You need to determine what countries you plan to travel through and how many days you will spend in each country to determine the best pass for your needs. Fill in your trip information on RailPass.com, and you'll get a pass comparison chart on the results page with more detailed information. We'll help you find the best pass for your trip.
Rail passes act as the equivalent of tickets, saving you the trouble of buying each point-to-point ticket you might need. For many trains, however, you will still need a reservation in addition to your rail pass. This is always true on high-speed trains and overnight trains.
There are many types of rail passes in Italy. Choose one that allows a certain number of train travel days within a month in Italy alone, a pass that gives you access to trains in 2-4 neighboring countries, or even a Global Pass that covers all 28 countries in the Eurail system.
Rail passes are available for first or second class travel, and travelers under age 26 are eligible for discounted rail passes. Groups of 2-5 people traveling together can also get a special discounted rail pass. Rail passes come with discounts on other travel-related expenses, such as private trains and ferries.
An arrangement among 28 different national railways in Europe allows Eurail Pass holders to travel through 28 European countries with ease. You have several Eurail Pass options, depending on where and how long you plan to travel:
- Global Pass - As the name implies, a Global Pass covers all 28 Eurail nations.
- One-Country Pass - Again, as the name suggests, a One-Country Pass is limited to travel in one nation.
You can choose a Eurail Pass good for either first class or second class, and there are discounted passes available for travelers age 26 and under or groups of 2-5 people traveling on the same itinerary. Children age 11 and under travel with an adult passenger for free, but will have their own pass.
Not everyone can use a Eurail Pass, however. They are only intended for people who are not residents of Europe, the Russian Federation, or Turkey - residents of those places are eligible for an InterRail Pass instead.
Eurail Pass features include:
- Unlimited rail travel in one or more specific countries
- 3, 4, 5, 8 or 10 days within a 1- or 2-month period
- Children ages 11 and under travel for FREE (one child travels free with each paying adult)
- Some trains in France and Italy require advance reservations that are not included on a rail pass
- Youth Pass offers discounts on second class travel for passengers under 26 years of age
- Bonuses such as free or reduced transportation on private railroads, national or international ferry crossings and buses, as well as discounts on hotel, automobile rentals, museums and other attractions
Learn more about how to decide between a rail pass or point-to-point tickets