How to Purchase an Unlimited Eurail Pass

Travel to Europe can be greatly facilitated by purchasing an unlimited Eurail pass. Eurail passes serve most European countries, but yours may serve particular countries depending upon the type. If you're traveling between several countries in Europe, especially if you're backpacking and spending a lot of time in transit, a Eurail pass can save you money.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Go to the Eurail Web site to learn the details of different rail pass options and to purchase your pass online.

2. Choose a Global Pass if you will be traveling to more than 5 countries and are able to spend more than $500 on your Eurail pass. This pass is the most expensive option, but the best deal if you're going to be traveling anywhere from 15 days to 3 months and want the option of traveling to up to 20 different countries.

3. Get the Select Pass if you want to choose 3 to 5 countries you visit using your Eurail pass and can limit your transit days to a certain number within a 2-month travel period. Choose from more than 20 countries and get this pass for about $300.

4. Buy the Regional Pass if you want to secure unlimited travel within a certain region of Europe, such as Austria-Switzerland, Greece-Italy or France-Germany. These passes are much less expensive, starting at around $170.

5. Consider a Single Country Pass if you're traveling on a tight budget within a single country. Different options allow for a few specific days of travel or for unlimited travel every day of the pass period, and start at just $50.

Tips & Warnings

• Some Eurail pass options offer unlimited travel within a certain period, while others allow you to choose a number of days within a 2- to 3-month time frame to be your travel days. All passes, however, allow you an unlimited number of trips, so you can take more than one train ride on any given travel day.