The Real Story

90% of backpackers find the best value in one of these 5 rail passes

The vast majority of that 90% are best served by a 4 or 5 country Selectpass.

A good portion of the other 10% can save a few bucks by just buying point-to-point tickets in Europe as they go.

Warning!!! You could literally spend days figuring out the most cost effective rail purchase. Many before you have! There are entire books and entire webistes on the subject that will do little more than entirely confuse you.

You're in luck! WiseNomad.com cuts through all the crap and gets right to the point. Everything you really need to know to make a good decision is right here on this page. OK, we put in a few link-outs, but you can come right back.

Tell your friends about this page and they will thank you... they'll probably even buy you a beer somewhere in Europe. Psst - if you heard about this page from a friend, you owe them a beer when you get to Europe.

FastTrack your Decision!

1) Print out one of these maps (small file or large file) so you can map out your route.

2) Print out our worksheet and fill out sections one and two.

3) Determine which rail pass on the chart below will work best for you. Start at the top. If not a Selectpass, move on down to the Flexipass, and so on.

4) Fill out the bottom section of your worksheet from #2 above, using this point to point fare calculator and compare.

5) Purchase your rail pass or tickets.

Which rate applies to you?

a) Under 26 on the 1st day of your train travel?
. . . . . Yes, then use the Youth Rate
. . . . . No, then go to question "b"

b) The Saver Rate is per person based on 2 or more traveling together at all times (effectively on the same pass). Does this present a problem?
. . Yes, then use the Full Rate
. . No, then use the Saver Rate

Selectpass: This pass allows you a set number of travel days within a two-month window of time that begins the first day you use the pass. You are allowed to travel within the seventeen country Eurail network along a route of three, four, or five consecutive countries. To understand which countries are consecutive, see our illustrated representation of the European rail network. Any two countries or regions joined by a line are considered to be consecutive.

Eurail Flexipass: This pass allows you a set number of travel days within a two-month window of time that begins the first day you use the pass. You are allowed to travel in all seventeen countries in the Eurail network: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. The one noteworthy omission is the UK, which has it's own separate rail network.

Eurailpass: This pass allows you to travel any day during the term of the pass, which begins on the first day you use the pass. If you wanted to get on a train everyday, you would be covered. You are allowed to travel in all seventeen countries in the Eurail network: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. The one noteworthy omission is the UK, which has it's own separate rail network.