free travel pass in europe

If you're 18 and a resident in an Erasmus+ Programme country, it's time to expand your comfort zone

Finding new teammates starts here

• Award decision
• Info-kit for travellers
• The Green Route
• The Culture Route
• The Digital Route
• The New European Bauhaus Route
• The Feel Good Route
• Quota per country
• Testimonials
• Communication Material

The application round is currently closed . There are two applications rounds per year, one in spring and one in autumn. Keep an eye on this space so you can apply in the next round!

Are you 18 years old and a resident of one of the eu member states or third countries associated to erasmus+ get ready to explore europe , what is discovereu.

DiscoverEU is an action of the Erasmus+ programme that offers you the opportunity to explore Europe’s diversity, learn about its cultural heritage and history, and connect with people from all over the continent.  

You will be offered a travel pass and travel predominantly by rail. Check out the rules for people living on islands or in remote areas.

As a selected traveller, you will receive a DiscoverEU European Youth Card for a wealth of discounts on cultural visits, learning activities, sports, local transportation, accommodation, and food.

How does it work?

To be eligible, you need to:

• be 18 years old on the first day of the travel period;
• complete the correct identity card (ID), passport or residence card number on the online application form;
• one of the Member States of the European Union including Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs), or      
• one of the third countries associated to the Erasmus+ programme: Iceland, Liechtenstein, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, and Türkiye. 

* For more information see the Rules section “2. Eligible applicants”

Then you will need to participate in a quiz (unless you apply as a group member).

If you have a disability or a health problem that makes your travel challenging, you will receive assistance and support. Check our FAQ C.13 to know more.

Can I travel with my friends?

Yes, you can! You can go solo or add up to 4 friends in your group provided they meet the eligibility conditions above. They will use your application code to submit their own application. Check out our FAQs B.5 to B.11 to know more.

You can also combine travel plans with other DiscoverEU travellers! The DiscoverEU Facebook Group is a good platform to do this. Join the Group now to chat with other participants.

Once you are selected, the Erasmus+ National Agencies will help you connect and learn, with the organisation of pre-departure meetings and travellers Meet-ups.

Share experiences

Selected participants automatically become DiscoverEU Ambassadors. As an ambassador, we will invite you to share your travel experiences on social media using #DiscoverEU. You may even decide to give a presentation at your school or local community.

I want to know more!

Interested in the previous application rounds? Check the DiscoverEU factsheets to read more about the action and the experiences of some of our young DiscoverEU travellers.

Europe is at your feet. Take the first step.      

Inspiring TedX video from Vincent-Immanuel Herr

Contact the EU

• Call us 00 800 6 7 8 9 10 11
• Use other telephone options
• Write to us via our contact form
• Meet us at one of the EU centres

Social media

• Search for EU social media channels
• Languages on our websites
• Privacy policy
• Legal notice
• Accessibility

EU institutions

• European Parliament
• European Council
• Council of the European Union
• European Commission
• Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU)
• European Central Bank (ECB)
• European Court of Auditors (ECA)
• European External Action Service (EEAS)
• European Economic and Social Committee (EESC)
• European Committee of the Regions (CoR)
• European Investment Bank (EIB)
• European Ombudsman
• European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS)
• European Data Protection Board
• European Personnel Selection Office
• Publications Office of the European Union

Free travel passes to enable young people to discover Europe

Young people born in 2004 can now register for free rail tickets until 25 October, thanks to the Discover EU initiative, supported by the European Parliament

Thanks to backing by MEPs, 165,000 young adults have enjoyed the chance to travel in the EU for free since its launch in June 2018. Now more than 35,000 free rail tickets are available, enabling young people to travel and discover Europe thanks to the Discover EU initiative, which was first proposed during Parliament’s European Youth Event (EYE) in 2014. Additionally for 2022, the selected participants will receive discount cards loaded with discounts on accommodation, local transportation, cultural visits and more.

Find out about the European Year of Youth that the EU has announced in 2022 and EU youth initiatives .

How it will work

At least 35,000 young people will get the chance to travel Europe by rail between 1 March 2023 and 29 February 2024. Any EU citizen born between 1 January 2004 and 31 December 2004 can apply for tickets online from noon CET on 11 October until noon CET on 25 October. To be eligible, applicants will have to answer a few questions..

Participants will be able to travel for up to 30 days to at least one foreign country. Travel will be mainly by rail, but also by bus and ferry to ensure wide access. Flights will be allowed in exceptional cases where no other form of transport is available. This could be for example for people coming from remote areas or outermost regions.

Participants with reduced mobility or special needs may be eligible for extra help, for example support with the costs for an accompanying person or dog for those with a visual impairment.

More information on the initiative is available on the European Youth Portal .

Parliament support

The Parliament has been a strong advocate of the idea of free rail tickets for 18-year-old Europeans , adopting three resolutions backing the initiative.

MEPs believe the initiative will allow young people to experience Europe’s diversity, better understand each other and learn more about Europe. They expect encouraging young EU citizens to travel in the EU and meet people from other countries will foster European identity and reinforce common EU values.

Find out more

• MEPs want to give free rail passes to young Europeans (October 2016)
• Discovering Europe: free EU rail pass for 18-year-olds

Applications are open for 36,000 young people born in 2005 to receive a free travel pass thanks to DiscoverEU

Today, the Commission is launching the DiscoverEU autumn call, thanks to which  36,000 young people will receive a free travel pass to explore Europe .

The application round starts  today at 12:00 CEST  and will  end on Wednesday 18 October at 12:00 CEST . To win a travel pass, young people are invited to apply on the  European Youth Portal , answer five quiz questions and one tiebreaker question. Successful applicants born between 1 January 2005 and 31 December 2005 will be able to travel in Europe for up to 30 days during the travel period 1 March 2024 and 31 May 2025. The call is open to applicants from the European Union and the third countries associated to the  Erasmus+ Programme  i.e. Iceland, Liechtenstein, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia and Türkiye.

Participants will be able to discover the  New European Bauhaus route , launched in January 2023. It aims to inspire young people when choosing their destinations and raise awareness on the importance of making the European Union ‘beautiful, sustainable, together'. Participants will also continue to benefit from the initiatives launched in 2022 during the European Year of Youth, such as the  DiscoverEU Culture Route . The latter combines various destinations and cultural branches, including architecture, music, fine art, theatre, fashion, design and more. DiscoverEU travellers can visit the  European Capitals of Culture , destinations added on the prestigious  UNESCO World Heritage List , or holders of the  European Heritage Label . Since 2018, 248,000 travel passes were made available to young people.

More information in the  press release .

(For more information: Johanna Bernsel – Tel.: +32 2 298 66 99; Flore Boutier – Tel.: +32 2 296 60 43)

Share this page

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Newsletters
• Sweepstakes
• Destinations

The European Union Is Giving Away Free, Unlimited Rail Passes to Thousands of Young People

The giveaway is part of the DiscoverEU program, which launched in 2018.

Jessica Poitevien is an international storyteller and regular contributor to Travel + Leisure.

Exploring Europe via the continent's extensive rail network is a quintessential travel experience on the bucket list of many globetrotters. Now, the European Union is helping thousands of lucky 18-year-olds make that dream a reality by giving away free, unlimited Interrail passes.

It's all a part of the DiscoverEU program, which was first launched in 2018. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, people who turned 18 in 2020 couldn't take advantage of the offering, but the EU isn't letting them miss out on the opportunity. This year, the DiscoverEU program will relaunch, combining the budgets from last year and 2021, granting twice as many young people the chance to explore Europe by train in 2022.

"We are envisaging one mega-round of 60,000 travel passes, to be launched probably this October," said Mariya Gabriel, the EU commissioner for youth . "We will thus have applicants who turned 18 last year, as well as those turning 18 this year."

The Interrail pass currently gives travelers access to 40,000 destinations across 33 European countries. The EU launched this free rail program for 18-year-olds, hoping to creating greater intercultural unity across the continent. Tickets are allocated to member states based on their population size, and only EU citizens or those legally residing within the European Union can apply, Lonely Planet reports .

Successful applicants must use the passes between March 2022 and March 2023 for a period of up to 30 days. Since the COVID-19 pandemic is still impacting Europe, travelers will be offered more flexibility with bookings as well as interruption insurance. Those who had already received their free rail pass ticket in November 2019 will have until Aug. 31, 2021, to use it.

When the submission period officially opens, interested travelers can submit their application via the European Youth Portal .

Jessica Poitevien is a Travel + Leisure contributor currently based in South Florida, but she's always on the lookout for her next adventure. Besides traveling, she loves baking, talking to strangers, and taking long walks on the beach. Follow her adventures on Instagram .

Related Articles

• Volunteering
• European Solidarity Corps
• Youth Exchanges
• International Volunteering
• Training Course
• What is the ESC?

DiscoverEU: Travel Across Europe for Free

• youth opportunities

DiscoverEU is a community of young 18-years-old travelers that focuses on preparing their travel journeys, sharing their stories while or after traveling or providing tips and suggestions to other young travelers. As such, it works primarily through their official Facebook group . It was born under the initiative of the European Commission, and it is now available to get through on the European Youth Portal .

DiscoverEU: Expand Your Comfort Zone

DiscoverEU is an initiative of the European Union based on a proposal from the European Parliament, which aims at offering young people aged 18 years old a travel experience that will enable them to take advantage of the freedom of movement in the European Union , discover the diversity of Europe while traveling, learn about European cultural heritage and history, connect with people from all over the continent and ultimately discover themselves.

Eligibility criteria

• be 18 years old on 31 December 2021 , i.e. those young people born between 1 January 2003 and 31 December 2003 included;
• exceptionally for this round, those young people, who were eligible under the two rounds in 2020, which were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, can apply too. This implies those born between 1 July 2001 (included) and 31 December 2002 (included);
• have the nationality of one of the Member States of the European Union at the time of the award decision;
• fill in the correct ID or passport number on the online application form.

How To Participate

Under this initiative, the European Commission is going to select at least 60 000 young people meeting the eligibility criteria described below.  The application period will be open on Tuesday 12 October 2021 at 12:00 (CEST) until Tuesday 26 October 2021 at 12:00 (CEST) .

The European Commission will provide the awarded young people with travel passes to explore the European Union between 1 March 2022 and 28 February 2023 for a maximum period of one month.

The application round to the DiscoverEU initiative is open through a specific online application form on the  European Youth Portal .

For more information, see the official DiscoverEU page .

DiscoverEU Photo and Video Contest

As part of the initiative, October 2021 is the month for a Photo and Video Contest .

The theme for October is ‘ DiscoverEU is back ’ to celebrate the new application round that will start on 12 October. In other words, it’s time to share your greatest travel memories captured on camera!

Here are the rules:

• Share your photo or short video (max. 15 seconds) on your public Instagram;
• Add the  #DiscoverEU  and  #Competition hashtags in your post;
• Tag the European Youth Instagram account @european_youth_eu on the photo or on the social media post;
• Fill in the survey at:  https://europa.eu/youth/discovereu/competition/consent (you will need your application code for that, it can be found in the email you received right after applying to DiscoverEU);
• Ask your friends to ‘like’ your photo/video.

Ready to be part of DiscoverEU?

How to (Sustainable) Travel Over Europe 

EURES: Work Everywhere in Europe

Houssine PiiRaTag

I am interested in nature and animals and my passion is to travel and discover new regions and learn about traditions and cultural diversity

Add a comment

Leave a reply · cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

• Share via...

subscribe to our

Don't miss any opportunity, privacy overview.

Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.

The Ultimate Guide to European Train Travel With a Eurail Pass

Here’s how every type of traveler—not just backpackers—can benefit from this all-in-one train ticket..

• Copy Link copied

The Eurail Pass includes rides on many popular scenic routes, including Switzerland’s Bernina Express.

Photo by Jacques Bopp/Unsplash

If you’re planning a multi-city tour of the European continent this summer and will rely on trains to get around, you may want to consider purchasing a Eurail Pass . Haven’t thought about buying a Eurail Pass since your backpacking days? You’re not alone. The last time I traveled with one was in 2007 as a college student. After forking over about $500 (from my part-time job as a barista) for the multi-use train ticket, I rode at least a dozen trains from Amsterdam to Paris and on to Madrid over the course of a month that summer. I saved not only money but also time waiting to buy tickets because I could walk onto most trains and have the conductor punch my pass on board. For beginners to European train travel, the Eurail Pass is a single document that allows non-European citizens to travel by train multiple times across a network of 33 European countries. The travel must occur over a specified period of time, and the pass forgoes the need to buy individual point-to-point tickets. The Eurail Pass, which is celebrating its 65th anniversary this year, can be used for riding local trains, high-speed trains, and even night trains . In addition to the flexibility and time-saving benefits it affords, traveling with one can also save you money, depending on your travel plans.

Here’s everything you need to know about Eurail Passes before you buy one.

Eurail vs. Interrail

Eurail is not cheaper than Interrail. Their prices are exactly the same, but Eurail is for non-EU residents and citizens.

How do Eurail Passes work?

You can choose from either a One Country Pass , which covers train travel in a single country, or a Eurail Global Pass , which offers unlimited train travel across 33 countries in Europe, using their national railroads. Within each pass type, there are even more options. There are ones for children (ages 4 to 11), youth (12 to 27), adults (28+), and seniors (60+). They come in first- and second-class options across all age categories. The passes also cover different trip lengths for both One Country and Global Passes. The flexible, four-days-in-one-month pass is for you if you’re going on a shorter getaway and won’t be taking trains regularly. The pass with three months of unlimited travel is best used for fast-paced trips where you plan to cover a lot of ground over an extended time.

The validities for flexible passes include:

• Four travel days within one month
• Five travel days within one month
• Seven travel days within one month
• 10 travel days within two months
• 15 travel days within two months

There are also passes available for unlimited travel days during set periods of time. Those continuous train passes include durations of:

• Two travel months
• Three travel months

The pass is sold by the number of travel days during which you plan on using it. Each travel day covers as many trains as you’d like to take in a 24-hour time window from 12:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. on the same calendar day.

Keep in mind that there are exceptions to be made if you’re taking a night train. For example, if you book a train that leaves on Monday night and arrives on Tuesday morning, you will only need to use one travel day (the day of your departure) to cover that trip. However, if you choose to board another train on Tuesday, you’ll have to use another travel day on your pass. To find the ideal pass for your particular trip, Eurail built an online tool that lets you fill in your travel plans, including which countries you plan to visit, how many days you intend to travel by train, and the length of your entire trip. At the end of the short survey, it recommends the pass that best suits your needs.

Within France, your Eurail Pass will get you access to the TGV high-speed train network.

Photo by Hans Engbers / Shutterstock

Where can you buy a Eurail Pass?

You can buy any type of Eurail Pass online from Eurail.com , but several other sites sell them, too. RailPass and Rail Europe are both authorized vendors that sell Eurail Passes for around the same price as Eurail.com with slight variations to insurance and service fees.

Some offer free shipping (if you want a paper pass) and others special discounts and promo codes on tickets, so it’s best to check all your options before purchasing your pass to make sure you’re getting the best deal.

You can also purchase Eurail Passes at train stations in Europe , but that’s more expensive than ordering them online in advance.

How much does a Eurail Pass cost?

These are some 2024 starting prices of a Eurail Global Pass for adults purchased directly through Eurail:

• Four days in one month pass : $311 for second-class and $395 for first-class
• 7 days within one month pass: $419 or $532
• 15 days within two months pass: $608 or $772
• Three-month unlimited pass: $1,052 or $1,335

Considering that a two-month unlimited pass costs $909 in second class or $1,154 in first, you’re only a few hundred more for an entire extra month of unlimited train travel.

One Country Passes are slightly more affordable and vary by each country. For example, adult passes for Italy bought directly from Eurail range from $182 to $321 for second class and $231 to $408 for first class.

The big caveat with One Country Passes is that the longest pass is eight days within one month.

Eurail also groups certain regions, so you can get multiple countries for the price of one with its Benelux Pass (Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg) and Scandinavia Pass (Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden). Note that Eurail does not offer One Country Passes for certain countries that are included in the Global Pass, such as Switzerland, Montenegro, and Bosnia.

In 2020, Eurail launched its first-ever mobile version of the Eurail Pass via its Rail Planner App.

Courtesy of Eurail

Are Eurail Passes worth it?

It depends. If you know you’ll have four travel days over a one-month period, a second-class pass would cost most adults $311—or $77.75 per day. If the train you need to take costs more than $77.75, or if you’ll be taking multiple trains in one day that add up to more than that, it’s worth buying that pass. If you only need a less costly regional train to get between cities like Amsterdam and Brussels , however, then it’s probably not worth it.

For those who would argue that buying $50 Ryanair or EasyJet flights to jump from city to city is faster and cheaper, keep in mind that once you add on arriving early to the airport for security and all the bag fees you’d pay to check a bag, you might end up breaking even. Plus, train travel is far more sustainable and more scenic .

Do you need reservations with a Eurail Pass?

In some instances, yes. Not every train requires or even offers reserved seating. TER trains in France , for example, only have unreserved seats (except between Paris and some destinations in Normandy). Some types of trains in certain countries always require a seat reservation. In France, a required seat reservation on the TGV INOUI between Paris and Nice is $13.20 in both first and second class. A required seat reservation on the AVE train between Barcelona and Madrid is $13.20 in second class and $16.50 in first. In popular countries like France, Spain, and Italy—especially in the summer—you will certainly need to make an advance seat reservation at an additional cost (generally from five to 12 euros), even if the fare is included with your Eurail Pass.

In addition to those popular destinations, all night trains and most international high-speed trains throughout Europe require a supplemental reservation fee . Some scenic trains, like the Bernina Express in Switzerland, also require one. To find out if you need to make a reservation, search for your desired route on the Eurail Timetable , and the results will show whether or not one is necessary and the price.

Reservation fees vary between different countries and train services and must be paid directly to the railway carriers; payment can be made at the train station, online through the websites of the national railway companies, by phone, or through Eurail’s Rail Planner app. Eurail recommends making train reservations two months in advance during the summer and ahead of holidays to guarantee yourself a seat.

Alternatively, you can opt to ride on regional trains, which don’t require seat reservations. Even though they’re slower, if you have the time to stop along the way, you’re likely to discover a few appealing villages you never would have happened upon by taking the high-speed route. To find trains that don’t require reservations, check the “no seat reservations required” box when searching on the Eurail Timetable page.

What countries are included in a Eurail Pass cover?

There are currently 33 countries in Europe with rail carriers that accept Eurail Passes. Great Britain’s train operators nearly pulled out of the agreement in August 2019 . After negotiations with the Rail Delivery Group (RDG), which represents Britain’s train industry, travelers will continue to be able to use their Eurail passes within Great Britain—that’s England, Scotland, and Wales only. A One Country Eurail pass for Ireland also covers Northern Ireland.

Here’s the full list of the 33 countries currently serviced by Eurail: Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and Turkey. Download the train route map .

Eurail covers train routes in 33 countries.

How far in advance can I book a Eurail Pass?

You can buy a Eurail Pass up to 11 months before your trip, as long as it is activated at a European train station within that 11-month period. You can also preactivate your pass for a specific date when you check out at Eurail.com to avoid waiting in line at the train station to do so.

Get a mobile version of the Eurail Pass via Eurail’s Rail Planner App . Instead of waiting for the physical document to be delivered in the mail—or constantly worrying about losing it during your trip—you can download the app and load your mobile pass onto it as soon as your order confirmation lands in your inbox.

Are Eurail Passes just for college students?

You may have been under the impression that only budget backpackers in their 20s can benefit from Eurail Passes, but the passes are actually available to all age groups. Those 27 and under can get up to 25 percent off the standard adult price; the discount for people over age 60 is 10 percent. Eurail passes are also great for families and really cost-effective. Kids ages three or younger don’t need a pass at all (to travel on an adult’s lap) and children ages four to 11 are eligible for a free Child Pass. Up to two children are allowed to travel for free with one adult. Find out more about family discounts here . Note that if you want a guaranteed seat for your child aged three or under, you’ll need to book a regular Child Pass.

What are other benefits to having a Eurail Pass?

All Eurail Pass–holders are eligible for discounts on select museum tickets and boat tours throughout the entire 33-country network. But one of the major perks of having an unlimited train ticket that includes night trains is the hotel savings. By sleeping on a train, you’ll get from point A to point B and save money on hotels at the same time.

Eurail Passes aren’t only for use on trains either—they can be used on ferries and public transportation in some countries, too. See the full list of participating train, ferry, and public transport companies that accept Eurail Passes on board. The Greek Islands Pass , for example, offers ferry service to 46 islands, making it a viable option for island-hopping .

This article was originally published in 2019 and was updated most recently on June 11, 2024 with current information.

The Best Rail Passes in Europe

Make the most of terrific train travel on The Continent

Rail passes can be a great bargain. Back in the 1970s, they were always a good deal. But in the 21st century, you have to plan your trip well to make use of the many types of European rail passes available.

Here's the problem. Think of the rail pass (any of the Eurail offerings) as a big, all-you-can-eat buffet. You can have anything you want, all spread out in front of you. You don't have to know its name in English, you just dig in. Now, if you're hungry and want to get the most for your money, you'll take big, heaping helpings of all the expensive foods that have high value. You'll pass on the salad greens and dig into heaping helpings of c oq au vin  and pappardelle with wild mushrooms.

In rail pass terms, if you spend your time taking long train rides in expensive places like Scandinavia, you'll save a heap of money over buying point-to-point tickets.

On the other hand, if you take short jaunts, one a day, between places that are relatively close, you'll pay dearly. Your pass will have actually cost you more money than buying individual tickets.

It's like you'd bellied up to the buffet for a couple of lettuce leaves and a piece of white bread. You didn't get your money's worth. The owner smiles and pats his wallet. That's how he makes his money.

Rail Pass Benefits

While rail passes aren't as comprehensive as they once were, you'll still derive benefits from having one. Yes, you'll still have to head to the ticket counter to pay supplements for the high-speed trains you might want to take or for seat reservations, but getting on a regular train without going through the hassle of standing in line to buy tickets is a plus. And many passes are useful for other means of transportation as well as trains, so check carefully when you order.

Rail travel is a blast. You'll meet people. You'll get to watch the rugged mountain scenery pass without worrying that you might crash into it. And trains in Europe, for the most part, are fast (or very fast), clean, modern, and, yes, romantic. 

Tthe Best Rail Pass for Your Trip

One thing you can say for sure, most rail passes are best suited for folks who plan their vacations very carefully unless you have enough time and cash to buy the original Eurail pass, which is still being sold and is the first stop on our rail pass tour.

Remember that you can't buy rail passes in Europe; you must purchase them within six months of your vacation and get them validated on your first day of travel.

The  Eurail  Global Pass offers consecutive-day first-class travel in Europe (including Austria,  Belgium , Croatia,  Czech Republic , Denmark, Finland , France,  Germany , Greece, the Netherlands, Hungary , Italy,  Luxembourg , Norway, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland) for 5 days or up to 3 months, depending upon the duration you choose. Prices per day decrease with increasing pass duration. You'll still have to pay supplements on high-speed trains, and you'll have to pay for seat reservations if you want them, although first class tends to have more unreserved seats then second in most markets.

The Eurail Select Pass offers unlimited train travel of two, three or four bordering countries connected by train or ship. There is a choice of five to 10-day passes.

(Note that Britain is not included in Eurail passes. Check BritRail for information for rail pass information and prices.)

Multiple Country Rail Passes

If you've narrowed things down to a couple of big countries, your best bet is a multiple country pass from  RailEurope . You have lots of country combos to choose from.

Single Country Rail Passes

A variety of passes for a single country  are available for travelers who have really narrowed down their vacation destination. Prices vary because the rail system in each country has a different fare structure. Plan longer trips to get the best value from your rail pass. (There is no need to get an expensive Eurail pass in Belgium . The national rail network in Belgium has its own cheap pass that allows any number of travelers to share one 10-journey ticket, making each journey cost very little.) 

Discounts for Youths and Seniors

Eurail also offers Youth Passes, with discounts on second-class rail travel for travelers between the ages of 16 and 25. If you're over 60, discounted rates are available for some passes and specific trains. Be sure to check the appropriate box when you check out.

Is a Rail Pass Worth It?

Skeptical that you'll be able to save on your transportation with a rail pass over point to point tickets? Here's a comparison of prices (examples only). Let's use a pass that hasn't been discussed, the Eurail Scandinavian Pass, a Scandinavian rail pass covering four  Scandinavian countries .

In this example, the cheapest Scanrail pass will cost you $291 for five days of first-class travel in two months. A second-class fare for an Oslo-to-Bergen trip will run you between $119 and $140, depending on time and date. The fare between Malmo and Stockholm is $141. In this price example, you'll spend almost the price of your pass in two of your five days, giving you almost three days of free travel with the pass. Not a bad return. And youth passes and  senior passes  are available, allowing that group to save even more.

The bottom line: Price your options (point-to-point tickets or rail passes) after you've planned out your trip based on how many cities and countries you want to travel to over how many days.

DiscoverEU: Applications are open for 35,000 young people to receive a free travel pass

The European Commission has just launched the DiscoverEU spring call, thanks to which 35,000 young people will receive a free rail pass to explore Europe.

The application round starts today at 11:00 am Irish time (12:00 CET) and will end on 29 March at 11:00 am Irish time (12:00 CET).

To win a travel pass, young people are invited to apply on the European Youth Portal , answer 5 quiz and one tiebreaker questions. Successful applicants born between 1 July 2004 and 30 June 2005 will be able to travel in Europe for up to 30 days during the travel period 15 June 2023 and 30 September 2024.

The call is open to applicants from the European Union and the third countries associated to the Erasmus+ Programme , such as Iceland, Liechtenstein, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia and Türkiye.

We are glad to announce the launch of the 8th application round of DiscoverEU. As years pass by, the DiscoverEU community rallies more and more young people. After this application round, we will have reached over one million applicants. This is quite an impressive number in less than 5 years of implementation. It shows the appetite of young Europeans to bond and explore our wonderful cultural heritage. And there is more. We are making DiscoverEU more and more inclusive. The DiscoverEU Inclusion Action, launched by the Erasmus+ National Agencies, will allow young people with fewer opportunities to take part in DiscoverEU on equal footing with their peers. Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth

For More Information

Full press release

European Youth Portal

Share this page

• Schengen News
• Liechtenstein
• Netherlands
• Switzerland
• Borders & Security
• Policy Changes
• ETIAS Travel Authorization
• Restrictions & Entry Bans
• Golden Visa
• Romania – Schengen
• Bulgaria – Schengen

EU Opens First Round of Applications for Free Travel Passes for Young People

Common Implementation Plan Gets Introduced to Help EU Countries Manage Migration & Asylum

Finland: ukrainians account for the largest group of seasonal workers in 2024 so far, serbia & bih threatened with suspension of eu visa-free deal due to their visa policies, denmark to implement new rules for healthcare foreign workers starting july 1, 7 eu countries in dire need of doctors & nurses are offering visas to foreign medical professionals.

Starting from today, April 7, and until April 21, young people living in Erasmus+ countries can apply for one of the 35,000 free travel passes offered by the EU Commission.

In a statement issued today, the European Commission has announced that DiscoverEU, which allows 18-year-olds to explore Europe mainly by train, is opening the first round of applications for 2022, .

According to the Commission, this year’s round will mark DiscoverEU’s entry into Erasmus+, and for the first time ever, it will be made possible for youngsters from Iceland, Liechtenstein, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, and Turkey to apply for the passes .

“With this change and through the exceptional funding under the European Year of Youth 2022, 70,000 travel passes will be made available in 2022: 35,000 in the application round announced today and another 35,000 in an application round foreseen for October,” the Commission notes in a press release issued regarding the opening of the application period.

It also states that eligible to enter are applicants who have successfully completed the selection quiz and are born between July 1, 2003, and June 30, 2004. The winners will have the opportunity to travel throughout Europe for up to 30 days during the travel period July 1, 2022, and June 30, 2023.

Commenting on the opening of the application period, the EU Vice-President for Promoting our European Way of Life, Margaritis Schinas, said that those who turn 18 in the second half of the year would be able to apply in the October round for the free passes.

“DiscoverEU gives more opportunities to travel to young people than ever before. With the European Year of Youth, we celebrate youth. We owe this to an entire generation that could not travel for the last two years. Good luck to all,” the Vice-President said.

To increase the learning dimension of the DiscoverEU experience, Erasmus+ National Agencies will facilitate meetings and information meetings to prepare new travellers for their journey and to create a learning experience with colleagues.

The Commission has also announced that DiscoverEU aims to promote discussions on sustainability, culture, and European identity, through these meetings.

In addition, participants who have disabilities or health problems will be able to accompany them during their journey.

The Commission, by encouraging sustainable rail travel, also makes exceptions for those who have difficulty reaching continental Europe to begin their train journey. To make this possible, special arrangements have been available for young people from more remote regions, counties and foreign territories, remote areas, and islands.

>> EU Commission to Provide Additional 10,000 Free Rail Passes to Young EU Citizens This Year

Top Stories

Is your flight cancelled or delayed in 2024 get to know your compensation rights in eu, germany remains your best option for obtaining a multiple-entry schengen visa in 2024, data show, eu working on etias mobile app: here’s all you need to know before it is launched in mid-2025, eu won’t increase schengen visa fees for everyone: here’s who will be exempt, most common mistakes travellers make when applying for a schengen visa, 15% of brits less likely to travel to eu once entry/exit system comes into force, cape verdeans required to pay €67.5 for schengen visa fees since june 11, 8 eu countries push for free movement restrictions against russian diplomats, eu & kazakhstan in talks to facilitate schengen visa acquisition for kazakh citizens, czechia introduces new work portal to attract experts in technological fields, member states may suspend visa-free travel for georgia for 6 months, eu ambassador says, eu cashes in €56 million from rejected visa applications from african countries, dominican republic working to reach visa-free travel agreement with eu, schengen visa appointments in uae fully booked until early september, ireland bans entry for ukrainians without valid biometric passports, these are europe’s most stressful airports to travel through this summer, net immigration keeps eu population from a plummeting decrease of 93 million people by 2070, greek islands to welcome 50,000 turkish visitors during eid through new visa scheme, over 35,500 youngsters will receive travel passes to discover europe for free this summer, venice has banned loudspeakers & restricts tour groups to limit impact of over-tourism.

• Editorial Policy
• Privacy Policy
• Cookie Policy
• Terms & Conditions

Get our Rail Planner app

Plan your trip, get extra discounts, and show your Pass as you go.

Our favorite spring routes

Celebrate spring with these 7 off-the-beaten-path train routes

All about seat reservations

Everything you need to know about booking your seats

Alternatives to Busy Routes

Travel between popular European cities without seat reservations

Through our Chatbot in the bottom right corner.

Ask the Community

Browse questions from fellow Eurail travellers, or ask your own!

• Passes guide
• Travel deals
• Eurail Pass discounts

Family Discounts

• Order overview
• Reservations overview
• My Trips & Travelers
• {{translatedTraveler}} {{#promotional}} {{currencySign}} {{standardPrice}} {{/promotional}} {{quantity}}x {{currencySign}} {{finalPrice}}
• Child {{childPasses}}x FREE
• {{translatedPassType}}
• {{translatedValidityPeriodDescription}}
• {{translatedClass}}
• Remove Pass(es)
• {{variant.localizedTravelPackDescription}} {{quantity}}x Free
• {{variant.localizedPassUpgradeDescription}} {{quantity}}x {{currency}} {{price}}
• Your order will arrive by {{expectedDeliveryDate}} 1 x {{currency}} {{price}}

Your cart is empty

Free Passes for kids with Eurail

We believe experiencing Europe with your family can be truly amazing. This is why children aged 11 or younger on the date you choose to start your trip can get a   free Pass with Eurail. The best way your child can learn about the world is by seeing it.

Passes for kids

No pass for kids aged 3 or younger.

Children under 4 on the date you choose to start your trip do not need a Eurail Pass.  On crowded trains, parents may be requested to put the child on their lap, as they are not guaranteed their own seat.

If you would like a seat for your child you must reserve a seat in advance; however, a free Eurail Child Pass is required to make a seat reservation. You can get 2 free Eurail Child Passes (for children aged 0-11) per Eurail Adult Pass.

On night trains, it is necessary to reserve and pay for a separate couchette or sleeper if you would like your child to have their own bed.

Free Pass for kids aged 4 to 11

Children aged 4-11 on the date you choose to start your trip can get a free Child Pass.  This Pass can be ordered together with an Adult Pass (applies to all Eurail Passes). When ordering your Eurail Adult Pass, add the number of Child Passes you need to your cart from the pass tables.

A maximum of two children can travel for free with one adult. The adult they travel with does not have to be a family member; this can be any adult over the age of 18 at the time of travel.

If more than two children are traveling with one adult, a separate  Youth Pass  needs to be purchased for the additional children.

Reservations for kids

Seat reservations are not included in our Passes. If you want to travel on certain types of trains like night trains and high-speed trains, you'll need to make reservations for all people traveling, including kids. Find out more about reservations and reservation fees .

Travelling together with kids

Our self-service Reservations booking tool assigns seats through an automated system that can't take seating preferences into account. To ensure that you and your little ones are assigned seats together, we recommend adding their free Eurail Child Passes to your order, adding them as travelers to your account, and booking your reservations well in advance. The sooner you book the reservations, the less crowded the trains are and there is a higher likelihood of being seated together for your train journey, making your experience of traveling with your young ones seamless and relaxed.

Please note: Booking in advance cannot guarantee seats being assigned together. If this is the case for your reservation, please contact the train carrier to arrange seating swaps or request assistance from the conductor on board on the train.

Check out our other discounts!

Youth discount.

Travelers aged 12 to 27 on the date you choose to start your trip, you can travel with a youth discount.

Senior discount

Travelers 60 and over on the date you choose to start your trip get a 10% senior discount on all Eurail Passes.

Comfort and convenience

My family loves Eurail. It makes our travels around Europe so comfortable and convenient! Instead of having to take planes from one country to another, riding the different European trains makes our trip an amazing experience.

TrustPilot from Paula, Phillipines

View Review >

Change of currency

You cannot change the currency once you have a Pass in your cart. Remove the Pass, and then change the currency on the website header.

Cookies on citizensinformation.ie

We use cookies to collect information about how you use citizensinformation.ie. This helps us to improve your experience. You can find out more about the cookies we use in our Cookie notice . You can also read our Privacy policy . You can accept all cookies or you can chose which cookies to accept or reject. You can change your cookie preferences at any time by using the My cookie preferences link at the bottom of each page.

Cookie preferences

Cookies used by google analytics.

We use Google Analytics to measure how you use the website so we can improve it. We have configured Google Analytics to anonymise your IP address so that you are not personally identified. We gather information on:

• How you got to the site
• The pages you visit on citizensinformation.ie, and how long you spend on each page
• What you click while you are visiting the site

Free travel in Ireland

What is the free travel scheme, how to use free travel, where can i use free travel, how to qualify for free travel, how to apply for free travel, where to apply for free travel, senior smartpass for travelling in northern ireland.

The Free Travel Scheme allows you to travel, free of charge, on public transport and some private bus and ferry services.

Everyone aged 66 and over, living permanently in Ireland, can get the Free Travel Scheme.

People with disabilities and carers aged under 66 may also qualify for Free Travel.

If you qualify for Free Travel and you are married, in a civil partnership or cohabiting, your partner may travel with you for free if you meet certain criteria (see ‘Spouses, civil partners and cohabitants’ below).

If you can’t travel alone for medical reasons, you may get Free Travel for a companion. This allows a person aged over 16 to travel with you for free.

Changes to the Free Travel Scheme in 2024

From 29 July 2024, you will qualify for the Free Travel Scheme if you are aged over 17 and under 66, and:

• Have never been able to drive due to a disability
• Have a driving licence and are medically certified as ‘not fit to drive’ for at least 12 months.

While the change won’t take effect until July, you can download and fill in an application form for Free Travel for people medically certified unfit to drive (FTM) (pdf) now.

In this case, your spouse, civil partner, or cohabitant cannot accompany you free of charge when travelling.

If you qualify for Free Travel, your Public Services Card (PSC) will have FT (for Free Travel) in the top left-hand corner. The letter following it shows who can travel for free with you:

• FT-P - you can travel for free
• FT+S - your spouse, partner or cohabitant can travel with you for free
• FT+C - you can have a person (over 16) travel with you for free

You must show or scan your Public Services Card to the travel operator when you are travelling on public transport. Find out more about 'How to use your public services card for free travel' .

Paper travel passes are no longer being issued but you can still use your paper pass, if it is valid.

You can use your Free Travel on most Iarnród Éireann , Bus Éireann , Dublin Bus , DART and Luas Services and on certain private bus and ferry services (pdf) .

Free travel is also available on Dublin Bus Nitelink , Go-Ahead Ireland and TFI (Transport for Ireland) Local Link services .

Free travel does not include some special services such as Dublin Bus AIRLINK services .

You can find a full list of services where you can use Free Travel (pdf) on gov.ie.

There are no restrictions on the times you can use your Free Travel.

Living on the Aran Islands or Tory Island

If you are permanently living on any of the Aran Islands, you may get up to 12 single (or 6 return) air trips each year between the islands and Galway City.

People who live permanently on Tory Island (Co. Donegal) are entitled to 8 (or 4 return) free journeys on the seasonal helicopter service operating between the island and Falcarragh on the mainland.

If your public services card includes free travel for a companion, spouse, partner or cohabitant, they can also travel with you for free on the above services.

Going to Northern Ireland

You may also travel free of charge on certain cross-border services between Ireland and Northern Ireland. But to travel free in Northern Ireland, you must have a Senior Smart Pass – see ‘Senior SmartPass for travelling in Northern Ireland’ below.

To get Free Travel you must be living in Ireland and meet one of the following conditions:

• You are aged 66 or over
• You are getting Disability Allowance , Blind Pension , Carer's Allowance or an Invalidity Pension
• You are blind or visually impaired and meet the medical conditions for Blind Pension
• You have been getting Incapacity Supplement or Workmen's Compensation with Disablement Pension for at least 12 months
• You are a specified carer for a person getting Constant Attendance Allowance or Prescribed Relative's Allowance
• You are getting a social security invalidity payment (or similar payment) from a country covered by EU regulations or from a country with which Ireland has a bilateral social security agreement for at least 12 months

Widow or widower or a surviving civil partner

If you are a widow or widower or a surviving civil partner aged 60 or over, living in Ireland and your late spouse or civil partner had Free Travel, you can get Free Travel, if you are getting one of the following payments:

• Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Partner's (Contributory) Pension
• Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Partner's (Non-Contributory) Pension
• One-Parent Family Payment
• Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Partner's Pension under the Occupational Injuries Benefit Scheme
• A similar social security pension or benefit from a country covered by EU regulations or a country with which Ireland has a bilateral social security agreement
• You are getting an ordinary Garda widow's pension

Spouses, civil partners and cohabitants

If you are entitled to Free Travel and you are married, in a civil partnership or cohabiting, your partner may be able to travel with you for free.

Your spouse, civil partner or cohabitant cannot travel with you for free, if you are under age 66 and getting Free Travel because you are:

• Getting Carer's Allowance
• The nominated carer for a person getting Constant Attendance Allowance or Prescribed Relatives Allowance

Your PSC card must have FT-S on it to allow your partner travel with you. To add your spouse, civil partner or cohabitant to your Free Travel - see ‘How to apply for Free Travel’ below.

If you can’t travel alone

If you are unable to travel alone , you can have a person, over 16 years of age, travel with you for free. Your PSC card must have FT-C on it. To add a companion to your Free Travel, see ‘How to apply for Free Travel’ below.

Free travel companion card for children

A child with a visual impairment can get Free Travel for a companion if they are under 18 and they either:

• Satisfy the blindness condition for a Blind Pension, or
• Are registered with Vision Ireland or the National League of the Blind of Ireland

The person they travel with (companion) must be age 16 or over.

Work and Free Travel

You can keep your Free Travel for 5 years, if you moved from one of the following disability payments to work:

• Disability Allowance
• Invalidity Pension
• Partial Capacity Benefit (from Invalidity Pension)
• Disablement Benefit paid along with Incapacity Supplement

You can also keep your Free Travel for 5 years if you transferred from Disability Allowance or Invalidity Pension to a Community Employment , SOLAS or a Back to Work scheme.

If you are aged 66 or over and are getting a State pension, your Public Services Card (PSC) will be issued showing that you have Free Travel automatically.

If you are under 66, you will get Free Travel automatically issued on your PSC if you get one of the following payments:

• Blind Pension
• Carer’s Allowance

If you are married or in a civil partnership, your PSC will be issued with FT-S on it. If you are cohabiting, you must fill in Part 1 and 2 of the Free Travel application form FT1 (pdf) .

If you are not getting one of the payments above but you are eligible for Free Travel, you must fill in the Free Travel application form FT1(pdf) and send to the Free Travel Section in the Department of Social Protection.

If you can’t travel alone and need a companion

If you are unable to travel alone, you can apply for Free Travel for a Companion, using either of the following forms:

• Over 70 Companion pass form (pdf)
• Under 70 Companion pass form (pdf)

You can get an application form for Free Travel from the Department of Social Protection. The form is also available at your local post office and Citizens Information Centre .

Lost or damaged Free Travel pass or PSC

There are currently 2 types of Free Travel Pass:

• A paper Free Travel Pass
• A Public Services Card with Free Travel (with F-T written in the top left-hand corner)

Paper passes are no longer being issued so if you need a replacement for a lost or damaged paper pass, you must undergo SAFE registration and get a Public Services Card .

If your Public Services Card Free Travel is lost, stolen or damaged, you should telephone 0818 837 000 to request a replacement card.

Free Travel

Social Welfare Services College Road Sligo Ireland

If you are 66 or over and have Free Travel, you can travel free of charge on all bus and rail services within Northern Ireland using a Senior SmartPass card.

If you are 66 or over and have Free Travel, you do not need to meet the residency condition in Northern Ireland to apply for a Senior SmartPass card.

How to apply for a Senior SmartPass

To get a Senior SmartPass, you must fill in an application form (FTNI1). You can get this form from your local Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Branch Office. It is not possible to get this form online .

You should not use a photocopy of the form as each form is barcoded. The application form must be filled in with black ink only and returned in person (not posted) to your Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Branch Office.

You must bring each of the following items with your application form to your Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Branch Office:

• Your Irish Free Travel pass/Public Services Card
• Proof of your address, (for example, a gas, electricity, phone bill or bank statement)
• Proof of your identity, (for example, your driving licence, passport or another form of photo identification)
• A recent passport standard colour photograph

It may take up to 6 weeks to process your application. There is further information on the extension of the Free Travel Scheme .

Travelling with a partner or companion

A spouse, civil partner, cohabitant or companion cannot travel with you for free on public transport within Northern Ireland.

However, your Irish Free Travel allows your spouse, civil partner, cohabitant or companion to travel for free on certain cross-border services between Ireland and Northern Ireland. For example, a cross-border train journey that starts in Ireland and ends in Northern Ireland or vice versa.

Renewing and replacing a Senior SmartPass

Your Senior SmartPass will expire after 5 years.

• If you have electronically used your card within the last 2 years, you will get a new card automatically in the post from Translink when your card expires.
• If you have not used your card in the last 2 years, you will be sent a renewal application form to fill in. The renewal form is not the same as a first-time application and you do not need to supply a photograph.
• If you have never used your card, you will not hear from Translink at all. If you wish to get it renewed, you must contact Translink by email at [email protected] , or telephone 00 44 289 075 9129 or 028 90 66 66 30 and they will send you a renewal application.

If you lose or need to replace your Senior SmartPass for travel in Northern Ireland, you can fill in form (FTNI 2) (pdf) .

Brexit and the Senior SmartPass

On 31 January 2020 the UK exited the EU . Senior SmartPass holders can continue to travel in Northern Ireland on the bus and train.

Related documents

• Tax-free purchases for non-EU travellers The Retail Export Scheme, allows visitors to Ireland (from outside the European Union) to buy goods in Ireland to take home with them and benefit from tax relief. 2876.005
• Customs regulations for travellers to Ireland Find out about the important rules in place regarding customs regulations for people travelling to Ireland. 2634.319
• Travelling from Ireland for healthcare in Europe Introduction to the options for Irish residents who wish to access healthcare in other countries in Europe. 2557.3682

If you have a question about this topic you can contact the Citizens Information Phone Service on 0818 07 4000 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm).

You can also contact your local Citizens Information Centre .

Manage cookie preferences

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

• Temperature Check
• The Stardust Inquests
• Inside The Newsroom
• Climate Crisis
• International

Irish 18-year-olds can apply for free interrail tickets to travel around Europe next year

APPLICATIONS WILL OPEN this morning for Irish 18-year-olds to apply for a free travel pass to explore the countries in the European Union. 

The DiscoverEU initiative allows members of the European Union who are 18 years old to apply for one of 60,000 travel passes for travel around the EU next year. 

The aim of the scheme is to get young people interested in connecting with Europe.

Applications will open at 11am and will remain open until 26 October. 

Exceptionally for this round, young people who were eligible under the two rounds in 2020, which were cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, can apply too.

Successful applicants can travel with up to four of their friends on their pass. To use the pass, people must travel between 1 March 2022 and 28 February 2023. 

Anyone who travels is expected to be a “Discover EU Ambassador” and to “report back on your travel experiences through social media tools like Instagram, Facebook or Twitter using #DiscoverEU”.

Almost 70 000 young people have been awarded a travel pass since the first application round in June 2018.

You can find out more about the initiative  here

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal

To embed this post, copy the code below on your site

600px wide <iframe width="600" height="460" frameborder="0" style="border:0px;" src="https://www.thejournal.ie/https://www.thejournal.ie/irish-18-year-olds-can-avail-of-free-interrail-tickets-to-travel-around-europe-next-year-5571850-Oct2021/?embedpost=5571850&width=600&height=460" ></iframe>

400px wide <iframe width="600" height="460" frameborder="0" style="border:0px;" src="https://www.thejournal.ie/https://www.thejournal.ie/irish-18-year-olds-can-avail-of-free-interrail-tickets-to-travel-around-europe-next-year-5571850-Oct2021/?embedpost=5571850&width=400&height=460" ></iframe>

300px wide <iframe width="600" height="460" frameborder="0" style="border:0px;" src="https://www.thejournal.ie/https://www.thejournal.ie/irish-18-year-olds-can-avail-of-free-interrail-tickets-to-travel-around-europe-next-year-5571850-Oct2021/?embedpost=5571850&width=300&height=460" ></iframe>

• Defamation Damaging the good reputation of someone, slander, or libel.
• Racism or Hate speech An attack on an individual or group based on religion, race, gender, or beliefs.
• Trolling or Off-topic An attempt to derail the discussion.
• Inappropriate language Profanity, obscenity, vulgarity, or slurs.
• Spam Advertising, phishing, scamming, bots, or repetitive posts.

Leave a comment cancel

Access to the comments facility has been disabled for this user

Create an email alert based on the current article

Welcome page

System for registering non-EU nationals travelling for a short stay in 29 European countries (starting in the second half of 2024)

Travel authorisation for visa-exempt travellers to enter 30 European countries (starting in the first half of 2025)

Share this page

Apply for a free pass to travel around Europe

Applications are now being taken for the chance to inter-rail around Europe

Written by Grainne Jones

Information about the latest news and opportunities.

The European Union have opened applications to the DiscoverEU scheme. The scheme encourages young people to experience freedom of movement, understand Europe’s diversity, enjoy its cultural richness and make new friends, by offering 18-year-olds a free European travel pass. You can apply during the two application rounds during the year, and those who are selected will be awarded the travel pass. Almost 30,000 people were awarded a travel pass in 2018.

What is the free European travel pass?

The European travel pass is mainly for use on the InterRail system , but pass holders will also be able to use buses and ferries at certain times to help make travel across Europe easier. You will only need a single rail ticket for the InterRail.

In some circumstances, and when no other ways of travel are available, the pass will be able to cover plane travel as well.

Who can apply?

You can apply for the passes if:

• You were born between 2nd July 2000 and 1 July 2001 (inclusive of these dates)
• You are a national of one of the 28 European Union (EU) member states
• You are interested in travelling around Europe this year
• You would like to visit between one and four European countries
• You would like to be a DiscoverEU Ambassador

What is a DiscoverEU Ambassador?

As a DiscoverEU Ambassador, you will be invited to report back on your travel experiences through social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter by using the #DiscoverEU. You can also give a presentation about your experience in your school, college or local community. You can win prizes by competing in the #DiscoverEU photo/video competition and be in with a chance to win great prizes.

How to apply

• You can apply by yourself, or with a group of up to five people
• You must fill out an online application form , and be sure to do this with the correct ID or passport number filled in
• You will have to take part in a quiz and answer a subsidiary question during the application

When is the next round for applications?

The next round of applications for the travel pass is open from 2nd of May 2019 to the 16 May 2019 at 12 o’ clock. and you can find the application here . In 2018, 189 tickets were awarded to Irish applicants.

If you are selected

If you are one of the people selected for a travel pass, you will have to travel for a minimum of 1 day, and up to a maximum of 30 days between the 1st of August 2019 and the 31st of January 2020. You will also have to travel to at least 1 cross-border destination, and can this can go up to 4.

If you have any disabilities or health problems which may make your travelling more difficult, DiscoverEU can accommodate you.

Related articles

Take our Reader’s Survey

Written by spunout

Let us know what you think and be in with a chance to win a prize

spunout calls for a Yes/Yes vote in family and care referendums

spunout is calling for a yes vote in the family and care referendums, both taking place on March 8th, following consultation with the organisation'...

Over 2,400 people supported by Youth Information Chat in 2022

Written by 2022 Impact Report , Youth Information Chat

The Youth Information Chat service has published the 2022 Impact Report. In the report, the service’s achievements are highlighted with insig...

Our work is supported by

• Credit cards
• View all credit cards
• Banking guide
• Loans guide
• Insurance guide
• Personal finance
• View all personal finance
• Small business
• Small business guide
• View all taxes

The Guide to Travel Insurance for Trips to Europe

After spending seven years in the U.S. Air Force as an Arabic linguist, Carissa is now a freelance writer using points and miles to fund a four-year (and counting!) adventure. She previously worked as a reporter for The Points Guy. Her writing has since been featured in numerous publications, including Forbes, Business Insider, and The Balance. When she's not flying, you'll usually find her in a Priority Pass lounge somewhere, sipping tea and cursing slow Wi-Fi.

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

Table of Contents

How travel insurance works

How to choose between travel insurance companies, best plans for health insurance while traveling in europe, other tips for travel and medical insurance in europe, which credit cards offer europe travel insurance, travel insurance for europe recapped.

Traveling abroad can be an exhilarating adventure, especially when you’re heading to Europe. Whether you’re in the mood for an eclair or want to take in the Colosseum, making your way over to Europe involves a lot of moving parts.

That’s why travel insurance can be so beneficial. With protections such as trip delay reimbursement and coverage for lost luggage, travel insurance can help make sure your trip stays smooth.

What’s more, several plans include travel health insurance in Europe, so you can worry less about whether that hike through the Alps is a good idea.

Let’s take a look at travel insurance in Europe as well as other coverage options for your vacations.

Because a lot of thought, money and effort go into planning and taking a vacation, protecting your investments (and yourself) with travel insurance can make the difference between an enjoyable memory and a disastrous anecdote you tell at mealtimes.

Travel insurance can cover a variety of things, including:

Accidental death insurance .

Baggage delay and lost luggage insurance .

Cancel for Any Reason insurance .

Emergency evacuation insurance .

Medical insurance .

Rental car insurance .

Trip cancellation insurance .

Trip delay insurance .

Trip interruption insurance .

Trip cancellation, trip delay, trip interruption and lost luggage insurance are all sources of protection when you travel, especially on airlines. These can reimburse you for nonrefundable expenses you miss out on due to covered delays, and may pay you back for costs you end up incurring (including lodging, meals, toiletries and clothing).

Although it’s possible to get standard health insurance for trips abroad, it’s much more common to get coverage for emergency care, which includes protections for unexpected injuries and illnesses.

Health insurance for European travel is usually included with a standard travel insurance policy, but there are plan limits and there may be deductibles.

It’s also possible to purchase medical-only travel insurance from certain providers if you aren’t interested in other trip protections.

» Learn more: How to find the best travel insurance

Before you start shopping for travel and medical insurance in Europe, evaluate the level of coverage you need based on your age, health, trip duration, destination and planned activities (some adventure sports aren't always covered). Compare plans from different providers, paying attention to coverage, benefits and prices.

Here's a short list of factors to consider:

The cost of the policy. 

The limits of the plan.

Whether there are deductibles.

Whether the benefits are primary or secondary.

Where you’re going. 

How long your trip is.

Whether you already have insurance that’ll cover you.  

The types of activities you’ll be doing. 

An insurance aggregator like InsureMyTrip or Squaremouth (a NerdWallet partner) can streamline your shopping experience. Be sure to also read reviews and ratings of individual travel insurance companies to get an idea of customer service and claim resolution processes.

» Learn more: The best travel insurance companies

To figure out the best plans for travel and health insurance in Europe, we generated quotes from multiple travel insurance companies using a test scenario. For this example, we used a 37-year-old Nevada resident traveling to Germany for 11 days with a $4,000 trip cost. Here are the winners.

GeoBlue’s Voyager Choice medical insurance for European travel sits head and shoulders above the rest for cost, at only $28.16.

That said, there's a reason it is so affordable. This plan offers coverage only for medical emergencies and lacks other trip protections. It is a good option if you want to supplement existing travel coverage (say via your credit card ) with more medical coverage.

$1 million in medical coverage.

$0 deductible.

Offers direct billing.

No trip protections.

Pre-existing condition coverage requires that you have domestic health insurance.

Can only purchase plans up to six months in advance of your trip. 

» Learn more: Read our full GeoBlue travel insurance review

IMG’s iTravelInsured Travel SE’s comprehensive plan includes both trip protections and health insurance for Europe travel and rings in at just $135.36.

At this price point, it provides excellent primary coverage for medical insurance, offers rental car insurance and includes superior trip interruption reimbursement.

$250,000 in medical coverage.

$40,000 in rental car insurance. 

Pre-existing conditions covered. 

Travel delay reimbursement kicks in after 12 hours. 

Baggage loss is capped at $250 per item and $1,500 total.

More expensive than other options. 

» Learn more: Read our full review of IMG travel insurance

3. Detour Insurance

The Detour Insurance @The Edge insurance plan is aptly named. Costing $86.90, the plan offers a unique inclusion for the costs of search and rescue, which can provide peace of mind if you're participating in backcountry adventures.

$1 million limit for medical evacuation. 

Coverage can be extended. 

$10,000 for search and rescue. 

No rental car insurance. 

Pre-existing conditions not covered. 

$50,000 limit for 24-hour accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) coverage. 

» Learn more: Is Cancel For Any Reason travel insurance worth it?

4. Trawick International

Trawick International’s Safe Travels Protect plan includes primary medical coverage as well as a wide range of trip protections. At $100.03, it even covers cancellations for medical reasons.

$25,000 in emergency medical coverage.

100% for both trip cancellation and trip interruption. 

Medical quarantine coverage included. 

$100 medical deductible.

$500 lost luggage limit (not a great fit if you are packing several valuables).

Doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions. 

» Learn more: Read our full Trawick International review

Do you have a travel credit card ? Many of these cards offer complimentary travel insurance as a part of their benefits. 

The plan you select may offer secondary coverage, but this matters only if you have existing insurance. In its absence, secondary coverage becomes primary. 

Look at your existing health insurance policy. Some plans will provide emergency coverage for you when traveling internationally. 

If you’re planning on heading for the Dolomites or other European mountains for winter sports, be sure that your travel insurance covers adventure activities; not all do. Travel insurance can rescue a ski or snowboard trip , but read the fine print to see what exclusions apply before you purchase a policy. 

» Learn more: 5 tips before buying Schengen visa travel insurance

If you’re looking for insurance when traveling to Europe, you may already have it without knowing. Many travel credit cards offer complimentary travel insurance.

Available types of insurance can include rental car insurance, emergency medical insurance, trip cancellation reimbursement, lost luggage protection and trip delay insurance.

Here are some of the best credit cards for travel insurance:

on Chase's website

on American Express' website

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per ticket for delays more than 12 hours.

• Trip cancellation: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $40,000 per 12-month period.

• Trip interruption: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $40,000 per 12-month period.

• Baggage delay: Up to $100 per day for five days.

• Lost luggage: Up to $3,000 per passenger.

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per ticket for delays more than 6 hours.

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per trip for delays more than 6 hours.

• Trip cancellation: Up to $10,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $20,000 per 12-month period.

• Trip interruption: Up to $10,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $20,000 per 12-month period.

Terms apply.

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per passenger for delays more than 6 hours.

• Trip cancellation: Up to $2,000 per person for nonrefundable airline, bus, train or ferry tikets.

• Trip interruption: Up to $2,000 per person for nonrefundable airline, bus, train or ferry tikets.

• Lost or damaged luggage : Up to $3,000 per passenger.

» Learn more: How to choose a credit card for Europe travel

Staying safe is important during your trip to Europe. Health insurance for travel can make a difference, especially if you’re planning on doing anything adventurous. The same can be said for other trip protections, which reimburse you for covered expenses that you incur.

Insurance Benefit: Trip Delay Insurance

Up to $500 per Covered Trip that is delayed for more than 6 hours; and 2 claims per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period.

Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.

Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.

Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

Insurance Benefit: Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance

The maximum benefit amount for Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance is $10,000 per Covered Trip and $20,000 per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period.

Insurance Benefit: Baggage Insurance Plan

Baggage Insurance Plan coverage can be in effect for Covered Persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen Baggage during their travel on a Common Carrier Vehicle (e.g., plane, train, ship, or bus) when the Entire Fare for a ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an Eligible Card. Coverage can be provided for up to $2,000 for checked Baggage and up to a combined maximum of $3,000 for checked and carry-on Baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the Common Carrier. The coverage is also subject to a $3,000 aggregate limit per Covered Trip. For New York State residents, there is a $2,000 per bag/suitcase limit for each Covered Person with a $10,000 aggregate maximum for all Covered Persons per Covered Trip.

Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024 :

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

1x-10x Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-2x Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services, and select streaming. Earn 1X points on all other purchases.

85,000 Earn 85,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.