Train passes compared
Train passes can save 30-70% on multi-city trips — or be a waste of money if you're doing the wrong itinerary. Honest math on 13 major train passes.
Major train passes
Eurail Global Pass
33 European countries · from €280
Interrail Global Pass
33 European countries · from as
Japan Rail Pass
Japan (JR network) · from (7-day
Swiss Travel Pass
Switzerland · from 244
BritRail Pass
United Kingdom · from (3-day
German Rail Pass
Germany + 4 neighboring countries · from (3-day
Eurail Italy Pass
Italy · from €200
Eurail France Pass
France · from €250
Eurail Spain Pass
Spain · from €230
IRCTC + Indrail Pass
India · from (half-day)
Korea Rail Pass (KR Pass)
South Korea · from ₩140,000
China Rail Pass (none — individual tickets)
China · from ¥553
Regional / city passes (DB Länder-Ticket, Italo Day Pass, etc.)
Single country or region · from —
When passes win vs lose
- Passes WIN when: flexible dates, 4+ long journeys, last-minute changes likely, mountain/scenic regions where individual tickets are pricey.
- Passes LOSE when: fixed dates known in advance (use advance-purchase discounts), 1-2 journeys only, mostly short regional trips.
- Always do the math: open the pass calculator + open the operator's site + price your specific itinerary both ways.
- Reservation fees on high-speed trains (TGV, AVE, Frecce) often erode the pass discount.