Eurail and Interrail passes are finally going digital with a handy new app

For years, backpackers, students, holiday makers and families have enjoyed riding the rails across Europe to discover the cultures and charms of different countries across the continent. Train travel across Europe is still an incredibly popular choice, and, as from today, a handy mobile pass has been rolled out across the continent to offer a more flexible travel experience.

Earlier this summer, Eurail, the company behind the Eurail and Interrail train Passes, successfully launched the Eurail and Interrail mobile Pass in Italy. This is now being rolled out across Europe through the Global Pass. Eurail Global Passes are available to non-European citizens and residents, while European citizens can get an Interrail Pass instead for the same price. The passes work on an extensive network for travel on trains and ferries between 33 countries. Essentially it's an all-in-one mobile pass that travelers can conveniently access via a dedicated Rail Planner App.

Where previously travelers had to manually manage their passes through a paper travel diary, the mobile pass allows ticket inspectors to validate the pass by scanning a barcode. The digital pass also contains security elements to reduce fraud and falsification.

“It is a first that travellers can use just one e-ticket for train travel that is valid in 33 countries, from Norway to Turkey and from Finland to Portugal. More than 35 European railway carriers contributed to make this complex project succeed. Travellers who want to discover Europe by train have an easier and more flexible way of doing so with the mobile Eurail and Interrail Passes.” Carlo Boselli, general manager at Eurail said.

As an introduction offer, all Eurail and Interrail mobile Passes purchased in September and October 2020 can be exchanged or refunded at no additional cost if travellers postpone or cancel their upcoming trip. The new Mobile Pass is available at the Eurail and Interail websites.

This article was first published on August 17 and updated on September 21, 2020.

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