Eurail Global Pass vs Eurail Select Pass
Validity period and number of countries connected are two main factors that make the difference between Eurail Global Pass and Eurail Select Pass. If you are planning to travel to Europe, you can save a lot of money and also get to explore European countries in a much better and more efficient manner if you chose to travel by Eurorail. Though you can buy tickets every time you chose to travel by rail in a European country, you have the option of buying a pass in advance to avail many features and facilities not available through tickets. You also stand to save on money through these passes. Two of the popular passes are Global Pass and Select Pass. This article takes a closer look at the features of these two different passes to enable non-Europeans to save on money and to avail features depending upon their requirements.
With an appropriate pass in hand, all one has to do is to board a train, sit back and relax with all the facilities and features of the train travel available to him without having to buy tickets every time. You can go on from one city to another as there are passes valid in many interconnected countries.
What is Eurail Global Pass?
If you are traveling to many European countries, it is prudent to choose Eurail Global pass that provides facilities in 28 European countries. Global pass virtually connects the whole of European continent. You can explore most of the historical sites along with modern entertainment destinations across Europe when you have a global pass in your hand. A traveler can choose from destinations up to 28 European countries, and also get free or heavily discounted travel through some of the famous shipping lines across Europe. Global pass is a very flexible pass as a traveler can travel on any, or all of the days for the duration of the pass, if you have a pass that is for a two month continuous period. There are different validity categories that you can select from.
What is Eurail Select Pass?
On the other hand, Eurail Select pass is better if you plan to travel up to 4 countries of Europe. With a select pass, one has the liberty to choose up to maximum 4 European countries that must be adjoining. You can actually customize the pass, and select from thousands of combinations (nearly 7500). You can choose to travel across popular destinations like France, Germany, or Switzerland, or choose from new, exciting European destinations such as Romania, Croatia, Hungary, or Greece. The reason you should choose four adjoining destinations is simple as this. Think that you have chosen four countries where three are adjoining and the fourth is away from the other three. You have to cross another country to reach your fourth country. Then, an additional charge will be added to your fee as you have to cross another country to reach your fourth destination. If you choose adjoining countries, you can avoid this. This also comes with different validity periods beginning from five days within two months.
What is the difference between Eurail Global Pass and Eurail Select Pass?
Travelers to Europe have the liberty and facility of buying passes for Eurorail, which makes their vacations all the more enjoyable as they can explore Europe through Eurorail with lots of savings.
• For whom:
• Global pass is for those who plan to travel the whole of Europe.
• Select pass is for those who wish to travel in selected European countries.
• Number of Countries:
• Global Pass connects 28 European countries.
• For select pass, you can select up to 4 countries from among 26 countries.
• Validity:
• Global Pass has different validity periods beginning from five days within ten days to three months continuous.
• Select pass also has different validity periods that begin from five days within two months to ten days within two months.
• Age limit:
• Once a child is 12 years old, he or she has to buy a separate ticket. Otherwise, the children get a free pass until age 11.
• Prices:
• Eurail Global Pass is more expensive than Eurail Select Pass.
| Eurail Global Pass | Eurail Select Pass | |
| For whom | For those who plan to travel whole of Europe |
For those who wish to travel selected European countries
|
| Number of countries covered | 28 European countries
|
select up to 4 countries from among 26 countries
|
| Validity | From 5 days within 10 days to 3 months continuous |
From 5 days within 2 months to 10 days within 2 months.
|
| Age Limit | Over 12 years need separate pass | Over 12 years need separate pass |
| Cost | More expensive | Less expensive |
Images Courtesy:
- Polish Railways Pendolino in Wrocław, southern Poland by Jjajjo (CC BY-SA 3.0)
- A CFR Class 96 (Siemens’s Desiro) train by Stbichler (CC BY-SA 3.0)
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