The Essentials

Eurail Pass: What You Need to Know

@Eurail: Facebook

As more Americans are now starting to travel to Europe, many veteran travelers will tell you the key to a successful European experience is when you can travel between countries on that continent.

And perhaps the most efficient way to do that is by train — with a pass.

 

The most famous is the Eurail Pass. It’s been around since 1959, and was first popularized with students, backpackers and folks on a tight budget.

 

But today, it’s all about time and efficiency, and the trains often win the race with short-haul airlines with intra-European travel. The pass now grants access to 40,000 destinations across 33 different countries in Europe. And it’s affordable.

 

The most important caveat is that you have to buy it in the U.S. before you take your trip.