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Not all trains in Europe are fully covered by an Interrail or Eurail pass. High-speed trains often require a supplement, your home country has strict limitations, and some night trains cost extra. If you do not know these details, you may face unpleasant surprises during your trip.
Which trains are not fully covered by Interrail?
The Interrail Global Pass gives access to the rail network in 33 European countries. However, this does not mean that you can travel everywhere without additional costs. For several categories of trains, extra rules and charges apply that you need to know in advance.
High-speed trains are the biggest challenge. For trains such as the TGV in France, Thalys between Belgium, the Netherlands and France, and Eurostar for international connections, a compulsory reservation is required. These reservations cost between 10 and 35 euros per journey, depending on the train and route. The number of seats available for pass holders is limited, so booking early is essential.
Private rail companies (private operators that run alongside the national railway companies) also often fall outside the coverage of your pass. In Switzerland, for example, the pass does not cover all panoramic trains, and in Great Britain various regional lines are excluded. Some scenic routes, such as certain mountain lines, require a supplement or are completely excluded from pass coverage.
You can find more information about what you need to know before buying a pass under Interrail & Eurail rail passes.
‘ Intermediate domestic journeys during your trip are not allowed and must be paid for separately. ’
Limited travel in your home country
Many travellers overlook this: you cannot travel without limits in your own country with an Interrail pass. The pass entitles you to just two journeys in your home country, also called the inbound and outbound journey. This means one journey from your departure point to the border, and one return journey to your final destination.
This restriction is strict. If you live in the Netherlands and buy an Interrail pass, you could, for example, travel from Amsterdam to Venlo to cross the border, and after your European trip from Maastricht back to Amsterdam. Intermediate domestic journeys during your trip are not allowed and must be paid for separately.
If you want to travel longer in your own country before your international trip begins, country-specific rail passes are an alternative. In Germany, for example, there is the German Rail Pass, which allows unlimited travel for consecutive periods of three to fifteen days.
Night trains and extra reservation costs
Night trains are popular among people travelling through Europe with an Interrail pass, because they combine travelling and overnight stays. The rail journey itself is covered by the pass. However, you pay a reservation fee for a sleeping place.
The amount of this fee depends on the type of accommodation you choose:
- Seat in a couchette: from 14 euros per night
- Berth in a shared couchette: between 20 and 35 euros per night
- Private cabin with bed: from 40 euros per night, depending on the route and season
ÖBB’s Nightjet runs through Austria, Germany and Italy. These night trains have limited seats for pass holders. Especially in the high season they become fully booked quickly. Reserve at least a few weeks in advance to avoid disappointment.
Countries with specific difficulties
Spain requires special attention if you travel with an Interrail pass. Reserving Spanish trains is complex and time-consuming. For trains such as AVE and Alvia, reservations are compulsory, and the number of seats available for pass holders is very limited. The reservation system also does not always run smoothly via international booking sites or ticket offices outside Spain.
Travellers who want to travel through Spain should take into account:
- High reservation costs for high-speed trains, often between 10 and 25 euros per route
- Limited availability, especially on popular routes such as Madrid–Barcelona
- Complex booking procedures that sometimes only work at local stations or via specific websites
An alternative is to take regional trains. These do not require reservations. However, they are considerably slower. This requires more travel time, but does save on costs and planning stress.
Ferry connections and waterways
Although less well known, the Interrail pass offers discounts on certain ferry connections in Europe. However, this discount is not full coverage. For most ferries you pay a reduced fare, but not the full crossing.
Examples of discounted connections are:
- Ferries between Italy and Greece: usually 30% discount on the regular fare
- Scandinavian ferries between Sweden, Denmark and Germany: variable discounts depending on the operator
- Inland waterways in some countries: limited discounts on tourist boat services
Check in advance which ferry companies work with Interrail and which discount applies. The conditions differ per operator and season.
Planning compulsory reservations in advance
The different reservation rules make planning ahead essential. You cannot just turn up at any station and trust that you will get a seat. Especially on busy routes and in the high season, compulsory reservation trains fill up quickly.
Take these practical points into account:
- Book high-speed trains at least two weeks before departure
- Plan night trains even earlier, especially if you are travelling in the high season
- Keep your itinerary flexible so you can switch to trains that do not require reservations
- Budget at least 10 to 15 euros extra per day for reservations in countries such as France and Spain
By factoring in these costs beforehand, you avoid running out of budget halfway through your trip. Reservation costs can add up quickly, especially if you visit several countries using high-speed trains.
Alternative routes without reservations
Not all routes require reservations. In countries such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the Scandinavian countries, you can travel on most regional and intercity trains without a reservation. This offers flexibility and saves money.
Regional trains are often slower, but give you more freedom to travel spontaneously and to stop along the way. For those who have time and are looking for a more relaxed travel experience, these are valuable alternatives. They also often take you through smaller places and more scenic landscapes that high-speed trains simply rush past.
‘ Explore the website for reliable, in-depth travel information that helps you set off with confidence. ’
Discover more on Traveler Tips
On the Traveler Tips website you will find extensive information about train travel through Europe. You will find practical pass options, routes and planning tips. Discover more about how to organise your rail holiday smartly, which destinations are best reached by train, and how to deal with international regulations. Explore the website for reliable, in-depth travel information that helps you set off with confidence.
Frequently asked questions
You can check restrictions and non-covered sections in advance via the official Interrail/Eurail planner or website, where it is indicated per train whether a supplement or reservation is required. Pay particular attention to high-speed trains such as TGV, Thalys and Eurostar, as they often have compulsory and limited reservation seats for pass holders. Also pay attention to the rules for travel in your own country, because Interrail only allows limited “free” travel there. Finally, plan your route with a planner that specifically shows Interrail/Eurail coverage, so that alternatives without a supplement become visible.
Practical solutions include using regional transport such as buses or stopping trains that are covered by the pass. In addition, you can choose country-specific rail passes as a supplement to your Interrail or Eurail pass. Alternative transport such as long-distance coaches or car sharing can also be useful on certain sections. In cities and hubs, shared bikes or rental bikes are often a flexible option for the last part of your journey.
Just before departure and during your trip, keep checking the latest travel information and disruptions in apps such as NS, DB Navigator or the app of the local railway company. Plan a route with one or two earlier, alternative connections so that you still arrive on time in case of delays. Reserve seats where possible, especially on high-speed and international trains, to avoid extra transfer stress. Build in sufficient margin for connections, especially if you have to catch a last train, international train or flight.
Yes, apps such as Railplanner (from Interrail/Eurail) and the NS app provide real-time information on disruptions, restrictions and engineering works, and often show alternative routes. In addition, national rail apps (such as DB Navigator in Germany or SNCF Connect in France) provide up-to-date travel information and diversion advice. The websites of national railways also usually have a disruption page with alternative routing options. For international journeys, route planners such as Rail Europe or the planner in the Railplanner app combine information from several countries.
Train restrictions, such as compulsory reservations and limited seats on high-speed trains, can increase your total travel time due to extra waiting time, detours or having to take slower, reservation-free trains. When planning, bear in mind possible reservation issues (such as in Spain) and plan important sections well in advance, including the time needed to make reservations. Compare fast trains that require reservations with slower alternatives and allow margin for transfers. This way you can make a more informed choice between speed, cost and comfort for a relaxed travel experience.
