SNCF Interrail Pass
The pass that lets you discover Europe without limits!
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SNCF Carte et Abonnement
What is the Interrail Pass?
The Interrail Pass is a rail pass that lets you travel without limits across 33 European countries and more than 40,000 destinations. It's the ideal solution for exploring Europe at your own pace, whether you're heading off for a short getaway or a grand tour of the continent. Accessible to all ages, it even lets 2 children under 11 travel free with each adult.
If you're looking for other types of rail passes, check out our complete guide to SNCF cards and passes.
Which Interrail Pass to choose: Global or One Country?
Interrail offers two main options: the Global Pass and the One Country Pass. Both allow unlimited train travel, but their uses differ depending on your plans and needs.
The Global Pass
With the Global Pass, travel without limits across the 33 partner countries. You can cross several borders in a single trip, and even include some ferries to Greece or Italy. Up to 2 children under 11 travel free with an adult. This pass is perfect for grand European adventures.
Global Pass Flexi
The Global Pass Flexi lets you choose a set number of travel days (e.g. 7, 10, or 15 days) to use within a 1 to 2 month period. On each active day, you're free to take as many trains as you like.
From €201.
Global Pass Continuous
The Global Pass Continuous works like an unlimited pass, with no fixed days. You can travel every day for 15 days, 1 month, or even 3 consecutive months.
From €402.
The One Country Pass
The One Country Pass lets you travel without limits in a single European country. It's the perfect choice for exploring a destination in depth, such as Italy, Spain or Germany. Travel days are spread over 1 month.
To compare with other rail passes in France, you can also check out our page on long-term train passes.
How to use the Interrail Pass?
Once you've bought your pass, here are the steps to make the most of it:
Receiving your Interrail Pass
Order your Interrail Pass online via the official website or via SNCF. You'll receive your pass in digital format (via the Rail Planner app) or paper format, along with a user guide and a map of the European network.
Booking your journeys with Interrail
The Pass becomes active from your first journey. For it to be valid during ticket checks, be sure to fill in:
- The travel calendar: note down the days on which you travel.
- The travel journal: record the journeys made (stations, times, etc.).
Some high-speed trains or night trains require mandatory reservation. Find all the practical tips on our dedicated page about Interrail travel by night train.
The benefits of the Interrail Pass
Beyond unlimited travel, the Interrail Pass also entitles you to several discounts:
Under 27
Young people under 27 benefit from up to 25% off their pass, in 1st or 2nd class.
For other advantageous options, also check out our page on the Carte Liberté SNCF.
Over 60
Seniors over 60 benefit from a 10% discount. To find out more, visit our page dedicated to the Carte Avantage Senior SNCF.
Travelling as a family
Up to 2 children under 11 travel free with each adult holding an Interrail Pass.
Popular destinations accessible with Interrail
Top European cities
- Paris: for its charm, gastronomy and iconic landmarks.
- Berlin: perfect for history buffs and nightlife lovers.
- Lisbon: ideal for sunshine, trams and pasteis de nata.
- Budapest: famous for its thermal baths and majestic architecture.
- Barcelona: art, beaches and tapas just a few hours from France.
Where to go in Europe from France?
- Paris – Barcelona: 6h30
- Lyon – Milan: 5h15
- Lyon – Madrid: 9h
- Paris – Girona: 5h50
- Paris – Zurich: 4h
- Paris – Lausanne: 3h40
- Paris – London: 2h30
- Lille – Stuttgart: 5h
With Tictactrip, easily combine your Interrail journeys with other modes of transport such as buses, shuttles or carpooling. Ideal for reaching more remote destinations while travelling responsibly.
FAQ for the SNCF Interrail Pass
Which country can I travel in with my One Country Pass? 🌍
With the Interrail One Country Pass, you can travel freely in one of the following countries. It's the ideal option if you want to explore a country in depth, at your own pace:
- Germany
- Austria
- Benelux (Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg)
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Denmark
- Spain
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Great Britain
- Greece
- Greek Islands
- Hungary
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Czech Republic
- Romania
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Turkey
How do I use my Interrail Pass on my phone? 📱
If you hold an Interrail Pass, you can use the Mobile Pass directly via the Rail Planner app. This app lets you keep your pass always at hand, plan your journeys in real time, and easily access your tickets from your smartphone.
To get a Mobile Pass, simply select the mobile option when purchasing your Interrail Pass. Once your order is confirmed, you'll receive a Pass number by email. You'll then need to enter it in the Rail Planner app to activate your digital pass — simple and convenient!
Is it compulsory to reserve a seat with the Interrail Pass? đź’ş
With the Interrail Pass, reservations aren't always required: it all depends on the type of train you're taking. For regional, local or suburban trains, you can generally board without a prior reservation.
On the other hand, for high-speed trains such as the AVE, the TGV, or the Frecciarossa, as well as for panoramic trains or night trains with sleeper berths, a reservation is essential. These reservations often come with an extra fee, which you should factor into your budget.
How long does an Interrail Pass last? đź•ť
The validity period of your Interrail Pass depends on the type of pass you've chosen. In all cases, the end date is shown at the top of your pass.
If you've chosen a Flexi Pass (with a set number of travel days over 1 or 2 months), the validity period starts on the activation date and runs for 1 or 2 months, depending on the option chosen.
On the other hand, if you have a Continuous Pass (valid every day), this gives you unlimited access to the rail network for 1, 2 or 3 consecutive months, starting from the start date.
When should I activate my Interrail Pass? đź””
Once purchased, you have 11 months from the date of issue to activate your Interrail Pass. You have two options for activation:
- Online: directly at the time of purchase, via the free activation service offered by Interrail.
- At a station: at any European station, once you've received your pass in paper format.
Activating your Interrail Pass is free, whether you do it online or in person.
Do children travel free with the Interrail Pass? 👧🏻
Children aged 4 to 11 can travel free with an adult holding an Interrail Pass. They don't need to buy their own pass, but must be registered with a free Child Pass.
Each adult can get up to 2 free Child Passes. For extra comfort, especially on busy routes, it's advisable to book a seat in advance for children, even if this involves an extra fee.
The great history of the Interrail Pass
Created in 1972 by several European railway companies, the Interrail Pass has allowed people to travel freely by train across Europe for over 50 years. Originally, it was reserved for people under 21 and covered 21 countries.
Designed to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the International Union of Railways (UIC), this pass quickly became a symbol of freedom and discovery for European travelers. By 2018, more than 10 million people had already used an Interrail Pass. Today, it's open to everyone and covers 33 countries and more than 40,000 destinations.
See also
