Could someone please explain how the euro passes work, if it would be worth it to buy one, and how i would go about doing so? I will not have a car for the duration of my 13 day trip and will be visiting various cities by train. Including but perhaps not limited to: Maastricht, Amsterdam, Brussels, Munich & Cologne. Thank you!!
Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
7766 posts
Our host, Rick Steves, give out a vast amount of free train information at the top left menu, desktop site version. He does sell railpasses, but is upfront about asking, "Is a railpass really the best for YOU?" Click on Travel Tips.
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
7915 posts
On this website, on the Home page, there is a link to "Train Tips and Railpasses" or go here: https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/transportation/trains That will answer many of your questions.
What you are looking for is a 2 country SelectPass for maybe 5 days (other options are available). This would give you train travel for that many days within a 2 month period. (two countries because Germany counts as one, then Nethertherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg count as one country)
Cost would be about $70 per travel day, so you need to figure out (by going onto Bahn.DE or other Countries train site to price tickets) if the travel you have planned in a day justifies the cost. If you are willing to buy tickets ahead of time, then likely it will be cheaper to do that. Buying the day of travel to preserve flexibility, you might be close with your itinerary. Your itinerary also has the advantage in that many trains for that area do not require reservations or up charges for pass holders.
Read through the info, get some actual costs, then compare.
Posted by
Texas, USA
13 posts
Danielle, check out one of my favorite travel sites ... www.seat61.com ... he explans everything you want to know about train travel in Europe. Have a great trip.
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
Specifically on the Man In Seat 61 page, start with his great discussion of whether or not you should buy a rail pass: https://www.seat61.com/Railpass-and-Eurail-pass-guide.htm#railpass-or-point-to-point-tickets