplements on daytime high speed trains can be obtained from the official InterRail site.

===Overnight trains===
Many overnight trains in Europe require reservations with extra costs for sleeping accommodation such as ]s or in ]s,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://en.rail.cc/interrail-night-train |title=InterRail - Night train. [EN&#93; |publisher=rail.cc |date=2015-02-10 |accessdate=2015-02-10}}</ref> and some may not have any non-sleeper cars. However, as mentioned, a direct overnight train leaving after 7pm only requires filling in one line of the pass, for the following day. This rule cannot be used if that day would be the first one on which the pass is valid.

===Reductions on privately owned trains===
InterRail is normally only valid on the national railway system of the countries concerned. In many countries there are private railway systems some of which offer a reduction to InterRail Pass holders. Normally the reductions are between 25% and 50%.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://en.rail.cc/interrail-validity |title=Interrail Validity |publisher=rail.cc |date=2015-02-10 |accessdate=2015-02-10}}</ref>

==Residence condition==
The passes are available to those who have been legal residents (not travelling on a visa or military personnel living on a base) in any of the 30 countries of the IRC, or in any of certain neighbouring countries<ref>{{cite web|url=https://en.rail.cc/interrail-country-of-residence |title=Country of Residence for Interrail |publisher=rail.cc |date=2015-02-10 |accessdate=2015-02-10}}</ref>
* ], ], ], ],
* ], ], ],
* ], ], and
* ]

==History==
* 1972: The program launched as "InterRail 72", limited to travellers 21 or younger. It covered 21 countries: ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], the ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and ]. The initial price in the ] was £27.50 for one month's travel.
* 1973: UK price raised to £33.00
* 1976: the age limit for the pass was raised to 23; it was raised again to 26 in 1979.
* 1982: the six-month residency requirement was introduced.
* 1985: Certain ] services were included.
* 1991: the ] led to expansion of the IRC.
* 1994: 29 of the 30 present-day countries are included (all but Bosnia-Herzegovina); the IRC has seven zones, with Zone D including Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Bulgaria, Romania, and Yugoslavia.
* 1998: Inter Rail passes became available to all ages, with fares based on age. The eight zone system is established, minus Bosnia-Herzegovina.
* 2005: Bosnia-Herzegovina joins the IRC.
* 2007: Beginning on April 1, the ] Group takes over management of all Inter Rail pass products; no more zones, merged with Eurodomino.

===Zones before 1 April 2007===
{{As of|2005|alt=As of April 2005}}, the IRC included 30 countries, organized into eight zones:
* Zone A - ], ]
* Zone B - ], ], ]
* Zone C - ], ], ], ]
* Zone D - ], ], ], ], ], ]
* Zone E - ], ], ], the ]
* Zone F - ], ], ]
* Zone G - ], ], ], ]
* Zone H - ], ], ], ], ]

The cost of the pass was based on the zones included and the traveler's age. 16-day passes included one zone, 22-day passes covered any two zones, and month-long passes covered all zones.

==See also==
{{portal|Transport}}
* ]
* ] - for non-European residents

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{Wikivoyage|European rail passes}}
* , the official InterRail website for all Europeans in English, Dutch, Spanish, German, Italian and French.
* , independent InterRail information in 15 languages. Train connections without extra fees - how to save money. Big Interrail forum. Formerly known as Raildude.

{{commons category|InterRail}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Interrail}}
]
]

Latest revision as of 18:47, 23 February 2016

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