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Travel by train everywhere in Europe with the Interrail Pass

Fancy exploring Europe by train? With the Interrail railway Pass, discover over 40,000 destinations in 33 countries, with different packages according to your planned journey. Discover 5 great itineraries to live this adventure and discover Europe! 

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Explore Europe by train with Interrail:

Jeunes ville européenne
© Istock - vgajic

How does the Interrail Pass work?

Who is the Interrail Pass for?

Any person residing in Europe can travel with Interrail. If you are under 27 or over 60, you will even benefit from a discount on your Pass.

>> Order your Interrail Pass

The Interrail Pass concept

The Interrail Pass is a single pass that enables you to use the European rail networks as often as you like, during a set number of travel days. Different validity periods are available, from 4 days’ travel to 3 months.

You can travel with a Global Interrail Pass, valid in 33 European countries, or opt for a Single-Country Interrail Pass. Good to know: booking seats is mandatory to travel onboard high speed trains and some night trains. 

Next, select your Pass according to the number of days you want to dedicate to your train journeys through Europe. Called travel days, they are offered as different packages from 4 days to 3 months.

Download the free Rail Planner application to plan your trip and present your ticket for each journey. Throughout your trip, you will benefit from additional advantages and reductions offered by our hundred partners throughout Europe.

And to simplify your journeys and explore Europe more freely than ever, opt for the Mobile Pass, delivered directly onto your smartphone:

  • Order now and travel up to 11 months later: no need to select your departure date in advance!
  • Free and immediate delivery: add it directly into the application
  • No free replacement if you lose your phone
Lac dans les Alpes suisses
Lac dans les Alpes suisses - © Istock - sangpil Jin

Lakes and Mountains

Longing for open spaces, lakes and mountains? We will take you from France to Austria, thorough Switzerland, on a 15-day itinerary to discover Lausanne, Annecy, Chamonix, Zermatt, Lucerne, St Anton, Zell am See, Innsbruck and Berne!

Be ready for spectacular views, quietly installed onboard your train.

Destination Zermatt

In Lausanne, stroll along the Lake Geneva towards the beautiful city of Annecy. 
Further East, in Chamonix, take the cable car to the top of the Aiguille du Midi, before heading to the Swiss station of Zermatt and its magnificent landscapes, dominated by the Mont Cervin, the perfect settings for outdoor sports such as hiking. 
 

>> Order your Interrail Pass

Next Stop, Austria!

After the paved streets of Lucerne, travel down into the Arlberg valley, up to St Anton, where you will be able to enjoy a bike ride before heading to the Arlberg Well spa for a relaxing break. The journey then continues East towards the Zell am See lake, before arriving in Innsbruck, with its old historic city and imperial palace.

The journey terminates in Berne, the old city of which is listed by UNESCO. 

Casa Batlló, Passeig de Gràcia, Barcelona, Spain - crédit Theodor Vasile
Casa Batlló, Passeig de Gràcia, Barcelona, Spain - crédit Theodor Vasile - © Casa Batlló, Passeig de Gràcia, Barcelona, Spain - crédit Theodor Vasile

The Mediterranean to The South

This time, head for Toulouse, the capital of South-West France! This itinerary stops in: Toulouse, Barcelona, Sète, Nice, Genoa, Rome, Stresa, Zurich, Cologne.

Destination Barcelona

From Toulouse, you will head to the festive Catalan capital, Barcelona. Once in Barcelona, visit the treasures of Gaudi, the Sagrada Familia, the Ramblas, Barceloneta beach, etc. before taking the train again towards Sète and its charming fishing port, between sea, canals and the Thau Lagoon. 
Next, head for Nice and the Promenade des Anglais, climb up the Casltle Hill, enjoy Eze and its exotic garden, etc. before heading for Genoa in Italy, listed as World Heritage by UNESCO.

Welcome to Italy!

The high speed train then travels along the Ligurian coast down to Rome, a true open-air museum. Your Italian adventure then continues north towards Milan, up to the charming town of Stresa, overlooking Lake Maggiore.
The train then takes you to Zurich, Switzerland, passing through breathtaking landscapes. Next and final stop, Germany and the city of Cologne, to visit its cathedral and chocolate museum. 

lac bordé sapin suède
© lordrunar

Scandinavian adventure

Set out on a two-week journey to discover Scandinavia. This itinerary stops in: Brussels, Lübeck, Helsinki, Stockholm, Oslo, Göteborg, Malmö, Copenhagen, Hamburg, Cologne. 
After a stay in Brussels, you will travel to Lübeck, Germany, with the Deutsche Bahn ICE and regional trains.
 

To Finland!

The longest part of the journey then begins. This is probably the longest portion of the journey: a 29-hour crossing of the Baltic sea to reach Helsinki, the Finnish capital. However this time, you will be travelling by boat, and not by train!
If you wish to see Tallin, the capital of Estonia, you can make a detour from Helsinki, via a 2h ferry ride.


>> Order your Interrail Pass

Next, head for Stockholm, first via the Finnish rail network trains from Helsinki to Turku. Next, climb onboard the Talink Silja ferries to reach Stockholm, after a 10-hour crossing.

Stopover in the Far North

Here, know that you can plan a stopover in the Far North by taking the night train to Narvik, Norway. This city is located inside the polar circle and is the ideal starting point to explore this spectacular region.
From the Swedish capital, only a 5h train journey is required to reach Oslo. Next, travel to the great Swedish city of Göteborg, in less than 4hrs. And here, you are only 2 hours away from Malmö.

Discover Copenhagen

Next, head to Copenhagen to see the Øresundsbron, the legendary bridge linking Sweden and Denmark. For the last portion of the journey, set aside a full day or two to stopover in the trendy city of Hamburg. Next, head to Cologne and finally Brussels!

Seville, Espagne
© iStock - Poike

Itinerary through Spain and Portugal

Travelling by train is an easy way to discover Spain and Portugal. The rail networks are extensive and international connexions are easy in the north: one more reason to choose this Spanish-Portuguese itinerary.

The stops: Vigo, Porto, Coimbra, Lisbon, Faro, Seville, Cadiz, Grenada. 
 

First Stopover in Porto

After visiting Vigo, a former Roman city and seaside destination with a rich maritime past, and enjoying its seafood, head for Porto. On the banks of the Douro river, the must-see city of Porto is known for its medieval district, its parks, its night-life and of course its wines! 

Next, head for Coimbra, a river town with a rich past, and a true architectural jewel with its medieval buildings and famous university.
 

Visit Lisbon

2Hrs on a train maximum will take you to Lisbon, the Portuguese capital city, and an exceptional destination for its slow pace of life, its district typical of Alfama, its many lively squares and alleys, its delicious specialities...

Next, head for Faro and the Algarve, to the far South of Portugal, the ideal starting point to discover the area. Enjoy the beaches, the waves, and the laid back seaside atmosphere! 
 

Destination Andalusia

Next, to reach Seville and Andalusia, no train but a cheap bus ride. Make sure to visit one of the most beautiful Spanish regions, with its must-see gems such as Grenada and its unmissable site: the Alhambra.

>> Order your Interrail Pass

ponts florence sunset
Ponts de Florence au coucher de soleil, Italie - © Istock - Gosiek-B

The Best of Italy

Discover the most beautiful Italian cities with this itinerary comprising short train journeys. For this trip, opt for an Italy Pass, with 8 days’ travel spread out over 1 month. The different stops: Rome, Florence, Venice, Verona, Milan, Manarola (Cinque Terre).

From Rome to Venice

After visiting Rome, you will reach Florence after a short 1h30 train journey. Go and see Michaelangelo’s David statue in the Galleria dell'Accademia, one of the most famous sculptures in the world, as well as the cathedral (il Duomo) and its panorama at the top. Next head to San Miniato al Monte, for a breathtaking view overlooking Florence.

Two hours away from Florence by train is  the must-see city of Venice. Take the time to visit this incredible destination, with its canals, palaces and little bridges, its restaurants... The arrival by train in the heart of the city is simply legendary. You never get tired of Venice! 

Less than 1h away is Verona, the city of lovers, famous throughout the world for being the backdrop of the greatest romantic tragedy ever: Romeo and Juliet. Juliet’s house, Casa di Giulietta, can be visited to admire the most famous balcony of all times! 

>> Order your Interrail Pass

While you’re there, stroll across the magnificent Piazza delle Erbe or attend the Verona opera Festival, organised in a 2,000-year old Roman amphitheatre. 

Next Stop, Milan

Welcome to Milan, the capital of fashion and design. Visit the largest cathedral in Italy, the Duomo de Milan, with its emblematic white façade, admire Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper fresco in the Santa Maria delle Grazie convent, and visit the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, the oldest shopping mall in the city.

The superb Italian lakes, such as Lake Maggiore and Lake Como, are only a stone’s throw away. 

A Picturesque Destination: the Cinque Terre

Head for the Spezia station, where your journey ends with a picturesque and charming destination: the Cinque Terre.

These 5 lovely fishing villages overlook the North Italian coast. Stay in Manarola and discover each of these romantic villages by hopping onboard the local train, the Cinque Terre Express, which enables you to travel from one village to the next.

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Rédaction SNCF Connect

09/03/2023