Rail Passes: Overview of European Rail Passes for Summer 2024 (Starting at €2/Day)

As much as we love flying here at Travel-Dealz, it’s not always the best option. While it is the best way to get from one country to another, more often than not, it’s a rather clunky and expensive way for domestic travel – at least in Western Europe. In contrast, train travel (except when it’s crowded) often offers more comfort and allows you to relax or work throughout your journey.

Every summer, more and more rail companies offer rail passes. These allow you to travel in a country (or on a railway company) as much as you want – except for some conditions.

Austria: Monthly ÖBB Pass for Youth at €39 (U20) / €59 (U26) with a €19 Vorteilscard

Austria is another beautiful country offering an interesting rail pass for young people. If you have a €19 Vorteilscard (you can buy one online and it will be valid for a year), you can purchase a Sommerticket at €39 or €59 depending on your age. If you live in Austria or nearby, it may be worth it, especially if you use the Vorteilscard. That gives you 50% off standard tickets throughout the year and you often get seat reservation gifts. You can also schedule your trip to August and buy the Sommerticket next year (if it will be available) with the same Vorteilscard.

• Price:
  • Under 20: €39 per month + €19 Vorteilscard
  • Under 26: €59 per month + €19 Vorteilscard
• Sales Period: Until September 8, 2024
• Validity: 30 days or until September 8, 2024
• Other conditions:
  • On weekdays it’s only valid from 8:00 a.m. until 03:00 the next day
  • You’ll need a reservation to travel on Friday, Saturday and Sunday on long-distance trains
  • Not valid on night trains (except those that run as D trains, but the 3:00 limit still applies)
  • Valid on ÖBB and Raaberbahn (GySEV) trains and the Graz-Klagenfurt ÖBB IC buses, but not on private railways.

Belgium: 1 Month for €35 (Only 26 Years or Younger)

Belgium is a compact country, but it’s still (or because of that) easy to travel through it by train. If you want to see more of the country than just Brussels, Antwerp and Liège, you should take a look at the monthly pass. This summer it only costs €59, with one significant restriction: it is only valid from 9 a.m. on weekdays.

• Price: €35 for one month, €18 for one week
• Sales Period: Until September 1, 2024
• Validity: 31 days or until September 1, 2024
• Other conditions:
  • On weekdays, it’s only valid from 9:00 a.m.
  • You need to download and use the SNCB app.
  • You must be 26 year or younger

Belgium Rail Pass: Ride All Domestic Trains for €18/Week or €35/Month During the Summer (Under 26 Only)

Czech Republic: 7 – 14 Days ČD Rail Pass Starting at CZK 1,390 (~€57) (Starting at CZK 695 (~€29))

While trains in Czechia aren’t necessarily expensive, packing many cities into your itinerary may cost some money. That’s why České dráhy‘s rail pass may be interesting. However, it’s not valid on the country’s cool private operators such as RegioJet or LEOExpress. Therefore, we have to issue the same warning as to Finland: check whether this is the best option for you, especially when planning in advance. If you have an ISIC card, you can benefit from student fares. Czechia is the country for ISIC, giving you amazing deals throughout the country.

• Price:
  • 7 days, adult: CZK 1,390 (~€57)
  • 14 days, adult: CZK 1,990 (~€82)
  • 7 days, student: CZK 695 (~€29)
  • 14 days, student: CZK 995 (~€41)
• Sales Period: Until August 30, 2024
• Validity: 7-14 days until August 31, 2024
• Other conditions:
  • Valid for all ČD trains within the Czech Republic, but not valid for private railways.
  • You need a paid reservation for long-distance trains.

Czech Republic: Summer Holiday Rail Pass for 7 Days for €56, 14 Days for €80

Denmark: 8 Days Local Transport & Trains at DKK 399 (~€53)

The Rejsepass is another recurring travel pass on this site. Valid for trains and buses in the entire country, it’s an interesting travel pass in a relatively expensive country.

• Price: DKK 399 (~€53) per eight days
• Sales Period: Until August 3, 2024
• Validity: 8 days between June 29 and August 11, 2024
• Other conditions:
  • Valid on Arriva, BAT (Bornholm), DOT, DSB, FynBus, Letbanen, Metro, Midttrafik, Movia, NT and Sydtrafik transport.
  • You need to reserve a seat on long-haul trips.

Ride Buses and Trains for 8 Days throughout Denmark for €53 in Summer

Finland: 7 – 30 Days Free Trains for €139 – €349

If you are visiting Finland and for some reason want to explore any other place than the capital area, you’re in luck. The Finnish railway company, VR is once again offering holiday tickets. The prices include a seat reservation (subject to availability) in Eco class. The one-country Interrail Pass costs €119 for Finland allowing travel on 3 days within one month (and you can finish your night train ride the next day!), so it may be more suited for smaller trips.

• Price:
  • 7 days: €139 (€20 per day)
  • 9 days: €159 (€18 per day)
  • 14 days: €209 (€15 per day)
  • 30 days: €349 (€12 per day)
• Sales Period: Until August 7, 2024
• Validity: Until August 31, 2024
• Other conditions:
  • An Eco class seat is included if there is space on a train. When booking a train, you can select a seat in Ekstra Class or above the restaurant car. For night trains, you’d have to ask the conductor onboard.
  • You cannot use most commuter trains in the capital area (Y, X, U, L, E, A, P, I and K trains).

Finland: Holiday Rail Pass Starting at €139 for 7 Days, €349 for 30 Days (More Options Available)

Slovakia: One Week at €29

In addition to offering free trains to the youth and seniors, Slovakia also offers €29 weekly passes to everyone regardless of nationality or age.

• Price: €29 per month
• Sales Period: Until August 31, 2024
• Validity: 7 days or until August 31, 2024
• Other conditions:
  • Only on ZSSK trains.

Slovakia: Summer Rail Pass for €29/Week (for Travel in July & August 2024)

Switzerland: 1 Month of Buses, Trains & Boats at CHF 340 (~€368) (CHF 245 (~€265) for U25)

The Swiss network is often labelled as one of the world’s best or at least Europe’s best. However, one could also argue that you could change the word ‘best’ to ‘most expensive’. For that reason, it’s good to see Trial GA being offered again this year. Adults can use most of what Switzerland has to offer starting at CHF 355 (~€384) and those under 25 can travel even cheaper, starting at CHF 260 (~€281).

• Price:
  • Adults in 2nd class: CHF 355 (~€384)
  • Adults in 1st class: CHF 450 (~€487)
  • Youth (U24) in 2nd class: CHF 260 (~€281)
  • Youth (U24) in 1st class:CHF 325 (~€352)
• Sales Period: Until July 31, 2024
• Validity: One month, until August 30
• Other conditions:
  • Most buses, trams, trains, boats, cable cars are included. You can check the map or the deal site for more conditions.
  • Only available to residents of:
    • Austria
    • France
    • Germany
    • Italy
    • Liechtenstein
    • Switzerland

Summer Trial GA Travelcard: One Month of Using Trains, Buses, and Boats in Switzerland for €364 (1st Class for €461)

Luxembourg: Free Transport Throughout the Country

While not a rail pass, Luxembourg has free transport throughout the country. This “deal” is not only limited to the summer. Since 2020, everyone in Luxembourg can use public transportation free of charge.

Cover Picture: Peer Linder